A Message from our Chief Executive Officer

With the success of the past three years, OpenWorld Learning has abundant reasons to be excited about the future. Our goal and passion has always been and continues to be serving children in at-risk communities by providing high quality, enriching educational opportunities during out-of-school times. Our vision for the future is expanding as we explore innovative ways to serve more children in communities around Colorado, the nation, and the globe.

OpenWorld Learning will work diligently to ensure that all operational decisions reflect our core philosophy of becoming a sustainable and replicable model that continues to provide youth with the tools to invent, design, create and imagine. From our original elementary school program, OpenWorld Learning has already expanded to include our first middle school program. In the coming year there will be further expansion to include piloting an alternative funding model, additional middle school programs, and a new rotation model that will allow OpenWorld Learning to serve twice the number of students as in our traditional program.

In 2012 OpenWorld Learning hopes to be serving over 5,000 students annually in twelve communities throughout four states. Our vision is to reach children in a multitude of ways, including through our pioneering elementary and middle school programs. We also hope to establish a high school program that will continue to use technology and peer teaching, two of our fundamental methodologies, to prepare these students for successful college careers or entrance into the workforce. We are also in the exploratory stage of adding licensed curriculum units that would provide a wider breadth of students with similar educational experiences as those offered in one of our core programs.

OpenWorld Learning understands that the youth of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. It is our hope that their lives will be better for having been a part of our dynamic program. As our organization continues to evolve, we will perpetually strive to make a positive, long-lasting impact on every student we have the privilege to teach.

I am excited to be a part of such a revolutionary organization dedicated to giving back to the communities that need us the most. As a young girl who thought her future was limited due to resources and opportunities, I learned early that nothing was impossible with the help and support of those around you. I was blessed by having individuals in my life that helped me to see the best in myself and taught me that I could do anything if I just set my mind to it and gave it all my effort. The best way I know to thank those who gave so much to me is to do my very best to provide those same resources and opportunities for other children who might not otherwise have them. I know that together nothing is impossible. Our staff, partners, donors, board, and community supporters are enabling OpenWorld Learning to become an organization primed for even greater successes in 2008 and in years to come.

Barb Youmans, CEO