AURORA | A local service provider for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities celebrated the renovation of its Aurora location, which will open up programs to serve more people.
Support, Inc.’s newly renovated space dedicates the first floor of its Aurora facility to the day program and moves the organization’s administrative team to the second floor. The day program provides onsite activities and community events in the Denver metro area, like sports games and outdoor recreation.
Brian Slusarz, director of intake and public relations for Support, said the change of layout will allow for double the amount of participants in day program activities, with room for 40 people. He added that the space has been upgraded with a pool table, an air hockey table and sensory room.
In addition to the new space, Support hired a new director and staff to focus on building up the day program.
“We’re really focusing on providing better day program services and getting client input on what they want to do,” Slusarz said.
Slusarz said the demand for day programs has increased since the pandemic, when many programs closed.
“It’s such a valuable service to our clients and it’s a huge part of integrating people with disabilities into the community,” he said.
Jeremy Boudreaux, who has been a client of Support for nearly 12 years, said he plans to start taking advantage of the day program on his days off. Boudreaux initially connected with Support for residential services, which helped him transition to independent living.
“I need to get out of my apartment more and get interacting with more people, so I decided to take (Support) up on the offer,” Boudreaux said. “It’ll be a great opportunity to just go and hang out.”
Boudreaux said Support has been like family to him since he connected with them after his mother died. The organization helps him learn how to manage his finances and arranges transportation so he can get to doctor’s appointments, as well as supporting his transition to his own apartment.
“Support has been there for me since I turned 21, they’ve been teaching me the rights and wrongs about the rights and wrongs about the world and raising me to learn how to cope,” he said.
With the expansion of the day program, Boudreaux said he’s looking forward to playing video games and taking part in a summer camping trip.
The Aurora renovation marks the successful completion of Support’s expansion, Slusarz said.
Support also recently opened new locations in Arvada, Colorado Springs, Greeley, Littleton and Loveland.
Support originally opened in Aurora in 1989, offering services including the day program, residential support and clinical care.