Boulder Valley Cycling Alliance (Boulder Junior Cycling) [ Visit Their Site ]

Boulder Junior Cycling Development is a program of Boulder Valley Cycling Alliance (BVCA).

BVCA is a 501c(3) non-profit established in 2005 to help promote youth cycling in order to create life-long cyclists in Boulder. The DeSo Foundation is proud to be a supporter of this great organization for the second year.

The Bridgton Academy [ Visit Their Site ]

As many of you may know, Justin attended and graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1996. The school's mission is to provide a program for young men in a unique, one-year postgraduate environment to prepare for the rigors of college and beyond. Over the past several years, The DeSo Foundation has enjoyed its ever growing commitment to Bridgton Academy. Since 1999, The DeSo Foundation has provided five students with scholarships to attend Bridgton Academy. Each of these five students has graduated from Bridgton, and continues to do well.

In addition to providing these academic scholarships, The DeSo Foundation has made the decision to help Bridgton in its most recent endeavor, which is directed at raising funds for construction of the school's new humanities center.

The Cable Center [ Visit Their Site ]

Located at The Cable Center in Denver, CO, the Justin DeSorrento Opportunity for Excellence Award and Internship provides students with an introduction to the dynamics of the cable telecommunications industry. To qualify for the internship, the student must be an upper classman pursuing a degree in business, telecommunications, or another related field. The internship includes basic training in the cable industry and hands-on experience.

First, the student attends The Cable Center's Academic Seminar at the National Cable Telecommunications Association (NCTA) National Show. At the Show, the student will be exposed to developing technologies and current issues facing the cable industry. Following the Show, the intern becomes acquainted with The Center's staff, programs, and goals for the future. After completion of the training and educational program, the student will begin an internship with a company in the cable telecommunications industry.

The DeSo Foundation generously funded an intern endowment at The Center in 1998. In 2005, working with NCTA and our industry partner, Comcast, Suraya designed a learning plan for prospective DeSorrento interns to attend the Academic Seminar at NCTA, learn from The Center's executives, and then be placed at Comcast Colorado in the public affairs department for a hands-on experience.

City Wild [ Visit Their Site ]

In 2004, The DeSo Foundation contributed to cityWILD. The mission of cityWILD is to provide Metro Denver youth with experiential and outdoor learning opportunities that promote personal empowerment, leadership, and community participation. cityWILD motivates participants to reach their potential at home, in school, and within their community.

Kent Denver School [ Visit Their Site ]

Justin attended Kent Denver School in Englewood, CO from middle school through high school. He graduated in 1995. Therefore, it seemed only fitting that The DeSo Foundation honor Justin at the school where he spent so many years as a student and as an athlete.

In April of 2003 Kent Denver School broke ground on a new sports field, which has been named Justin DeSorrento Memorial Field. This state-of-the-art playing field was completed in early September and was ready to host Homecoming 2003, at which time the field was formally dedicated.

The dedication ceremony took place during half-time, and Kent Denver Athletics Director permanently retired Justin's coveted #18, and presented the jersey to the DeSorrento family. In November, the first Justin DeSorrento Award for Leadership was presented.

Kimmy Foundation [ Visit Their Site ]

The DeSo Foundation committed to support the endeavors of The Kimmy Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to assisting graduating Colorado high school students in their college education and further advancement. The Kimmy Foundation has endured great success since its establishment, and due to Justin's friendship with "Kimmy", we feel that it fits well within our mission to help others in Justin's memory.

In keeping with the ideals and life of Kathryn Dougherty Galbreath, The Kimmy Foundation, with the help of its contributor network, will seek young creative individuals who have demonstrated strong character and a compassion for others, and assist them in their education and advancement to become responsible world citizens of the future.

NOLS [ Visit Their Site ]

Since 1998, The DeSo Foundation has been supporting students on NOLS programs. We feel that NOLS provides not only wonderful leadership experience, but also important life skills. Justin was slated to attend a NOLS course, but he never had the opportunity. However, Suraya attended and quickly realized the positive impact this school would have had on Justin. As NOLS Executive Director, John Gans, explains, "For nearly 40 years NOLS has remained focused on its original goal-to give people the skills to comfortably and responsibly lead others in the backcountry. As it turns out these skills are the same skills it takes to thrive when you step out of the wilderness."

