Young Americans Center Receives $15,000 Grant from Colorado Garden Foundation

DENVER - July 26, 2016 - PRLog -- Young Americans Center for Financial Education of Denver today announced it received a $15,000 grant from the Colorado Garden Foundation (CGF). This grant money will support the Greening Up Young AmeriTowne initiative which improves students' social, physical and mental well-being through a "Greener Young AmeriTowne".

In April 2016 CGF awarded $479,004, including matching grants of $25,800 provided by Bellco (https://www.bellco.org/), to 54 Colorado organizations for horticulture-related grants. Grants range from $500 to $100,000 to fund school community gardens, greenhouses, educational programs, sensory gardens, butterfly gardens, and landscaping and garden irrigation, just to name a few.

Since the partnership began in mid-2015, Colorado Garden Foundation has planted seasonal and native plants in Young AmeriTowne at the Denver and Lakewood locations.  A student "Parks and Recreation Manager" oversees the care of the plants, watering and trimming as needed.

Besides creating a lush environment in Towne, the support of Colorado Garden Foundation highlights the importance of having parks and green areas in communities for students at an early age.  Amanda Krische, Vice President of Programs at Young Americans Center notes, "Through the Young AmeriTowne Program, youth experience what it's like to be an adult, working for wages, budgeting time and money, and learning how to use a checking account responsibly.  Colorado Garden Foundation has created even more value for AmeriTowne participants, providing the opportunity for students to take an active role in making their community a physically better space."

Grants and scholarships are awarded from ticket proceeds generated at the CGF's two annual shows: Colorado Garden & Home Show (http://coloradogardenfoundation.org/colorado-garden-home-...) and Colorado Fall Home Show (http://coloradogardenfoundation.org/colorado-fall-home-show). Since the 1970s, Colorado Garden Foundation has awarded more than $6.8 million to more than 250 organizations in Colorado. To learn about the grants and scholarship program (http://coloradogardenfoundation.org/grants), please visit ColoradoGardenFoundation.org.

"Every year, we look forward to awarding grants that educate and build community around horticultural endeavors," said Jim Fricke, Colorado Garden Foundation executive director. "We are honored to support Young Americans Center's Greening Up Young AmeriTowne project. We are inspired by the work that they do and hope this grant helps them reach their gardening goals."

About Colorado Garden Foundation

Colorado Garden Foundation, a nonprofit corporation, 501(c)(3), provides funds for horticultural-related grants and scholarships for the benefit of Colorado. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $6.8 million for horticultural projects and scholarships throughout the state. Colorado Garden Foundation presents the Colorado Fall Home Show focusing on home renovation, remodeling and sustainable living and the Colorado Garden & Home Show, the Rocky Mountain region's largest, oldest and most prestigious consumer garden and home improvement show west of the Mississippi in February. For more information, visit ColoradoGardenFoundation. (http://www.coloradogardenfoundation.com/)org, facebook.com/coloradogardenfoundation (http://www.facebook.com/ColoradoGardenShow) or Twitter @cogardenfdn (http://twitter.com/cogardenfdn).