CELEBRATING
10 YEARS OF IMPACT

1/10

Join us in celebrating ten years of growth. Together, we’re helping students change the trajectory for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Celebrate with us

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. Access Opportunity has since 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 that shaped them. This year, we not only celebrate our students, but also the community that made this journey possible. From our dedicated staff and volunteers, to our generous donors and partners, each of you has played a pivotal role in building the legacy of Access Opportunity.

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.

With deepest gratitude,

Natalee Benzing
Interim Executive Director

WHO WE ARE

OUR VISION

Equity in opportunity

for all students.

Our Vision

Equity in opportunity for all students.

ABOUT US

Our Mission

Our mission is to create opportunities for high-potential students from low-income households to define their individual paths through high school, college, and career, ultimately benefiting the lives of others.

WHAT WE DO

Being a trailblazer requires support. We've got them covered.

Navigating the college and career journey can be challenging, but our students don’t do 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 discussions, and crafting content for our communications, actively shaping their journey toward success.

OUR PROGRAM

"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

WHY WE DO IT

Forging Futures

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.

OUR IMPACT

Our Class of 2024 graduates are starting their next adventure.

The Class of 2024 looks forward to beginning their professional journeys, with many entering the workforce (89%) and others pursuing advanced degrees (11%). Whether stepping into full-time roles or continuing their education, our alumni are leveraging their experiences to shape their futures.

100%
of this year's alumni
completed college in four years

The median starting income for the Class of 2024 is
$78,000
compared to their families' median income of:
$29,771

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 five ways.

#5: 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

#4: Cultivating Resilience

For students from low-income households, unexpected expenses can significantly disrupt their postsecondary plans. To address this challenge, we created a new emergency fund and provided over $8,500 to support students with urgent needs such as laptops, winter clothing, and housing assistance. Recipients have shared that these emergency grants helped them stay focused on their academic and personal goals during difficult times.

“It is crucial for AO to have an emergency fund because unexpected financial challenges can derail a student’s education. Many of us are first-generation college students or come from low-income backgrounds, and even a small financial gap can force us to make tough decisions about our education. An emergency fund ensures that students like me have the support we need to overcome these hurdles and stay focused on our academic and career aspirations.”

-Aaliyah, Class of 2027

#3: Finding Purpose

We integrated purpose-driven learning into our cohort meetings and workshops, engaging students in activities designed to help them reflect on their personal values and future aspirations. Purpose provides clarity and direction, helping students stay focused on what matters most. As a result, 93% of AO students felt their participation in AO helped them set meaningful, actionable goals for their future.

“Writing purpose statements felt like a very heartfelt and important activity to do with my peers. We all shared our thoughts and ideas of what it meant to have purpose. Overall, it was an enjoyable and deep session where we learned a lot from each other and ourselves.”

-Gael, Class of 2028

#2: Developing College and Career Readiness

We provided each student with personalized, one-on-one college counseling to help them navigate the complexities of a college admissions process marred by federal and institutional policy changes. With tailored guidance throughout the application process, 100% of students reported feeling more prepared and confident in their college applications.

“AO's help with the college application process has been so beneficial to me that it should never be changed. Specifically, helping students review their supplemental essays, personal statement, and building a college list.”

-AO Class of 2027 Student

#1: Pursuing Change

AO alumni are beginning to establish themselves in their careers, leveraging the skills and experiences gained through our program. This year, many returned to share their knowledge and guidance with current students, offering mentorship, leading workshops, and speaking at events. These contributions reflect the strength of our alumni network and their commitment to giving back to the next generation of AO students.

“I hope to leave as strong of an impact on AO students as I experienced when I joined the program. People in AO believed in me and saw my potential before I did. Having this support made me more confident and determined, which helped me change who I was for the better. I would like the students to see that the program works and you can be successful no matter your background or skin color. I hope that I can be proof that AO has a process that works. I am proud to be part of AO’s first class.”

-Manny, Class of 2021

MEET OUR STUDENTS

Access Opportunity serves high-potential students
from low-income households in Colorado

79%
OF OUR STUDENTS ARE BILINGUAL

91%
OF OUR STUDENTS
ARE FIRST-GENERATION

3.64
IS OUR STUDENTS' AVERAGE GPA

Hispanic/Latino/a: 62%

Black/African American: 14%

Asian/Pacific Islander: 11%

Multiracial: 9%

Our 2024-25 Ambassadors

White: 4%

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."

Meet Manny

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."

Meet Paola

Stephanie

University of Denver

Class of 2027

"Being part of the Access Opportunity family means being free to have hopes and dreams because I know that with the support I have at AO, I will accomplish them."

Meet Stephanie

Jomi

Chapman University

Class of 2028

"Being a trailblazer in education isn’t always easy because you have no one to advise you as you experience new things for the first time. However, it is well worth it to accomplish things you never imagined you would."

Meet Jomi

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."

Meet Serenity

CELEBRATE OUR 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.

SUPPORT OUR FUTURE

We are building something impactful and longstanding. The momentum we have built sets the stage for our students to change the future. Your support has been crucial in helping students reach their potential and become leaders in their communities over the past ten 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.

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF IMPACT

​Join us in celebrating ten years of growth. Together, we’re helping students change the trajectory for themselves, their families, and their communities.