Charles Home Open House a Success

Last Saturday's open house at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome was a huge success!

Close to 100 neighbors, consumers, family members, and friends visited this unique home to see first hand how technology is improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

SmartHome residents pitched in and enthusiastically helped guide tours and shared information and experiences with their guests.

Thanks to all who attended, and especially thanks to all those who worked so hard to ensure the event went smoothly.

Check Out Donna's Latest Diary Entry

SmartHome resident Donna Fairchild loves living in the SmartHome, and wants to share her experiences!

Since spring, Donna has been writing an online diary for the SmartHome website. She recently posted her October entry, which you can read here.

If you haven’t seen her diary yet, be sure to check out the other entries.

Many thanks to Donna for keeping us up to date on the latest at the SmartHome!

Charles SmartHome Open House is Saturday

The development of the very first home in the nation to incorporate technology to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities is something we at Imagine! are certainly proud of.

But we never lose sight of the fact that we can’t accomplish anything without the support of our community. So many generous individuals, businesses, and organizations have paid a key role in the development of this unique home.

That is why we are inviting the community to see first hand how technology can improve the lives of the people we serve. Imagine! is welcoming the general public to the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, 1806 Iris Avenue, for a free Open House on Saturday, October 24 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. to share this remarkable achievement with its neighbors. Light refreshments will be served.

It’s not too late if you want to join us! RSVP to Susan LaHoda at (303) 666-7018 by Wednesday, October 21 if you would like to attend.

Longmont SmartHome Construction Moving Forward

Construction on our new Longmont SmartHome is moving rapidly! The foundation has been laid, and what was once an empty field has now become the beginnings of the second phase of Imagine!'s ambitious SmartHomes project.

Take a look at the latest construction photos here.

The Honors Keep Coming!

Imagine!’s SmartHome project continues to be recognized for its innovative nature.

Here’s two recent examples:

The Bob & Judy Charles SmartHome has been selected as one of three finalists in the inaugural Colorado Sustainable Design Awards (CSDA) in the Residential Architecture Category.

And tomorrow night, members of the SmartHome team will be in Breckenridge, CO, at the Housing Colorado Awards dinner. The Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome is a finalist for an Eagle Award, the winner of which will be announced at the dinner. This prestigious award celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments, innovations and outstanding leadership of organizations and people in housing and support services.

Cross your fingers and wish us luck! We'll keep you posted!

Great Article, Video of SmartHome

An article ran in yesterday's Boulder Daily Camera about the Charles SmartHome, along with a great video. Check out video below, you can read the article here.

Good Funding News

We’ve had some real good news regarding various funding opportunities for both of our SmartHomes in the past couple of weeks.

The Center for Resource Conservation has awarded the Longmont SmartHome $15,000 to go toward the installation of a solar photovoltaic system, which should cover most, if not all, of the costs of the system. Many thanks to the CRC!.

The City of Longmont Housing & Human Service Advisory Board has recommended to the City Council that $66,165.00 in 2010 City Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds be awarded for the construction of our Longmont SmartHome project. If additional resources are received by the City the award could increase to $75,000. Thank you Longmont!

IBM has awarded Colorado WIN Partners $10,000.00 for a research grant to study the impact of technology on the residents of the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome. Thanks IBM!

SmartHome Residents on TV!

SmartHome residents Donna Fairchild and Gerald Stopa are accomplished artists. So much so that the TV show “Colorado and Company” recently featured them in a segment, along with art teacher extraordinaire Chris Murphy. Check out the video below.

Guess Who’s Touring The SmartHome?

As the word spreads about Imagine!’s ambitious SmartHomes project, everybody wants to take a look for themselves at how technology can positively impact the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Check out this list of people who have visited the home in just the past couple of weeks:

Chris Collins, Executive Director at Alliance and Jeremy Schupbach, Legislative Liaison at Alliance.

Eric Kurtz, Budget Analyst staff member to the Joint Budget Committee for the State of Colorado.

Amy Haight-Becerra and Sean-Casey King from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Finance.

Sherry Ahrentzen from Arizona State University’s Stardust Center for Affordable Homes & the Family.

And tomorrow, representatives from Boulder’s Association of Community Living will be touring the home.

Interested in taking a tour? Find more details here.