Our Own Lives

10/08/2025

Be a part of the magic! We invite sponsors to join to the 22nd Annual Festival of Trees & Wreaths and help Community Connections, Inc. and us light up the season!

We work to build magic in our communities, and we’d love for you to join us! Are you ready?
Sign up here: givebutter.com/c/TreesWreaths25

✨ The 22nd Annual Festival of Trees & Wreaths is around the corner, and we’re inviting sponsors to help light up the season!

Your support brings holiday cheer to our communities while furthering the mission of Community Connections and Our Own Lives. Together, we create a magical winter wonderland that makes a difference for local families. 💜

🌟 Ready to be part of the tradition? Sign up today: givebutter.com/c/TreesWreaths25

10/07/2025

Meet Sondra Cordova! 🌄

Sondra, Our Residential Program Manager in Cortez has dedicated her career to helping others grow and thrive and been to the field since 1988. Sondra has worn nearly every hat in our organization, from direct care to director roles.
She's a family-driven person who finds her greatest joy in helping others grow and live their dreams. Her motto? Making sure everyone knows they're loved and have a safe place to land.

When she's not at work, you'll find Sondra exploring the outdoors – mountains, desert, beaches, and new environments are her happy places!

After decades in this work, she continues learning daily from the people we serve. As she puts it: "Never a dull day!"

We're incredibly grateful for Sondra's dedication and heart!

10/03/2025

Meet Rynetta Smith!

Our Residential Program Assistant in Cortez works closely with host home providers and the people they serve, helping everyone live their best life possible.

She handles everything from state compliance and home visits to jumping in with day program services when needed – keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Rynetta has a passion for all types of crafting and loves sharing her creative ideas with others. She's also a key player on our Festival of Wreaths and Trees committee – our biggest fundraiser of the year! 🎄

We're so grateful to have her talent and heart on our team!

10/02/2025

Joint Statement Release:
October 1, 2025

We are proud to stand alongside our partners - including the Association of Colorado Centers for Independent Living (ACCIL), Atlantis Community, Inc., Autism Society of Colorado, Center for People With Disabilities, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Developmental FX - The Developmental & Fragile X Resource Centre Disability Law Colorado, El Grupo Vida Colorado, Family Voices Colorado, JFK Partners, Parent to Parent of Colorado, PEAK Parent Center and The Arc of Colorado to release a joint response to the statement on Autism from the White House.

The statement reads in part, "We believe that people with disabilities, including autistic people, deserve the opportunity to live meaningful lives filled with freedom, choice, love, purpose, and joy. We follow the social model of disability, which focuses on changing communities, systems, and policies so that everyone has access and inclusion."

To read the complete statement to our community, please visit our website at http://bit.ly/46vgY1Q

Image Description: The main text is centered and reads "Colorado Disability Organizations Respond to White House Statement on Autism." Below is the date of October 1, 2025.

Bottom features logos of disability organizations signed on to letter in alphabetical order.
Association of Colorado Centers for Independent Living (ACCIL),
Atlantis Community, Inc.,
Autism Society of Colorado,
Center for People With Disabilities,
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition,
Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council,
Developmental FX,
Disability Law Colorado,
El Grupo Vida,
Family Voices Colorado,
JFK Partners - University of Colorado,
Parent to Parent of Colorado,
PEAK Parent Center, and
The Arc of Colorado

10/01/2025

Mark your calendars! 🎄 The 22nd Annual Festival of Trees & Wreaths is coming soon!
Beginning November 28, with the official festival weekend December 5-7. Whether you want to decorate a tree or wreath, sponsor, or simply celebrate the season while giving back; there's a place for you!
Get involved: givebutter.com/c/TreesWreaths25

📰 Community Connections and Our Own Lives are gearing up for the 22nd Annual Festival of Trees & Wreaths, presented by Alpine Bank!

🌟 One of Southwest Colorado's most beloved holiday events, sponsorships directly support our work empowering people with disabilities in our communities.

🎄 Want to decorate, give back and spread joy? Sign up here: givebutter.com/c/TreesWreaths25

10/01/2025

Wondering what activities are going on at Siegele Safe Haven in Durango? Check out our monthly calendar and let us know if you would like to join in!

09/29/2025

🎤 ASK THE LEADERSHIP TEAM! 🎤

Got questions for our Client Leadership Council?

Whether you're curious about:
Our vision and future plans,
How decisions are made,
Ways to get more involved,
Feedback on current programs,
Or anything else on your mind!

Our leadership team is ready to provide transparent, honest answers to help strengthen our community together.

09/26/2025

Please note* The date on the DSP invite was incorrect. The correct date is Thursday, October 2. Thank you!

09/25/2025

👇👇👇

Trump's remarks linking Tylenol to autism are a return to an era when mothers were blamed for children developing the disorder.

09/23/2025

Meet Our Chief Operating Officer, Jeff! 👨

First and foremost, he's a devoted dad who loves his family! Jeff is passionate about helping others and making life better for everyone around him.

He operates with unwavering integrity and is committed to building systems that truly serve our community. Jeff genuinely cares about people and brings extensive knowledge to his role. He communicates most effectively through clear, direct conversation and values straightforward dialogue.

When he's not working hard to improve lives, you'll find him embracing life's joys and having fun.

We're grateful to have a leader who brings both heart and dedication to everything he does!

04/26/2025

"We are deeply proud of Jack and love him fiercely. He’s made our lives better. We believe his life is a masterpiece—uniquely and intentionally created with purpose. He’s not just a person with a diagnosis. He’s a son, a brother, a grandson, a classmate, a teammate, a neighbor, a friend. Raising a child with Down syndrome has taught us to see the value in others, not based on what they can do, but on who they are." ✨💙💛

Read Carissa's full post on rethinking value & worth on our blog: https://jacksbasket.org/rethinking-value-worth/

📸 Vick Photography