Vision: The future can be a scary path to travel down,
so let’s take it one STEP at a time together…
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Sustainability-
We want to create a lifestyle for our participants to be able to work and provide for themselves. This goal looks different for each individual, but Stepping Stone values independence. To that end, we stress life skills such as cooking, budgeting, shopping, and housekeeping. Our goal is for each participant to live as autonomously as possible, and we strive to provide the necessary supports needed to help make this a reality!
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Teamwork
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Life is all about relationships and community. We value this and want to support our participants by teaching how to make and maintain lifelong friendships. Our many celebrations and holiday events, exciting outings, and monthly Friday Night Events are just some of the many opportunities for making friends and getting out into the real world!
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Exercise
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We value physical fitness and provide activities and health talks to encourage more healthy lifestyles. Opportunities include light weights, Zumba, yoga, and cardio workouts at the center, as well as regular off-site fitness-related activities, such as bowling and soccer.
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Purpose
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We provide work opportunities and job simulations to empower our participants as they work toward more independent lives. Our participants are all members of the Stepping Stone Cooperative where they learn to run their own businesses!
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About Us
The “First Steps” of Stepping Stone
Stepping Stone Support Center was created by Bryn Galisewski, Barb Ziegler and a group of supporters in November of 2013. Bryn attended Chatfield Senior High School in Littleton, CO where she frequently volunteered to help her fellow students with special needs. She graduated from Colorado State University in Spring 2013 to find herself back with her high school peers at a new stage in life.
Barb is a parent of an adult with a developmental disability and like other families, she was searching for a productive program with close proximity. With Bryn’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and interest in Occupational Therapy, Barb’s M.A. in Communications and Business background, and the support from family, friends and the community, they explored ways to create a world where these participants could find purpose and community.
Quotes from our participants...
“Stepping Stone has changed my life in an extreme way. I became more independent and I’m more of an adult around myself and other people. It’s like a second home.”
- Lexi
“I have met so many great people at Stepping Stone and I enjoy being around people that make me feel at peace.”
- Jimmy
“I learned how to give a helping hand.”
- Justin
“Working hard. I love this program. I am happy when I come here.”
- Steph H.
“The staff members are great mentors. Always helping when people are in need. Just like family.”
- Angel
“It’s good! I love to work for Hannah!”
- Kathrine
“It’s like a second home here now, there is a whole lot of people here. I love all the people here. Nice people.”
- Fred
“Everyone is like a brother and sister to me. I love everyone here. Since day one we have been so supportive of each other. Stepping Stone is my family now.”
- Matt
“It’s a really fun place to go. There are always happy people here. There are great activities. It’s a fun great place to be.”
- Hally
“Stepping helped turn my life around. I used to get all mad for all these years and Stepping Stone helped me become a better person than the person I was for the last 26 years. Changed my life.”
- Brandon
“The Stepping Stone staff is such an inspiration to me. I’m so thankful to have them in my life.”
- Steffani
Services
Stepping Stone is primarily a prevocational training center. We have job skill training activities to equip our participants to work in an environment attainable for long-term employment. With our Stepping Stone Co-op and development in supported employment, we want to set our participants up for best case scenario for a sustainable lifestyle. We also offer other services that can help set our participants up for success.
Community Center Boards we Serve:
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DDRC
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Developmental Disability Resource Center -
DDRC Resource Coordination provides resources and person-centered service coordination for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Jefferson, Clear Creek, Gilpin and Summit counties in Colorado.
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Developmental Pathways
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Developmental Pathways -
Developmental Pathways serves Arapahoe and Douglas Counties and the city of Aurora. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, they serve thousands of people with developmental disabilities and their families in a variety of settings and services, depending on need.
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Rocky Mountain Human Services
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Rocky Mountain Human Services -
Rocky Mountain Human Services is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves more than 10,000 individuals, including almost 3,000 professionals and more than 7,500 Colorado and Wyoming residents through seven distinct programs. Our goal is to serve vulnerable populations throughout the Rocky Mountain West.
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Services through SLS and COMP:
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Prevocational
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We promote self-employment with the ultimate goal of paid jobs either out in the community, or through the Stepping Stone Co-op. The participants will have opportunities to engage in vocational training alongside their peers to build their resume and expand their abilities. Stepping Stone believes that with responsibility and encouragement, each participant can grow and display their unique skills. We are committed to help each participant gain the skills they need to reach their maximum potential in the working world.
