Denver Brick Club Pilot (Summer 2025 – Summer 2026): Partnerships & Purpose
We use LEGO and STEAM-based activities to bridge connections between neurotypical and neurodiverse youth.
Denver Brick Club Pilot (Summer 2025 – Summer 2026): Partnerships & Purpose
We use LEGO and STEAM-based activities to bridge connections between neurotypical and neurodiverse youth.
From Summer 2025 through Summer 2026, the Denver Brick Club will run a transformative pilot program aimed at building an authentic community among neurodiverse and neurotypical youth aged 13 to 17, with a special focus on the intersections of underserved communities. This initiative integrates STEAM learning with hands-on experiences in motorsports and collaborative play, delivered through a hybrid model combining in-person and virtual engagement. The program utilizes LEGO bricks-based play facilitation to foster community building and STEAM skills development among participants.
Key Partnerships
IDDEAS VOICES 2025 Mini Grants/Denver Human Services (Funder)
IDDEAS VOICES 2025 Mini Grants, run by Denver Human Services, fund projects that elevate the voices of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and expand pathways for inclusion, diversity, and acceptance. IDDEAS stands for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Equitable Access to Services, and these grants foster equitable access to community engagement and essential supports across Denver.
Play Included® delivers evidence-based LEGO brick therapy through its Brick-by-Brick® programme, equipping professionals and families to support social and emotional growth for children. Endorsed by The LEGO Foundation, their training empowers collaborative, inclusive play for learners in schools and communities worldwide.
Project Baseplate & Carnegie Mellon University
Project Baseplate, powered by Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Transformational Play, is the exclusive U.S. facilitator for the Brick-by-Brick® program. Through workshops and training, it enables educators to foster social and emotional wellbeing with LEGO®-based collaborative play, creating safe, inclusive spaces for children and youth to connect and grow.
Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization (AOPYO)
Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization (AOPYO) creates hands-on learning and mentorship opportunities for youth, blending community wellness, peace-building, and mental health resources across all ages. Through inclusive partnerships and innovative programs, AOPYO empowers young people to develop leadership skills, build resilience, and foster positive change in their communities.
NASCAR Hall of Fame engages youth through dynamic motorsports education, inspiring interest in real-world STEM skills and career pathways. By connecting learning to the excitement of racing, their programs empower students to discover new opportunities and unlock potential in science, technology, engineering, and math.
ArloSoul collaborates on innovative, relationship-centered programming, using visual strategy and creative planning to help teams achieve measurable impact. Their expertise in data collection and analysis supports the development of scalable, replicable models for lasting change.
What Unites These Intersections?
The common thread is a relationship-centered ecosystem. All these communities thrive on meaningful, hands-on activities that foster collaboration, communication, and a sense of belonging. Whether building with bricks, tending a garden, racing a car, or practicing mindfulness, participants are supported to bring their full selves, learn from one another, and build genuine relationships. Strong communities are built on authentic connection, shared purpose, and the celebration of every individual’s strengths.
Goals
Create a scalable, data-driven model demonstrating measurable impact on social-emotional skills, inclusion, and community resilience.
Bridge gaps between neurodiverse and neurotypical participants, youth across cultural backgrounds.
Develop a replicable partnership framework for youth organizations, schools, and community centers throughout the region.
