All About Third Way Center

Follow the links on this page to learn more about Third Way Center and its specific programs and facilities.

Third Way Center was established in 1970, first as an overnight shelter for runaway teens.  It has since grown into one of Denver's largest and most highly respected treatment programs.  Currently, Third Way Center operates four licensed residential childcare facilities, including Denver's only licensed treatment program for teen mothers and a nationally recognized HUD treatment program for emancipated teens.

Third Way Center also operates a state approved alternative high school, The Joan Farley Academy, as well as all educational programs for committed youth at the Marvin W. Foote Detention Center in Arapahoe County and our own community follow-up program called "Next Steps."

In the summer of 2007, we will open the first of four homes at the Lowry Redevelopment Project in east Denver for severely mentally ill youth in need of greater structure, assessment and diagnostics.  The Lowry Treatment Campus will ultimately house 32 youth in a state-of-the-art holistic treatment environment which models a very proactive, preventive approach to homelessness and incarceration. 

Third Way Center provides a full continuum of residential treatment services within a community-based and deinstitutionalized setting. These comprehensive programs include: individual, group and family therapy; drug and alcohol abuse treatment; redirecting sexual aggression treatment; transitional housing; independent living skills training; nutritional counseling; an alternative school for residents with intensive testing and tutoring, GED preparation classes; vocational guidance and recreational activities.  For most of our residents, Third Way Center is their first real home. 

Facts Everyone Should Know About America’s Children:

• Every 1 second a public high school student is suspended
• Every 9 seconds a high school student drops out
• Every 10 seconds a public school student is corporally punished
• Every 11 seconds a child is reported abused or neglected
• Every 20 seconds a child is arrested
• Every 37 seconds a baby is born to a mother who is not a high-school graduate
• Every 1 minute a baby is born to a teen mother
• Every 4 minutes a child is arrested for drug abuse
• Every 8 minutes a child is arrested for a violent crime
• Every 42 minutes a child under age 20 dies from an accident
• Every 3 hours a child under age 20 is killed by a firearm
• Every 3 hours a child under age 20 is a homicide victim
• Every 5 hours a child under age 20 commits suicide

Source:  Children’s Defense Fund