Advocacy Helps Families
Understand Options

“At The Arc, we connected with people who understood exactly what we were going through. The world wasn’t resting on our shoulders anymore.” 

For Sofia, entering kindergarten was difficult. She couldn’t keep up with the other kids and was so uncomfortable, she often had a stomachache in the classroom. Her parents felt helpless when, day after day, they could see their daughter struggle. 

Like many parents, Sofia's family didn't know where to turn. Then, they found The Arc. 

Once they began working with Arc Advocates, Sofia's health improved and she started to enjoy school again. With the help of the Arc, Sofia's family was able to understand the complex world of special education and find Sofia a school that could meet her needs.

Many families come to The Arc because they have a question about one part of a family member’s life. Whether that is an IEP, medical diagnosis, or future goals, The Arc helps families find the information they need to make the best decisions for their individual circumstances.

Learn more about Sofia's story here .

Your gift today will ensure that The Arc can continue to help families and individuals discover options that make success possible. 

Colorado Gives Day is on The Way

Our advocates work hard throughout the year. They empower people with I/DD to live full, meaningful lives. They address caregiver concerns. And, our advocates collaborate with community partners to create meaningful change in our community.

By scheduling your donation for Colorado Gives day you will be supporting our Campaign for Advocacy and changing the lives of people with I/DD. Schedule your donation here .
Join Us for Coffee House!

Join us for Coffee House on Thursday, November 21st (Tomorrow) and every 3rd Thursday 6:00 – 7:30 pm at Panera Bread at 650 S Wadsworth in Lakewood in the Belmar neighborhood!

What's Coffee House?
Every 3rd T hursday of the month, The Arc sponsors Coffee House--a social gathering for people of all abilities where usually more than 20 people attend. Coffee House is a great opportunity to meet new people, make friends, & socialize while having coffee, dinner, or a treat. Everyone is welcome! Attendees purchase their own food & beverages, except you get a FREE beverage your first time at Coffee House.

Can't make it tomorrow? That's okay. Join us December 19th for holiday caroling!
RSVP Now For The Arc's Holiday Open House December 9
 
Join The Arc’s staff, board, and supporters for festive food, live music, and plenty of holiday cheer! Stop by to say hello, meet new people, reconnect with old friends and see what we’ve been up to this year. The open house will be held at The Arc’s office located at 13949 W. Colfax Ave, Bldg 1, Suite 150 in Lakewood on Monday, December 9 from 4 to 7 PM. 
 
To honor the tradition of holiday giving, each year we provide a unique opportunity for our guests to donate gift cards at the holiday party. The Arc distributes a variety of gift cards to the people we support and the volunteers who support us. Please consider bringing with you a gift card of any value for groceries, household goods, gas, movies or clothing. There will be a wrapped “deposit” box at the check-in table where you can drop off your gift card donation.
 
To ensure we have sufficient amounts of food and holiday cheer, please be sure to RSVP by November 29 by clicking here , calling (303) 232-1338, or by emailing us at [email protected] . See you in December! 

Outreach Advisory Council Invites You to Become a Member

“Nothing about us without us.” It is a slogan that many disability groups use to express the necessity of being included in decision-making about their own lives and futures. At The Arc, we recognize how essential this concept is to everyone, but especially to the people we serve. As a result, our Outreach Advisory Council was created in 2017.

The purpose of the Council is to provide advice and guidance that will help our outreach team develop activities and events that are inclusive, relevant, and beneficial to the people we serve and to our community as a whole. The activities and events are driven by The Arc’s strategic plan, which was created by staff and board, including people of all abilities. The Outreach Advisory Council’s ongoing participation has been very important to our outreach efforts, and has assisted us as we carry out our strategic plan.

Currently, the Council is comprised of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who help shape outreach activities. This enthusiastic and dedicated group of people was instrumental in creating a strong, statewide theme for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March of 2019.

In the spirit of true inclusion, the Council has decided to invite people of all abilities to join the group in order to gain a wider array of perspectives to inform outreach activities and events. If you are someone with or without a disability who is interested in learning more about the Council or pursuing membership on the Council, click here or contact Brent Belisle at [email protected] or 303-232-1338.
Are You on Social Media? Connect with The Arc Today!

Stay up to date with what’s happening at The Arc by connecting with us on social media! Click here to find us on Twitter, click here to find us on Facebook, and click here to find us on Instagram!
Want to be even more connected? Check out our website here !