In This Issue:

  • Happy Pride 2022!
  • Your Opinion Counts: LGBTQ+ Disability Programs for Adults Survey
  • Summer Resources for Parents
  • Higher Education Inclusivity Bill Passed!
  • Join Us at Our State of The Arc Annual Meeting on June 22
  • Are You Our Newest Adult Advocate?
  • Attend Coffee House on June 16

Happy Pride Month!

June celebrates the contributions of LGBTQ+ people throughout history and commemorates the Stonewall Riots. Pride began as and remains a movement to live authentically and freely. Many members of the disability community are also members of the LGBTQ+ community.
 
Elevatus Training provides resources to support our LGBTQ+ community with IDD. Please click here to review their articles and information including:
 
  • Supporting LGBTQ+ People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  • How to Support LGBTQ+ People with IDD To Come Out
  • Rainbow Support Groups
 
The Arc-JCCGC will strive to continue advocating for equity, acceptance and inclusion for all - this month and beyond.
LGBTQ+ Disability Program for Adults Survey

The Center on Colfax aims to engage, empower, enrich, and advance the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community of Colorado.
 
The organization is in the early stages of starting a program for LGBTQ+ adults that have disabilities.
 
Programming of this nature has not existed at The Center, so feedback is being sought via a survey to find out what sort of activities and resources the community wants, according to Bryant Mehay, MA, CTRS (He/They), coordinator of The Center on Colfax’s Elder and Disability Services. The Center’s plan is to have these programs begin this fall.
  
Bryant said, “The purpose of this survey is to provide us with information so we can better suit our services to the community’s needs. The information provided in the survey will be kept 100% anonymous. You are not required to fill out any of the questions to complete the survey, all information is voluntary. If you or someone you know could benefit from this programming, please fill out the survey or send this survey along to them. The programming will be for our community members that are 21+.”
 
Interested? Click here to take the survey.
 
Summer Resources for Parents

School is out for summer! Here are some helpful summertime resources:
 
Kids Eat Free

Currently, school meals are available for all kids - 18 years old and under - at
no cost:
 
 
Kids Food Finder highlights locations to receive free meals. If you do not see your school’s information on this website, check with your local schools for meal locations and distribution times.
 
Hunger Free Colorado features food resources across Colorado including information on community resources, food and nutrition programs, and other public benefits.
 
Summer Camps, Programs and Activities
 
The National Sports Center for the Disabled includes free interactive clinics in partnership with Denver professional sports teams adapted to individuals ages 5 and older who have any type of disability.

Easter Seals Colorado Rocky Mountain Village has a variety of programming for people to live, learn, work and play.
 
Adam's Camp offers programs including special needs therapy, adventure camp, and family camp.
 
Teaching the Autism Community Trades provides options ranging from carpentry, to bicycle repair, and STEAM.
 
Children’s Museum upcoming summer workshops include creating fossils and pretzel making.
 
Jefferson County Public Library Summer Challenge - all ages program encouraging reading, learning, and exploring - earn fabulous prizes!
 
On behalf of The Arc-JCCGC have a happy, healthy and fun summer break!
 
Higher Education Inclusivity Bill Passed!

The Arc has been instrumental in advocating for Inclusive Higher Education Opportunities legislation. House Bill 22-1107 helps create possibilities in expanding pathways to post-high school education for students with IDD in Colorado.
 
House Bill 22-1107 passed and was signed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis. This bill supports universities and colleges to meet the demand by establishing new or expanding existing college pathways for students with IDD. This is an excellent step forward for so many students who have IDD and want to go to college, for families wanting opportunities for their children, and for colleges to develop greater inclusivity.
 
For more information about House Bill 22-1107, visit the Colorado General Assembly website by clicking here.
Join Us at Our Annual Membership Meeting:
State of The Arc on June 22 

Each year, The Arc-JCCGC hosts a meeting to inform our members and community of the state of our chapter. We welcome all who would like to attend.

During this short but important gathering the President of the Board will deliver the State of The Arc address, which will help you understand what The Arc is doing and why.
 
We hope that you will join us!
 
Our State of The Arc Annual Membership Meeting will be held virtually through Zoom and by conference call on Wednesday, June 22, 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
 
To register for the online meeting, click here by June 15.

After you register, you will receive information about how to join the meeting online or by phone.

For more information about the State of The Arc meeting, please visit our website.



What matters to you?
 
  • Doing meaningful work that creates positive change?
  • Being trusted, respected, and valued as a team member?
  • Working in a flexible and supportive environment?
 
These things matter to us too!
 
The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties needs you - as part of the largest organization of advocates with and for people with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. We have more than 60 years of history and a legacy of successfully promoting social justice.
 
At The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties:

  • Your work will make a real difference in the lives of people with IDD.
  • You will be valued and appreciated for the talents you bring.
  • You will have every opportunity to create the work-life balance you need through flexible scheduling and a primarily remote work environment. All positions at The Arc are approximately 80% remote.
  • We offer competitive pay and excellent benefits, along with a uniquely human-centered work environment.
 
For more information on this position, qualifications, benefits, and to apply - no later than June 21 - click here.
 
Don’t Miss Coffee House on June 16!

Join us at our monthly social gathering. Coffee House is one of those occasions where everyone is welcome and pretty much everybody knows your name.
 
Come and make new friends, mingle with people of all abilities, and promote inclusion in our community.
 
Thursday, June 16: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Panera Bread
650 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood
 
Hope to see you there!
 
For more information on this and other upcoming events, click here to check out our calendar.