The End of an Era: The Closure of The Village Resource Center at Contemporary Learning Academy Leaves Families Struggling to Survive

Contemporary Learning Academy, one of Denver’s “pathways schools,” houses The Village, a resource center that offers free food, clothing, mental health support, and workforce training to students and families. The Village serves middle and high schools and caters to students who have struggled at traditional schools or are at risk of not graduating.

Three years ago, The Village opened its doors to provide essential services to the community. Initially funded by grants, The Village is now supported by federal pandemic relief funds known as ESSER. This year’s operating cost for The Village was $771,690. However, with the expiration of this funding in several months, Denver Public Schools has announced that The Village will close on June 30th.

The closure of The Village has left many families in a bind. With no other resources available to them, they must find alternative ways to meet their basic needs. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site that covers educational changes in public schools and provides valuable information about issues impacting students and families. To receive more Colorado news, subscribe to the Mile High Roundup email newsletter from The Denver Post.