To walk into Connections for Independent Living鈥檚 downtown Greeley location is to be greeted with brightly colored walls, open communal spaces, inspirational posters, a friendly smile and an introduction to Flash, the excitable blue betta fish. A warm welcome is only the beginning; the staff members work tirelessly to help people with any type of disability to gain the self-confidence, legal aid and funds necessary to live independently.
Beth Danielson, executive director at , said one of the best things about the agency is that it encourages people with disabilities to feel optimistic about having a family, a job, a home and an active role in their communities.
鈥淭here鈥檚 just so much focus on a person鈥檚 limitations,鈥� Danielson said. 鈥淏ut really, there鈥檚 always more potential than limitation.鈥�
One person Connections is helping is Machelle Pacheco. She was injured in an car crash about two years ago that left her with head injuries and multiple broken bones in her left leg and hip. Pacheco also has osteoarthritis, which was severely aggravated by the crash.
Pacheco was denied Social Security Disability benefits every time she applied. At first she was even denied her Aid for the Needy and Disabled.
鈥淲ith SSDI, I鈥檓 just trying to get benefits that I worked for all my life,鈥� Pacheco said. 鈥淭he reason why they denied me the last time is because they said if I could care for my grandson, I could go to work.鈥�
When Katie Harper, an independent living specialist at Connections, met Pacheco, she saw a woman who was struggling with her bills, her injuries and the constant rejections from Social Security, but was still able to make time to babysit her 8-year-old grandson.
Harper became Pacheco鈥檚 advocate, and, working as a team, they were able to turn Pacheco鈥檚 life in a more positive direction. Pacheco now receives a monthly check from Aid for the Needy and Disabled and will be receiving a free hip replacement within the next couple of months. Connections still helps Pacheco with her bills in times of need, such as when her car was recently stolen and wrecked, and Pacheco said she can always call or visit when she needs emotional support.
Connections for Independent Living is one of eight agencies receiving help from the , which provides resources for local human service agencies dedicated to helping community members struggling to meet basic needs.
Harper said Pacheco is a marvelous and dedicated person who always appreciated what was being done for her.
鈥淚 like to think of people as gifts. Some people are wrapped in beautiful wrapping, their packages are wrapped great, and some people have broken and torn wrappings.鈥� Harper said. 鈥淵ou never want the wrappings. You always want the gift that鈥檚 in the box.鈥�
Jaidree Braddix wrote this story on behalf of the Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund.
鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌鈹赌
To donate to the Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund, please go to the NCESF website at , mail contributions to P.O. Box 588, Fort Collins, CO 80522 or P.O. Box 534, Greeley, CO 80632, or to donate immediately and securely, click the donation button below:
About the fund:
Since its founding in 2007, the Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund has raised over $333,000 to support health and human service agencies in Larimer and Weld County. With matching funds provided by El Pomar Foundation, every dollar grows by 33 percent. United Ways of Larimer and Weld County cover all administrative costs for the campaign, meaning every dollar donated goes directly to the recipient organizations. This year鈥檚 recipient agencies include: Catholic Charities of Larimer County, Catholic Charities of Weld County, Connections for Independent Living, Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park, Food Bank of Larimer County, Greeley Transitional House, House of Neighborly Service, and Weld Food Bank. For more information, please visit
