Last Chance to RSVP! The Arc's Annual Meeting & SPARC Awards are Next Wednesday, April 17!

The Arc's SPARC Awards:

To honor the people that selflessly serve and aid our communities every day, The Arc- Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin counties has created the SPARC awards. The power of the SPARC Awards and its recipients is in their ability to demonstrate to the community that individuals and organizations can and do make a difference.

This year's award ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 17, and will once again be at The Arc's office ( click here for address and directions). Please note that the Annual Meeting is a separate event from the SPARC Awards. There will be a brief reception in between the two at 6 PM, and our SPARC Awards ceremony will begin at 6:30 PM.

RSVP is required by TODAY, April 10. Please RSVP by clicking here or by calling (303) 232-1338. You can also email us at [email protected].

We're proud to announce this year's winners: 

• COMMUNITY CHAMPION: KQ Quintana

• COMMUNITY CHAMPION: Foothills Park & Recreation District

• EDUCATION: Stacy Keene

During our Special Presentation, we’ll ask the audience to imagine what it would be like if no one knew what you were really capable of. Think about how it would affect you if people constantly underestimated you and told you that you CAN’T do things others can do. Most people with intellectual & developmental disabilities have encountered this frustration all their lives, and they still do. Misconceptions and stereotypes prevent people with disabilities from being respected, valued, and fully included. That is why this year’s special presentation is all about sharing the TRUTH. 

We’ve invited to our presentation a panel of seasoned self-advocates who want to share their truth--what they’ve experienced, what they believe, what they want others to know. There will be Q & A afterward. Even if you are well-acquainted with the I/DD world, you may be surprised at what you hear. It is our hope that audience members will share these truths with others in order to help further break down stereotypes and make our community a more inclusive place.

The Arc's Annual Meeting:

Please join The Arc on Wednesday, April 17 as we address the annual business of our organization. The annual meeting is open to the public and will begin at 5:30 PM. The Membership Meeting will run 30 minutes and will include The State of The Arc by President Helen Pietranczyk and the election of members to the Board of Directors.

The Arc's Annual Business Meeting will be held before the SPARC Awards at The Arc's office. All current members of The Arc are eligible to vote. To confirm your membership status, please contact Eryn at [email protected]. 

All current members are being asked to vote to elect 2019-2021 Board members. The following new candidates have been selected by the Governance Committee and approved by the Board to be presented to members for terms beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2021.

Click here to RSVP to The Arc's Annual Meeting.

Do You Know A Teen with I/DD?

The Arc is working on a new program— Teen LifeAbility, FREE and fun interactive discussions designed to help high schoolers with I/DD see all that they can achieve. 

We’re at 37% of our $7,500 fundraising goal—join us in raising the remaining $4,710 this month. Your gift of $25 or $50 will help us change teens’ lives!

To learn more, click here! And to donate today, click here!

Communications Coordinator & Storyteller

Is storytelling your passion? 

The power of stories is indisputable. Through stories, the theoretical becomes real. They help us feel empathy and deep emotion. We learn what it’s like to live in someone else’s world for just a moment, and experience a small taste of their life. And in that, we are changed.

If you love to meet people, learn about their lives, and share their stories with others, then The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties needs you. As part of the largest organization that advocates with and for people with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), our community has endless stories to tell. It is through these stories that we intend to create a world where all people are valued and respected, and can live meaningful lives of their own choosing.

When you are a part of The Arc, you have the opportunity to play an important part in achieving that vision. The Communications Coordinator & Storyteller will join our collaborative team, strengthening and improving The Arc’s communications, making them relatable to all audiences and changing the perceptions of people with I/DD in the community. This important position will not only bring information and stories to life, it will help generate critical support for The Arc’s programs. The position is varied and interesting; the Coordinator will also further develop and coordinate The Arc’s volunteer program and support the growth of the self-advocacy movement. Each day will present new and interesting challenges and you’re guaranteed never to be bored. 

What makes The Arc different? To sum it up – it’s our Culture. Inside and out, we embody our Core Values. We rely on people being internally driven and taking initiative, and in support of that, we have a deep commitment to teamwork. With no complex hierarchical structure, we all work together to move the mission forward with open and honest communication that translates into collaborative action. The work is no doubt challenging, and you will grow personally and professionally.

If you are interested in learning more about this position, its qualifications, and the excellent benefits provided by The Arc, please click here to read the official job description. Submissions are due by midnight April 12th and should include your resume, a cover letter that speaks to your interest in joining The Arc, as well as two writing samples that highlight your skills as a storyteller. 

Please email your submission to [email protected] and let us know why you’d be a great fit for our team!

Junk Your Jalopy and Raise Money for The Arc!

Is it time to finally let go of your old car? We know, you had a good run. You got far more mileage out of it than you thought you would. It was a good car right up until the end. But now the necessary repairs to get it back on the road just don’t make financial sense and it’s not worth nearly as much as you thought it might be as a trade-in. It’s time. 

Don’t worry. Your old car is still valuable … in fact, it’s worth the world to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). You see, The Arc can take your old car as a donation and turn it into cash to directly help people with I/DD with such needs as employment, education, housing and advocacy to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.

The Arc doesn’t care if your old car has some blemishes, a little rust, a dead battery or worse. Vehicles for Charity can take your clunker and turn it into cash at auction. To ensure your donation benefits our chapter, simply designate The Arc - Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties as the recipient, and the proceeds will come directly to us.

It’s easy to get started. Donate online or call 1-866-628-CARS, arrange your free pickup, and claim your tax deduction. To donate and for more information, click here.