About My Spark

 All kids should be able to pursue their passions and find their spark.

My Spark Denver has been launched through a partnership with the City and County of Denver, Mile High United Way, and Gary Community Ventures to increase access to afterschool and extracurricular activities that can have positive benefits for youth. The program does that by providing $1,000 debit cards directly to students and families so that they can choose the youth activities that they’re most interested in.

The first year of the program – the 2023-2024 school year – is a pilot year. Up to 4,000 eligible students will be able to participate.

How It Works

  1. Apply online. The application takes less than 10 minutes and proof of free or reduced-price lunch eligibility is not required to apply.
  2. Choose from a list of participating afterschool and extracurricular programs.
  3. Register for programming and use your My Spark Card to pay.

Why It Works

Afterschool programs are not nice to have, they are must-haves. 

Participation in afterschool programs improves youth self-confidence, self-awareness and positive social behaviors. However, nearly 60% of parents say the high cost of afterschool programs keeps them from enrolling their kids.

A group of 5 teenagers looking at the camera and smiling