News and notes from Imagine! and the Imagine! Foundation.
Good News Friday!
Feb-04-2022
Services
As of February 1, 2022, the Imagine! building at 450 Courtney Way in Lafayette will no longer host our Community and Employment Services, and this space will be sublet to a third party tenant.
How It All Started
“It has been a long-term goal to transition Imagine! Community Services away from using Imagine! operated facilities to planning fully integrated activities in the community,” said Brodie Schulze, Imagine! Community Services Program Manager. With this in mind, the Executive Team and the Community Services Leadership Team had been discussing the possibility of consolidating property as a way to save money. This vision suddenly became a reality a couple of weeks ago when a community member showed interest in subletting our space at 450 Courtney Way, but the only catch was that they needed to move in by February 1.
Next Steps
The Executive Team decided to jump on this opportunity. Due to the ongoing nationwide hiring crisis, Community Services had not been able to host services and activities at that day program site on a consistent basis, therefore the space had not been getting much use, yet Imagine! was still paying monthly rent. And given the fact that the Coal Creek building is not at full capacity either, the plan is to use the John Taylor Conference Center to host occasional services and activities while a more permanent plan for locating Adult Services is secured. Some office spaces at Coal Creek will be rearranged to accommodate incoming staff members from Courtney Way.
Plans Moving Forward
The Longmont day program site on Sunset Place will remain the same, no changes there. Meanwhile in Lafayette, it has been a busy and somewhat chaotic two weeks, packing up and moving an entire building’s worth of belongings, furniture, tech equipment, artwork, etc. “We look forward to settling in and and getting reorganized before a busy spring and summer arrive,” said Schulze. “This move was motivated by, and will help facilitate, freeing up space and resources, allowing more funds to pay for enhanced community-based trips, adventures, and classes.” The cost savings will also help address the big picture issue we’ve all been talking about: a complete workforce. “We are doing a number of things to address our biggest challenge, which is hiring and retaining quality employees across all departments at Imagine!,” said Imagine! Public Relations Director Fred Hobbs. “We are leaving no stone unturned in figuring out this puzzle, which includes cutting costs where we can. The rent of this building is an example that, and in turn, helps put us in a better position to better compensate our workforce.”
Staff Breakroom
Amidst all the changes and reassignments of desks and office spaces, a brand new breakroom was born just before Christmas and lives in Brodie Schulze’s old office. Made possible by a staff retention grant awarded to nonprofits that provide direct service, the new room is intended to provide a relaxing, comfortable, and welcoming space for DSPs to enjoy before and after shift. “If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that having a community and a positive workspace can make a drastic difference in our day, allowing for more interaction and support,” said Ryann Mickens, Assistant Program Manager for School Age Services. “I have already noticed how much more my team spends talking with one another outside of shift, and we have received positive feedback about the calmness and coziness of the breakroom,” said Mickens. Equipped with essential oils, hot beverages, lotions/tea tree oil, bean bag chairs, plants and decor, a portable fireplace, and cozy workspaces, this new space is a step in the right direction when talking about staff retention.
