Imagine!'s Dayspring Bulletin - April 2019

Imagine!’s latest Dayspring Bulletin is available online.

Imagine!'s Family Support Bulletin - March/April

Imagine!’s latest Family Support Bulletin is available online.

Technology at Imagine!

In fall of 2018, Imagine!’s Director of Service Operations Shannon Kluth made a public statement that the efforts of integrating technology into Imagine! services will be taken to the next level, launching the Technology Initiative. “This initiative is meant to differentiate ourselves from other organizations through the integration of technology into the lives of the people we serve,” stated Shannon. The main priority is to increase self-reliance for the individuals Imagine! serves and to assist them in living fulfilling and healthy lives.

Since the launch of the Technology Initiative, Imagine! services have seen an uptick in creative activities and technology usage. Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source (CLS) department teaches an Assistive Technology class several times a week and has incorporated a couple of neat concepts to the classes:

Virtual Reality

Once a week, the class visits Reality Garage on Pearl Street in Boulder, a studio specializing in creating XR experiences (virtual, augmented, and mixed reality). Participants can go for a hike on an exotic mountain top, skydive, or experience a jungle safari. “It simply increases the quality of life,” said Imagine! Assistive Technology Specialist Chris Baumgart. “Our clients might not otherwise be able to experience these activities due to mobility or financial reasons.”

Along with simulating recreational experiences, Reality Garage plans to build Imagine! a virtual job site later this year. This will provide clients with a virtual workspace to practice job skills and tasks before actually stepping foot into the workplace.

Apple Store Field Trip

The weekly iPad class took a field trip to the Apple store on Twenty Ninth Street Mall in Boulder. Apple staff designated a table for Imagine!, supplied iPads for everyone to use, and taught a class in “how to make your own Emoji!” Clients learned how to communicate in creative ways using the iPads. The Apple staff members were very welcoming and friendly, and it was a successful class!

Assistive Technology Program Supervisor Meagan Little works at our CLS site in Longmont and has played a large role in turning fun ideas into these tangible activities and meaningful classes. “Technology is a big part of my life, and I want to assist the individuals we serve in having the same experiences,” said Meagan. Instructors Erin Schram and Zoe Rolfe have played important roles as well.

Just as modern technology is always evolving, so will the Technology Initiative at Imagine!. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to integrate technology into Imagine! services, all while creating a world of opportunity for all abilities.

Let's Get Ready To Rumble!

Thanks to Cellar West Artisan Ales, who are working with Imagine! for this year’s Roundball Rumble in the Bier Pub.

Here’s how it works:

• Teams are reserved via donation 
• #16 seeds are a fifty cent donation while each subsequently higher seed is an additional fifty cents (#15’s are $1, #14’s are $1.50) 
• #1 seeds are $10 - Each team can be reserved by only one individual (we’ll keep an in-house bracket on display) 
• First come, first serve on teams starting today in the Bier Pub 
• After March Madness begins, teams that haven’t yet been reserved remain available 
• Enjoy dollar-off beers on days in which your team wins 
• Cellar West will be airing games in the Bier Pub over the next couple weeks 

If your team wins the tournament you’ll receive: A MAGNUM (1.5L BOTTLE) OF SAPIENCE RESERVE, CELLAR WEST’S BIERE DE MARS DOUBLE DRY HOPPED WITH CITRA AND FINISHED ON PINEAPPLE.

All money raised will be donated to Imagine!. Visit Cellar West at 778 W Baseline Rd in Lafayette, or check out their website.

Imagine! Hosting Two FREE Special Needs Planning Workshops In April

Imagine! is hosting two FREE Special Needs Planning Workshops in April.

RSVP to Andrea Turner by March 31: 301-351-5795 or andrea.turner@tfaconnect.com.

Chrissy Romatzke - Imagine! Early Intervention Rockstar

Congratulations Chrissy Romatzke, recently selected as an Imagine! Early Intervention Rockstar.

Chrissy has been a Rockstar in the department since day one. Chrissy ensures that she provides consistent and timely service coordination to all her families. She is a team player and always has a positive and calm demeanor. She’s been faced with working in several difficult situations and she takes on the challenge without hesitation. We are lucky to have such a hard worker on our team! Thanks Chrissy, you ROCK!

Meagan Little - Imagine! Longmont CORE/Labor Source Employee Spotlight

Today we’d like to recognize Imagine! employee Meagan Little, who works at our Longmont CORE/Labor Source (CLS) site.

Meagan has been going above and beyond working so hard to get the supportive technology set up through the new CLS building and helping other staff learn how to use this tech. She is always working on something, whether it's building partnerships with other companies (iPad classes) or trying to help a participant get recognition for her writing. If Meagan is available and notices that someone needs a break, she will always step in and take over, insisting that we take a break. She is an invaluable member of this team and we can't imagine what CORE/LS would be like without her dedication.

Christine McCaslin - Imagine! Excellence in Customer Service Award

Congratulations are in order for Christine McCaslin, recently selected as a recipient of the Imagine! Excellence in Customer Service Award.

Christine provides outstanding support to Imagine!’s Family Support Services Program (FSSP) as an accounting clerk. Christine generates the FSSP grant checks for our program, a task the families we serve would agree is most important. Christine's timeliness and attention to detail is vital to this process, as is the flexibility she displays, be it rescheduling check day due to holidays or re-issuing a shredded grant check at a family's request. It is truly a pleasure working with Christine!

Imagine! Job Fair and Open House March 18 - TWO LOCATIONS

Imagine! Centre Stage Performance This Friday!

Imagine!’s latest Out & About Centre Stage performance is scheduled for March 8 at the Dairy Arts Center.

Learn more about Centre Stage here, and please join us next Friday for what is sure to be an amazing event.

By the way – Imagine!’s Out & About Center Stage program is selling t-shirts this year. This fundraiser will help support our mission of bringing the arts into the lives of individuals with disabilities. Click here and buy your shirt today!

Imagine! Case Management Unsung Hero - Samantha Kelly

Congratulations are in order for Samantha Kelly, recently selected as an Imagine! Case Management Unsung Hero.

Samantha has been with Imagine! for over two years, and quietly completes Case Management services with excellence. Samantha has well learned the aspects of Case Management and client care. “Even with a difficult case,” one guardian told us, “Samantha is a good Case Manager.” Samantha takes extra attention to make sure monitoring notes have great detail and communicate what is occurring in the client’s life and services. Thank you, Samantha, for your dedication to Imagine!’s mission.