Adult Day Programs

Employment Programs

Community Living Services

Children's Programs

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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.

​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.
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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.

Our campus

Take a virtual tour of Laradon's 10-acre campus located in Denver's Globeville neighborhood. It serves as the home for 5 unique programs and roughly 200 full and part-time employees all serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more about Laradon at www.laradon.org

​Laradon Society Board of Directors

Susan Ruhl, Chair
Denver, CO

Scott Pusey, Vice Chair
Centennial, CO

Jo-Ann Scharmann, Treasurer
Centennial, CO
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​Alice Hilzer, Secretary
Ft. Morgan, CO

​​Brian O'Neil
Denver, CO

Jean Lawhead
Denver, CO

Jacque Montgomery
Centennial, CO

Brent Pick
Brighton, CO

Geff McDaniel
Westminster, CO
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Wayne Rogers
Golden, CO

Joyce Joransen
Denver, CO

Val Saiz
​Denver, CO

Julie Radulovich
Denver, CO

​Laradon Foundation Board of Directors

Brian O'Neil, President
Denver, CO

Charlie Walling, Vice President
Denver, CO

Jackie Haney, Treasurer
Denver, CO

Emily Mckissick Diaz
Denver, CO

Todd Evenson
Englewood, CO

Jacque Montgomery
Centennial, CO

​Regina Madigan
Denver, CO

Larry Burgess
Littleton, CO

Debbie Trujillo
Denver, CO
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Peter Frank
Denver, CO

Scott Niederbrach
Castle Rock, CO

​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.
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Laradon is generously supported by the following funders:

• Hall Family Trust
• The Anschutz Foundation
• Daniels Fund
• Denver Regional Council of Government (DRCOG)
• HHS Provider Relief Fund
• Rocky Mountain Human Services - MILL LEVY
• Colorado Elks Association
• Denver Elks Lodge #17
• Arvada Elks Lodge #2278
• Aspen Elks Lodge #224
• Aurora Elks Lodge #1921
• BPO Elks Lodge #316
• Evergreen Elks Lodge #2363
• Fort Collins Elks Lodge #80
• Fort Morgan Elks Lodge #1143
• Greeley Elks Lodge #809
• Littleton Elks Lodge #1650
• Leadvillie Elks Lodge #236
• Westminster Elks Lodge #2227
• Elks West District Lodges
• CDE ESSER I​
• DRCOG COVID Relief​

• Buell Foundation
• Department of Economic Development
• Herbert Parker Charitable Trust
• KeyBank Foundation
• Louis and Harold Price Foundation
• Stone Family Foundation
• CDOT Telecommunication
• Schlessman Family Foundation
• St. Michael’s Society
• City and County of Denver
• Community Health Charities
• Daniel and Linda Gordon Family Foundation
• Dr. “Fozzy” Fosimer Tribute
• Gordon Generation Foundation
• Mandelbaum Family Charitable Foundation
• Pinnacol Assurance
• Robert Rhue Enterprises, Inc.
• Shopworks Architecture
• Harry W. and Louis L. Vicksman Charitable Trust
• Zeppelin Development Inc.
• The Denver Foundation - Lowe Fund
• Virginia W. Hill Foundation
• Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Colorado

​Colorado Elks Association

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.

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​“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!”
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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.
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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.
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