About
Established in 2020
We are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young individuals and believe in the power of mentorship and empowerment.
We provide guidance and mentorship to at risk youth in Denver, CO. We do this through workshops and empowering the young adults in our program to make positive life choices and keep them on the right path.
-Daniel
Mission
Young Improvements empowers justice-involved youth and young adults by providing tailored support through credible messengers who serve as guides, advocates, mentors, empowerees, and real models (GAMERs). Through personalized crisis intervention plans, case management, restorative justice practices, and life skills training, we foster resilience, stability, and success, helping individuals overcome challenges and achieve their full potential in education, career, and personal growth.
Vision
Young Improvements envisions a future where every justice-involved youth has the support and tools to thrive, transforming their lives and communities through meaningful relationships, tailored interventions, and opportunities for growth. We aim to create a society where lived experience is valued as much as formal education, and where youth are empowered to lead fulfilling lives, free from the cycles of justice involvement.
Values
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Daniel Sampson is a nationally recognized advocate for youth justice reform. As a 2022-23 fellow of the National Youth Justice Network’s Leadership Institute, he has made impactful contributions locally and nationally.
In Colorado, Sampson serves on the governor-appointed Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Council, co-chairing the Education Subcommittee, advising the Emerging Leaders Subcommittee, and participating in the Coalition to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities (CRRED).
Sampson founded Driven By Our Ambitions (DBOA) in 2014 to promote post-secondary education for youth in Washington, D.C.’s Title 1 schools. In 2017, DBOA expanded to support justice-involved youth by offering services like independent living preparation, counseling, mental health care, and pro-social programming to reduce recidivism.
Through DBOA and its nonprofit partner, Young Improvements (YI), Sampson leads a team of Credible Messengers providing wraparound services across Colorado. These programs support agencies like the Division of Youth Services, probation offices, and school districts, focusing on maintaining education pathways, preventing disruptions, and reducing barriers to employment and healthcare.
YI and DBOA are committed to building a “School-to-School” pipeline, fostering culturally responsive programming that keeps youth on a path to success.