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News You Can Use
January - March 2024
News You Can Use is The Arc of Aurora's quarterly e-newsletter covering what’s new in public policy, events, resources, and happenings at The Arc of Aurora. To get daily updates on resources, disability policy information, and community happenings, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Donate an Item to our Annual Online Auction!
The Arc of Aurora's 7th Annual Online Auction is coming up and you can help us succeed in raising funds that go directly towards our work!
You can donate items like gift cards, vouchers for services, tickets, merchandise, products gift baskets, collectibles, and more. We are open to suggestions and appreciate all donations!
If you have something in mind that you would like to donate or have a community connection that you think could donate to our cause, contact us at fundraising@thearcofaurora.org by April 24th, 2024.

We had so many amazing donations last year and we can't wait for this year's bidding fun!
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In-Kind Food and Basic Needs Donations
The Arc of Aurora supports many individuals with IDD and their families who are in need of food and basic needs assistance. Consider making an in-kind donation to our Food Bank! If you are able to donate any of the below, call The Arc of Aurora at 720-213-1420 or email fundraising@thearcofaurora.org.
We are in need of (as of February 2024):
*Note: We are only able to accept shelf-stable non-perishable food items. Kindly check the expiration date on all donations, as we do not distribute expired food those in need.

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Shelf-Stable Meals: Rice, beans, powdered eggs, potatoes, soup, canned meats and vegetables, etc.
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Pasta Products: Ramen, noodles, mac n' cheese, etc.
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Breakfast Foods: Oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, etc.
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Snacks: Chips, crackers, fruit pouches, dried fruit, nuts, applesauce, fruit cups, etc.
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Beverages: Juice, soda, shelf-stable protein shakes, etc.
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Dessert Treats: Cookies, candy, hot chocolate mix, etc.
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Tomato Products: Pasta sauce, ketchup, etc.
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Condiments: Mustard, mayo, salad dressing, etc.
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Baby-Care Products: Diapers, formula, baby food, etc.
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Personal Care Products: Toothbrushes (wrapped), toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.
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Home Cleaning Products: Sanitizing wipes, laundry detergent, sprays, etc.
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First Aid and Personal Protection: Hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, masks, COVID-19 tests, Tylenol, band-aids, etc.
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Misc. Basic Needs: Batteries, Tin foil or cling wrap, Self-care items, etc.
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Gift Cards: For grocery shopping, going out to eat, or pick up a treat!
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Upcoming Events & Announcements | |
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Scholarship Applications
Apply now through Friday, March 8th

Need some support to pursue something fun or educational?
The Arc of Aurora offers two different scholarships to qualified Members, to be used for camp, vacation, other activities/programs, or education!
Click on the links below to read the eligibility requirements and to apply for a scholarship:
For individuals with an IDD: Glen Talladay Scholarship

