Discovering the "third option" for families caring for loved ones with disabilities or dementia—this conversation with Jenny Langness reveals how ElderHaus Adult Day Program fills a critical gap in care services. Breaking the false dichotomy between exhausting round-the-clock home care and full residential facilities, ElderHaus offers weekday programming that benefits both caregivers and participants in profound ways.

Jenny shares a surprising insight that transforms how we should view adult day programs: the structured activities at ElderHaus actually slow disease progression for conditions like dementia through consistent physical activity and mental stimulation. This makes their services not just about providing respite (though that's invaluable) but actively improving health outcomes and quality of life for participants.

Perhaps most compelling is Jenny's personal connection to the work. After experiencing a severe kidney condition that left her unable to work for three years, she gained firsthand understanding of living with an "invisible disability." This experience cultivated deep empathy and taught her to better observe, understand, and communicate with those who process the world differently—skills she brings to her leadership at ElderHaus every day.

Despite serving the community for 45 years, misconceptions about ElderHaus persist. As Jenny clarifies with a laugh, "We're not just for elders, and we're not a house that anybody lives in." The program welcomes adults 18+ with various disabilities, creating a vibrant community where people find belonging, purpose, and joy. If you know someone caring for an adult with disabilities or cognitive challenges, sharing this resource could be the most meaningful thing you do today. Visit https://elderhaus.org/ to learn more or schedule a tour to see their work in action.

Discover a world where age is just a number and physical limitations dissolve into thin air at Fort Collins Circus Center. Jes Schultz, co-founder and lifelong movement enthusiast, reveals how her unique studio brings the magic and athleticism of circus arts to everyday life in our community.

What exactly is a circus center? Think of it as a gymnastics or dance studio, but with aerial silks hanging from the ceiling and instructors who can teach you to juggle or walk on stilts. From recreational classes to professional training, birthday parties to team-building events, Jes has created a space where everyone – regardless of age or ability – can experience the transformative joy of circus arts. The center offers disciplines you'd recognize from Cirque du Soleil, including aerial dance, partner acrobatics, juggling, stilt walking, and even fire dancing.

One powerful misconception Jes debunks is that you need to be young, fit, or already skilled to participate. "Need help with your hamstrings and leg strength? Do acro yoga. Need upper body strength? Do aerial arts," she explains. The center welcomes students from age 2.5 to 62 and beyond, with programs tailored to diverse physical needs and interests. Even their youth programming aligns with physical education standards, making it a valuable resource for homeschooling families.

Jes's personal journey reflects a lifelong passion for movement that evolved from dance and cheerleading to formal training and eventually circus arts. When she connected with co-founder Lindy at a local circus meetup, their shared vision brought Fort Collins Circus Center to life in 2018. Beyond physical skills, Jes shares how circus arts offer a holistic approach to staying human – blending creativity, challenge, and community in ways few other activities can. Ready to defy gravity and expectations? Visit https://fortcollinscircus.com/ or drop by during their after-school hours to witness the magic firsthand.

Every community needs spaces where local voices can be heard, where stories can be told authentically, and where creativity isn't limited by access to equipment. Fort Collins Public Media quietly fills this vital role from the basement of the Center for Creativity Building on Matthew Street.

Katrina Pfannkuch (fan-cook), board member and creative consultant, reveals how this volunteer-run nonprofit has been serving the Fort Collins community since 2004 with surprisingly little recognition. The organization provides an impressive array of resources: a full production studio, editing bays, podcast facilities, and classes—all designed to put professional media creation within reach for everyone. Most impressively, content created there gets broadcast on actual television channels (Comcast 97 and Connection 22) and streams on their website, giving local creators both tools and distribution.

What makes Fort Collins Public Media truly special is how it democratizes media production through affordable membership options. Students get discounts. Different tiers accommodate various needs and budgets. The highest membership level grants unlimited access to equipment that would normally be financially out of reach—cameras, lighting, audio gear, and technical guidance from volunteers who know how to use it all. In a media landscape increasingly controlled by large corporations with specific agendas, this nonprofit creates space for unbiased, locally-focused content creation.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, podcast creator, or someone with a story to tell, Fort Collins Public Media offers the technical resources and supportive community to make it happen. Check out their website at fcpublicmedia.org, follow them on social media, or better yet—become a member or volunteer to support this unique community resource that's elevating local voices when we need them most.

What happens when a family's simple "yes" to foster care launches an unexpected lifelong journey? Kristin Orphan joins us to share the remarkable story behind Finally Home, an organization born from her family's personal experiences as foster, adoptive, and kinship parents.

Kristin takes us back to 2008, when she and her husband, already parents to two biological sons, found themselves becoming guardians to her husband's developmentally disabled brother. This first experience with kinship care opened their hearts to foster parenting, eventually leading to the adoption of two sisters who came into their lives—one as a 12-month-old expected to stay "just for the weekend" who is now 22 years old. Through these experiences, Kristin discovered a critical gap in support for families like hers, inspiring the creation of Finally Home.

The conversation candidly addresses the misconceptions surrounding foster care—the stereotypes about foster parents' motivations and children's behaviors—while offering a refreshing perspective on what it really means to provide stable homes for vulnerable youth. "None of us feel like heroes," Kristin reflects. "We're people who've said yes." Her honest assessment of the challenges faced by foster families reveals why support organizations like Finally Home are so vital, equipping families to stay committed even when the journey becomes difficult.

Beyond their work with families, Finally Home has expanded into mentoring programs for incarcerated youth, recognizing the statistical reality that many children from foster care later interact with the judicial system. This holistic approach aims to break cycles of instability, giving children the precious gift of knowing they don't have to move anymore—they're finally home.

