By Collin Lessing, JVA Consulting

Every once in a while, you get involved with a nonprofit organization that really grabs you. You take on your first volunteer role. Then another. The years start to go by. You form lasting bonds. You contribute to meaningful impact. Before long, the organization begins to feel like home. That’s what Colorado Youth at Risk (CYAR) has been for me over the last five years: an organization that always welcomes me home.

The mission of CYAR is simple—to support youth in graduating from high school by pairing them with an adult mentor.

Last week, CYAR made a big announcement. There’s a new executive director at the helm of theorganization, and as a volunteer and supporter, I couldn’t be more excited about who the board selected: Drew DeMarie. Drew has been involved with CYAR for 11 years. He’s helped more students along their trajectory to graduation than I could put a number on, and he’s empowered me and many other volunteers in our roles as mentors.

Drew first got involved with CYAR as a mentor and became a staff member almost six years ago. I wondered where he finds the passion and commitment to stay engaged after all of these years of involvement.

“CYAR is a match for my personal values. It’s easy for me to get up and come to work every day,” Drew said. “I don’t how I got so lucky. Even now, 11 years later, as we look at our values, it’s still a match for me. That keeps me engaged and I know that what I’m doing makes a difference.”

If you attend any CYAR event, you’ll likely meet a few people who, like Drew, have been involved with the organization for many years. It begs the question: How does an organization create such a powerful culture of volunteer retention? As Drew puts it, CYAR is in the business of waking people up.

“Our program is designed to shake teenagers a bit and show them they have control of their lives,” Drew said. “It’s a time to check it out what’s contributing to the way you think, act and speak. That’s infectious. For some people, it can be really confronting. For others, it’s attractive because it provides real human substance. Our volunteers are also engaged in a way that’s special. We trust them to go out and make a difference. We take risks on people. Most of all, we encourage genuine human connection—in an unlikely way.”

Drew is excited about taking on the executive director position for several reasons. For one, he’s a natural leader who often finds himself gravitating toward leadership roles. He’s also a person who embraces life on the “skinny branches.”

“I enjoy opportunities to grow as a professional—to take on challenges where there are now guarantees,” Drew said. “Couple that with all of the reasons I love CYAR, and the executive director role is a perfect fit for me.”

Drew will offer more insight on what the future of his position holds at the CYAR State of the Union Event from 6-8 p.m. Monday, October 20, at Breckenridge Brewery. The event will include a preview of CYAR’s recently completed three-year strategic plan and an overview of the organization’s priorities over the next few years. The event is open to the public. RSVP at CYAR’s Facebook page.