Reflecting on the impact of DPS and WU in the Denver community

Celebrating our 16-year relationship with Denver Public Schools Foundation (DPSF), WU was honored to have DPSF featured as the latest speaker in the WU Dialogues series. This was an opportunity for Denver colleagues to learn how DPS impacts the local community, and how they can lend a hand. As a student of DPS, Jimena Cristerna shared her experience and the impact DPS has had on her future. The Western Union Foundation has made financial contributions to DPSF totaling more than $373,000 through June 2019.

Have you met Oliver Martinez-Reyes?

If you haven’t had the chance to meet Oliver Martinez-Reyes, this is a great opportunity. Just like Jimena Cristerna, Oliver was a DPS student. Oliver began his journey with WU his freshman and sophomore years of high school by shadowing Joshua Craver and Kanika Wilkerson. From his positive experience with WU, he decided to apply to the WU Scholars Global Scholarship Program in 2017. Oliver was selected in the summer of 2017, which began his journey at the University of Denver where he will graduate in the spring of 2020. Oliver works as a Finance and Operation SOX Intern here at Western Union.

DPSF and WUF have created generational change in his immediate and extended family. Conversations with his younger sisters (also DPS students) have shifted from is college an option to what college do you want to attend? DPS offers its students support, development, and prepares them for future professional opportunities.

Oliver has done incredible work at WU and has already been invited to come back to WU during his winter break at DU. During one of his shadow days in high school, Oliver said to one of his supervisors, “I see myself working here.” Who knew that years later, Oliver would be back for his third internship at WU. Oliver has a bright future ahead of him due to his hard work and the help of DPSF and WUF.