The DeSo Foundation is proud of its lasting relationship with NOLS. To date, we have helped over 20 students attend courses, some the challenging Semester in Patagonia and others, Instructor Courses.

In memory of Justin DeSorrento, "DeSo," the recipients of the DeSo's Dream Scholarships have dared to be adventurous and achieve experiences that Justin only dreamt about. These students continue to help keep Justin's memory alive, and pass along lessons that one can only learn at NOLS.

In addition, to scholarships, The DeSo Foundation has become involved with the NOLS Base Camp Initiative. DeSo Commons is part of the renovation of the historic Noble Hotel in Lander, WY. This newly renovated facility will serve as the recreational and meeting place for students and instructors beginning and ending their NOLS courses in Lander. DeSo Commons will be formally dedicated in 2007.

Ski For DeSo & The Yampa Valley Community Foundation [ Visit Their Site ]

Since 1998, Ski for DeSo has become an annual tradition and time for family and friends to gather to remember and celebrate Justin's life. Each year on February 5th, The DeSo Foundation makes a contribution to the Yampa Valley Community Foundation through the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. The DeSo Foundation's contribution benefits a college fund for children of mountain employees.

The Community Foundation houses 120 funds. The Board of Trustees and staff of the Community Foundation continually form partnerships, advocating solutions and allocating resources to set the stage for a better tomorrow for all the citizens of the Yampa Valley.

SSWSC Foundation [ Visit Their Site ]

The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC) is a nonprofit organization that provides winter sports programming for over 600 athletes in Steamboat. Training is offered for alpine, cross country, freestyle, nordic combined, ski jumping and snowboarding.

This past winter, The DeSo Foundation committed to support the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Foundation. The SSWSC Foundation is working to create a permanent endowment for the winter sports programs it administers for local Steamboat youth.

STARS - Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports [ Visit Their Site ]

Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports 'STARS' provides recreational opportunities for people with disabilities, resulting in empowering and enriching the quality of life for its participants. Justin participated in a similar program as a coach while in high school.ÊVolunteering as a coachÊhad a strong impact on Justin, and The DeSo Foundation is happy to continue helping peopleÊenjoy theseÊwonderful outdoor experiences.

The Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation, Inc. [ Visit Their Site ]

The Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation, Inc., was founded in 1987 by brothers Gil and Troy Gillenwater. It was initially formed to provide food, clothing and shelter to abandoned children in Mexican/American border towns. Over the years, Rancho Feliz has grown to the point where its principal focus is providing American volunteer groups with the opportunity to better themselves through serving the less-fortunate.

In September 2005, The DeSo Foundation was proud to be a sponsor of the Frijole 500 Santa Fe/To-Hell-U-Ride bike ride. Friend and Foundation supporter, Todd Gillenwater of Sedona, AZ rode the treacherous 500 miles from Santa Fe, NM to Telluride, CO in just 7 days! The ride raised $400,000 for the Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Team Ride For DeSo: The Rio 24-Hours Of Steamboat Mountain Bike Race [ Visit Their Site ]

On June 14, 2004 The DeSo Foundation helped support the Ride for DeSo team as it competed in the first annual Rio 24 Hours of Steamboat mountain bike race. This is an incredible race whereby competitors ride an 11-mile loop for a solid 24 hours. The first year, the team peddled for 24 hours straight, through rain and hail, and managed to win the corporate division! We are thrilled to have been a part of such a fun event, as it is surely something Justin would have loved to compete in.

Since the first success in 2003, The DeSo Foundation has made an annual commitment to supporting the team in the Rio 24 Hours of Steamboat mountain bike race. Team Ride for DeSo continues to impress us all with its hard work. They have taken 1st place in the Corporate Division each year!

Yampa Valley Medical Center [ Visit Their Site ]

In 1999, construction of the Justin Andrew DeSorrento Sports Medicine Center was completed and formally dedicated. This 5,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located in the Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Sprins, CO, serves as a great resource not only to the city of Steamboat Springs, but also to all of northwestern Colorado.