Recognition and Gratitude for Community Partners, Accomplishments

DENVER - March 13, 2015 - PRLog -- At the twice-yearly Citywide Meeting today, all employees of Ability Connection Colorado (ACCO) convened to recognize their coworkers, the work of fellow community agencies, and the commitment of community partners. Thanks to Circle K, ten young people with disabilities who participate in one of ACCO’s Family Support Programs received iPads with iTunes gift cards.

Some outstanding accomplishments recognized today:

·        The September, 2014 opening of a second campus of Vanguard Classical School (VCS East), a public charter school in Aurora that teaches children of all abilities

·        Initiation of a capital campaign to build a fifth Creative Options Center for Early Education to serve approximately 175 children of all abilities and income levels, from the continuous waiting list of 650-750 children

·        The successful transfer of Citizens for Patient Safety, incubated as an ACCO Family Support Program, to the national nonprofit arena in October, 2014

·        In conjunction with Governor Hickenlooper and The Colorado Consortium, The JP Awareness Foundation helped launch the statewide "Take Meds Seriously" campaign in February, 2015

The Corporate Award was presented to Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group in recognition of their commitment to play as vital to children's education. Brian Lee and his team were integral in providing funding and a work force to build VCS East’s new KaBoom playground, designed by the kids themselves. The playground build day was a true community endeavor that will delight students and kids for years to come.

The Gates Family Foundation received the Foundation Award, for their longtime support of early childhood education at ACCO and generous contribution to the Creative Options Five capital campaign.

And the final and most uplifting part of the meeting was the Circle K iPad Giveaway. “Handing a new iPad to a child is like standing with them in a doorway that’s been opened wide to possibilities. This gift from Circle K makes a real impact on these families’ daily lives,” said Lisa Franklin, Lead Coordinator of Parent to Parent and facilitator of the giveaway.

About Ability Connection Colorado (ACCO)
Founded in 1946, Ability Connection Colorado is a nonprofit organization that: provides inclusive early education for children of all abilities in low income areas; assists people with disabilities in finding and maintaining work that they like; and provides parent-driven support programs for families. #Inclusion  #WeSeeAbility   www.abilityconnectioncolorado.org  @AbilityColorado (http://twitter.com/abilitycolorado)