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Specialized Habilitation
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We have blocks of time dedicated toward physical fitness throughout the week. Whether it’s lifting weights, zumba, yoga, or cardio, Stepping Stone values a healthy lifestyle and encourages our participants to participant in these activities.
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Supported Community Connection
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We encourage the participants to access the community so that they can grow in social skills, get involved in activities, and have fun hanging out with friends. We have field trips scheduled once a month to a variety of places in the community.
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Online Experiences
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We are excited to be offering our latest schedule of online classes! You will notice in this upcoming online schedule that we are offering fewer classes. We know many individuals are wanting to come back onsite, so we are reducing the class options to see the continued interest in online classes. We plan to continue online classes moving forward, so we welcome a mix of onsite and online classes for participants!
View Online Class Schedule
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Personal Care
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Assistance with daily living tasks such as personal hygiene, grocery shopping, budgeting, healthy eating, bathing, toileting, and appropriate clothing. Stepping Stone encourages staff to allow participants to express themselves while mentoring them on what is generally appropriate.
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Residential
Services
Stepping Stone recognizes the need for independence not only in a work setting, but also in a living environment. Our thorough intake process recognizes that finding the best living situation for each individual takes time. We want every placement we do to be centered around the individual so they can live a fulfilling life and capitalize on their strengths. We recognize that support doesn’t only need to be given to the individuals we serve, but also to our care providers. We aim to create a loving and supportive environment for our providers so they can provide the best support to our individuals.
Types of Models we serve:
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Host Home
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A host home is designed to provide live-in support in a warm, stable family environment for individuals requiring more intensive support needs. Individuals in this service setting typically require 24-hour support. This service is funded through the Comprehensive Service Waiver.
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Companionship Model
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The companionship model is designed to provide live-in support in a caring, stable environment with more of a housemate feel. Individuals in this service setting have 24-hour direct access to staff. However, this setting offers more freedom and independence when this is appropriate for the individual. This service is funded through the Comprehensive Service Waiver.
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Independent Living Model
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The independent living model offers support for individuals who have the ability and desire to live on their own, and is appropriate for individuals who do not require live-in supports. In this setting, people have access to the agency on a 24/7 basis for emergencies, but otherwise receive support on an hourly basis. This service is funded through the Comprehensive Service Waiver.
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Family Caregiver Model
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The family caregiver model is the newest service model to Colorado and offers individuals the opportunity to remain in the family home, or live in the home of a family member. In this setting, a family member may apply with the agency to provide all or some of the support services an individual requires. This service is funded through the Comprehensive Service Waiver.
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Private Pay Services
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In the private pay model, Stepping Stone contracts directly with the family and/or person requesting services. Residential services under this model are not waiver funded. This is the most unique and flexible model as it is driven by the wants and needs of the individual, but may look similar to the service options outlined above.
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COMING SOON: RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT COMMUNITY
Trailhead Community is our sister non-profit organization who is developing housing solutions for adults with disabilities. Their mission is designing and creating an extraordinary opportunity for people to come together in an integrated and intentional apartment community. Trailhead Community's first project is an 84 unit apartment building in Littleton, CO. Trailhead intends to allocate 50% of the apartments for adults with disabilities and the rest for tenants from the general population. The emphasis of this facility will be upon independent living with opportunities for making social connections in a family-like atmosphere.
The building will include state-of-the-art technology and “Universal Design” features to promote independence and safety for all residents. A cooperative management model will integrate all residents to make decisions about how their community will operate! There will be on-site concierge staff to provide 24/7 oversite for the building, social events, meal preparation and encourage mutual exchange and support between tenants. The building will have many unique and intentional features to promote community including a sport court, sound-proof multimedia room for music, large screen viewing and mini jam sessions, a community kitchen and common dining room serving optional meals daily, and large common areas both indoors and outdoors!
Prospective residents and/or their caregivers should fill out the survey of interest on the Trailhead website: www.trailheadcommunity.org
For more information contact: info@trailheadcommunity.org
Events
Monthly Friday Night Events
Stepping Stone Support Center puts on monthly social events for adults with developmental disabilities in the community. We invite volunteers to come to all of our events to pair up with a participant so they can have a buddy for the night.
This Month's Event |
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What: |
Virtual Talent Show | |
When: |
Friday, August 21, 2020 at 7:00pm | |
Where: |
Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8930094238 |
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Admission: |
Free! | |
Event Details: |
We are hosting our Annual Talent Show virtually this year! Please feel free to join us via zoom to watch all of our Stepping Stone showcase their talents! | |
Please contact us for additional information
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Get Involved
PARTICIPANTS:
If you are interested in our services as a participant, please contact us below and we will get back to you with more information about getting started at Stepping Stone.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
If you are interested in working at Stepping Stone, please Contact Us Here to check for possible job openings and feel free to download and fill out the employment application below.
