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 first-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 work-out classes and health talks to encourage more healthy lifestyles. Activities include weights, Zumba, yoga, cardio workouts and recreational sports in our large gymnasium.
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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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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
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Stepping Stone Support Center offers choice-driven residential supports with a variety of service models including Host Homes, Companionship, Independent Living, or Family Caregiver. We can also accommodate privately paid services for individuals not receiving waiver funding. SEE MORE INFO
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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 Facility
We are excited to introduce our new non profit, Stepping Stone Communities, designed to provide housing for adults with developmental disabilities who wish to live independently and do not have private or publicly funded resources. Our first goal is to build an apartment building with affordable studio apartments. This model allows for positive interaction and integration between participants with developmental disabilities and the wider community. Details for this project still in process. The emphasis of our facility will be upon independent living with opportunities for making social connections in a family-like atmosphere. Contact us if you have any resources to help us with this project! Also, be sure to check out Stepping Stone Communities!
Contact us by e-mailing barb@steppingstonesupportcenter.com
Contact Barb
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: |
Stepping Stone Splash Zone Party | |
When: |
Friday, September 7, 2018 from 6:30p-9p | |
Where: |
9700 Old Coal Mine Ave. Littleton, CO 80123 | |
Admission: |
$15 per participant, DINNER INCLUDED! | |
Event Details: |
We are excited for our annual Splash Zone Party! Please come ready to get wet! Ladies and gentleman, please remember, modest is hottest. If you wear a bathing suit, please make sure it's appropriate. We are excited to see everyone before the summer ends!
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Please contact Bryn Baldassari for additional information |
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Fundraising Events
Stepping Stone sponsors a 5K race every Spring to support, Lexi & Carly & Friends, a non profit near and dear to our hearts. We want to encourage everyone to partake in a fun and healthy way to give back to the community of adults with developmental disabilities. We will have adult running strollers to push those individuals who cannot walk so they can still have the excitement of accomplishing running a 5k race!
We will also have buddies who will walk/run with a participant if they want to partake in the race! Please check this out and sign up to run/walk!
This years 5k will be on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Clement Park, registration and packet pick up beginning at 7:30a under Shelter 5. Click on the link below to register and find out more details!
Stepping Stone 5K Registration
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 Co-op consists of 4 teams: Food Bank Team, Culinary Team, Product Team and Coffee Shop Team. Each participant upon coming to Stepping Stone will go through a job application and interview to apply for what team they want to be on. Once they are on a team, they work with their team for a month and learn the ins and out of running their teams 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 and any income each team makes 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 the Columbine Hills Food Bank which is open to the public on Fridays. 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 those in the community. While the Food Bank does not contribute to the Co-op profits, the entire 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 based on seasonal ingredients, while understanding locally sourced ingredients. They also cook lunch and sell it to the Co-op one day a week to work on meal preparation. 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 works hard to make salt scrubs, lip balms, lotions, candles, and spoon mirrors. 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 5 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 up their doors on Thursday mornings from 9:30am-11:30am and runs a functional coffee shop open to the community. They serve lattes, coffee, tea, baked good, 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 (check us out), learning how to make their drinks, and researching how to become a better coffee shop. They also make coffee for the food bank community members and serve them in conjunction with the food bank.
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Marketing Team
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Marketing Team
The marketing team runs the co-op’s social media accounts and website. Participants are using skills they learn to create brand unity throughout all five teams. They meet with graphic designers, strategic planners, marketing experts, and small-business owners to get ideas about how to make the co-op the best it can be and raise awareness about its mission.
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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!
