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Students who’ve come to
Monday nights since 2015A whole
night

1,500+

Amy Mays with four student leaders, arms around each other, laughing Teens at a long table at dinner, smiling at the camera Teens lying in a circle on the grass, heads together, making hearts with their hands

Every Monday and Wednesday night is paid for by people who believe it matters.

A weekly night for teens to eat dinner, meet new friends, and talk about mental health out loud. Happy Crew is a nonprofit led by Amy Mays.

Give at Colorado Gives What a gift does
01What a gift does

Here’s what your gift pays for.

Supplies for one night. Name tags, stickers, play dough and polaroid film.

Dinner for one night, so it stays free for every teen.

One night, all in. A year of Happy Crew, split across its nights: the staff, the room and the leaders’ training, plus dinner and supplies.

  • Supplies for one night$100
  • Dinner for one night$400
  • One night, all in$1,565
Give at Colorado Gives

You choose the amount there, and whether to cover the processing fee.

Teens with name tags signing in on a clipboard Teens serving themselves dinner at a long table The room on its feet, hands up under the string lights
02Stories, with numbers

22student leaders trained this year, plus 10 middle school mentors

“One of my student leaders is easily distracted and quick to chit-chat with his friends. … I said, ‘Okay tonight you are following me around. We are going to do everything together.’ … At the last group he forgot I was there and sat down and worked with the leader who was already at the group. The two of them led it flawlessly. … He’s come back with enthusiasm ever since.”

Amy Mays

$0what a parent pays for a night

“My son has been looking for community, as school can be very difficult and challenging. I am so grateful for Middle Crew! He was reluctant to come the first time, but ever since that first night he is always ready on Wednesday.”

A parent, Middle Crew (the middle school night)

52students on opening night this fall, from seven high schools

“I thought it would be very strict and serious but what helped me was all of the people waiting outside inviting me in.”

A student leader, about their first night
After their first night, a student wrote

“That I belong and I matter.”

A student’s check-in, after their first night
03After high school

They take it with them.

Lily started a Happy Crew at her college.

“Everything I’ve learned. I loved it enough to start at my college.”

Lily, on what she took with her

Vesaun started one at work, at Amazon.

“It has been the most changing community I have ever been a part of, and it has influenced the way I view and treat the world.”

Vesaun, eight years with the crew, since he was 14

For Austin, it shows up every day.

“I still take with me the people skills and confidence I have learned from Happy Crew. Not only did it make me more confident to meet new people but it also taught me how to interact with them.”

Austin, graduated

15 seniors sent off in April 2026

The student leaders together on a lawn with Amy, arms around each other, smiling
04Why it keeps working

Liquid

Our first name: 1 Liquid House

Teen culture keeps changing, so we stay liquid. The heart has held since 2007, and everything built on it moves with the teenagers.

“If something stops being effective, we let go of it right away. We are very able to adjust in real time. Student leaders gather after every meeting to evaluate.”

Amy Mays
The band Broken Laces backstage at Battle of the Bands, in black and white
From 2007, when teens’ creativity had no place to shine at school
Middle schoolers crowded around a table inside Wahoo’s, 2010
Then · Middle schoolers hanging out at Wahoo’s
A wall of the teens’ polaroids from Monday nights at Amy’s house, 2021
Monday nights at Amy’s house, from 2015
The whole crew together upstairs at the coffee house
Now · a small group and one mental health tool, like active listening, upstairs at Happy Crew Coffee House

What hasn’t changedEvery teenager hears they matter and they belong.

Colorado Gives · early giving opens Nov 1

Be part of next Monday.Be part of next Wednesday.Be part of the next crew.

Two teens on a couch upstairs, smiling, one making a peace sign
Give at Colorado Gives

Questions about giving? Amy answers them herself. Text 303-916-1515 or email [email protected].

The Happy Crew is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit · EIN 73-1627224