Karla’s Corner- The Latest Updates And Happenings With Laradon’s Volunteer Department

July 11, 2023

Hello, Laradon community!

So far this year we have had close to 100 volunteers on campus, doing a myriad of activities, including flower planting, cooking lunch for the CYC kids and staff, working on digital literacy projects, and deep cleaning the school. Many of the groups were volunteers from Denver businesses or foundations, including Teach for America, HUB International, Daniels Fund, and Amp the Cause. Some were our very own dedicated board members and Work Teams individuals.

This adds up to 283 volunteer hours since I started at Laradon in January! This makes my heart very happy.

Do you have a big and caring heart? Would you too like to support Laradon’s mission of empowering children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by becoming a volunteer?

If so, we have many meaningful opportunities for you to volunteer with the people we serve, such as:

Taking annual school photographs of our students ** top priority!***
Reading and sharing stories with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Leading pet therapy sessions on campus with your certified pup
Teaching cooking classes to further develop our participant’s life skills
Sharing work experiences with our employment program members
Planting flowers on campus to beautify our space
Being a school crosswalk volunteer to help keep our folks safe
Lending a helping hand at our special events

….and much more.

Volunteers have the ability to create a lasting impact on the success of the individuals we serve. JOIN US IN OUR MISSION!

Please email Karla at karla.zelvis@laradon.org to become a volunteer!

I wanted to mention one more fun thing in the pipeline…

We are very excited to be partnering with Global Down Syndrome and Developmental Pathways, Support, Inc., Alliance, JFK Partners to host a screening of the documentary feature Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. Crip Camp starts in 1971 at Camp Jened, a summer camp in New York for disabled teens. The film focuses on many of the campers who turned themselves into activists for the disability rights movement and follows their fight for accessibility legislation.

Crip Camp won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Best Documentary Feature Academy Award!

What: Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution Free Film Screening

When: Thursday, July 13, 2023 4:00-6:30pm

Where: SIE Film Center 2510 East Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80206

EVEN THOUGH THIS SCREENING IS FREE, YOU MUST RSVP! Spots are limited, first come first serve. Please indicate any accommodation requests when you RSVP here: https://bit.ly/2023CripCampFilmScreening

Thank you, all! I appreciate you and your big, caring hearts.

Warmly,

Karla