Gann Family Fundraising Page - 2025

Hi and welcome to our family’s fundraising page for The Rise School of Denver!

Rise is a high-quality, inclusive preschool where children with and without developmental disabilities learn, grow, and thrive together.

I first heard about The Rise School of Denver years before having children of my own when one of my co-workers posted a link to her CO Gives Day fundraising page for Rise.  She described her family's experience at Rise and I was immediately drawn to an inclusive early childhood education experience.  Fast forward several years when my husband, Colton, and I were walking around our new neighborhood and discovered we live very close to Rise. I was thrilled! We got on the waitlist shortly after finding out we were expecting our oldest.  So much felt uncertain during that pregnancy, but from the very beginning, I knew that I wanted our child to experience Rise. 

We now have two daughterswho both attend Rise. I genuinely cannot adequately explain how much our family loves and values this community. I have tried countless times, and I never feel like I can quite capture the depth of love inside this building and how that love invites each child to thrive. To say our girls are obsessed with school would be an understatement. Witnessing their friendships (and friendship skills!) grow has been a joy, and Rise families have become an important part of our community as a family. It is an unbelievably special place filled with the most wonderful teachers and therapists. We are confident that our daughters are in amazing hands and that the staff truly loves each child like their own.  Beyond that, we are incredibly grateful that they are surrounded by adults who champion inclusion and belonging. I of course loved the idea of this when hearing about Rise for the first time, but the reality is even more beautiful than I could have imagined. As I have learned from parents who have generously shared their journeys as advocates for children with disabilities, true inclusion that fosters belonging is rare—and absolutely crucial. As an adult, I still have so much to learn about moving beyond accessibility into inclusion and belonging. Our deepest hope is that our girls would leave Rise simply unable to imagine an environment where their disabled peers are not wholly included and embraced. They are learning from and alongside the very best. 

We invite you to join our family in making a donation to Rise this giving season, knowing all that your investment is empowering. Your generosity allows for inclusive programming, which in turn invites ALL Rise students to learn, grow, and thrive together. The world could certainly use more kindness, empathy, and belonging, and your donation to Rise helps them continue this incredible work. Thank you!