VOLUNTEERS:
Funding
Funding we receive:
- Supported Living Services (SLS)
- Comprehensive Services (COMP)
- Private Pay (Please see our sister non-profit Lexi & Carly & Friends for financial assistance)
Lexi & Carly & Friends
L&C&Friends provides scholarships to those individuals who need some financial assistance to attend Stepping Stone.
Donate to Lexi & Carly & Friends
Co-op Store
A business owned and managed by our very own participants!
Stepping Stone Co-op is designed to empower our participants by teaching them the skills it takes to work hard, make decisions as a team, and see concrete benefits. The participants are all equal members of the Co-op, and all of our prevocational activities are run under auspices of the Co-op.
How it works?
The Stepping Stone Co-op consists of 5 teams:
Food Bank, Culinary, Product, Coffee Shop, and F.L.A.M.E.S.. Participants, upon coming to Stepping Stone, go through a job application and interview to apply for the team they want to join. Once they’re on a team, they work there for a month and learn the ins and outs of running their team’s business.
At the end of each month, they can apply for a transfer to another team. Transfers are considered and approved based on certain criteria. There are regular co-op meetings, and the participants vote on any changes or implementations that each team proposes at the meetings. Although there are teams within the co-op, all the teams are working together. The income made by each team goes back to the co-op as a whole. We are proud to say all the decisions are made by the participants!
Teams
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Food Bank Team
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Food Bank Team
The Food Bank team operates out of Calvary South Denver church, at 9052 W. Ken Caryl Ave. in Littleton, on Fridays from 10:00-noon. Throughout the week, they are busy soliciting for donations, stocking and doing inventory, sorting food bank goods, marketing the food bank, and picking up Food Bank of the Rockies orders. They also work with Light of the World Catholic Church supporting their BAKPAK program. They sort out two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, and two snacks and deliver them to schools in the area for children who are in need of food on weekends. During the summer, they run a community garden and harvest vegetables that they give out to people in the community. While the food bank does not contribute to Stepping Stone Co-op profits, all co-op members voted that they want to give back to their community!
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Culinary Team
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Culinary Team: A Taste of Love
The Culinary team is designed to allow our participants to work on their cooking skills. They bake sweet treats with seasonal ingredients, while learning to incorporate locally sourced ingredients. They also cook lunch and sell it to co-op members and Stepping Stone staff, one day a week, to work on meal-preparation skills. Throughout the week, the Culinary team is busy taking inventory, shopping for items, researching and developing new recipes, going over financials on how their items are selling, baking, and visiting bakeries to get new ideas for how to market their goods.
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Product Team
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Product Team: A Touch of Love
The Product team makes lip balms, candles, and occasional specialty items. Each week, this team works extremely hard to make sure their products are high quality. They work on inventory, ordering new materials, marketing, research and development, task analysis, and creativity. They are constantly making sure they work together as a team to produce amazing products that our customers love.
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Coffee Shop Team
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Coffee Shop Team: A Latte Love
The Coffee Shop team opens their doors at the northwest entrance of Calvary South Denver Church, 9052 W. Ken Caryl Ave. in Littleton, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Operating a functional coffee shop, open to the community, they serve lattes, coffee, tea, baked goods, chai lattes, etc. This team works hard throughout the week to prepare for their coffee shop by doing inventory, purchasing supplies, marketing their coffee shop through commercials on Facebook (be sure to visit our page), learning how to make their drinks, and researching how to become a better business. They also make coffee for the food bank visitors and serve them during food bank hours on Fridays.
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F.L.A.M.E.S. Team
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F.L.A.M.E.S. Team
The F.L.A.M.E.S. team stands for Financial and consumer skills, Learning new skills, Active, Making and marketing, Evolving to meet the needs of participants, and excellence, and Supporting the co-op with sales and tasks. The F.L.A.M.E.S. team members came up with this acronym, and they stand by it! They make innovative and seasonal products to sell to the public (be sure to come see available products at the coffee shop). They also work hard to run the cash register during the coffee shop’s hours, as well as count and pass out dividends to co-op members when payday comes around! The sky is the limit with this team; whatever fun ideas participants have, they try to make them a reality!
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Please check out our products
and support the Stepping Stone Co-op!
You can also call 303-872-6882 Ext. 4
to get more information about the
Stepping Stone Store!
