December 12, 2023
Denver middle schoolers can get a $1,000 debit card for extracurriculars in new experiment for school success
Middle school students in Denver Public Schools who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch are eligible to apply for debit cards loaded with $1,000 for sports, art and music activities
Colorado Sun: Jennifer Brown
Lakiesha Shears’ 12-year-old son is dreaming big, and she’s here for it.
“Bless his heart, he really believes he is going to play for the NFL and the NBA,” the single mom of three boys said, laughing. “Now listen, I really hope so. I’m not going to say that’s not possible, but I’m going to say that’s few and far between, so I am going to stress that he has other ideas.”
It’s a financial struggle, though, raising three boys on her own and supporting all of their athletic dreams. So when Shears got a surprise email from Denver Public Schools notifying her that because her middle-schooler qualifies for free and reduced lunch, he also is eligible to receive $1,000 to pay for after-school sports, dance, music or art programs, she was thrilled. It was such good news that it actually seemed like a scam.
The offer — $1,000 on a restricted debit card that works at 127 organizations with after-school and summer programs — is called My Spark Denver, an experiment for Denver middle school students that organizers hope could one day expand to other age groups and other parts of the state.