P2P Get Out The Vote!

P2P Get Out The Vote!

Parent to Parent of Colorado supports the right of ALL citizens to vote! Find your local polling location or ballot drop off location here.

Check out the Fall issue of Connect, the ACCO Newsletter!

As the season of gratitude approaches,
Ability Connection Colorado would like to say THANK YOU.
TOGETHER, WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH!


Donor Spotlight

Colleen Forst, President and CEO of TCBY DIA
Member of Ability Connection Colorado’s Board of Directors
Colleen Forst is a successful entrepreneur and opened one of the first businesses at Denver International Airport in 1995. No stranger to navigating turbulence, Colleen understands the important role non-profits have in serving vulnerable Colorado communities. “I have supported Ability Connection Colorado for more than 30 years, and giving to ACCO is one of the easier decisions I’ve made. The organization works to build inclusive communities where people with and without disabilities are seen and valued. We all benefit from having inclusive communities. And, ACCO ensures that 89 cents of every dollar directly supports Coloradans.”
Thank you, Colleen, for your generous support and volunteerism!
Ability Connection Colorado also recently recognized:
Noble Energy for Outstanding Corporate Sponsor of Year
The Sam S. Bloom Foundation for Outstanding Foundation of the Year
Creating a Brighter Future for Colorado Children

 

Ability Connection Colorado (ACCO) is working on its fifth Creative Options Center for Early Childhood Education to serve an additional 175 of Colorado’s most vulnerable children.Annually, more than 600 children from birth to age five enroll across four Creative Options Centers for Early Childhood Education. Creative Options Five will be located at 13th and Peoria in Aurora, an area Piton Foundation referred to as “the Children’s Corridor” because of the area’s significant needs and at-risk children.

A local developer, MGL Partners, is providing land in this low-income area currently in the process of redevelopment, and ACCO has accepted the challenge to raise $3.7 million to build and equip the facility. The goal is to open this new 8,935 square foot facility in 2016 and we need your help!

If you or someone you know is passionate about the high need for quality early childhood education, let us know. Cash and in-kind donations are welcome. There are still naming opportunities available as well. And, the tax savings for early childhood education contributions help you to make the most of every hard-earned dollar.

Creating Pathways to Employment

 


Atop Keystone Mountain, ACCO’s Wine and Food Tasting Event Shines in its 33rd Year. Colorado’s premier wine and gourmet food tasting supports employment for people with disabilities.
Ability Connection Colorado’s 33rd International Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting, “Wine in the Pines”, takes place on Saturday, October 22, 2016, from 6pm-11pm at the Keystone Conference Center. This fundraiser features an elegant tasting of over 500 wines along with delicious cuisine prepared by Keystone’s finest chefs and restaurants, as well as, live and silent auctions. This year’s theme is 70’s Disco, and attendees will enjoy live entertainment, including the musical talents of the 17th Avenue Allstars Dance Band.
Dress for the event is black tie formal, cocktail, or 70’s themed attire. Advance open seating tickets are $130 and available online at WineInThePines.org, by calling Ability Connection Colorado at 303-691-9339, or by emailing tarmstrong@abilityconnectioncolorado.org. General Open Seating Tickets will be available at Dillon Ridge Liquors beginning October 1st for $130 and at the door for $155. Special lodging rates available from Keystone Reservations for event attendees (see WineInThePines.org for more information on rates).
Proceeds benefit the Kelly Smith Employment Center at Ability Connection Colorado, which provides pathways to meaningful, choice-driven employment for people with disabilities. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
The official winemaker at this year’s event: Hope Family Wines’ Treana label. Special wines will be paired with multiple courses at the Winemaker’s Dinner on Friday, October 21 at the Keystone Ranch. (Limited availability – call for more information).
Wine in the Pines is possible, thanks to the desire of The Smith Family to “pay it forward,” as well as, the generous support of our sponsors: Circle K Southwest, Keystone Resort, Dillon Ridge Liquors, Summit Daily News, Krystal 93 and Denver Life Magazine.
Providing Resources and Education to Colorado Families

Being a parent is a big job under any circumstances. But for those who have a child with a disability, the job can be truly daunting. Caregivers are rarely able to relax or take a break, thus creating tremendous strain on families. Two people who know this all too well are Carol and Des Hague, owners of Serenity Spa and Salon in Keystone. As parents of a child with a disability, both know firsthand the lack of respite care available to these often overworked families. As a result, they are opening up the salon once per month to caregivers in need of a break. Every month, one of the parents served by Ability Connection Colorado is treated to a full spa day, free of charge.”I know how badly these parents need a break. I know how little they put into taking care of themselves. And so I decided to use my business to provide something for them that they would never give to themselves. It is a small gesture, but having a break to care for yourself can really improve your state of mind and well-being. It allows you to put more energy into your children and your family,” says Carol.Donors like the Hagues exemplify the impact of Ability Connection Colorado’s Statewide Support Services. Our family support services reach over 40,000 Coloradans every year, by providing critical services and resources to help parents advocate and care for their sons and daughters with disabilities at every stage of life. Donors can make a difference in many different ways, and we are grateful to Serenity Spa and Salon for their support of our families!

