Guest: Finn Murphy Program Manager  Adaptive sports are sports for people with disabilities, it could be physically or cognitive.  You can be born with the disability or have been in an accident or had trauma.  Adaptive sports use specialized equipment and require special training.  Ignite Adaptive Sports is at a ski resort, they help people with snow sports.  They have all kinds of special equipment for people to enjoy winter sports.  This past season they gave over 1,300 lessons for people with disabilities, that is over 350 different individuals.  They had to turn away people this season because they didn’t have the space or the instructors.  They have almost 300 instructors that are all volunteers that are instructors, but they are always looking for more.    https://igniteadaptivesports.org/

Guest: Barbara Lotze Director of Business Development Cycling Without Age Littleton’s goal is that the most vulnerable never become the least visible, and that everyone has the opportunity to feel the wind in their hair, to be in nature, and to break the isolation barrier with our older adults and those with challenges.  Cycling Without Age Littleton serves people off all ages young or old and people with challenge to help them be outside.  The bikes they use have the seats in front and the person peddling and not behind them.  There is no cost for people to enjoy these services, but you need to make an appointment.        https://cwalittleton.com/

Guest:  Kevin Petersen LMFT Founder Anxiety is the moment between heartbeats, meaning it's the anxiety of will my heartbeat again.  With anxiety, it's this overall, I'm not going to make it to the next second.  Depression can come in all sorts of sizes and colors.  Everyone thinks depression is being mopey, can't get out of bed,  got the curtains drawn.  There can be different kinds of depression, it can be seasonal, situational, it can be mild, it can be severe.  Depression is a battle to just get my head just above water where I can breathe and survive and get through the day.  There can be good days, there can be days you are just showing up, other days might be you just can’t.  The majority of people that struggle with this stuff struggle with it on a day to day basis.  One of the best thing a person can do on a day to day basis is making sure they are crossing off their mental health checklist, which is, nutrition, exercise, therapy community. www.chronichope.us www.petersenfamilycounseling.com

Guest:  Dr. Angela Tran Med Fit Medical Weight Loss Oprah has been one of the most scrutinized celebrities in terms of her weight.  Recently she had a special about weight loss, she really was very vulnerable, to help raise awareness that obesity is a medical disease.  There is a metabolic rooted problem when it comes to weight challenges.  There are certain medical conditions that can actually interfere with your progress, such as insulin resistance., diabetes, cholesterol problems and even females with, hormone problems, thyroid problems, and menopause.  There are medications out there that can help but not every medication is meant for everyone.  While these medications are very effective, they definitely need to be accompanied by the proper diet exercise, a person still need to develop the right healthy lifestyle changes.    https://medfitmedicalweightloss.com/

Guest: Heather Burke PR/Communications Manager Since 2003, Donor Alliance and the nation have been observing April as National Donate Life Month to raise awareness about the importance of registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor. It’s also a month to honor the heroic donors and their families who said “yes” to organ, eye, and tissue donation.  Currently, there are nearly 1,300 people in our community who are still waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.  Last year there were 300 organ donors and of those 300 organ donors and their families provided more than 900 life saving organ transplants.  Also, there was more than 1700 tissue donors who provided more than  100,000 tissue grafts.  Anybody can donate at any age, there is no age limit.  Donor Alliance educates and inspires the community about the importance of registering to be an organized tissue donor. donoralliance.org donatelifecolorado.org

Guest: Trenda Snetzinger Founder Hearts Hands and Hope Foundation’s focus is for the patients who may not be seen, a lot of people like to keep their diagnosis, more on the quiet side.  They support women and children who are battling breast and childhood cancer.  They provide a scholarship to three high school seniors along our I-70 corridor that gives back to the community and going into her career that helps others.  They also give care packages to Children's Hospital.  Each bag contains about 40 different items that would be beneficial during their treatment or while they're in the hospital.  They also help through either financial assistance, meals, transportation, different resources, even just sitting in the hospital with them.  They have partnered up with Mile High Harley-Davidson in Aurora and on May 18th they are doing a five stop poker run.  You do not need to have a motorcycle to be involved, you can drive your car.  After there will be a party at Mile High.           https://heartshandsandhopefoundation.org/

