Check Out Mandy's Newest Book

Mandy, who lives at Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, has published another book! If you missed picking up a copy for this year's love feast, considering checking out “The Things People Buy for Valentine’s Day” here to get a jump on next year's Cupid Day, and consider supporting this talented writer.

Congratulations Living Resources

Congratulations to our good friends at Living Resources in New York on a great article in Fortune Magazine about their smart home!

Click here to check it out. 

Imagine!’s Leadership Development Program Update for February

The 2014/2015 Imagine! Leadership Development Program is at the halfway point, and as a group we have a lot to look forward to. During our January meeting we discussed what each member was most excited about. A common theme was the monthly Leadership Series that the group will be taking part in over the next five months as well as the “Leadership Through Influence Two Part Series”. We also have two more books to discuss, “The Reason I Jump” by Naoki Higashida, and “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandburg. Additionally, January is when each member of the leadership group switches to a new executive coach for the second half of the year.

The upcoming leadership trainings will include: “Leadership through Influence,” which is a two day training the group will take in February, “How Great Leaders Build Trust,” “How Great Leaders Motivate and Engage Employees,” “How Great Leaders Manage Their Emotions,” “Energy and Optimism,” “How Great Leaders Think and Act Strategically,” and “How Great Leaders Manage Change and Influence Behavior.” I personally am very eager to get started with these trainings and see how my current leadership style matches up with the material that we cover.

We are all in the mist of reading our second book for discussion, “The Reason I Jump” by Naoki Higashida. This book is a memoir narrated by a 13 year old boy with autism and is a great read. It was actually originally written using a Japanese letter board and was later translated into English. The group chose the book because we wanted to work to get in touch with the population we serve as employees here at Imagine!. I would highly recommend the book and am interested in hearing what other members of the LDG group thought about it when we discuss this book next month. We recommend that you view the New York Times review of the book “The Reason I Jump”.

During our last meeting we also discussed the Alliance conference that the group will be attending this June at Copper Mountain. This conference promises to provide us with an overview of what is going on in services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) here in Colorado. Representatives from Community Centered Boards (CCBs) across Colorado will be presenting at the conference. I am excited to learn more about what projects other CCBs are focused on. Additionally, I think it will be a great opportunity to network, meet new people, and step away from our day-to-day lives and engaged in some reflection.

Several of the LDG members attended the Imagine! Celebration fundraiser on Friday, January 23 as volunteers. As volunteers at the celebration we helped with everything from directing parking to assisting guests at silent auction tables.

Thank you to Emily Pitt, who works in Imagine!'s Innovations Department for sharing this update!

Toby and Friends Celebrating Gerald's Birthday at Twisted Pine

Earlier this month, Charles Family SmartHome resident Toby was invited to his friend Gerald's birthday party at Twisted Pine Brewery. There were so many people there including Imagine! staff and residents from Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, Imagine!’s Santa Fe group home, and Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source department. It was a lot of fun as the party goers took up most of the brewery inside! Thank you to team member Alicia Gonzales for the story and photos.

 

Imagine!'s CORE/Labor Source Supported Employment

We know Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source Supported Employment Services help the people we serve to find and keep jobs, opening more doors for full community participation. But did you know it can also help local businesses?

Well check out this video to learn more about Imagine!'s CORE/Labor Source Supported Employment Services!

An Update from Karen in the Kitchen

Karen, who lives at Imagine!'s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder, continues to work on her cooking skills at home. Here here a picture of her cutting up some ingredients for a turkey wrap.

Get Out & About

Coming Soon to Boulder and Broomfield Counties - June 2015

Out & About offers a Summer Camp Program for school aged kids with developmental disabilities.

Out & About offers ten weeks of full day summer camp, from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, and is available to children ages 7 - 21.

Activities include fishing, equine assisted opportunities, art exploration, swimming, movement, sports and games, gardening, as well as lots of scheduled field trips to local venues such as Water World, Elitch Gardens and the Wildlife Experience. Our goal is to provide a sense of acceptance and self among peers, to enhance participant’s quality of life through the development of socialization skills and coordination skills and to promote community integration.

For more information please email Elena Ciaravino, or call her at 303-926-6457.

A "Country Living" Update from Donna and Gerald

We caught up with former SmartHome residents Donna and Gerald earlier last month, and they reported that are enjoying what they call “country living” at Imagine!’s Santa Fe home in eastern Broomfield County. They are both staying busy at their jobs. Donna continues to work at In Clover, packaging wellness supplements for dogs and cats; and Gerald working at Twisted Pine Brewing Company. During our visit, Donna showed us her new computer (pictured below) that she and Gerald use to stay in touch with family, friends, and coworkers by way of audio email and Facebook