News You Can Use October - December 2022 News You Can Use is The Arc of Aurora's quarterly e-newsletter covering what’s new in public policy, events, resources, and happenings at The Arc of Aurora. To get daily updates on resources, disability policy information, and community happenings, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Colorado Gives Day Tuesday, December 6 24 hours starting at 12:00 AM Save the Date! Tuesday, December 6 is Colorado Gives Day, and for 24 hours, Colorado comes together to raise funds for local nonprofits. The Arc of Aurora is excited to be part of the day, monetary gifts are tax-deductible, and your donation helps us reach our $6,000 goal! Please visit www.coloradogives.org/ArcAurora/overview to learn more and to schedule your Colorado Gives Day donation in advance starting November 1. Together, we can impact the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families!

Click here on November 1st to schedule your December 6th donation

Sunday Get Together Bowling Every Sunday now through May 2023 Starting at 12:30 pm Our Sunday Get Together Bowling League is back in full force! Everyone of every ability is welcome to join and it's a great place to make new friends, meet other families in Aurora, and get to active!

Location: AMF Aurora Lanes, 16700 E. Mississippi Avenue, Aurora, CO  80017 When: Every Sunday until May 2023 Time: Bowling starts at 12:30 pm for practice. The games start at 1:00 pm Cost: $10 each week for three games and shoes. Discounted concession food is available for purchase as well. Safety: Supervision is not provided. Caregivers/families can attend to provide supervision to those that bowl if they cannot be left alone. Participants must be over 16 years old. Questions or want to sign up? Contact our volunteer, Dottie, for more information and to get set up as a participant: 303-337-5540 or at dottiek2@juno.com.

You can still become a 2022/2023 Member of The Arc of Aurora Anytime throughout the year! The Arc of Aurora is a private not-for-profit organization, that has dedicated its mission to supporting and advocating for and on behalf of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families since 1975. We are a membership association that offers different membership levels for every budget (even a free membership) and also provides these benefits to our members. Did you know? Contributing Members are eligible to apply for annual scholarships offered by The Arc of Aurora, receive a 15% discount card usable at any arc Thrift Store, and more?! Click Here to become a 2022/2023 Member!

Thank you for coming to our Member Event! Last month, our members joined us for a fantastic Party in the Park! It was our first in-person event for our members in years and we were so happy to see everyone! We had a wonderful afternoon full of games, art, yummy food, and plenty of smiles. Thank you to all that came out and joined in on the fun!

Watch the video complication of the event by clicking on the thumbnail above or visit: https://youtu.be/P_4YF82CuS8

Hang out with us on our social sites everyday!

Stay connected on Facebook

Give us some love on Instagram

Join the conversation on Twitter

THINK+change Training and education

The Arc of Aurora's social enterprise, THINK+change produces, creates, and publishes original, one-of-a-kind, accessible, convenient, and contemporary education products intended to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Check out our newest offerings below! Higher Education and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) TALKS Train-the-Trainer Guide Finances, Assets, & Disability: What You Need to Know TRAINING Podcast/Vodcast Series Medicaid Application Document Checklist TOOL Have any questions about THINK+change? Contact the THINK+change and Programs Director, Erica Dennison at Edennison@thearcofaurora.org or at 720-213-1420 ex. 107.

Policy Profile 2022 Colorado Statewide Election -Submitted by Hanni Raley, Executive Director-

'Tis the season for mailboxes full of political flyers, signs on every corner, and candidates knocking on your door… it is Election Season! The Arc of Aurora wants YOU to make your voice heard… and for elections, your vote is your voice! Voting is a civil right and allows you to be part of the democratic process. All of us can actively participate in government decision-making by casting our ballot each year!  Click below to read all more about voting in this year's election, resources to help you vote, and access the 2022 Colorado Ballot Breakdown, a plain language guide from THINK+change, with support from Colorado Cross Disability Coalition (CCDC) and Alliance! Click Here to continue reading the Policy Profile

How You Can Help Donate to The Arc of Aurora on December 6th

Colorado Gives Day is an important fundraising event that is critical to fulfilling our mission. The donations we receive support our work for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Your donation helps:  refine the systems designed to support people with IDD; encourage schools to deliver the best free and appropriate education for each child with IDD; supports independence and self-determination of adults with IDD; offer emergency food and other assistance to adults and families with children with IDD; and educate professionals about how to best work with individuals with IDD. AND MORE!

Schedule your December 6 Colorado Gives Day donation starting November 1st!

Spotlight On Aurora Police Department

Shout-out to Aurora Police Department (APD)! We appreciate that we continue to have the opportunity to train their employees to boost their aptitude when interacting with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)! Individuals with IDD are present for a portion of the training so that APD can not only listen to a panel discussion featuring those with IDD. But, also have the chance to interact with and learn different communication styles. Thank you to Care and Community and Community Intersection's day programs for being our community partners on this important work! If your day program would like to learn more about joining us for our APD interaction training, please contact Erica Dennison at EDennison@thearcofaurora.org.

Community Mention Corner Sēb's Recreation Center

Did you know that there are only three recreation centers in the United States that cater to people with disabilities? One of those recreation centers is right here in Aurora! Meet Keithan Holiday from Sēb's Recreation Center, an organization that provides adaptive and accessible recreation opportunities and activities in Aurora, CO. The mission of Sēb's Recreation Center is to empower individuals with special needs and unique challenges through community outreach, health and wellness, recreation, and education that promotes learning opportunities designed to strengthen and develop lives. Learn more by watching this month's Community Mention Video and visiting their website at https://sebsrec.org/. Click the video thumbnail below to watch or visit: https://youtu.be/sYOKGsw1mTg

You can donate to The Arc of Aurora anytime by clicking here! We appreciate your donation to help support individuals with IDDs.

Thanks to our fans, we won a Top-Rated Award two years in a row! Read stories about us and add your own here!

Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of the price of your purchases via Amazon to The Arc of Aurora when you set up your settings here.

There is a community resource list on our website if you need help, to locate testing, vaccine info, and more.

Arc Thrift Stores’ profits support Colorado Arc Chapters, including The Arc of Aurora. Donate and find a location near you!

Have questions about anything in this newsletter? Contact Krystal Dawson. Kdawson@thearcofaurora.org | 720-213-1420 ex. 109