Enjoying the summer sun at The Arc of Aurora! | |
We're excited about our upcoming Member event, Membership renewal season, our Resource Roundup, and can't wait to share more about the community trainings we've been offering. Read on for more! | |
Dottie Kerr, Board Member and Bowling Coach Extraordinaire! Do you know that we have a bowling group that has been thriving for decades, entirely run by volunteers? This month, we are excited to highlight our incredible volunteer and head of the bowling group, Dottie Kerr. Dottie has been volunteering with the bowling group for an impressive 12 years, going on 13! In addition to her commitment to the bowling group, Dottie serves as one of our dedicated board members and is also an active member of the Rocky Mountain Civitan Club, representing The Arc of Aurora's voice and needs at this entirely volunteer-driven club. Dottie has dedicated countless hours and boundless energy to our mission, consistently making The Arc of Aurora's community better!
| |
Thank you, Dottie, for your years of unwavering support and service. Your dedication makes a tremendous impact on our community! | |
|
Keep an eye on the big screen for Jeremiah Alexander Daniels! Jeremiah and his family have worked with one of our advocates over the years-- his mother Joi recently let us know that Jeremiah is starring in his first feature film, Color Book. A devoted single father adjusts to life after his wife's passing while raising his son with Down Syndrome. They embark on a journey through Metro Atlanta to attend their first baseball game.
| Jeremiah, we are so proud and SO excited for you!  | |
Join us in celebrating our recent GRADUATES! | |
Carolina graduated from Rangeview High School. Carolina has been with us since preschool! | |
Elena graduated from Aurora Central High School. Elena has been with the Arc of Aurora since 3rd grade! | |
Jeremy graduated from Rangeview High School. Jeremy has been working with his advocate since he was in 6th grade! | |
We know how hard each of you (and your families!) have worked for this achievement. We are so excited for you next big adventures! | |
Upcoming Events and Announcements | |
|
July is MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL month!
Have you heard?! Membership dues are COVERED for 2024-2025! There's never been a better time to renew your membership and become a Member of The Arc of Aurora. Membership renewal happens every year and isn't just for those receiving advocacy -- membership is for everyone, including friends who might enjoy all of the benefits Membership has to offer.
Membership brings people together for connection, community inclusion, and continuing education, and offers eligibility for assistance through scholarships, food support programs, and as always, offers a 15% discount card for use at any arc Thrift Store.
Please forward this email and share the opportunity to become a Member of The Arc of Aurora with those you know and love!
| |
RSVP for our July 27th Member event!
Our first Membership event of the season will take place on Saturday, July 27th from 10am-noon. Join us for arcade games, pizza, community, and connection with others!
Nickel-A-Play: 15201 E Mississippi Ave, Aurora 80012
This event is for members only and is not open to the public.
| |
RSVP required to ensure we'll have enough game credits and pizza for everyone!
For questions or to RSVP by phone, call Lisa at 720-213-1420, ext. 112
| |
|
Online Auction Update!
Our 2024 Online Auction was a great success! With a stretch goal of $6000, you helped us make it 90% of the way -- we are truly blown away by your support!
While the auction has ended, your support doesn't have to! If you didn't participate in the auction but still want to help us reach our goal, make a donation via Colorado Gives, our year-round giving platform.
We are endlessly thankful for your support!
| |
|
Arc of Aurora in the Community | |
|
Advocate Tom Walsh attended the first-of-its-kind in Colorado Supported Decision-Making (SDM) Summit, exploring less-restrictive alternatives to Guardianship that would help individuals retain their autonomy and independence through integrated supports from loved ones, advocates of their choosing, community services and supports, and more.
Our recent membership survey let us know this is important to many of you; we heard you! Stay tuned for information and support on exploring the world of supported decision-making and Guardianship.
| |
|
Quick links to good things! | |
Digital Navigator Program: Free support with finding affordable internet service, borrowing or buying affordable devices, and learning computer skills. Newest location in Aurora at Hoffman Library, near Colfax and Peoria. Request an appointment at bit.ly/DN-Services or call 720-213-8430. Language translation is available. | Discount Tickets to Elitch's: Save money on tickets and give back to The Arc of Aurora! https://elitchtickets.parkezpay.com/#/34/TheArc/store | |
"...making it easier for our entire community to receive the kind of inclusive and comprehensive care everyone should expect – meeting each of us right where we’re at, with love, humor, and humility."
Our friends at Tepeyac and their team of trained specialists provide inclusive, multilingual healthcare for children and adults with IDD. From checkups to immunizations to dental care, Tepeyac accepts many kinds of insurance. Patients without documentation and/or insurance are welcome and will have access to sliding fee copayments. Visit https://www.tepeyachealth.org to see all of the services this unique community clinic provides! Scheduling is as simple as calling their onsite staff and asking for a new patient appointment with one of their IDD specialists: 303-458-5302.
| |
|
Colorado State Legislative Session Wrap-up
Submitted by Petri Brill, Individual Advocate
| |
|
The 2024 legislative session came to end in May and what a jam-packed session it was! Perhaps the crown jewel of this session is legislation that created the first ever Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, lovingly shortened to CDOO. One of the first of its kind across the United States, this bill ensures that Colorado prioritizes the rights and opportunities of all people with disabilities by developing a state office responsible for continuing innovation and ingenuity...
| |
Providing solutions-focused education to expand knowledge and attitudes around disability. | |
|
This summer, we're diving into Police Interactions and Disability. You can watch a storytelling series or listen to the podcast, watch training videos, and download resources.
Tune into Building Bridges: People with Disabilities and Law Enforcement to hear conversations between self-advocates with disabilities and law enforcement as they learn from one another, as well as perspectives from IDD professionals and a retired police officer and her revolutionary collaborative police training.
| |
|
We've been honored to receive the Denver Foundation's Transforming Safety Grant, a program of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, for several years now. Our goal is to reduce school suspensions, expulsions, and law enforcement referrals for students with IDD. This quarter, we provided training to educators on trauma-informed approaches for managing difficult behaviors. We are dedicated to partnering with Aurora educators, community organizations, and law enforcement to support children with IDD and their families in transforming the Special Education School-to-Prison Pipeline. We have supported or trained over 500 individuals in North Aurora this grant cycle!
| |
We recently received a grant from the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council (CDDC) to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies for advocating effective implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for Spanish-speaking students and their families. This initiative is based on best practices that promote progress toward personalized, self-determined goals and objectives. Our goal is to connect with and train 150 Spanish speaking families!
| |
| | | |
