Our Values and Story
Imagine!'s Mission
Our mission is to create a world of opportunities for all abilities.
Imagine!'s Vision
Our vision is to see people with disabilities living the lives of their dreams, reaching their goals, and expressing their authentic selves in an inclusive and supportive community.
Imagine!'s Core Values
- Our workforce is our number one asset
- Families are essential to our success
- We embrace a culture of support and creativity
- We inspire a positive and inclusive community
- We honor our tradition of integrity and leadership
- We believe in the potential of all
Imagine!'s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Statement
Imagine! is committed to creating a world of opportunities that emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and equity. When the group of parents started Imagine! in 1963, they believed in the critical importance of inclusion and made that value a part of our mission that continues to this day. We aim to foster a true sense of belonging and inclusivity for the individuals who accept our services, staff, and the providers and supports that make our mission possible. This mission statement and our commitment to DEI will be fine-tuned and adapted as we continue to develop our identity as an independent Provider Agency, make improvements to systems and processes, instate an Advocacy council, and utilize feedback and input from our community to further our DEI efforts.
Imagine!'s History
Imagine! was founded in 1963 by a group of parents who believed their children deserved better. Traditionally, people with disabilities were sent to institutions and hospitals far away from the local community. These parents believed that their children should have the opportunity to live the lives they want and experience all that the world has to offer. These earlier families sought to create a more inclusive and supportive environment where their children could thrive and their efforts laid the foundation for an organization that would work to provide a world of opportunities for those individuals with disabilities.
Within the same year that Imagine! formed, Colorado House Bill #121 was passed, launching a pilot program for community centers for individuals with disabilities. Boulder was chosen to administer this program, leading to the formation of the Boulder County Interagency and Citizens Council (one of the earlier names of Imagine!), with Ruth Wood as its Executive Director, serving 100 individuals.
Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, efforts continued to address the needs of individuals with disabilities. The early iteration of Imagine! evolved, expanding our services and renaming the organization the Boulder County Board for Developmental Disabilities in 1974. In 1975, the landmark Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed, requiring public schools to provide equal access to education for children with disabilities, later revised as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
As advocacy grew, the organization’s scope widened. By the 1980s, the Boulder County Board for Developmental Disabilities, now serving over 400 individuals, continued to innovate, establishing programs like the Adult Day Services and CORE/Labor Source, and later, the Red Balloon Daycare Center in 1989, integrating children with and without developmental disabilities.
The 1990s brought significant milestones, including the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), prohibiting discrimination based on disability. In 1999, the organization relocated from Boulder to Lafayette, reflecting its growth and evolving mission.
In 2002, following a successful mill levy campaign, the organization was renamed Imagine!, symbolizing its vision for a more inclusive future. Imagine! continued to expand, launching innovative programs and establishing the Imagine! Foundation to secure long-term support.
Since then, Imagine! has continued to evolve. In 2024, due to a mandate from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, Imagine! no longer provides Case Management Services. But the future is bright, and as we look back on our journey from a grassroots movement to a leading advocate for disability rights stands as a testament to the power of community and the enduring impact of love for each other.
What We Do
Imagine! is a non-profit service agency focused on empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a variety of services. We are driven by innovation, compassion, and respect to help you uncover your full potential.
Please Note: As of July 1st, 2024, Imagine! is a Provider Agency offering services to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) around Colorado.
For Case Management Services, Early Intervention, Family Support Services Program, and Autism Spectrum Disorder Program in Boulder, Broomfield, and Gilpin counties, please visit A&I Avenues.
We provide services in the following areas:
- School Age Services
- Adult Community Services
- Residential Services
- Virtual Services
- Mental Health Services
- Behavioral Health Services
- Family Recruited Employee Program
- Social Enterprise
Ready to Uncover a World of Opportunities?
Find your voice and feel confident within Imagine! services, where we make sure you can always trust in your abilities. Get started by clicking on the button below.