Laradon’s Mission

Laradon’s Mission is to be an organization of excellence that provides superior, individualized services to children and adults with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities, supporting their independence in daily life and maximizing their full potential.

​Our History

In 1948, at a time when the public school system denied an education to their two sons because they were “mentally retarded,” Joseph and Elizabeth Calabrese invested their life savings into the creation of a very special school-Laradon. Named after their two sons, Larry and Don, Laradon was the first charitable organization in the Rocky Mountain region to offer support, education and training to children with developmental disabilities.
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​News of this much needed school spread quickly and within two years, Laradon was filled to capacity. At a time when few other services were available to children with disabilities, Laradon was a blessing for the many parents who were concerned about their children’s futures.

Within a short time, Laradon gained national recognition as an innovator of education and training services for people with special needs. As referrals dramatically increased, the need for a larger facility, additional staff, and financial support became apparent. In 1950, Laradon moved to its current facility at 5100 Lincoln Street in northwest Denver, where services continue to expand and enrollments continue to rise.
​
In partnership with parents, professionals, philanthropic organizations and generous community members, Joseph and Elizabeth Calabrese created a training center for people seeking the opportunity to expand their work skills, a school for children with special needs and housing for people in need of a home.The Calabrese’s knew that when provided with the proper education, training and support, people with disabilities could realize their full potential, contribute to the community and become valued members of society.

That vision still exists today. It is manifested in Laradon’s culture and operating philosophy; it is embodied in its mission statement and is seen on the faces of the children and adults who are experiencing a life of inclusion, independence and success.

​For more information about Laradon’s history, read Garden of Hope: Laradon Hall

​Laradon Board of Directors

Larry Burgess, Chairperson
Littleton, CO

Anna Jones, Vice Chair
Denver, CO

Jason Adams, Treasurer
Denver, CO

Rachel DeWitt, Secretary
Westminster, CO

Greg Beacom
Westminster, CO
James Garcia
Denver, CO

Emily McKissick Diaz
Denver, CO

Dennis Morgan
Pueblo, CO
​
Jacque Montgomery
Centennial, CO

​Mike Burns
Denver, CO
Tom Welch
Thornton, CO

Susan Ruhl
Denver, CO
​
Brent Pick
Brighton, CO

Sarah Batt
Denver, CO

Alice Hilzer
Ft. Morgan, CO

​Laradon Foundation Board of Directors

Mike Burns, President
Denver, CO

​Suzanne Bradeen, Treasurer
Englewood, CO
Jerry Hilzer, Vice President
Ft. Morgan, CO

​Bill Mitchell, Secretary
Highlands Ranch, CO
Frank Sommer
Centennial, CO
​

​Executive Leadership Team

Douglas McNeill
Chief Executive Officer
720-974-6827
douglas.mcneill@laradon.org

Jennifer Hendrick
Executive Director, Laradon Foundation
720-974-6815
jennifer.hendrick@laradon.org

Sara Vogel
Director of Children’s Services and Special Education
720-974-6870
s.vogel@laradon.org

​Keenan White
Assistant Director of Children’s Services and Special Education
720-974-6893
keenan.white@laradon.org
Lynette Johnson
Director of Community Living Services
720-974-6812
lynette.johnson@laradon.org

​Jerbonian Sims
Assistant Director of Community Living Services
720-974-6836
jerbonian.sims@laradon.org

Donna Thurston
Director of Day and Employment Services
720-974-6810
donna.thurston@laradon.org

Linda Haskins
Assistant Director of Day Habilitation Services
720-974-6888
linda.haskins@laradon.org

​Jamie Howard
Assistant Director of Employment Services
720-974-6840
jamie.howard@laradon.org
Jobey King
Assistant Director of Community Services
720-974-6835
jobey.king@laradon.org

​Heather Kijanka
Director of Quality Assurance and Strategic Projects
720-974-6802
heather.kijanka@laradon.org

Tammy Harwood
Director of Human Resources
720-974-6846
tammy.harwood@laradon.org

Paul Durack
Director of General Services
303-296-2400
paul.durack@laradon.org

Corey Kala
Director of Finance Management and Information Technology
303-296-2400
corey.kala@laradon.org

​Grant Funders

Laradon benefits from the support of its community. The grant funding Laradon receives gives us the ability to further enhance and expand programs and services. Laradon receives community funding for individual programs and general operating expenses to support Laradon overall.
​
Laradon is generously supported by the following funders:
  • Autism Speaks
  • BabiesNow! Foundation
  • Barish Family Foundation
  • Boeing Employees Community Fund
  • Colorado Elks Association
  • Colorado State Bank and Trust
  • Constance Cornelius Trust
  • Daniel Gordon Family Foundation
  • Daniels Fund
  • E-470 Safety Foundation
  • Foundations Church
  • Herbert Parker Charitable Trust
  • Harry W. & Louis L. Vicksman Trust
  • Louis & Harold Price Foundation
  • Mandelbaum Family Charitable Foundation
  • Maximus Foundation
  • Professional Association of Colorado Educators
  • Robyn C. Steffelin Revocable Trust
  • Rose Community Foundation
  • Stone Family Foundation
  • The Anschutz Foundation
  • The Denver Foundation
  • The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Colorado
  • Virginia W. Hill Foundation
  • Walter & Elizabeth Lipe Charitable Trust
  • Wells Fargo Foundation
  • Xcel Energy Foundation

​Colorado Elks Association

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In 1948, Denver postman Joseph V. Calabrese could not find a school that would teach his developmentally disabled children. Joe exclaimed, “By golly, if there’s no place for my kids, I’ll start a school of my own for them and other youngsters like them. ”For two years, Mr. and Mrs. Calabrese carried most of the financial load, using their $10,000 life savings to convert a house into Colorado’s only school for developmentally disabled children.

In 1950, the Colorado Elks Association voted to adopt Laradon as its State Major Project. The Elks purchased the abandoned Globeville neighborhood school from the City and County of Denver for $25,000.The Elks’ generosity turned the Calabreses’ dream, to open a special education and training center for children with developmental disabilities, into a reality. Laradon was the first private, non-profit organization in the Rocky Mountain Region to provide intellectually and developmentally disabled children individualized services and programming.
​“The torch has been lit, let’s keep it burning.
A great work is well on its way.
Let’s see that it continues so that in years to come
[Laradon] will spread like the branches of a tree
and continue to grow and grow and grow!”
​
Jacob “Mr. Elk of Colorado” Sherman at the Dedication of the new Laradon School building February 18, 1951.
Through relentless dedication, the prediction Mr. Sherman made six decades ago has become a reality. As Laradon has grown in the number of clients and services offered, the Colorado Elks have never left Laradon’s side. Since 1950, Elks financial support has been significant. Over the past 25 years, contributions that have been made directly through various Elks organizations totals nearly $4 million.
​
Funding comes from a number of sources including an annual statewide drawing, benefit dinners at lodges, special fundraising events, personal donations by Elks Lodge members, bequests from the estates of recently-passed Elks members, large charitable grants from the Colorado and National Elks associations, and in-kind donations of craft supplies for the adult programs and paper goods for our school lunch program.
​
For more information on the Colorado Elks Association’s active support of Laradon, please visit
http://www.coloradoelks.org/committees.cfm?ID=LAR

LOCATION

5100 Lincoln St
Denver, CO 80216

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