Denver Public Schools Launches Internship Program for Young Adults with Disabilities

The program aims to help students with disabilities transition into the workforce after high school.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:34pm

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Denver Public Schools has launched a new internship program through its community hubs that provides support and job training for young adults with disabilities. The program, which is part of the district's 18-21 Transition Program, helps participants develop skills and gain work experience to aid their transition into the workforce after high school.

Why it matters

The internship program addresses the challenges that young adults with disabilities often face in finding employment and integrating into their communities after finishing their formal education. By providing hands-on work experience and support, the program aims to empower these individuals and help them become more self-sufficient and engaged members of their communities.

The details

The internship program, which is currently operating in three regions within the Denver Public Schools district, requires participants to complete a job interview and show up on time for their shifts. During the internship, students like Rogelio Chavira and Daniel stock shelves at the food pantry inside the Far Northeast Community Hub. The program is part of a larger vision to support the entire ecosystem of families within the district through the community hub model.

  • The Denver Public Schools' community Hubs program launched just a few years ago.
  • The internship program has now expanded into three regions in the district as of this year.

The players

Rogelio Chavira

A 20-year-old who landed an internship as part of the collaboration between DPS's 18-21 Transition Program and its community hubs.

Sydney Anderson

A paraprofessional with the DPS 18-21 Transition Program that supports young adults with disabilities.

Esmeralda De La Oliva

The Director of Community Hubs at Denver Public Schools.

Daniel

A fellow intern who stocks shelves at the food pantry inside the Far Northeast Community Hub.

Denver Public Schools

The school district that launched the internship program for young adults with disabilities through its community hubs.

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What they’re saying

“With our kids, they do need the extra help just to get onto their feet right after high school, because it's not exactly a world built for them.”

— Sydney Anderson, Paraprofessional, DPS 18-21 Transition Program (cbsnews.com)

“We just help them with that extra step, to help them be able to get into the community, learn how to be a part of the community, and it's very helpful.”

— Sydney Anderson, Paraprofessional, DPS 18-21 Transition Program (cbsnews.com)

“This is a dream come true, right? We've been envisioning this for a long time. We piloted the program in the Far Northeast Hub, and then we expanded into other community hubs as of this year.”

— Esmeralda De La Oliva, Director of Community Hubs, Denver Public Schools (cbsnews.com)

“This is the model that now actually is recognized at the national level. Many other school districts in Colorado or at the national level have piloted their community hubs as well, and through this partnership, at the end of the day, really what we're doing in Denver Public Schools in community hubs is really supporting the entire ecosystem of families.”

— Esmeralda De La Oliva, Director of Community Hubs, Denver Public Schools (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The internship program is expected to continue expanding to more community hubs within the Denver Public Schools district, providing more opportunities for young adults with disabilities to gain work experience and transition into the workforce.

The takeaway

Denver Public Schools' new internship program for young adults with disabilities is an innovative approach to supporting this underserved population and helping them become more independent and integrated members of their communities. The program's expansion across the district's community hubs demonstrates a commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities and addressing the unique challenges they face.