Latest News at The Challenge Foundation
The Challenge Foundation employs a team of experienced, educated, highly dedicated staff who work with our mentors, teachers, students and their families, to ensure that our students reach their full potential academically, personally and as members of our community.
Our staff includes:
Kristin Wells, Executive Director
Kristin’s passion to work with disadvantaged children brought her to Challenge in 2000. As the first fulltime director, she identified obstacles that exist for scholarship students in a private, college prep school. With these in mind, she designed an applicant screening and selection process. She also worked to expand support services, such as case management, mentoring, tutoring and a summer program to increase students’ chance of success. Kristin earned a degree in Business Administration from Iowa State University. Her previous work experiences were with Colorado Academy & a non profit that serves abused and neglected children.
Kate Hoffman (MSW), Director of College Admission and Retention
Kate began working for the Challenge Foundation in the summer of 2005 after getting her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Denver. Kate’s commitment for serving children and families is evident from her work experience. She has worked as a family therapist in a residential treatment facility, served as program director and case manager for an experiential after school program, and volunteered at Judi’s House, a local support group for grieving children and families. Kate is excited to be with the Challenge Foundation team and hopes her energy and passion will benefit the foundation and students. Kate oversees the college support program which helps students through the college admission process and provides support during their college education. In addition, Kate manages the Colorado Academy site and works with approximately 20 students and families at both St. Mary’s and Colorado Academy.
Holly Dichter, Director of Education and Recruitment
Holly began working for the Challenge Foundation full time in August of 2007 after spending the previous 5 summers working in the summer program both as an intern and a teacher. She has a degree in Elementary Education from Regis University and is currently working on her Masters in Non-Profit Management. She taught 2nd and 3rd grade in the Aurora Public School system for three years before accepting her job with the Challenge Foundation. Holly manages the programs at St. Anne’s Episcopal School and Regis High School, working with approximately ten students and families. She oversees the educational services provided to our students and is also in charge of the application and screening process for all Challenge Foundation applicants. She is excited to use her bilingual skills and to be a part of the Challenge Foundation after spending so many summers getting to know the students and staff.
Danica Hemmann (MSW), Case Manager
Danica began working at the Challenge Foundation in June 2009 after receiving her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver. Her enthusiasm to work with children and families had been built through her experiences working with refugee women and students in Ghana and other diverse community work. She also spent time working as an academic peer mentor and advisor strengthening her belief in the importance of education. She is dedicated to advocating for a community in which excellent education is accessible by all. Danica helps manage the application and screening process for applicants from Denver public schools and supports Challenge students as a case manager. She hopes to bring her experiences of community service to build similar passion in the students she works with.
Meredith Metcalf (MSW), Program Manager/ Case Manager
Meredith began working at the Challenge Foundation in September of 2009, after working with the mentoring program at Project WISE (a women’s empowerment program in Denver). She received a Masters in Social Work, along with a Certificate in Latino Studies, from the University of Denver. Prior to moving to Colorado, Meredith was active in immigrant rights and education issues in Nebraska. She has a few years of experience working with youth: teaching afterschool programs, tutoring, working at summer camps, and facilitating a psycho-educational group for adolescent girls. She believes that every child has a right to an excellent education; no matter their race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or immigration status. She looks forward to putting her experience, education, and bilingual skills to use at the Challenge Foundation as a case manager and manager of the Foundation’s mentoring program.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Challenge Foundation Office:
4545 South University Boulevard
Englewood, CO 80110
Office – 303.762.8300 x256
Web site
Kristin Wells
Email
Kate Hoffman
Email
Holly Dichter
Email
Danica Hemmann
Email
Meredith Metcalf
Email
St. Mary’s Academy
4545 S. University Blvd.
Englewood, CO 80113
Telephone - 303-762-8300
Fax- 303-783-6201
Web site
Colorado Academy
3800 S. Pierce St.
Denver, CO 80235
Telephone-303-986-1501
Fax-303-914-2583
Web site
