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In This Issue:
- Coffee House: 'Good food, good friends'
- New Staff Profile: Rhiana Bilderaya, Director of Adult Advocacy
- Your Old Car Can Do Great Things!
- CEO of The Arc US Named to Forbes' "50 over 50" List
- Labor Day Weekend Is Here!
- Study Is Recruiting Members of the IDD Community
- What's Happening Next Month?
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Coffee House: 'Good food, good friends'
It’s a Thursday night at Panera Bread, and tables are swirling with countless conversation topics: music, crafts, work, Elvis, theater, family. Individuals are catching up with their friends, meeting new people, being themselves—and enjoying another month of Coffee House, a social event coordinated by The Arc-JCC&GC.
As many of you know, Coffee House occurs once a month and is an opportunity to come and socialize with others in our community. The event has been running for years, and those who have attended know that it is a fantastic chance to make new friends.
“This is a relaxed setting where we’re really getting to know each other one on one,” explained Molly Kirkham, who has been going to Coffee House for more than a year. “My favorite thing would be the social aspect of it.”
Tim Rademeyer also enjoys Coffee House’s community aspect. He estimated he has made between 25 and 30 friends at Coffee House, and encouraged others to come so they can make new friends, too. Coffee House regulars like Diane Jurann, who has visited many Coffee Houses with her sister, Joan, also highlighted that the event is for everyone—people with disabilities and without disabilities.
“Come, it’s fun!” Coffee House participant Jan Beckett agreed. She summarized the event simply: “Good food, good friends.”
As others consider coming to Coffee House for the first time, Molly had this advice to give: “Be willing to take the risk. Just say hi. It’s also okay the first time just to sit and observe,” she said. “The one thing about Coffee House is, you will fit in.”
Coffee House takes place on the third Thursday of each month, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Panera Bread (650 S. Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80226). Our next Coffee House gathering will occur on September 19. For more details about Coffee House, click here.
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New Staff Profile: Rhiana Bilderaya, Director of Adult Advocacy
We are thrilled to welcome our new Director of Adult Advocacy, Rhiana!
Rhiana is a Colorado native who brings years of experience to the team. Previously, Rhiana held roles at the nonprofit provider agency Imagine!, a private intermediate care facility, and a residential agency. She officially joined our team in July of this year.
Rhiana first became interested in working with the disability community right after she graduated college. While working as a nanny, she brought the children to a local park, where a group of adults with disabilities was spending time together with the organization Easter Seals. When the children asked about the adults, Rhiana helped them understand that the adults were people with disabilities who were enjoying their day at the park. Overhearing the conversation, an Easter Seals direct support professional told Rhiana that her answers had been really thoughtful. They suggested Rhiana should consider working with the disability community. “That clued me into this world, and so I started looking for case management positions, and the rest is history,” Rhiana explained.
In her role as Director of Adult Advocacy, Rhiana provides advocacy services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) ages 35 and older. She supports and empowers adults to make the decisions that are best for them—a topic that she has been passionate about for years.
“There's so much joy in being able to ask people, ‘What do you think is best for you?’” Rhiana said, “and helping them live their best lives.”
As Director of Adult Advocacy, Rhiana will also help mentor newer advocates, as The Arc is currently in the process of hiring new advocates.
In her free time, Rhiana likes to get outside, play piano, read, and spend time with her cat, Farley. She also likes to travel, and she particularly enjoyed taking a trip to Ireland earlier this summer.
Welcome to the team, Rhiana!
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Your Old Car Can Do Great Things!
If your car is on its last legs, there’s still a way you can put it to good use!
Our partner, Vehicles for Charity, can take your old car, sell it at auction, and turn it into a charitable cash donation. This donation can support the Arc-JCC&GC and our mission of empowering people with IDD to live self-directed, fulfilling lives.
To get started, visit Vehicles for Charity online or call 1-866-628-2277, arrange your free pickup, and claim your tax deduction. To ensure your donation benefits our chapter, simply designate The Arc - Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties as the recipient, and the proceeds will come directly to us.
Note that Vehicles for Charity can accept cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and more. To learn more about donating to The Arc through Vehicles for Charity, click here.
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CEO of The Arc US Named to Forbes' "50 over 50" List
Congratulations are in order for The Arc’s Katy Neas! Katy, who is CEO of The Arc of the United States, was named to Forbes’ 4th annual “50 over 50” list this month. Broken up into four categories, the list names 50 women in each category who are making a difference. Katy was honored in the “Impact” category. The article highlighted her 35+ years of experience in disability policy and advocacy, while also building awareness of The Arc! Read the full article here.
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Labor Day Weekend Is Here!
Looking to plan some family fun this upcoming three-day weekend? Here are five events for the whole family to enjoy happening Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Movie in the Park – The Garfield Movie
- Saturday, Aug. 31, 6:00 PM-9:30 PM
- Anderson Park, W 44th Avenue and Field Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
This free event will include a screening of The Garfield Movie under the stars, complimentary popcorn and water bottles, and door prizes.
Coffee and Create – Tissue Paper Landscapes
- Sunday, Sept. 1, 1:30 PM-3:00 PM
- Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada, CO 80005
Standley Lake Library’s ongoing ‘Coffee and Create’ series picks up on September 1, inviting you to come create a fall landscape using tissue paper and water. All supplies will be provided, and all skill levels are welcome.
Elitch Gardens Labor Day Fireworks Show
- Sunday, Sept. 1, 9:00 PM
- 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO 80204
Elitch Gardens’ annual fireworks display will light up the night when the park closes on September 1. To learn more about the theme park’s ticket prices, click here.
Shakespeare in the Wild – Twelfth Night
- Aug. 31, Sept. 1, and Sept. 2, 7:00 PM-9:30 PM
- DeKoevend Park behind Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121
Shakespeare in the Wild invites the community to its production of Twelfth Night. The free outdoor show will run three times over the holiday weekend at DeKoevend Park.
Louisville Labor Day Parade & Festival
- Monday, Sept. 2, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
- Memory Square Park, Spruce Street and Jefferson Avenue, Louisville, CO 80027
This family-focused event has something for everyone—food trucks, a petting zoo, and even a Pie Contest. The Fall Festival will run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with the Labor Day Parade starting at 10:00 AM.
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Study Is Recruiting Members of the IDD Community
What would you like researchers to prioritize in future IDD studies? A new project offers you a chance to provide insight on this question.
The Pediatric Research Network (PEDSnet) and Development Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network (DBPNet) are working together on a study to determine which research questions matter most to the IDD community. Children’s Hospital Colorado is one of five sites that will be included in the study.
The study will focus on individuals who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a learning disability, and/or communication and language disorders. Participants can be:
- Youth ages 13-18
- Young adults ages 19-24
- Parents of children who a) have received one of the diagnoses listed above and b) are not participating in the study themselves
- Clinicians in the IDD field
If you’d like to participate, the first step is to fill out a brief survey here. The research networks will later select study participants from the pool of survey respondents.
For more information about the Research Prioritization Study, click here.
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What's Happening Next Month? | | | | |
