Specialist helps keep Indians in class

By John Sanko
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer

Hope Martinez will be spending some of her time on the telephone over the next several months with youngsters who darn well better be listening.

This no-nonsense mother of four and grandmother of three — who also is the oldest of nine siblings — is Youth Opportunity Movement specialist at the Denver Indian Center and part of a program to keep young people in school or get them back to the classroom if they've dropped out.

The center's program began at the end of September and Martinez is visiting schools and taking other steps to round up people aged 14 to 21 who might need help.

It's open to all, but American Indian children are expected to make up the bulk of those in the Denver Indian Center's program.

In the 1998-99 school year, the drop-out rate in Denver public schools among Indian students was 9 percent, topped only by a 9.6 percent rate among Hispanics.

Martinez's phone has been ringing with calls from parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts and even friends giving her the names of youngsters who could use a helping hand.

Those who get into the program can expect to hear from Martinez — especially if they decide to skip class.

"We're going to keep in very close touch with the schools," Martinez said. "If I hear Leonard isn't in school today or hasn't shown up for two days, I'll get on the phone.

"Leonard, how come you haven't been in school? Take a shower. I'll be right over. I'm driving you to school. We're going to talk about why you haven't been in school."

There'll be other assistance — everything from eyeglasses to shoes and clothing for those who need help. There'll be tutoring for youngsters struggling with some classes, help developing computer skills and vocational training.

"We'll do whatever we can do to get them trained or educated," Martinez said. "It's an opportunity to get help to stay in school — all the needs they may possibly have to stay in school."

It's just one of many programs being operated out of the Denver Indian Center, which is in a former elementary school in west Denver. It serves about 5,000 of the estimated 20,000 American Indians who live in the city.

The center offers everything from a food bank to crisis intervention, training and employment opportunities, Head Start and seniors programs. There's a gym with programs for young people, and on weekends there are powwows with drumming, dancing and food to remind Indians of their heritage.

A fan of the center's work is Lt. Gov. Joe Rogers, who oversees the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs.

"We have nearly doubled the Native American population in Colorado in the last 10 to 15 years, and I think part of the reason for that has been some of the strong Native American programs from the center," Rogers said.

The center needs some fix-up work on ceilings, walls and carpeting and maybe some replacement of desks and other equipment that have seen far better days.

"We're nonprofit," said Chris Manfrin, acting executive director of the center. "Anyone wanting to fund special projects here — renovation projects, little things from putting in carpets to repairing the lights — we would be happy to entertain their contributions."

December 24, 2000