What we Do
Why CBR YouthConnect
We connect partners and opportunities to youth. We fill the gap that exists to help identify today’s youth that are facing and overcoming diversity (and often get overlooked) and reward them and inspire them to keep going.
Why Resilience
Resilience is the ability to face and overcome adversity, then thrive. Resilient youth are more likely to succeed in school, build healthy relationships, and grow into confident adults who positively impact society. However, non-resilient youth are easily overwhelmed and prone to school drop-out, homelessness, mental illness, poverty and incarceration with enormous societal and economic cost (ACEs Study). Resilience is more than personal strength—it’s a vital community investment.
Our Approach: The Resilience Initiative
The Resilience Initiative encompasses three programs: HERO-WITHIN, Bounce Back, and Human-Animal Connection. These programs honor youth who are developing resilience at different stages. Bounce Back celebrates those showing signs of emerging resilience — such as attending school regularly, expressing their feelings, seeking support, and adapting to challenges. HERO-WITHIN, by contrast, recognizes youth demonstrating thriving resilience — sustaining progress, leading with integrity, and achieving long-term growth. Together, these programs create a powerful continuum of support for youth navigating adversity. Our Human-Animal Connection began as one of our original programs at our Colorado Boys Ranch in 1959, and has evolved over the last 65 years to serve hundreds of youth. We take a collaborative approach, partnering with youth-focused organizations, school districts, and a diverse network of skilled professionals and caring individuals to create positive youth-animal interactions.
Why Donate?
Together, we can help Colorado youth build resilience and thrive. Honor their courage. Invest in their future.