Cobbs Spoke To East High School Students Feb. 2.

By Andrea Juarez

Actor Bill Cobbs was a guest speaker for a classroom of East High School students on Friday, Feb. 2. The students are enrolled in an elective course sponsored by Colorado UpLift, a Denver-based non-profit that helps inner-city youth.

Cobbs, 72, was in Denver for a preview screening of The Ultimate Gift, a movie due out this month based upon the 2005 best-selling novel by John Stovall, which questions the purpose and meaning of life.

“The message of the movie is that real values in life supersede money,” he said. “It’s a great message for the young and old,” Cobbs said.

His message to the students was specific. “You have time. It’s all about time and how you use that time,” he told them. “If you plant a seed of success, for wealth, health, love, for all the wonderful things you are – that’s what will grow. If you plant negative things, negativity grows. If you plant no seeds, nothing grows.”

Colorado UpLift has been helping inner-city kids for 24 years. Last year, more than 3,000 youth participated in the program, offered in 16 Denver Public Schools and three alternative schools for fourth graders through young adulthood. It consists of five components: in school, after school, adventure, college, and life options. The program provides year-round activities and mentors who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

“The magic of the program is the relationships,” said Mike Painter, Colorado UpLift president. The non-profit employs more than 30 full-time mentors who were raised in the inner city and can relate to the kids and what they go through.

Like these students, Cobbs grew up in an urban environment, but his was Cleveland , OH . He shared with them that he was also impatient and squandered opportunity. He told them about the roundabout journey he took to become an actor – he was in the military, worked at IBM, sold cars, and finally when he was in his mid-thirties started acting. He encouraged them to dream big and stay motivated.

“I faced similar obstacles,” said Jerry Torrez, 27, mentor and a third-generation Denver Chicano from Denver ’s west side. “I was tempted by drugs and gangs, but I also remember adults who saw potential in me. Now, I’m there and they know they can call anytime.”

In school, students are taught character development, leadership skills and about career options. During the school year, high school students attend the elective course, which is taught by Colorado UpLift mentors who are also certified adjunct teachers. Then, once a week, in lieu of class, the high school students mentor elementary students. Middle school students meet once a week with the program’s teacher/mentor.

Out of school, kids spend time bonding with their mentors and participating in a variety of group activities such as attending cultural and athletic events, taking photography classes, and camping.

“We offer safer, alternative things for them to do,” said Mike Riley, a mentor with the organization since its inception in 1982. “When we are with the kids we discuss issues and we are reinforcing our message.”

Riley, 49, is African American and is now the vice-president of human resources. He said the out-of-school activities create “alternative social environments.”

Riley mentored Victor Nellum, an African American who attests to the positive influence of the program and his mentor.

“Mike made time for me when I was growing up in the projects in Globeville,” said Nellum. “Sometimes we don’t feel like we have a choice, but then someone like Mike helps paint another picture. He helped me get away from the craziness.”

Today, Nellum, 39, is a mentor with the program. “We have something better to offer,” he said.

For those youth interested in attending college, the program also assists students in filing financial aid forms, applying to schools, applying for scholarships, and also coordinates visits to campuses in the region. For those not interested in college, the program offers the “life options” component, which introduces them to professional trades and provides valuable information on adult financial matters.

According to the organization, 90 percent of UpLift students graduate compared to 50 percent of their peers. Its participants are 65 percent Latino, 20 percent African American, 10 percent Anglo, 4 percent Asian American, and 1 percent Native American.

The students told Cobbs about the positive impact Colorado UpLift has made in their lives – building confidence, furthering their desire and ability to attend college, and becoming mentors to elementary students.

After his presentation, Cobbs said, “Being here this weekend, I witnessed how Colorado UpLift has worked with students. The relationships the youth have with their mentors shows that it works. I’m impressed with the program and how articulate, grounded, and confident these kids are.”