A DECADE OF IMPACT
Dear Community,
This year was a significant milestone for Access Opportunity: our 10th anniversary. Ten years ago, we embarked on a journey fueled by our vision of equity in opportunity for students from low-income households. As we reflect on a decade of impact, we are reminded of countless stories of perseverance, growth, and transformation among our students, and we are so proud of what they’ve accomplished.
Access Opportunity has grown from a bold idea into a thriving community of students, alumni, educators, and supporters who believe in the power of education to change lives. We have witnessed our students achieve incredible things—earning degrees, entering purposeful careers, and giving back to their communities—all while staying true to the values and traditions that shaped them.
This year, we not only celebrate our students, but also the community that has made this journey possible. From our dedicated staff and volunteers, to our generous donors and partners, each of you has played a vital role in building the legacy of Access Opportunity. Together, we have created a program that not only prepares students for success in college and careers but also empowers them to serve as leaders in their communities and beyond.
As we look ahead, we are filled with hope. The challenges facing our students are complex, but so is their resolve. With your continued support, we will keep pushing boundaries, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities for the next generation of trailblazers.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Here’s to the next ten years of Access Opportunity—may they be filled with even more growth, resilience, and success!
With deepest gratitude,
Natalee Benzing
Interim Executive Director
MILESTONE MOMENTS
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR
Access Opportunity has five main outcomes for students’ participation in the six-year program. This year, we accomplished these outcomes in the following ways.
#1: Building Community
We hosted our third annual retreat at the Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown, where 97% of students reported forming new friendships or deepening existing ones. This retreat provided students with numerous opportunities to step outside of their comfort zones and connect with one another through activities like night hikes, team-building challenges, and open dialogues about their experiences.
"Attending Cal-Wood has helped me gain valuable connections and relationships with other peers in Access Opportunity. Cal-Wood has also helped me get comfortable with the AO team. My most memorable experience took place during a night when it was just me and some cabin mates. We had the lights off but none of us could sleep because we could not stop laughing from how much fun we were having."
-Eduardo, Class of 2027
STUDENT STORIES
Our 2023-24 Ambassadors
Ambassadors are selected by our program team to showcase the student experience both during and after the program. Each of these individuals has demonstrated strong leadership and communication skills, and they are passionate advocates for Access Opportunity.
Manny
University of Colorado- Boulder
AO Alum (Class of 2023)
"It wasn’t until I learned about Access Opportunity that I understood that higher education was the next step I wanted in my life. [When I was accepted to the program,] it felt like the doors to my future had opened up, and a clear path to college had been set."
.png)
.png)
Paola
University of Denver
Class of 2026
"Access Opportunity has served as a constant support for the past five years. From the college search to SAT prep, guidance through the college application process, and navigating financial aid awards or appeal letters, they have been there for me through it all."
Serenity
DSST: Cole
Class of 2029
"I believe every aspect of my educational journey thus far presents me as a trailblazer. As a first-generation low-income student, it is my job to take advantage of every opportunity and benefit from it."
.png)
Student Leadership
Student Advisory Group members advocate for practices that keep students at the center of everything we do.
Peer Mentors support our first-year college students to successfully navigate their transition from high school.
Ambassadors showcase the student experience both during and after the program through advocacy and communication.
FORGING FUTURES
.jpg)
OUR VISION
Equity in opportunity
for all students.
OUR PROGRAM
SUBTITLE
Being a trailblazer requires support. We've got them covered.
Navigating the college and career journey can be challenging, but our students don’t go it alone. At Access Opportunity, we provide comprehensive, long-term guidance that honors each student's unique background and evolving needs. Our six-year program is tailored to offer personalized support, focusing on what matters most to students and their families. We help them achieve success through:
-
Individualized college and career counseling
-
Social-emotional development
-
Academic support
-
Community-building
-
Expanding networks and social capital
-
Engaging families as partners in the process
We guide the way, but students chart their own course.
Access Opportunity is more than a college and career prep program. We take a holistic approach that not only focuses on academic achievement but also fosters leadership, emotional resilience, and community impact. Our goal is to inspire students to develop a vision that extends beyond college attainment and aims at making a positive difference in their communities.
By collaborating with students, we ensure that their voices shape our programs and policies. Students take the lead in planning workshops, facilitating peer discussions, and crafting content for our communications, actively shaping their journey toward success.
.jpeg)
OUR STUDENTS
Access Opportunity serves high-potential students
from low-income households in Colorado.
In 2023-24, we served 99 students from 11th grade through college graduation, and 335 family members.
RACE & ETHNICITY
STATISTICS
79%
OF OUR STUDENTS
ARE BILINGUAL
91%
OF OUR STUDENTS
ARE FIRST-GENERATION
3.64 GPA
AO STUDENT AVERAGE
IMPACT
Access Opportunity students are changing the trajectory for themselves, their families, and their communities. They are reaching goals that, because of the number of barriers, only a small percentage of other first-generation college students achieve. We are there every step of the way to help them navigate through college and toward a meaningful career.
In 2023-24, we served 26 alumni. After graduating from the program, they returned throughout the year to help support and advise their younger peers by volunteering, donating, and sharing their experiences.
INCOME
MEDIAN STARTING INCOME
FOR AO ALUMS
$72,500
compared to
MEDIAN INCOME FOR AO FAMILIES*
$44,600
*Average household size of 5 people
AO ALUMNI POST-GRADUATION PLANS
2020-2024
"I appreciate the support I received from my sophomore year of high school through the end of my college career. This continuous support is remarkable because not many organizations stay with you until the very end."
-Marisol, AO Alum, Class of 2024
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY
We are deeply grateful for our community of supporters, partners, staff, and volunteers. We have so much gratitude for the rich diversity of skills, experiences, and knowledge this community brings to Access Opportunity. Thank you for inspiring us and we look forward to continuing to learn from each other this year and beyond.
Our Board
Our Staff
Our Donors
Our Volunteers
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your support has been crucial in helping students reach their potential and become leaders in their communities over the past 10 years. As we look ahead, your continued involvement—whether through a donation or simply by staying connected—will help us expand opportunities for even more students in the years to come. Thank you for celebrating a decade of impact with us.
