Jonny Brennan

Imagine!’s own Jonny Brennan has recently made a splash with his hard work at Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source (CLS) in Longmont, which inspired us to highlight his dedication and compassion. Jonny joined the team about two and a half years ago. At first glance, he was immediately inspired by his coworkers at Imagine! and decided to make a career out of it. Now an intervention specialist and studying to be a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA), Jonny feels right at home at CLS, “I have no hesitation calling CLS my family because of the relationships I’ve developed here.”

Jonny (left) receives 2017 Employee of Distinction Award
at Imagine!'s annual Holiday Party. 

On December 1^st, the CEO of Imagine!, Mark Emery, awarded Jonny the 2017 Employees of Distinction Award at our annual Holiday party. Jonny is one of eight winners this year, from a population of 700 plus employees.

On December 7^th, Jonny played a major role in “Imagine! Night,” an event that featured Imagine! participants as honorary coaches at Longmont High School (LHS) Varsity Wrestling’s home opener.

Aside from working at Imagine!, Jonny is an assistant head coach at LHS for men’s Varsity Wrestling. He started wrestling at age four and later down the road began coaching, totaling 22 years in the sport. “Wrestling continues to be my passion in life. The only thing that has ever come close to meaning as much to me as wrestling does is my work here at Imagine!. It only made sense to try and combine these two worlds,” said Jonny.

With the help of CLS Program Coordinator Tim West-Heiss, Jonny introduced the idea of featuring Imagine! participants at a sporting event to LHS Athletic Director. “When I realized how many of our CLS participants were Longmont alumni, and how proud they were to be Trojans, I knew I had to try and get them involved somehow.” The Athletic Director agreed and Imagine! Night was born.

Jonny introduces Neil, Shawn, and Frank (in order)
as honorary coaches to the wrestling spectators.

The evening showcased an Imagine! sponsored booth at the front entrance where Frank, Shawn, Neil, and Autumn (Imagine! participants) greeted spectators and handed out stickers. To kick off the varsity matches, Jonny introduced the three LHS Alumni, Frank, Shawn, and Neil, to the audience as honorary coaches and everyone cheered loudly! The three also stood in the tunnel before each match and slapped hands with Trojan wrestlers about to take the mat.

Jonny sees this as only the beginning. “Some of our wrestlers will come and volunteer at CLS to learn more about our day program, the services we provide, and how we affect our community,” said Jonny. “As a coach, I feel it is my responsibility to expose my wrestlers to this population, to fight negative stigmas that may be associated with this community, and act as a role model for the younger generation. Who knows, some of my wrestlers might be the next crop of Imagine! staff!”

Jonny hopes to expand the partnership with LHS and have honorary coaches at other sports as well.

We thank you, Jonny, for all your hard work and creating a world of opportunity for all abilities. Jonny mentioned that his coworkers inspired him to fall in love with this line of work. We know that Jonny will pass that along and inspire future employees to do the same.

Jonny coaching men's Varsity Wrestling at Longmont High School