Guest: Veronika Clark Executive Director Bridge of Hope Denver mission is to end homelessness for single mothers and their children in the Denver metro area.  They have have three unique elements in our mission.   The first is that we provide safe and stable housing for the families.  The second is they have intense case management so that they can learn life skills including.  They offer career development which includes education.  The third element is matching them with a group of neighboring volunteers which becomes a support community for the families.  Over the last three years, they have seen an increase of over 300% in calls with from families who are in need.  After graduation, they track the moms for five years so that they don't get back into the same situation, and they have seen an 87% success rate.  bridgeofhopedenver.org

Guest: Monica Murray, a doctor of audiology with UnitedHealthcare Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in the United States, there are about 48 million adults who experience hearing loss to some degree.  Partially due to exposure to loud sounds and due to age related changes.  There are many social and mental impacts due to hearing loss.  People stop doing certain things because they get frustrated.  Once your hearing is gone, you cannot get it back.  Tinnitus is a persistent noise you hear; it could be a crackling noise or even a buzzing noise.  If you have tinnitus, it is important to go and get your hearing checked by a health care professional.  Wish of A Lifetime grants life changing wishes to older adults that helps them celebrate their accomplishments and share their stories and empowers them to chose how they live as they age.  https://wishofalifetime.org/

Guest: Jonathan Dickerson The Center for Relationship Education a science based, healthy relationship development skills training, that teaches you how to have healthier relationships at all ages.  They start as young as fourth grade and have even been in a senior living facility.  They have a number of programs and they are also free.  They also offer programs for first responders and military.  The Center for Relationship Education want to make sure that anyone who want to have healthier relationships, as the path to get them.         https://www.myrelationshipcenter.org/

Guest: Imani Williams  Bella Boutique provides free formal wear shoes and accessories to low income students, they support those that need help getting ready for homecoming and prom and can't afford to go otherwise.  They started in 2014 and helped 14 girls that year and since then it has grown to help 550 students this prom season.  They have over 2000 dresses.  A student makes an appointment, they get paired  with a one-on-one with a personal shopper and the personal shopper helps them pick out their dress.  The dresses they have in stock range from size 0 to size 30.  All the dresses are donated and are either new or have only been worn once.  They have also had people donate new jewelry, shoes and accessories.       https://www.bellaboutiquedenver.org/

Guest: Vicki Macki Executive Director Sites and Insights provides programs for adults impacted by cancer, addressing emotional trauma associated with a cancer diagnosis. Their support extends to patients, survivors, caregivers, and clinical staff. Regardless of cancer type or treatment location, they offer a unique approach to transform fear, anxiety, and grief into hope, motivation, and empowerment. These programs utilize therapeutic art, color science, complementary therapies, mindful healing tools, and neuroscience research. Participants learn to creatively express their emotions in a safe, abstract manner. All programs are free, with supplies delivered or shipped directly to participants. https://www.sitesandinsights.org/

Guest: Renee Ferrufino Vice President of Development The Women’s Foundation of Colorado is a statewide Community Foundation dedicated to safeguarding women’s progress and promoting gender, racial, and economic equity. They serve all 2.85 million women in Colorado, spanning all 64 counties. Their initiatives include providing grants to address women’s basic needs and foster economic mobility. Additionally, they run the WINcome program, which assists women by offering financial support for housing, rent, mortgages, transportation, car expenses, and home-related costs. The foundation also contributes through donor advice funds and giving circles. Despite being half of the population, women receive only 1.9% of philanthropic dollars from foundations, and women of color serving women and their families receive a mere 0.5%. Notably, Colorado is making significant strides in closing the gender pay gap, surpassing other states by more than threefold. https://www.wfco.org/

