Reconnecting with the Disconnected

Reconnecting with the Disconnected is a community-based nonprofit organization serving youth, families, veterans, and communities throughout El Paso County. We believe young people facing challenges should have meaningful opportunities to reconnect with their education, families, community, and future. Our approach combines mentorship, social-emotional learning, leadership development, family engagement, career exploration, and service learning. Rather than viewing youth only through the challenges they face, we provide opportunities for them to become leaders and active contributors to their communities. Community service is central to our mission. Youth participate in environmental restoration, neighborhood cleanups, civic engagement, and other volunteer projects alongside community organizations, public agencies, veterans, first responders, businesses, and local residents. These experiences help young people develop responsibility, teamwork, confidence, and a sense of purpose while strengthening the communities they call home.

Reconnecting with the Disconnected provides structured youth development programming for young people ages 12–18 who may be experiencing chronic absenteeism, academic challenges, minor offenses, justice involvement, family instability, or other barriers to success. Our core eight-week program combines social-emotional learning, mentorship, leadership development, life skills, career and college exploration, and family engagement with hands-on community service. Youth participate in two-hour educational and mentoring sessions during the week and engage in community service activities on weekends. Through environmental cleanups, neighborhood improvement projects, civic engagement, teamwork, and volunteer service, participants have opportunities to apply what they learn while making a visible difference in their community. Our goal is not simply to address challenging behavior, but to help young people build confidence, accountability, leadership skills, positive relationships, and a stronger connection to their education, families, and community.