Grand Opening of Clement Park's Inclusive Playground

At The Arc, we value true inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And, when we see such inclusion happening in our community, we want everyone to know! That’s why we’re sharing this invitation with you…

 

Clement Park Grand Opening

TOMORROW, August 8 from 5:30 – 8:30 PM

7306 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO 80123

 

Yes, Clement Park has been technically “open” for years, but there are great reasons to come and celebrate a Grand Opening next month! Staff at Foothills Park & Recreation District (FHPRD) have put heart and soul into constructing an inclusive playground at which kids of ALL abilities can play together. You may have heard that this earned them a SPARC Award from us in April. Last week, The Arc was fortunate enough to get a private tour of this revolutionary play space, and we are confident that you will see that it embodies true inclusion. 

 

FHPRD put incredible amounts of time and effort into creating an appealing playground that is enjoyable for ALL KIDS. In fact, the design goes far above and beyond what is required for playgrounds by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Countless hours were spent talking face-to-face with parents about the particular needs of their kids, resulting in a ground-breaking playground specifically designed for all children, no matter their abilities, to fully participate and have fun.

 

Click here to visit FHPRD’s Facebook page where you can find more information about the Grand Opening, and a video of the park before final construction. Click here for the event's flyer.

You're Invited to The Peanut Butter Falcon Film Premier

The Peanut Butter Falcon is a film about adventure, pursuit of a dream and wrestling. It stars Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen, who just happens to have Down syndrome!

You and your family are invited to the film's premier on Sunday, August 11 at 2:30 PM at the Landmark Esquire, 590 N. Downing Street Denver, CO 80218.

ArcThrift is working with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association to get as many people to see the premier of this movie to hopefully encourage a broader release nationally, and create awareness of the importance of letting people with intellectual disabilities pursue their dreams. This movie is rated PG-13, so please exercise discretion with children who may be younger than 13.

To watch the official trailer please click here, and to watch "Zack's Story" click here.

Please RSVP to [email protected] by TOMORROW, August 8 by 2 PM. No RSVPs will be accepted after that time. And on Sunday, please plan to meet the group at the theater.

August 25 - Reserved Shelters at Clement Park for Arc Families

On August 25, from 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Clement Park has reserved shelters K and L for Arc families to enjoy. We know some folks were disappointed that the playground wasn’t open for our Annual Picnic, but Clement Park wanted to make sure it was perfect and fully ready for your enjoyment. 

While this isn’t an official Arc event, we hope you’ll stop by the park to enjoy the new playground, have a picnic in the reserved shelters, and connect with other families in the community. 

Enjoy! 

Save the Date! The Action Center's 2019 School Supply Distribution Ends This Saturday

 

When: August 5th – 10th

Hours: 10 AM – 3 PM

Where: Stevens Elementary School, 7101 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80333

 

*Due to the Wheat Ridge parade on August 10th, please use 44th Ave. to access the school.

 

School Supplies for children ages Pre-K through Grade 12!

 

Come only on your designated pick-up day. (See the list below)

 

1. You can receive school supplies for your children, if you:

·     live in Jefferson County,

·     your student attends school in Jefferson County, OR

·     are experiencing homelessness.

2. On your designated pick-up day, you MUST BRING WITH YOU:

·     Your Photo ID

·     Proof of Address or proof your student attends school in Jefferson County

·     ONE of the following documents for EACH child, to show their age:

·     Copy of birth certificate OR

·     Medical record with birthdate OR

·     School record/report card that shows the grade they’re enrolled in this year (You can use parent portal on your phone) OR

·     Blue/purple birth certificate card issued by The Action Center

 

Come to School Supply Distribution ONLY on the day that matches your Last Name!

 

If you come before your assigned day, you will be asked to return on an Open Day.

 

Parent’s Last Name Pick-up Day

E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L .................................................. Monday, Aug. 5th

M, N, O, P, Q, R ..................................................... Tuesday, Aug. 6th

S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z ......................................... Wednesday, Aug. 7th

A, B, C, D .............................................................. Thursday, Aug. 8th

Open to All Letters ..................................................... Friday, Aug. 9th

Open to All Letters ............................................... Saturday, Aug. 10th

 

For More Information, please click here to download the event's flyer, as well as details in Spanish, or call (303) 237-7704.

 

Does your family have other needs?

The Action Center can help! Services include: clothing area, self-select grocery, household items, personal care, ID and Birth Certificate vouchers and rent and utility assistance. ALL SERVICES REQUIRE AN APPOINTMENT. CALL (720) 215-4850 to schedule.

Volunteers Needed for The Campaign for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (PID) Drive 

Each year, our friends at the Knights of Columbus in Conifer convert Tootsie Rolls into cash as a fundraiser for various groups in Jefferson County who serve people with disabilities, including The Arc. Just last year, the Knights of Columbus presented our chapter with more than $1,000 raised through this event thanks to volunteers.

They will be filling two-hour shifts at the Safeway and King Soopers in Conifer between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM on the weekends of August 16-18, August 23-25 and August 30-September 2 (Labor Day).

To volunteer, contact Don Dietzenbach at [email protected] or (303) 681-1365. If you're e-mailing or reach voicemail please leave your name, best phone number and a time to call back. Please also give your preferred dates/times and location to give out tootsie rolls. 

We need your smiling face to help hand out Tootsie Rolls to make this campaign a success!

Searching for a New Children's Book and a Way to Support The Arc?

Be sure to check out The VonAaron Express by Theresa Gonzales, a former Board President of The Arc. For each book purchased, she will donate a portion of the proceeds to The Arc! 

Theresa was a stay-at-home mother of two children. Her daughter Amy was born with Down syndrome, and her son Aaron was born with dislocated hips, which resulted in him being in a body cast for six months. 

Between caring for her children, countless doctors and therapy appointments, and volunteering for The Arc, Theresa wrote stories. The VonAaron Express is one of those stories, dedicated to her son. It is her second published children’s book. 

The VonAaron Express, along with Theresa's other books can be purchased on Amazon.