Dear Friends -

You are not going to be believe it but Mile High 360 turned 15 this past June. As far as birthdays go, it may not be a milestone birthday but it signifies that we have clearly reached a level of sustainability and stability that eludes so many nonprofit efforts. Over the past 15 years we have accomplished so much: expanded programming from 6^th-12^th grade to 6^th grade through age 24; added a mentor program and 2-generation program for parents; celebrated high school and college graduations; moved into a wonderful facility; and have launched an initiative to ensure that every Mile High 360 student graduates from a postsecondary institution with limited debt. The list goes on and on and I am thrilled by all it. 

I have been with Mile High 360 for 12 years and count myself lucky to have joined such a wonderful community – students, parents, staff, board members, volunteers, and all of the investors who make Mile High 360 possible. Our work does not happen without your support and I can’t thank you enough for making Mile High 360 a reality. There is no federal, state, or local funding source for the entirety of this work and there are not policies, at any level, that can do this work; simply, it is too nuanced. It is up to us…all of us!

Let me introduce you to some members of Mile High 360, Victor and Wendy (see below), siblings with a collective 19 years of membership. Victor joined as a 6^th grader and graduated from Colorado State University and Wendy joined as a 9^th grader and graduated from University of New Mexico this past spring. I have heard each one speak of the value of Mile High 360 and it is inspiring. However, what often gets overlooked is what each one does for other student members. Their stories, their willingness to talk with more novice students, their commitment to improving Mile High 360 – all of it is so important. We are far from perfect and it is directions from students like Victor and Wendy that make us better. 

This is our 13^th 360 Summit Series Challenge. In 2011, our first year of this event, we raised $42,000. Last year we raised over $300,000. Help us extend our winning streak to support our student members. 

100% of your investment will be used to provide access to out-of-school-time opportunities and resources that have a profound impact on educational and life outcomes. 

Thanks,

Eric