IN THIS ISSUE...
- 60 Voices That Shine - #24
- Our Doors Are Wide Open
- Let’s Start Scrapbooking
- Next Round Of Input Needed On Core Values
- Super Summer Resources
- 2021 Graduation Celebrations
- Survey: IN! Education Expansion Opinions
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Lori Ropa - Voice #24
Lori Ropa is not your average executive director. Her true dedication to The Arc is anything but average, and it guides every choice she makes in her job.
Her integrity and vision for our chapter are far from ordinary, as she focuses on creating and maintaining a strong and successful team to empower and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
Starting in 2010 as The Arc’s executive director, Lori had worked in the non-profit world for many years beforehand. Her experience and passion explain the great care she takes when representing and guiding our chapter. She has the ability to see the unique value in everyone, and that is something she wishes all people could learn to do. Maybe then we would have a world that Lori envisions—one where all people aren’t just included, but they truly belong.
"Inclusion is progress, but belonging is our goal."
We are delighted that Lori Ropa is no ordinary executive director, and that she follows her heart in leading The Arc. Her extraordinary voice shines for the people whom our chapter serves, for us as staff, and for our community, which she strives to make an even more welcoming place for people of ALL abilities.
To see all of the “60 Voices That Shine” featured thus far or for more information about our 60th Anniversary, CLICK HERE. We've updated our slideshow with all new photos!
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Our Doors Are Wide Open
Hooray! After what seemed like a long time, The Arc’s office is once again open for business! We are now able to schedule in-person meetings during regular business hours.
Since we have moved offices (now in suite 102 across from the accessible restrooms), many staff members regularly work outside of the office. If you would like to meet with a staff member of The Arc - JCCGC in our office, please contact that person to schedule an appointment. Masks are not required in the office, but you are always free to wear one if you are not vaccinated or feel more protected wearing a mask.
The reason we're opening up is because Jefferson County has moved to “Level Clear” for the “Phase 2 Observation Period” of May 15 through August 15. In fact, all Denver Metro counties are operating at Level Clear. What this means is that, during this time, businesses can operate at 100% capacity with no mask requirements or other restrictions.
The best way to make a new request for help, is to CLICK HERE to submit an advocacy request online. You can also call (303) 232-1338 during business hours to make an appointment or ask for assistance.
We are so excited to see everyone’s smiling faces again, and we look forward to seeing yours the next time you visit our offices.
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Let's Start Scrapbooking
Get out that virtual glue stick - we are now accepting submissions for our 60th Anniversary Online Scrapbook! During the month of June, we will be creating an web-based scrapbook that will look back at our 60-year history. We need your help to make it beautiful and fun!
We are looking for photos from events like picnics and holiday parties as well as People First or Coffee House gatherings, recent or historic. Maybe our advocacy helped lead you or a loved one to an achievement, like a graduation or other milestone? We would love to include those kinds of photos too.
You could write about a memory from an Arc event, a funny time with us, or a special moment at The Arc. Send it to us, and we will put a decorative border on it and post it on the scrapbook page. If you love to draw, we'd love to include drawings of special memories of The Arc, too!
We need you to help us fill in the memories!
To submit your memories/stories/photos to the scrapbook, email them to Val at [email protected]. Please put “Scrapbook Contribution” in the subject line of your email. If you have questions about the scrapbook or how to submit something for the scrapbook, call Val at 303-232-1338. Now, get “scrappy” and send in those images!
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Next Round Of Input Needed On Core Values
This is a new survey with all new content. So, even if you participated in the April survey, it’s important to complete this survey too. In fact, this is your best opportunity to influence the content of the final Core Values & Guiding Principles that will come up for a vote at the 2021 annual meeting at The Arc's National Convention. The vote at Convention is a straight up or down—no amendments are allowed from the floor—so please tell us what you think now!
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Super Summer Resources
Schools are wrapping up the 2020/2021 school year which means it is SUMMER BREAK! We wanted to make sure you were aware of some super summer resources available for you and your kids.
Kids Eat Free
The Kids Eat Free program is continuing in Jefferson County from June 7 through July 16. This program gives free food to youth ages 1 to 18 at no cost. The food pick-up sites are open to students enrolled in programming and to you in the community. The meals are distributed as “grab-n-go” and include breakfast, lunch, and weekend meals.
To find out when you can pick up meals and where the nearest pick-up location is to you, CLICK HERE. To learn more about the program or get information about Jeffco Schools, CLICK HERE.
Summer Camps
The other great thing about summer vacation is summer camp! Many camps are returning this summer after last year’s COVID cancellations. Check out these available camps:
National Sports Center for the Disabled, CLICK HERE
Education/Childcare
Jeffco Schools has some summer educational opportunities and childcare options. To see what is being offered:
CLICK HERE for information on pre-K and elementary summer education
CLICK HERE for information on high school summer education
CLICK HERE for information on before and aftercare
CLICK HERE for information on summer childcare and preschool
Most of all, have fun. Enjoy the outdoors. Gather (safely) with friends and family. Eat some yummy Colorado peaches. It’s SUMMER BREAK!
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2021 Graduation Celebrations
It is that time of year when all kinds of graduations are celebrated. Whether it is graduating from kindergarten, grade school, high school, or college, a graduation is the recognition of reaching a big goal. If you would like to see how Jeffco Schools are celebrating graduations this year, CLICK HERE.
We would like to highlight two special graduations from the IDD community. One is for Isabelle Woloson and one is for Mackenzie Beauvais-Nikl, who are now both college graduates.
Isabelle Woloson
Isabelle Woloson is originally from Boulder, and has just graduated from University of Northern Colorado with a certificate in communications. She is among the first with IDD to graduate from a Colorado college or university as part of the IN! program. Now with her own apartment, she is starting to think about her career--being a life coach.
IN! was founded to help those with IDD seek out a post-secondary education. Three schools participate in the IN! program: University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and Arapahoe Community College. Students earn between 36 and 72 credit hours in the area of their choosing and earn a certificate recognized by the state. CLICK HERE for more information on IN!
Mackenzie Beauvais-Nikl
Another recent graduate is Mackenzie Beauvais-Nikl, who received her certificate in photojournalism from Metro State University’s IHEC Program (Inclusive Higher Education Certificate Program). In addition to seeking higher education, Mackenzie is very active with Special Olympics and was recently named a Special Olympics Colorado's Board of Director’s chair. She is the first athlete to serve in this role. CLICK HERE to see the full story.
IHECP gives options for students who might need additional support in college. Regular admission requirements are relaxed and students can choose their own areas of study. Typically students take three courses per semester, one of which is a specialized course to support students with IDD. IHECP also includes career planning, on-campus jobs, internships, and off-campus work experiences to create a well-rounded program. CLICK HERE for more information on IHECP.
To all of this year’s graduates, congratulations on your accomplishment! May your future be bright, happy, and secure.
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Survey: IN! Education Expansion Opinions
As mentioned in the graduation article, IN! is an organization working to provide college opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID).
If you are a person with ID, or a family member, IN! needs to hear from you about potential college plans and any barriers you have noticed.
This survey will take 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Your responses will help make college more accessible for students with ID. CLICK HERE to access the survey link.
Additionally, please share this information with students, clients, or other individuals with ID that you may know. They would like to hear from a wide variety of people from different age groups and backgrounds. To access a flyer about the survey, CLICK HERE. If you have questions, email Shelby Bates at [email protected] or call (720) 580-1277.
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