IN THIS ISSUE...
  • Summit of Hope 2020--Why You'll Be Glad You Came
  • Thank You To Our Summit of Hope 2020 Sponsors!
  • Congratulations Alison Tamborlane, 2020 SPARC Award Winner!
  • The Arc of US National Convention Available To All Online, For Free
  • What Happens After High School? Webinar Series For Youth With Disabilities/Parents

Summit of Hope 2020
Why You'll Be Glad You Came

"Taking the time to build community, to get to know your people will have long-lasting benefits," wrote Clifton Taulbert, American author and speaker. His words encourage us, no matter where we live, to get to know and connect with the people in our communities, because it will benefit us all.

Summit of Hope, an inspiring community awareness event hosted by our chapter of The Arc, is the perfect place to get to know your community better. Did you know there are roughly 25,000 people with intellectual & developmental disabilities in Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties? By spending just 30 minutes online at Summit of Hope, you'll get to know some of the huge challenges they and their loved ones face, but also the true gifts they bring to their communities.

It's also really easy to attend. You don't need a Zoom account, just a device (computer, laptop, tablet, phone) with a screen and an Internet connection. Then you just click on the link that you receive in an email after you register. CLICK HERE to sign up for Summit of Hope today!

  • Select the date and time you prefer:
  • Wed 10/14 at noon
  • Wed 10/14 at 5:30 PM
  • Thurs 10/15 at 8:30 AM 
  • We’ll send you a reminder with a link prior to the event
  • Join the Zoom session a few minutes before the start time

In a half-hour, you can help change lives.
Your generosity ensures that we’re able to help every person with I/DD who seeks our advocacy and other life-changing programs. If you are able, please consider making a gift during Summit of Hope. Thanks to the support of FirstBank and an anonymous donor,
the first $25K in donations will be matched!

More info on Summit of Hope 2020 is available HERE. Hope you can join us in October—RSVP today.
Thank You To Our Summit Of Hope 2020 Sponsors!


And special thanks to our
Transformational Partner
FirstBank!
Congratulations Alison Tamborlane--2020 SPARC Award Winner!

For three weeks in a row, we’ll be including information about our three 2020 SPARC Award winners in our Wednesday email. This week we honor Alison Tamborlane (shown center) with Foothills Park & Recreation District!

In 2013, when Alison became the Adaptive Aquatics Coordinator at Foothills Park & Recreation District, not many people had heard of this program for kids with special needs. She brought extensive experience in the adaptive swimming program field to the position, and the program has grown tremendously. Since she began leading the program, participation has increased from two 5-week sessions, to running all year-long, and it currently has 3 classes on Saturday morning. Her program was also featured in a local newspaper, which was seen by many people.

Because Alison has a unique gift for assessing the differing needs of her students, she has greatly impacted their lives. This keen ability allows her to tailor programs, games, and even toys, to meet the kids’ individual needs, and to help them have more success than they thought was possible. As you can imagine, this delights the parents who get to watch their kids achieve by leaps and bounds.

With such growth in her program, Alison recruits high school volunteers to help with her students. She then provides them with thorough training through workshops. These volunteers not only gain skills from working with the kids, but they learn what people of all abilities are capable of. Even after they have gone off to college, they come back and ask Alison if they can volunteer in the summer and on breaks.

In response to receiving a SPARC Award, Alison wrote, "Thank you to Michel (her nominator) - my best friend and biggest supporter. Thank you to Kim, who took a chance on me, let me be creative and took care of things so we could begin to soar. Thank you to anonymous and known donors who provided a wonderful boost so we could continue. Thank you to our families who are amazing and my volunteers who are outstanding. I love you all and hope we can be back together soon!"
The Arc of The US 2020 National Convention--FREE and Online!

The Arc's National Convention is coming up October 26 – 28, and this year it's possible for you to participate from anywhere! CLICK HERE to learn more.
 
The conference includes three days of inspiring online sessions, announcements, and networking opportunities to learn how others are navigating challenges both old and new.
 
CLICK HERE to register for free, and mark your calendar! Don't think you can make it to one of the live sessions? Register anyway, and you'll be notified when the session recordings are available to view on demand. Registration for the 2020 National Convention is complimentary, however, a donation is greatly appreciated. With your support, The Arc is leading the fight for equality and inclusion, empowering people to live the lives they want, and inspiring a nationwide movement of advocates. 

The 2020 National Convention will have something for everyone! The Arc will be able to share the final schedule soon; in the meantime, here’s a glimpse at some of the highlights:
 
  • General sessions and award presentations
  • Networking “Fireside Chats”
  • Interest-specific breakout sessions
  • National Council of Self-Advocates Symposium
  • Listening Session on The Arc's Position Statements
  • Happy Hour for Siblings of Self-Advocates
  • Session on The Arc's Strategic Framework and Vision for the Future
  • Professional Development Seminar
  • Business Meeting
What Happens After High School?
Project Independence Webinar Series

This educational series is for families who have a child with a disability ages 14-21. While parents are learning about options for their child in one room, youth are in a separate workshop learning about advocacy and about their options after high school. It is primarily for Denver families but spaces are available for families who live outside of Denver.

Five Thursday nights from October 8th - November 5th, 2020
6:00 - 8:30 PM
Youth-Only Webinar starts at 6:00 PM
Parent-Only Webinar Start at 6:30 PM

This series is free. CLICK HERE to register.

Topics include:
  • Obtaining employment
  • College as an option
  • Transportation
  • Self-advocacy
  • Community resources
  • Soft skills
  • Person-centered planning
  • Transition on the IEP

Contact Monique at [email protected] or call her at 303-632-6840 for more information or with any questions.
THE ARC IS OPEN - OUR OFFICE IS CLOSED (UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE)

In an effort to protect our clients, staff, board, volunteers and community members, The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties physical offices will be closed effective immediately (Friday, March 13) until further notice due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. Please note that services will continue to be provided, as staff will be working remotely and communicating via phone, text and email. All in-person meetings, events and scheduled trainings will be canceled or postponed. When our physical offices reopen, our website and social media platforms will provide such information. CLICK HERE for more information.