Check Out Donna's Latest Blog Posts

Have you checked out SmartHome resident Donna’s blog lately? She’s got a couple of new posts. In one, she talks about running the Boulder Bolder, and in another, she talks about her dad’s recent surgery. Donna is really getting good at being expressive in her writing! Check it out here.

Thank You, J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc.

Today, we’d like to say “thank you” to the J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc., for its recent grant of $5,000 to Imagine! in support of Imagine!’s Assistive Technology Lab.

Imagine!’s Assistive Technology Laboratory is Imagine!’s new headquarters for helping individuals served by Imagine!, but don't live in our SmartHomes, to identify, obtain, and learn to use the specific assistive technology devices that will allow them to reach their full potential. Learn more about Imagine!’s AT Lab here.

The J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc. was created in 1952 by Mr. J. M. McDonald. Over the past 60 years, Trustees of the Foundation have sought to uphold J. M.'s desire to improve education and social programs.

This is not the first time that the J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc. has supported Imagine!’s goal of using a variety of technologies to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. In past years, the Foundation has made generous grants to support both the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder and the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont.

Thank you, J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc. for your continued support of Imagine! and the people we serve!

Presentable

SmartHomes super staffers Kevin Harding, Greg Wellems, and Sterling Wind are presenting the third part of their American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) webinar series “Strategically Implementing Technology in Your Organization” on Wednesday, June 27.

This webinar is the final in a three-part series of webinars to introduce a strategic process for helping providers incorporate technology into their organizations to strategically succeed in an ever-changing world. Combined, these webinars cover the five steps an organization should follow: education, prioritization, planning, implementation and maintenance.

The webinar will discuss why it is essential that an organization develop a "distributive innovations group" for successful implementation and to establish a systematic process to maintain, evaluate and improve the plan over the long haul for independence of persons served and an enhanced ability to direct and manage organizational resources.

The webinar will also cover why is also important to ensure that you have the right people working together to create a priority list, process and plan. Finally, the webinar will prompt attendees on the next steps needed to take in implementing technologies and in creating a process to improve organizations' internal competencies, which involves creating, developing and constantly improving a systematic process that will have the greatest impact on current and future operations.

Interested in attending? Sign up here.

Shelly's Skiing Adventure

Editor's Note:  This story was submitted by Shelly, who is a resident of Imagine!'s Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont, Colorado. 

.. the day started early, I got up, got dressed, ate my breakfast and sipped my coffee in a hurry. I was ecstatic about the adventure that awaited me a few hours from now. After Pramila and Kristin loaded me in the van, along with Sarah and Wesley, we set out on the road towards our destination.

Just the word “SKIING” makes me jump with excitement. Yes, we were off to go down the snowy hills of The Winter Park, go skiing. Priyanka and I had gone a few days back to go get my ski pants, down jacket, gloves and a warm hat. I have been looking forward to this trip for what seemed like forever.

We reached there and parked in an empty parking lot. No one there ?? I saw Kristin call someone and then we were driving again, wrong parking lot, I smiled. When we finally reached the correct parking lot there were 15 volunteers there to welcome us. They were all smiles and so was I. They started fitting me into the ski gear, it was very exciting to experience the warmth of everyone's care and how comfortable they made me feel throughout the fitting process. We then had lunch and after lunch we got back into our ski gear and there we were --- READY, SET, Wheeee!!! Down the hill we went, my heartbeat was racing, the thrill and excitement was amazing!! We then went down a second time and I raced my roommate Sarah. I WON!! I can't say How thankful I am for this incredible experience and hope to do it again!!

Presentable

Imagine’s SmartHomes project was well represented at the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services Conference held in Sacramento, CA June 6 – 8. Director of Public Relations Fred Hobbs presented on using social media to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, and SmartHomes guru Greg Wellems was part of a panel on implementing emerging technology.

Also, longtime SmartHomes supporter Dr. David Braddock, Executive Director of the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities, was today’s keynote speaker at the conference, and gave a nice shout-out to our SmartHomes.

Happy Birthday, Mandy!

Here’s wishing the happiest of birthdays to Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Mandy. Make it a great one, Mandy!

SmartHome Artists On Display

Last Friday at the Dairy Center for the Arts, there was an art show opening featuring art created by SmartHome residents, as well as a performance featuring music, dancing, and singing. Enjoy the photos!

P.S. – even if you missed the opening, the art work will be on display through June 15.

The walls were full of fantastic pieces of art!

Wes, Loren, and Toby pose in front of their art.

Lana proudly points out her artwork.

Toby’s painting got rave reviews.

Sarah is all smiles.

Donna and Gerald rock out!

Donna and Gerald making beautiful music together.

John’s enthusiasm was apparent throughout the performance.

Shelly poses in front of her lovely paintings.

Gerald shows off his artwork.

Gerald, Lana, and Rea all contributed pieces to the art show.