In This Issue:
  • Disability Pride Month: The Gang Of 19
  • We Will Need Your Advice
  • Next Week: Our Annual Picnic!
  • Annual Membership Meeting: Video Now Available
  • Happy 4th Of July! Offices Closed
Old white bus on a city street with yellow text saying We will ride
Disability Pride Month: The Gang Of 19 

Denver holds a special place of honor in the history of Disability Pride Month. It all started with what has been called “The Gang of 19.” If you weren’t in Denver in 1978, or perhaps are too young to remember, the disability rights movement in Denver took a positive turn when protests by the Gang of 19 on July 5 and 6 demanded the Regional Transportation District (RTD) address the absence of wheelchair-accessible busses.
 
The protesters took their lives into their own hands by blocking buses day and night over two days in front of the Denver Public Library on Colfax. In an attempt to communicate their frustration with the lack of transportation available to them, they chanted, “We will ride!” until RTD agreed to talk to them. As a result, Denver became one of the first cities to have accessible mass transit. This protest also exposed other types of discrimination and abuse that the disabled community contended with.
Person in a wheelchair wearing sunglasses with a sign reading Access is a Civil Right in black and white.
The history of this event, those involved, and the evolution into what is today known as ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today) is rich and long. Protests were eventually carried out nationwide, seeking access to transportation, public restrooms, airlines, voting booths, and more. We encourage you to read and learn more about it, click here. To view a short video created by Rocky Mountain PBS (1:26 minutes), click here.
 
Huge credit goes to The Gang of 19 and the advocacy journey they started by simply standing up for themselves and their needs. They are the soul of Disability Pride Month.
We Will Need Your Advice

The Arc – JCCGC is researching a possible new program. We call it Consulting Advocacy, but you might know it as peer support. 
 
How does Consulting Advocacy (or peer support) work? Our program would employ people with IDD who have lived experience in different situations. During the advocacy process, the Consulting (Peer) Advocates would support other people with disabilities who are navigating or going through something similar. The intention is for the person requesting support, an advocate, and a peer to work together like the legs of a tripod supporting each other to problem-solve and find solutions together.
 
We will send out a survey and seek volunteers to discuss the idea in focus groups. Please keep an eye on the eUpdate each week and watch your email box for more information. Your voice matters—we want your input on whether you think this program would be valuable and if you would use it!

Next Week: Our Annual Picnic!

We can’t wait for next week’s picnic. Here are a few things we are looking forward to:
 Sunsets ablaze
The sky’s expansive gaze
 
Tacos shared
And everyone cared
 
Savory delights
Friends from day to night
 
Arms opening wide
Picnic memories abide
 
Spirits dancing in an otherworldly glow
Where hearts and spirits always grow
 

We hope you will join us next Wednesday, July 10 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Clement Park, 7306 W. Bowles Avenue, in Littleton as friends unite in laughter, food, and fun.

We'll be in the pavilions at the southeast end of the park, just west of the Columbine Memorial (O, P, Q).
A community member of The Arc smiles and receives a painted design on her arm at the annual picnic.
Two young women talking at a park. One is holding a flower shaped balloon
For more information, click here, and to RSVP, click here.
Green roofed park pavilions with picnic tables on a clear day with mountains in the background
Smiling woman with blond hair in front of a sign reading Annual Membership Meeting 2024 The Arc.
Annual Membership Meeting: Video Now Available

If you couldn’t catch last week’s Annual Membership Meeting, you're in luck! You can get all the great info that was shared whenever it's convenient for you.

Click here to watch the full meeting video (24:10 minutes).

Here's a preview of what you'll see in the video:
 
Executive Director Lori Ropa shared highlights of The Arc’s impact, including how many people The Arc served through advocacy and engaged in trainings over the past year. She explained a new staff structure, and role changes related to serving teens and young adults. And she described research into our community’s needs and desires for new programming – see the article above for more on this!

Board President Rob Smariga provided a recap of the Board’s work during the past year, describing a focused effort to explore and discuss critical topics and trends that will have an impact on the organization now and in future years. He also shared accomplishments including recruiting new Board members, defining Board participation and the launch of a new Board-led event to connect more people to The Arc as potential Board and committee members.
 
The meeting concluded with an expression of congratulations and gratitude. Rob welcomed new Board members Christine Plentyhoops, Jacob Hollars and Molly Kirkham, and celebrated Board members returning for another term, David Norwood and Helen Pietranczyk. He also thanked departing Board members Mark Lancaster and David Miller, and departing committee members Deb Karsell and Sherri Potter for all the ways their service through the years has helped make The Arc the strong organization it is today.

Be sure to check out the video by clicking here.
 
Smiling child holding a U.S. flag in front of fireworks with text Happy Independence Day.
Happy 4th Of July!
Offices Closed

Our office will be closed on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5, to celebrate Independence Day. Our website is always available, click here.
 
Also, a reminder: There will be no People First meeting tonight, Wednesday, July 3.
 
We hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with joy, relaxation, and time spent with loved ones. Happy 4th of July!