Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP)

Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program at Employment Works
(In School Youth Program)

The HIGH SCHOOL-HIGH TECH Youth Program at Employment Works utilizes Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP™) and Guideposts for Success to meet young people with disabilities where they are and provide pathways to success in education, career choices and life. Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP™) is a career-focused mentoring program for youth with disabilities who are currently involved with or are at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system.  Through a variety of mentoring approaches, participation in RAMP supports successful life transitions to employment, continued learning opportunities, and independent living.

The RAMP program is excited to still be providing RAMP sessions for qualifying youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.  RAMP follows State and Federal CDC guidelines and continues to work closely with all of our partner schools. The RAMP program is currently holding weekly sessions that allow us to continue our mission of assisting youth in preparing for life transitions, career readiness, family support and mentoring opportunities. We are currently offering in person group sessions for qualifying youth in the following schools for the 2021-2022 school year: 

• South High School 
• 5280 High School  
• Strive RISE Academy 
• Rite of Passage Residential Treatment Home 
• KIPP Collegiate High School 

RAMP also serves youth in the Denver Metro community who do not attend any of the above schools. Weekly one on one meetings in public settings or virtual sessions can be arranged for any qualified community-based youth. 

Quick Facts about RAMP™:

• Serves youth ages 13-25 with barriers to employment, such as developmental, emotional, cognitive or other disabilities
• Funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, along with Mill Levy and Tony Grampsas Youth Services
• Led by the Institute for Educational Leadership
• State and local organizations with expertise in mentoring, youth development, juvenile justice, and disability are implementing RAMP nationwide
• Employment Works is currently the only approved RAMP™  program in Colorado
• Using a combination of group, peer, and individualized mentoring

The HIGH SCHOOL-HIGH TECH Youth Program at Employment Works drives growth and personally defined success for each participating youth.  Specific areas that are measured are transitions into adulthood and knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers.

RAMP Videos

If you are interested in implementing RAMP at your school please contact :

Current and past school partnerships include:

John F. Kennedy High School, KIPP Denver Collegiate High School, Vanguard Classical Schools, George Washington High School, Strive Prep Academy, South High School, SOAR Academy, Colorado High School Charter, and KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy

RAMP community partners include:

The Institute of Educational Leadership (Washington D.C.), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Denver Public Library, Community College of Aurora, Health One, Colorado Children’s Hospital, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Open Media Foundation, University of Denver, Metro State University of Denver, Regional Transportation District, Arapahoe Community College, Denver Water Department, Denver Parks and Recreation, Arts Street, Cook Street, Denver Police and Fire Department, AD Works, Maxfund Animal Shelter, Volunteers of America, Sustainability Recycling, YMCA, Denver Health Center, Shiloh House, Rite of Passage, Denver Nuggets Community Ambassadors, Emily Griffith Tech College, Youth on Record, Denver Zoo, Americorp, Children’s Hospital