SERVING CHILDREN & ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO SINCE 1985.
Community Connections is a non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of helping people with disabilities live healthy and fulfilling lives in our community. We serve approximately 900 people annually in a five-county region of Southwest Colorado. Our efforts to help children and adults with disabilities thrive relies on the support of donors like you. Your generous gift helps cover funding shortfalls while contributing to a culture of inclusion and empowering people with disabilities to live life on their own terms.
Marcus' Story
At 13 years old, Marcus was a typical ranch kid, going to school and helping on the farm – until he started having seizures. The seizures progressively got worse, but with no insurance, went untreated. At age 15 his epilepsy was so severe that he stopped attending school. After 3 years of isolation, his sister contacted Community Connections and he was transferred to Grand Junction for treatment. Two months later, unsure of his future, Marcus returned to Cortez and moved in with a host home family facilitated by Community Connections. With their encouragement and coaching from Community Connections staff, he successfully earned his high school diploma. Today, Marcus has two part-time jobs, loves to write poetry and sketch, and dreams of working in law enforcement. It all takes practice: writing, drawing, shopping for groceries, and learning to get around. “I want to learn how to do everything on my own. With Community Connections, I proved to myself that I can do all these things and more, and even help other people find hope.”
Founded in 1985, Community Connections is a non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of creating opportunities for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead healthy and fulfilling lives within a five-county region of Southwest Colorado (Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan Counties). We envision Southwest Colorado as a place where all people with disabilities have the same opportunities as other community members and can experience a true sense of belonging.
In the 1980s, when Community Connections was founded, it was still common for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to be removed from home at an early age, live in a group home as an adult, and work in sheltered workshops secluded from the community. The families, caregivers and committed professionals who started Community Connections more than 38 years ago had a vision of people with IDD living in regular homes, working and playing in the community, leading typical lives. This vision of inclusion is still relevant today and we continue to strive to transform Southwest Colorado into a vibrant, livable community that supports people of all abilities to live, work, learn and play alongside each other.
As the Case Management Agency serving Southwest Colorado, and a direct services provider, we currently serve approximately 900 people with disabilities, from infants to elders, across a five county region of Southwest Colorado, including Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan Counties.
Our goal for all of Southwest Colorado’s residents with IDD is that they are able to build a life that is rich, fulfilling and meaningful in which they not only receive the services they need, but also have the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to their community. Now more than ever, your support can play a critical role in helping us create a more compassionate, equitable and inclusive community in Southwest Colorado.
Organization name
Community Connections, Inc.
other names
CCI
1985
Tax id (EIN)
74-2384155
Category
Human Services
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
281 Sawyer Dr Ste. 200Headquarters
281 Sawyer Dr Ste 200La Plata County, CO, US
Montezuma County, CO, US
San Juan County, CO, US
Archuleta County, CO, US
Dolores County, CO, US
Phone
970-259-2464
Fax
970-259-2618