Good News Friday!

On February 28, Alliance held its annual I/DD Awareness Day Luncheon at the McNichols Civic Center in Denver. Service agencies from all over Colorado were in attendance to celebrate their successes in supporting individuals with I/DD. As a grand finale to the event, Alliance handed out a Direct Service Professional (DSP) of the Year award, and Imagine! employee Jason Kingsbury took home this prestigious award!

In the mix of 28 nominations, Jason rose to the top as the employee most deserving of this honor. He works at Imagine!'s CORE/Labor Source in Boulder and was initially nominated by his colleagues.

Program Coordinator Jeff Rodarti said this about Jason: “Jason has demonstrated a dogged advocacy for clients with intense and challenging behaviors. He has consistently modeled a sense of determined and graceful patience in those moments, even going so far as to educate members of the community with regard to how Imagine! supports those with significant behavioral challenges, and how these individuals deserve a space in the community as much as anyone else.”

Jason gave a meaningful speech after accepting the award, which you can watch below. Jason noted “My mother was a school teacher for 45 years and she taught me that I have the choice to either be a part of the solution, or a part of the problem. Since then, I decided whatever the case, to be a part of the solution.” Jason received a standing ovation for his remarks and his work.

Congratulations Jason for this well deserved honor, and thank you for all you do!