News You Can Use
July - September 2022
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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A note from Hanni Raley
Introduction to The Arc of Aurora's new Executive Director
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It is an honor and an absolute dream come true to introduce myself to The Arc of Aurora family as our next Executive Director! Enjoying 11 years at The Arc of Aurora under Darla Stuart’s mentorship and leadership, I am confident that the organization and our team will continue the strong legacy of the incredible humans that have come before.
I am a rare Colorado native, raising and corralling my small family only a few miles from my childhood home. While I love adventure and exploring all of the beauty life has to offer, the entirety of my career has been dedicated to intellectual and developmental disability supports and systems in the nonprofit sector and the people they impact.
As the Executive Director of The Arc of Aurora, I will continue to be focused on supporting people to get what they need when they need it, ensuring progressive policy development, and working towards lessening the disproportionate systemic impacts on people with IDD and their families. My motivation and foundation remain that all people have the right to equitable access to happiness, community living, and expression of their civil rights.
When speaking about work in Human Services, Dave Hingsburger the prolific writer and advocate for the rights of people with IDD once said, “Done right, you have chosen both a job and a passion. Both a passion and a mission. Both a mission and a purpose. There are those who spend their lives looking for a purpose. You will rise to it each morning. And that’s a he** of a way to start the day”.
You are my purpose and passion. My mission is to make a difference in the lives of people with IDD and their families.
I am proud of what we have done and optimistic about what lies ahead. Thank you for welcoming me into The Arc Family. Now, let’s get to work!
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Upcoming Events & Announcements |
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2022/2023 Organization Agreements for Annual Membership
The Arc of Aurora is a private not-for-profit organization, that has dedicated its mission to supporting and advocating for and on behalf of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families for 47 years. We are a membership association and offer different membership levels for every budget (even a free membership).
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Do you support The Arc of Aurora and our mission? Maybe you receive individual advocacy, donate, volunteer, or are a friend of the organization? Well, then membership is for you, includes these benefits, and helps keep our doors open!
Frequently asked questions:
Why should I complete an Organization Agreement?
Completing an annual Organization Agreement lets The Arc of Aurora know what kind of relationship and membership level you would like to have with the organization.
Does the Organization Agreement expire?
Yes! Annually your agreement expires at the end of July.
Why should I become a Member?
Not only do you receive fantastic benefits and create a partnership with the organization, but you also add your voice to those locally, statewide, and nationally who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
My loved one or I receive Individual Advocacy from an advocate. Do I need to complete an Organization Agreement?
Yep, please complete an Organization Agreement. But, your Advocate may have already reached out to you to complete this along with your Advocacy Goals! If you have any questions or aren't sure, please contact your Advocate directly.
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Discounted Tickets to Elitch Gardens
Have fun while giving back! Purchase a discounted ticket or season pass to Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park now through October 30th, 2022, and part of the proceeds will be donated to The Arc of Aurora!
We thank you for your support and hope you have a super fun time!
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Sēb's Recreation Center Vouchers from Developmental Pathways
Developmental Pathways is currently offering a punch pass/voucher that includes 10 free visits to Sēb's Recreation Center (SRC) to any individual in services with Developmental Pathways. If a family has more than one child/individual in services with DP, you can get one voucher per individual receiving services (please fill out one form for each individual in services).
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Colorado Rockies Tickets!
Are you a 2022/2023 Member of The Arc of Aurora!? Then you’re in luck because a benefit perk you receive is when special opportunities come our way! One of our generous donors wants to donate Colorado Rockies tickets to our 2022/2023 Members and their families!
If you’d like to attend a home game this Colorado Rockies season, please contact Erica Dennison at Edennison@thearcofaurora.org and provide the below information to put in a ticket request at least 3 weeks in advance.
- Member first and last name
- Time, date, and name of game (ex: 6pm, July 27th game vs. the White Sox)
- How many tickets are being requested (ex: 4 tickets)
- If you need regular or handicapped seats
- If you require paper tickets or if you can accept tickets digitally via an app you will download
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Hang out with us on our social sites everyday! |
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THINK+change
Training and education
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Summer is heating up, and so are NO-COST products from The Arc of Aurora’s social enterprise, THINK+change! Check out our newest TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS about:
and for staying curious!
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Policy Profile
The Arc of Colorado's Legislative Scorecard
Submitted by Hanni Raley, Executive Director
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Are you curious how the 2022 Colorado legislative session wrapped up? Take a peek at The Arc of Colorado’s Legislative Scorecard!
From the Scorecard, “After two years of non-traditional Legislative Sessions due to the pandemic, this year felt much more normal as the General Assembly convened on January 12, 2022, and continued, uninterrupted, for the full 120 days. One of the dominant issues was how to allocate over $1 billion in federal funds that Colorado received in federal stimulus. These are one-time dollars that need to be spent over the next two or three years leading to bills that create new grant programs for various things including a major investment in expanding behavioral health services, housing, education, workforce, and diverting/redirecting people out of the criminal justice system.”
Learn more about The Arc of Colorado’s policy priorities and how YOUR elected official represented the interests of people with IDD under the golden dome by visiting the below button.
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2021 Annual Report
At a Glance
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We’ve accomplished a lot so far this year, but wanted to share with you our past 2021 endeavors and provide you an overview of the work The Arc of Aurora achieved from January 2021 to December 2021. Impressed? Consider making a tax deductible donation here!
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How You Can Help
Help us win a Great Non-Profit Award for 2022!
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Did you know that The Arc of Aurora has been a Top-Rated Non Profit since 2020!? By writing a review of us, you can share our work with the community and help us win a Top-Rated Non Profit award for 2022.
Let us know how The Arc of Aurora has impacted you, your family, and our community.
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Spotlight On
Community Outreach & Think+change Coordinator,
Krystal Dawson
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Hello! I am thrilled to be joining The Arc of Aurora as the organization's newest team member! I am also very excited to be returning to The Arc family. Throughout my childhood, I spent most of my weekends in a community residence run by a chapter of The Arc in Massachusetts, as my mom has worked as a dedicated residential staff member for 40 years and counting!
Prior to joining The Arc of Aurora, I worked in the live entertainment industry, in Chicago and all across the country. Then, when the pandemic hit, I joined AmeriCorps and served for a year with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver in their Home Preservation department. During that time, I discovered a true passion for cultivating community investment around accessibility and neighborhood revitalization, especially while working in the Aging in Place (home modifications) and exterior home repair programs.
I am so excited to now be serving the Aurora community by helping to create a more accessible, accepting, and safe world for people with developmental disabilities, through education and outreach.
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Community Mention Corner
Home Builders Foundation
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Meet Alice Wurst from Home Builders Foundation, an organization that provides home modifications, at no cost to those who qualify. The mission of the Home Builders Foundation is to build independence, provide opportunities and elevate lives for individuals and families with disabilities in our community. Learn more by watching this month's Community Mention Video and visiting their website at https://hbfdenver.org/.
Click the video thumbnail below to watch or visit:
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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.
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Thanks to our fans, we won a Top-Rated Award two years in a row! Read stories about us and add your own here!
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Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of the price of your purchases via Amazon to The Arc of Aurora when you set up your settings here.
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There is a community resource list on our website if you need help, to locate testing, vaccine info, and more.
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Have questions about anything in this newsletter? Contact Krystal Dawson.
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