Every young person deserves access to learning opportunities that ignite their passions, foster growth, and provide equitable access to resources. Through our Learning Dollars program, we’ve designed flexible funding models that help families overcome financial barriers to learning — allowing them to explore meaningful, out-of-school experiences on their own terms.
What Are Learning Dollars?
Learning Dollars provide families with the financial support to access resources and experiences that keep children engaged in fun, enriching, and educational activities. Whether it’s after-school programs, extracurricular camps, or specialized classes, Learning Dollars offers families the autonomy to invest in their children’s learning based on their unique interests and needs.
In a recent community-based initiative, RESCHOOL provided $12,500 in Learning Dollars to 25 children, with each child receiving $500. Families have used these funds to pay for educational tools, materials, and experiences that support their children’s academic and personal growth. By doing so, we supported families to bridge the gap between opportunity and access across communities in Denver, Aurora, and Adams County, where financial barriers can limit access to learning experiences.
These funds are more than just financial aid; they offer parents and youth more freedom and opportunity to participate in programs that suit their specific interests while expanding opportunities to discover new interests by engaging in activities from sports camps to art workshops.
Why This Matters: Empowering Families and Expanding Access
The impact of Learning Dollars goes beyond the immediate educational opportunities. It broadens families’ networks, builds their confidence to access more spaces, and demystifies cultural and institutional barriers. By offering financial flexibility and providing support to navigate systems, we ensure that low-income and BIPOC families can engage with learning environments that may have previously felt inaccessible.
Moreover, this program helps to shift representation within cultural and educational institutions, fostering inclusivity and encouraging institutions to reflect the communities they serve.
How You Can Fit In
Whether you’re an organization, community partner, or donor, there are countless ways to get involved and help expand the reach of these essential programs. By supporting the Learning Dollars, you are directly impacting families’ ability to access transformative learning opportunities. Together, we can make sure that learning isn’t just limited to those who can afford it, it’s for everyone.
RESCHOOL’s Learning Dollars initiatives are an invitation for partners to join us in reshaping access to learning. To learn more about how your organization can support or partner with us, contact us today.
