This Just IN! - September 2020

Grace stands next to mountain lion statue on UCCS campus

School is back in session! Along with thousands of other college students, 70 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities are continuing to pave the way for future students wtih IDD at Arapahoe Community College (ACC), University of Northern Colorado (UNC), and University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). Grace is one of these students. In this letter, we are covering Grace's journey to higher education, and hope to remind everyone that college acceptance is not always a straight path - and that's okay! We hope Grace's spirit of perseverance brings some hope and joy into your day.

Grace stands in front of mountain lion statue at UCCS

Grace's Path to College

In 2019, after finishing high school, Grace applied to college. Although she was not accepted at that time, this would only further motivate her to pursue her college dream. Over the past year, Grace took up a volunteer position with the Denver Zoo's Nutrition Center working with a team to feed the animals at the zoo, with the ultimate goal of becoming a zoo nutritionist. She also enrolled in a couple classes at her local community college in order to build her college readiness skills. Grace said before this year her time management was a challenge for her. "Now I don’t want to be late, I'm more organized, and I get stuff done."

College Acceptance

In March of this year, Grace's hard work and dedication over the last year paid off when she received a letter of acceptance from UCCS! In the video below, Grace shares how she felt when the letter came.

In August Grace began life as a Mountain Lion and moved into an apartment at UCCS!

Parent Perspective

Lisa, Grace's mom, has been a supporter of inclusive higher education since Grace was in middle school. She's been advocating for college access for students with intellectual disabilities since then. In the video below, Lisa shares hows she feels about Grace's acceptance to college and advice she has for future parents.

“If IN! wasn’t around and I was scouting out schools for [Grace], I would be constantly up against a wall. And in order to afford her what she wants to pursue, I’d have to look out of state.” ~Lisa

You Can Help Make College Possible for More Students Like Grace!

Image 1: Students cheering on UNC bears, Image 2: Person handing out graduation certificate Text: We are still inclusive to all, inspired by students, investing in futures

As a small non-profit, IN! relies on support from the community so that we exist today and will continue to exist tomorrow. Due to COVID-19, IN!’s annual tailgate fundraiser has been cancelled. Last year the event raised over $145,000 to continue our mission to ensure every student with an intellectual disability in Colorado has a college option. We are calling on IN! supporters like you for help.

While it has been a difficult year, we are still IN!. We continue to be INspired by students and remain INvested in creating college opportunities for all! The work that IN! does remains vital. Your donation will directly support IN! to continue promoting inclusive higher education pathways in Colorado.

Let us know you are still IN!

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