For a sibling of someone with an IDD: Sibling Scholarship
Applicants MUST be a 2023/2024 Member (any level) and meet specific criteria outlined in the application. Priority will be given to Contributing Members (paid $30 or volunteered for Membership). Deadlines listed on the applications are strictly followed. If you need assistance completing an application or need a printed application mailed to you, contact your Arc of Aurora advocate or call The Arc of Aurora at 720-213-1420.
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Developmental Disability Month
March 2024
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! In your community and beyond, take the extra step to promote inclusion and equity!
Day At The Capitol, Thursday, March 7th: Disability Law Colorado is spearheading Colorado’s 2nd Annual Disability Rights Advocacy Day. This event aims to provide the visibility people with disabilities are often not given, and strengthen the advocacy happening around the state. Join us and ensure your voice is heard: LEARN MORE or REGISTER TODAY!
IDD Awareness Day, Wednesday, March 20th: Support the IDD community by attending one of many events offered by Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to collaboratively advancing innovative policies and practices for folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Colorado. LEARN MORE about both IN-PERSON and VIRTUAL events for this day.
Accessibility Online: The internet is full of so many helpful resources, opportunities to socialize, and many other important parts of modern life! It's essential that everyone has equal access to online posts, products, and more. You can do your part be ensuring you create accessible online resources!
Inclusion in your Community: What do you like to do for fun? How often do you encounter someone with a developmental disability given the opportunity to join in? What would it take to make that possible? There numerous opportunities to break down barriers in our everyday lives. Ask those questions! Speak up! And, promote inclusion, especially in those parts of your life that bring you joy, such as clubs and other social spaces!
Advocate for Equity: Make your voice heard! There are many local and national issues where you can advocate for people with developmental disabilities. From Medicaid funding to Direct Care wage increases to healthcare equity, policies and systems change are a huge part of improving quality of life for people with developmental and other disabilities!
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New to the policy world? Start by learning about some national issues affecting the disability community at https://thearc.org/policy-advocacy and keep scrolling to read this quarter's Policy Profile!
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Sunday Get Together Bowling
Every Sunday now through May 2024 Starting at 12:30 pm
Our Sunday Get Together Bowling League is a blast every weekend! Everyone of every ability is welcome to join and it's a great place to make new friends, meet other families in Aurora, and get to active!
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Location: Bowlero Aurora, 16700 E. Mississippi Avenue, Aurora, CO 80017
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When: Every Sunday until May 2024
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Time: Bowling starts at 12:30 pm for practice. The games start at 1:00 pm
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Cost: $10 each week for three games and shoes. Discounted concession food is available for purchase as well.
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Safety: Supervision is not provided. Caregivers/families can attend to provide supervision to those that bowl if they cannot be left alone. Participants must be over 16 years old.
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Questions or want to sign up? Contact our volunteer, Dottie, for more information and to get set up as a participant: call 303-880-5506 or email dottiek2@juno.com.
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You can still become a 2023/2024 Member of The Arc of Aurora
Anytime throughout the year!
The Arc of Aurora is a private not-for-profit organization, that has dedicated its mission to advocating for and on behalf of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families since 1975. We are a membership association that offers different membership levels for every budget (even a free membership) and also provides these benefits to our members.
Did you know? Contributing Members receive a 15% discount card usable at any arc Thrift Store, and more?! Learn more by watching the video below!
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Hang out with us on our social sites everyday! | |
THINK+change
Training and education
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Check out our no-cost, developmental disability-focused educational products from THINK+change!
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Rescue Medication: Amid our work addressing Substance Use in the IDD community, we are offering Kloxxado, a rescue medication, at no-cost to interested individuals and organizations. The rescue medication is available for pick-up by appointment only at The Arc of Aurora. For additional details or to schedule your pick up, please reach out to Erica Dennison. If transportation is a challenge, delivery accommodations can be arranged ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
As always, thank you for supporting The Arc of Aurora's social enterprise,
THINK+change, and for staying curious!
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Policy Profile
2024 Colorado State Legislative Session
Submitted by Petri Brill, Individual Advocate
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And, the 74th Legislative session shall now come to order!
January 10th marked the opening of the session for this year followed by Governor Polis’ State of the State address on January 11th. He discussed an array of issues that will be priorities for him this session including affordable housing, public safety, education, health care and mental health care, transportation, the environment, and the economy.
Throughout the session we will be tracking bills and proposed legislation that will directly impact the population we serve: the Intellectual and Developmental Disability community.

Read the full Policy Profile to learn how you can stay in the know and get involved!
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Community Mention Corner
May We Help
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Meet Michael Steinberg from May We Help, a non-profit organization that creates assistive devices for those with disabilities. Skilled volunteers design, develop, and fabricate uniquely tailored devices, allowing individuals to pursue their passions and realize their dreams - all at no cost to the recipient!
Do you or someone you know have trouble performing a basic task or routine due to a physical limitation? Is there an activity that you or someone you know would like to do but can't due to a disability?
Learn more about past solutions and request help at https://maywehelp.org/.
Would you like to volunteer with May We Help? They are looking for engineers, machinists, welders, woodworkers, tech people, and seamsters! Contact Michael at 303-960-0590 to learn more.
Click the video thumbnail below to watch or visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwV1hb_I13k
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Spotlight On
Our Holiday Donors!
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We had numerous phenomenal individuals from our community generously contribute to our 2023 Holiday and Thanksgiving projects. Additionally, they went out and shopped for gifts for those unable to do so for themselves! Thanks to these donations, we were able to support 257 individuals in our community this past holiday season! This included making wish lists come true, providing assistance for parents to shop for gifts, food support, and more!
It was incredibly heartwarming to witness numerous smiles (and some happy tears) over the past few months. Everyone deserves to experience a bright holiday season, and we cannot express enough gratitude to our donors for making that possible!
THANK YOU!

If you are interested in becoming a donor for future holiday projects, please email fundraising@thearcofaurora.org.
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Fast Fact of the Month
Medical Training
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A 2021 survey found that only 40.7% of physicians felt that they were very confident about their ability to provide the same quality of care to patients with disability as those without disabilities.
Multiple federal and private institutions are finding that there is a lack of training around people with disabilities, especially around treating patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and are pushing for more over the coming years!

Read more from the study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8722582/
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You can donate to The Arc of Aurora anytime by clicking here! We appreciate your donation to help support individuals with IDDs. | |
Thanks to our fans, we won a Top-Rated Award three years in a row! Read stories about us and add your own here! | | | | |