Guest: Michele Majeune March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness month, dedicated to raising awareness about the inclusion and contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities across all aspects of life. During this time, we also acknowledge the ongoing work required to eliminate barriers to their full participation. A developmental disability is one that manifests before the age of 22. However, rather than solely focusing on disabilities and impairments, DDRC (Developmental Disabilities Resource Center) emphasizes building on individuals’ abilities. Their mission is to create opportunities for people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities, enabling them to fully engage in their communities. www.ddrcco.com

Guest: Alex Egbune Health Equity and Wellness Coordinator The mission of the Black Parents United Foundation (BPUF) is to educate and provide resources to improve health in disproportionately impacted communities. This includes African American, Latino and Native American people who face increasing barriers to accessing and utilizing health care. https://www.blackparentsunitedfoundation.org/

Guest: Jennifer Anderson Deputy Director March is problem gambling awareness month.  The Colorado Lottery is working with other organizations in the state to help raise awareness and provide recourses to folks who think they are problem gamblers.  People who hide how much they are gambling or not paying their bills to use the money for gambling, would be considered problem gamblers.  The Colorado Lottery is working to make sure that even giving scratch tickets could cause problem gambling later in life.  1-800-gambler    Coloradolottery.com

Guest: Ken Dalton New Hope Ministries is a non-domination church, they also have a men’s and women’s home to help those that are struggling with drugs, alcohol and behavioral issues.  A typical day would be, they go to the church and do chores, they go and pray and have a church service, they go finish their chores, followed by more prayer and services.  They cannot get a job until they are clean and sober, once they are clean and sober, they enter a re-entry program.  Sometimes people leave on their own, after a year they are blessed to go out and start life.  Some people have been the homes for five or six years.  They will be doing a play on Easter Eve that the youth pastor helped put together.  The play will follow when Jesus was put on the cross and what he died for.  Also during the play, people will give testimony how their lives have been changed.     https://nhmcd.church/

Guest: Kevin Petersen Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist The childhood and the family that you were raised in is call it family of origin. That's where all the markers are set.  You may think you had a perfect childhood but there is no such thing.  You think what you grew up with is normal, it could be addiction, abusive or even absent.  Your therapist is just looking for data to understand who you are and how they can help you.  Once you are aware of where you behaviors are coming from, you can work on how to change them.  There is no quick fix and it will take time.  The moment you come in and ask for help, you are already starting the process to start the change. https://www.chronichope.us/

Guest Deidre Johnson Executive Director The vision of the Center for African American Health is to create opportunities for Black individuals and families to live in healthy, vibrant, and sustainable communities. They achieve their vision with such programs as diabetes self=empowerment education, mental health support and aging mastery and events as the Spring Collaborative Health Expo.

Guest: Isabel Dickson Economic Mobility Manager at Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Get Ahead Colorado and Hacia Adelante Colorado are statewide awareness campaigns designed to educate people about tax credits and encourage tax filing. Their websites offer three free, secure methods for filing taxes. In 2023, the federal Child Tax Credit provides $2000 per eligible child aged 0 to 16, with up to $1600 being refundable. Additionally, Colorado residents can benefit from the Colorado State Child Tax Credit for children or dependents under age 6. Income level impacts eligibility, and if qualified, Coloradans can receive an additional amount ranging from $200.00 to $1200, in addition to the federal credit. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), a Colorado state law, allows eligible residents to receive a one-time refund for the 2023 tax year, with potential refunds of up to $800 (or $1600 for joint filers). Remember, filing your taxes is necessary to access these benefits. Visit their websites for free resources and secure assistance, including a map of Colorado Vita sites—IRS-certified free tax filing locations. You can also call 211 for further assistance.  getaheadcolorado.org haciaadelantecolorado.org

Guest: Ken Paieski Vice President In 1989 Nan Wolbert, a registered nurse, had a severe head injury and she was looking for some recreational activity to improve her concentration and balance.  She started for golf for fun and then it turned into more people who were disabled came.  They work with people of all ages and disabilities.  Adaptive golf is different because everyone is different.  They will provide clubs if the person does not have them. https://golf4thedisabled.org/