FBI adopts Denver school, hopes to help 'at risk' youth

DENVER - There are all kinds of adoptions out there but one involving the FBI and a public school is very unique.

FBI agents have adopted the Career Education Center Middle College of Denver.

"We're very excited about it. This is the second time we've done it," FBI Public Affairs Officer Dave Joly said.

As part of its Adopt-A-School program, the FBI teams up with students to teach, mentor and tutor "at risk" kids. Agents hope to show kids how to resist bad influences that could lead them to crime, drug use, gang involvement and violence.

"The relationship we've built between the parents, the teachers and also the faculty and staff has just been amazing. We try and give them some skills, provide them with some subject matter experts that we have at the FBI, provide them with information about law enforcement and criminal justice and forensics," Joly said.

The Denver FBI office started working with students last month and it will continue to volunteer at CEC Middle College of Denver through May of next year.

The Adopt-A-School program is a nationwide effort involving 56 different field offices.

Denver FBI officials will hold a press conference at CEC Middle College of Denver on Tuesday at 5 p.m to make the adoption official and celebrate the partnership.

For more information on the FBI's Adopt-A-School program head to http://www.fbi.gov/hq/ood/opca/outreach/adopt.htm