50 Years, 50 Stories – Chris Collins

Today’s “50 Years, 50 Stories” installment comes from Chris Collins, who is the Executive Director of Alliance, a nonprofit, statewide association of Community Centered Boards (CCBs) and Service Provider Organizations (SPOs). Chris has long been a leader in improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, and I thank her for all she has done for some of our State’s most vulnerable citizens.

40 Years Of Association With Imagine!

By Chris Collins

 

Chris Collins speaking at the 2013 Alliance Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day at the State Capitol

I have been indirectly or directly involved with Imagine! for more than 40 years. My perspective is both as a fellow CCB Executive Director and as Director of Alliance, the state association. It has been an incredible journey being a part of the community system for people with developmental disabilities in Colorado. Imagine!, formerly the Developmental Disabilities Center, has been a leader throughout its 50 years. You can always look to Imagine! for innovation , community involvement, and high quality services and supports.

I first worked with Imagine! when I was involved with starting Horizons, the Community Centered Board (CCB) in NW Colorado. We had a small but dedicated staff and on more than one occasion we reached out to Imagine! for information and assistance. We couldn’t afford to reinvent the world so we turned to CCBs that had been around for a while and knew the ropes and were willing to help us. Imagine! never said no and was always there to help guide us. This willingness to assist others both within their communities and at the state and national level is a hallmark of Imagine!.

So that takes me into my current role with Imagine!. Imagine! is an active member of Alliance, the state association whose members include CCBs and Program Approved Service Providers. Imagine! leadership and staff have provided leadership at the state level in securing funding for people with developmental disabilities, actively influencing legislation, developing policies, and working to streamline the community system. We have called on Mark Emery and several of his staff to testify on an important bill at the state Capitol on many occasions. Mark and his incredible staff serve on many state level committees and have been a driving force to make positive change to the lives of people with developmental disabilities not only in their home communities but across the state. It is also important to note they are actively involved at the national level in influencing policy and, as many of us know, through their SmartHomes are involved worldwide. Technology and innovation are cornerstones of Imagine! and the work it does, but Imagine!’s focus is always to improve the lives of those it serves.

What a journey, Imagine!. I have no doubt you will continue to evolve and lead the way for another 50 years.

Are you interested in sharing your story for “50 Years, 50 Stories?” If so, contact Caroline Siegfried at caroline@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6405. We’d love to hear from you!