Colorado Gives Day is Approaching!
Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday, December 6, 2016. 

If you are not familiar with this exciting event, Colorado Gives Day is an annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado and is sponsored by FirstBank and Community First Foundation. Many of you already support Ability Connection Colorado throughout the year and we are so grateful. Look for ACCO reminders in your inbox and mailbox.

Ability Connection Colorado

For 70 years, ACCO programs enable individuals and families with disabilities to lead full and productive lives. Learn more about Ability Connection Colorado, and check out our new website at http://www.AbilityConnectionColorado.org.

Creative Options for Early Childhood Education
Employment Works Center
Statewide Support Programs, including parent and family resources and referrals
Change a life by giving your time, talent or treasure to ACCO. Help ACCO reach more Coloradans in need.

Oak versus Willow!

Oak versus Willow!

willow 2

“The strongest oak tree of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun.”  – Napoleon Hill, author

Although it’s a cool analogy, I propose that for parents of children with disabilities, a Willow is a better tree.  A Willow’s roots go deep, but they also spread out, searching for a little water to nourish them. They thrive best by a stream that will refresh them, but can go years without water, living with only the tiniest bit of moisture to sustain them.

When a strong wind comes, a mighty oak, standing alone, can be knocked to the ground. It’s a target for lightning- tearing a limb, leaving a wound vulnerable to infestation by bugs that can weaken it. It can catch on fire after a dry season or two.

Bend or Break?

willow 3

A Willow bends in the wind, it twists, it may warp…but it will still stand. If struck by lightning, its moisture will sustain it and withstand fire. If it loses a limb, it produces sap to heal that spot. It will warp, it will be scarred, but it will live! The warps and twists make it interesting and lovely to look at.

When the sun shines on a Willow, yes, it grows higher, storing energy to sustain it in the hard times. But it also spreads out, sending out shoots to bring the next generation of Willows to life.  The Willow weeps, yes, but under its graceful arms, many other life forms find shelter and it is in the twists of the limbs, in the flow and the grace of the weeping that we see the beauty of the tree.

So be encouraged! You may be battered, and feel like the trials you have gone through warp and twist you, but you are beautiful, like the willow. Full of grace – you will survive the storms.

Renee Boyes Walbert has been with Parent to Parent since the beginning! She has served as an Advisory Board member and later joined the P2P Staff Team. Renee has had many roles in our organization and is currently the Membership and Outreach Coordinator. Renee is a wife, mother of three and the grandmother of one. She has extensive experiences with the disability community including various services and supports; she participates in multiple public policy efforts to make positive changes in systems. You can reach Renee at rwalbertp2p@abilityconnectioncolorado.org

Let’s continue the conversation!  What is your reaction to the Oak versus Willow analogy?  As a parent, what makes you feel more like a Willow or an Oak?  We’d love to hear your thoughts and reactions on our Online Parent Support Group for Parent to Parent members.  Email your ideas to:  P2P-CO@yahoogroups.com

Not a member?  It’s free and easy to join!  Become A P2P Member

Thanks, Neighbors!

Thanks, Neighbors!

premier_sponsorA Big Thank You to our Friends at Premier Healthcare Services for providing refreshments at our Metro Area “Getting to Know Your P2P Neighbor” gatherings!  Thanks also to El Groupo Vida for refreshments provided in Glenwood Springs!  And thank you to Ability Connection Colorado for the great eats at our Fort Collins meetings!  Our P2P Advisory Members and Staff team enjoyed the opportunity to get to know you!  Watch for announcements about our South/Southwest gatherings in Spring 2017!

Get to Know Your P2P Neighbor!

Get to Know Your P2P Neighbor!

P2P Members are invited to join us at 4 Regional gatherings in September to “Get to Know Your P2P Neighbor”.  We’ll be meeting in Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Castle Rock and Jeffco/Denver West.   Check our Online Parent Support Group for all the details!  You can register at:  http://tinyurl.com/P2PGet2KnowUFB post Getting to Know Your P2P Neighbor!

 

Recognizing Ability Connection Colorado’s Community of Support

city-wide_banner At Ability Connection Colorado (ACCO), we are so fortunate to have an incredible community of support – both internally and externally – including amazingly dedicated employees, volunteers, corporations, and foundations who care deeply and commit themselves to the mission of ACCO. On March 18, 2016, we held our bi-annual Citywide Meeting, where employees and community members gather to celebrate individual and organizational achievements, and recognize the many who make this work possible. We wanted to share these great recognitions with our larger community, since not everyone could attend due to the incredible snowfall on this day. (more…)

Nonprofit school to begin new chapter in Aurora

Ability-Connection-business-Den_1Appears this month Business Den

With its waiting list of about 800 would-be students, Ability Connection Colorado needs more space.

The nonprofit is breaking ground on a fifth early childhood education center in Aurora next month. The waiting list for classroom seats is hovering at around 800 potential students, and Tiffani Lennon, VP of strategic development, said the expansion will allow Ability Connection to increase enrollment by 20 percent. (more…)

801 Yosemite Street   |   Denver, CO 80230   |   303.691.9339   |   info@abilityconnectioncolorado.org