The ACL-- Then and Now

The doors of the ACL we know today are open, thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bowers, who opened their home in June of 1962 to what was then called the Boulder County ARC (BCARC), which then focused on children with cognitive disabilities. Two years later this became a local unit (the 1188th chapter) of the NARC. It was during that time when public schools would not enroll students with cognitive disabilities, and once those children were adults, they were forced to live in state institutions called regional centers.

In 1973 BCARC received a $900.00 grant from the IBM Citizen Advocacy Program for seed money to expand and enrich its existing platform. Thus in 1974 BCARC became a 501(c)3 organization, and in 1976 changed its focus from only children to citizens, which spanned all age ranges in Boulder County.

In 1983 the NARC became simply ARC as we know it today, and in April of that same year Strength through Early parent Support Program(STEP) Began. Advocacy services, parent training and information, as well as available resources for young kids with cognitive disabilities were passed along, and a group of parents met monthly for support.

In 1990 the name was once again changed to Association for Community Living in Boulder County to stress the an interest in life in the community, rather than focus on the medical label identifying a particular disability. The recognition of personal capability and opportunities to participate fully in community life are fundamentally important!

Thus in 1991 was our first ADA training. Then a new Act, the information was presented by association staff and volunteers, including a board member who is an attorney. There were several installments of the training over a 2-year period.

In Oct. 1999, the ACL acquired property and began planning for a beautiful large Learning Center, located in a large house on 5 acres in the middle of Boulder County. The Hendricks family, who sold the house to the ACL, generously opened the door for the ACL to create a Learning Center in addition to relocating their offices.

In 2002, the ACL celebrated the opening of the lovely new Learning Center as well as the 40th anniversary of the association! Course began to fill up the schedule and the property began to hum with activity.
It's 2011 now, and the ACL is still singing with activity! Cooking, acting, finance, reading, self-advocacy groups, plus advocacy and public policy are all in constant motion under and out from under one roof: The Association for Community Living, ACL.

It's important to mention that none of this would be possible if it were not for the guidance of a board of volunteer trustees, many of whom are relatives or friends of individuals who have cognitive disabilities. Recognizing the limitations of public services to educate and support people with cognitive disabilites, an advocacy voice continues to be important. The ACL is here is to be that voice.

Computer Classes at the ACL - By Jesse

We've mentioned in previous blog entries that the ACL offers a wide variety of classes and activities on weekday afternoons. It's here where participants can learn valuable things, ranging from the everyday like reading and cooking, to creative outlets such as photography and acting. The ACL recently hosted a computer class on how to effectively use email.

After finishing class before and taking a break for some pizza, students each chose a computer station. They first learned how to log into their accounts then had time to read messages in their inboxes. Assisting the process is a volunteer group called SeniorNet, which is an organization working out of Longmont that teaches computer skills to adults. The volunteers take time away from their usual work schedules in order to provide one-on-one teaching to students at the ACL. This personalized teaching is extremely important since students are all at different skill levels with different needs.

Perhaps the most striking thing about students is their endless desire to learn more. For example, one student, Gabriele, carefully read every email he received despite having some trouble seeing the words on the screen. Students who mastered email then moved on to utilizing the computer in other ways. At one point, another student, Kelli, showed off her art she has up for sale on an online market, and explained that she donates some of the money from sales to a Colorado organization that helps those who have autism.

Once the students finished reading and respong to emails, they practiced sending messages to their friends, families, and each other. By the end of the 2-hour class, each student had made remarkable progress. The students had learned not only applied skills of computer use and email, but also brushed up on their fundamental skills of reading and typing, which are lifelong skills.

If you are interested in coming to a computer class (or any of our classes and activities), check out the monthly schedule (available on the ACL website) and let us know you would like to attend. Each class covers a different topic, so stay on the lookout for brand new classes!

SABE- More Than Just A Club - By Joe

Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered SABE is a membership program under the umbrella of ACL that works to ensure people with disabilities are given the same opportunities, chances to make choices and decisions, rights, and chances to speak up and empower themselves as people without disabilities. SABE also provides members a chance to make new friends and learn new skills. Members of SABE partake in monthly meetings, elect officers, attend conferences, and have the chance to volunteer as speakers to civic or service organizations, among other things. I attended Artlink in Longmont, CO to get a better understanding of what SABE is all about. Artlink Longmont's mission is to promote the arts through education, celebration, and demonstration. When I first arrived, I watched the Longmont Idol competition for a few moments before starting my search for the SABE booth. There was a live band playing, food vendors, and more than a dozen tents and tables set up with artists showcasing their work. While I was making my way through the displays a man suddenly greeted me with a brochure while guiding me to his table. I looked at the brochure and realized this table was SABE! They were promoting and selling their Trio Wristbands. I learned that the trio wristbands are part of a fundraising effort that SABE started to raise money for their group, and on this particular night it was voted that that half the proceeds would be going to the victims of the 4-mile fire. The group cleverly uses recycled t-shirts to make the Trio Wristbands. I was able to speak with Angela, who began a nonprofit called "Out There." She came to the ACL 7 months ago with the idea of doing a fundraising project to help SABE become a greater influence in the community. Thus began the Trio Wristband project! After speaking with Angela about this project, I can see that what SABE does encompasses so much more than bringing friends together, teaching new skills, and giving a greater voice in the community. SABE is value-added. The Trio Wristband fundraising project has taught members skills for a lifetime. I learned that the man who came up to me with the brochure is the "head marketer," and that the others around the table have titles such as "master shredder" and "master braider," referring to the jobs that go into making the wristbands. Each member has a role, specific responsibilities, and is counted upon by the others in the group. SABE is a shining example that people with disabilities accomplish amazing things. What is a Trio Wristband? It's a braid that represents the partnership among community, business, and government to support people with special needs. How can you partner with SABE?

• Become a member of SABE


• Participate with the group.


• 
  
  Purchase a Trio Wristband or SABE t-shirt by contacting Nicole at: 303-527-0888 X221


• Donate to SABE by contacting the ACL at:

303-527-0888

or

5744 N. 71st St.

Longmont, CO 80503