For The Friends!

In my tiny grade school in Little Rock, 1-2 of my classmates (on average) had developmental or intellectual disabilities throughout our ride to grade 8. Our new classmate would sometimes need direct help from our teacher, but mostly school continued like usual. We just figured we had one more friend to join our group. Sometimes our friend needed an extra hand in the lunch line or some patience at recess, but we'd always step in before a teacher in those scenarios. It's not cool to be with a teacher outside the classroom, we couldn't let that happen for anyone in our crew!

When I graduated and went to the big leagues (public high school) my freshman year, I felt lost in a sea of 900 students. I noticed a few things in my new surroundings after month 1 but one thing in particular stood out: where were the students with disabilities? I didn't see them in my classes nor at lunch and it wasn't until an opportunity to assist a teacher happened that I understood the high school normal. Our classmates, same age and all, were in a separated building from campus. It was like a different school altogether. Maybe at the time I just filed it under "public school vs. private school differences" but actually it was a small-scale example of how society separated out people with disabilities and left them on the outskirts of community. 

It wasn't until a decade or so later (ouch) that this community for folks with disabilities came back into the spotlight for me. I was at a chamber event when I met some of the wonderful team members from F.R.I.E.N.D.S. of Broomfield. They shared an elevator pitch on the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. mission but I wanted to keep the ride going, so they invited me for a pizza day. Soon I was volunteering and asked to be part of their Young Professionals group because finally, here was an organization in benefit for a part of our community that is so often left behind. Finally, a place that showcased adult life and development for our disabled neighbors, including creative areas too like writing a book or doing some choreography for an upcoming show. Or hosting pizza socials and nights to belt your heart out at karaoke. Or how loudly they share the success stories and milestones achieved in the Friend's employment journey. In a world where they were being pushed out, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. paved their own path with a notice to those pushing "We're here to stay". Any time I'm there to visit or to advocate on behalf of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. my face hurts from all the laughing and pure joy I experience. I've not shared even a TENTH of the impact this non-profit has for this community, but I hope you feel my passion through this small piece. 

You've made it this far in my rambling and I hope to have tugged at a heart string or two. We've started Friendsgiving with the intention to continue this mission well beyond the quick-lived season of giving. There are options through this portal to give once (thank you so much) or to give on a monthly basis (thank you so very much). I know we all have subscriptions withdrawing left and right to keep up with our world today, but if you find the nearby Starbucks not only knows your order but also spells your name right, maybe that $10 donation once a month won't be as hard of a budget hit as originally thought. Consider F.R.I.E.N.D.S. of Broomfield for your holiday giving this year - and into next year as well.

Thank you.

P.S. If it entices you further, monthly donors can choose a willing F.R.I.E.N.D.S. staff member or community supporter (yep, that's yours truly) to get PIED! A friend will deliver the wind up with love and laughter and kick it cartoon style with a pie to my face.