A Fun Twist on the Chocolate "Cupcake" - An ACL Recipe

Yesterday evening at the ACL, we had a great time making delicious chocolate cake in a mug. If you weren't able to make it or don't have the recipe, we're posting it here on the blog. We also included a short video, so that everyone can follow along at home.

Chocolate Cake in 5 minutes:

• What you'll need:
• 1 mug
• 1 spoon
• 1 tablespoon

• 4 Tablespoons Flour
• 4 Tablespoons Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Cocoa
• 1 egg
• 3 Tablespoons Milk
• 3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

• Mix into your mug the flour, sugar, and cocoa. Then add the egg, milk, and oil. Mix all of the ingredients well. Microwave for 3 minutes on high (1000 watt microwave) and let it set. Consider adding your favorite toppings, such as cake spread, sprinkles, or brown sugar. Enjoy with a glass of cold milk!

Stronger Together - How to Become a Member (by Joe)

     The ACL believes that people with developmental disabilities belong in the community in natural proportions to live, to work and to participate fully in all aspects of community life.  The ACL in Boulder exists to ensure these rights by acting as a catalyst to promote attitudes, practices, programs and policies that results in full participation.

     If you share these same beliefs, maybe becoming a member of the ACL is for you.  The ACL understands that when people with shared values and common interests get together, they have a strong collective voice.  That voice will get even stronger with more members.  Not only do members help get the voice of the ACL heard but it is enjoyable having those around who care about and understand what the ACL is working to accomplish.  Whether you want to give a donation, volunteer, work more with something you believe in, or just want to remain updated, becoming a member of The ACL could be for you.

There are many different membership option:

 §     Individual/Family Membership

 §     Business Membership

 §     Contributing Member

 §     Patron

 §     Person w/ developmental disabilities

 §     Life Member

Once you are a member some of the benefits include

 §     Advocacy Services

 §     The ACL Bulletin

 §     Training Events

 §     Library for Members

 §     Legislative Updates

 §     Networking with others who share your concerns

 §     New perspectives from leaders in the field

Please consider becoming a member of the ACL.  Call for an application (303.527.0888) or visit the website at www.aclboulder.org

The Arc (by Jesse)

Many people have heard of The Arc through its thrift store chain, but, a little bit like The Salvation Army, the organization is so much more than that. Specifically, The Arc – now with hundreds of thousands of members – is the world’s largest organization advocating for people with developmental disabilities. To put our local group in perspective, the ACL in Boulder is just one of the 1,200 chapters across the nation.

Of course, they haven’t always had such prominence. The Arc has existed in various forms (and under various names) since 1960, but they have evolved as understanding of developmental disabilities has expanded. It began mainly as a group of concerned parents advocating for their children. Sadly, the law once gave people with developmental disabilities little recognition or assistance, and it ultimately condemned many to institutions. Indeed, The Arc would later go on to advocate for laws to protect and assist these people, but they first had to change public perception at a grassroots level. Even today, this grassroots basis is still the cornerstone of the organization, and their mission still revolves around advocating for equal rights and community support.

If you check out The Arc’s website, you will find more information about what they do and how you can get involved. Of course, if you would like to become locally active, please check out our website too. If you do not live in the Boulder-Broomfield area, consider searching for a chapter near you. Either way, get involved today.

PS – Check back soon for related blog entries: one will be about the historical progress we’ve made in advocating for people and another about volunteering at the ACL – Boulder.

The Coolest Place In Town (by Dan)

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Before it was the home to the ACL Boulder, 5744 N 71^st St. was the home to the Hendricks family.  The daughter of the Hendricks family had developmental disabilities, and after realizing that they didn’t need such a large house, the Hendricks Family decided to sell it to the ACL-Boulder at a huge discount.  Because it was originally a house, the ACL Boulder had renovated it for 3 years to put in offices for their volunteers.  At the same time, they were able to keep many of the original features of the house to make it seem more like a home. 

When walking into the ACL Boulders learning center, the first thing you see would be their enormous kitchen.  This is where the cooking classes take place so that children and adults can learn to bake items such as cookies and bread.

If you go a little further into the house, you would find yourself in the largest part of the house.  It was once a garage, but with the renovations, the ACL Boulder was able to turn it into an activities room.  This is where most the classes take place such as the belly dancing class, acting class, computer class, yoga class, and the Express Yourself class which is hosted by The Crossroads Church in Boulder Colorado.



And right outside the activities room there lies an eight bed garden which is home to the gardening classes.  This is where they learn to grow anything from tomatoes, to zucchini, to even pumpkins for their Pumpkin parties.

            The ACL Boulder has a lot of room for new members as well as new volunteers so if you have time, and enjoy helping others, come by the ACL Boulder learning center whenever you can.

First Blog Post (by Jesse)

     Welcome to the grand opening of our blog for the Association for Community Living in Boulder County. If you are already a member of the ACL, this blog will help you stay updated on events, the latest happenings, and relevant information. Otherwise, this blog will give you a peek into all the great things that we do. We will try to post regularly, so please consider subscribing, or at least check back often. In addition to the blog, you can find more event information on our Facebook page.

     In case you are not yet familiar with the ACL, we are a chapter of The Arc that operates in Boulder and Broomfield County, and we provide resources and advocate for people with developmental disabilities. We believe in full community participation, so we host classes and other activities at the ACL Learning Center almost every weekday afternoon. These involve anything from computer classes, to acting classes, to photography field trips, so everyone will definitely find something that interests them. For more specific information on what we do or how to become a member or volunteer at the ACL, we encourage you to visit our recently updated website. Of course, you can also call us at (303) 527-0888 or email info@aclboulder.org. Thank you for stopping by.

Members and volunteers dancing at the Country Hoedown in September.