Ready to support this life-changing work? Visit finallyhome.net to learn how you can help more families create healing environments where children can thrive after trauma. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply sharing their story, you could help a child find stability they've never known before.

Cheryl Campbell knows firsthand what it's like to struggle. As a single mother navigating college while receiving Medicaid and food stamps, she developed a deep understanding of the challenges many families face. Now, as Executive Director of Children's Speech and Reading Center, she's channeling that empathy into action, ensuring that any child in Northern Colorado who needs speech or reading therapy receives it—regardless of their family's financial situation.

Since 1993, Children's Speech and Reading Center has filled a critical void left when Colorado State University closed its speech therapy program. What began as a response to community need has evolved into a vital resource providing sliding-scale speech-language and reading therapy. As Cheryl eloquently explains, their mission transcends traditional healthcare models: some families receive full scholarships, others pay as little as $5 monthly, ensuring financial barriers never prevent a child from accessing essential developmental support.

Perhaps most valuable is Cheryl's expert perspective on early intervention. She debunks the common misconception that "boys talk later than girls," stressing that speech delays shouldn't be dismissed or expected to resolve without professional help. The center focuses on building strong foundations for educational success, partnering with families rather than adding to their burdens. Despite serving the community for three decades, CSRC remains one of those invaluable resources "you don't know about until you need them." If your family or someone you know could benefit from their services, visit csrckids.org to learn more about their team and approach—they currently have openings and are eager to support more children on their communication journey.

E6: What makes Kathleen Baumgardner with ChildSafe Colorado a good neighbor?

When childhood trauma goes unaddressed, the consequences can last a lifetime. That's why the work of ChildSafe Colorado, now celebrating 39 years of service in Fort Collins with a new Loveland location, remains so vital to our community. Founder Kathleen Baumgardner joins us to reveal the often invisible struggle of child abuse victims and the remarkable healing journey that proper therapy can provide.

The numbers tell a powerful story: the average client at ChildSafe is just seven years old, with notable clusters at ages four and eleven. Yet perhaps most surprising is that many survivors don't seek help until much later in life, with a significant spike in first-time clients between ages 48-52. Their oldest client is 84 years old – powerful evidence that it's never too late to begin healing from childhood trauma.

Kathleen dispels common misconceptions about reporting suspected abuse and emphasizes that multiple reports can make the difference between a family receiving help or suffering in silence. With less than 2% of their funding coming from clients, ChildSafe relies on community support to maintain their team of 15 full-time therapists who provide specialized, trauma-informed care. Beyond her professional dedication, Kathleen shares her personal passion for wildlife photography – a reminder that those doing the most challenging work often find unique ways to restore their own spirits. If you or someone you know needs support dealing with childhood trauma, reach out to ChildSafe Colorado at 970-472-4133 or visit their website – because as Kathleen reminds us, "Help is here."

To learn more about ChildSafe Colorado go to:
https://www.childsafecolorado.org/

ChildSafe Colorado
970-472-4133

What makes Tallon Nightwalker with Northern Colorado Wildlife Center a good neighbor?

Ever wondered what happens to that injured hawk by the roadside or the orphaned fox kit in your neighborhood? Meet Talon Nightwalker, who along with his father founded Northern Colorado Wildlife Center to fill a critical gap in wildlife care services. Their journey from wildlife lovers to conservation entrepreneurs reveals the hidden challenges our wild neighbors face in an increasingly human-dominated landscape.

Talon dispels the myth that wildlife rehabilitation interferes with nature's course. With data showing 96% of their 2,500 annual patients suffering from human-related injuries—from vehicle collisions to cat attacks—the Center's work isn't disrupting natural processes but addressing our species' unintended consequences. Beyond treating injuries, they're cultivating environmental stewardship through education programs and habitat restoration projects, ensuring rehabilitated animals have healthy ecosystems to return to.

What truly distinguishes this organization is its community-centered approach to conservation. With 70 dedicated volunteers and supporters ranging from supply donors to children hosting wildlife-themed fundraisers, Talon demonstrates that meaningful conservation requires collective effort. His candid reflection on the challenge of learning to ask for help reveals a universal truth about sustainable impact—we accomplish more together than alone. Whether you're a potential volunteer, donor, or simply someone curious about the wild creatures sharing our communities, Northern Colorado Wildlife Center welcomes your interest. Visit their Drake and Timberline location in Fort Collins or explore nocawildlife.org to discover how you can become part of this vital mission to help our wild neighbors thrive.

To learn more about Northern Colorado Wildlife Center go to:
https://www.nocowildlife.org/

Northern Colorado Wildlife Center
970-283-7822

Sarah Swanty never imagined that $600 from her personal checking account would transform into an organization helping 18,000 animals annually. As Executive Director of Animal Friends Alliance, she shares the remarkable 19-year journey from passionate volunteer to leader of one of Northern Colorado's most impactful animal welfare organizations.

The conversation reveals how Animal Friends Alliance evolved through the 2020 merger of Animal House Rescue and Fort Collins Cat Rescue, creating a comprehensive support system for both animals and the people who love them. Beyond the 3,600 adoptions they facilitate yearly, the organization operates a low-cost spay/neuter clinic that has performed 108,000 procedures, weekly vaccine clinics, a pet food pantry for families facing financial challenges, and behavioral services that keep pets with their loving families rather than entering the shelter system.

Swanty challenges common misconceptions about animal welfare work, noting it's far more than playing with puppies and kittens. She speaks candidly about the emotional toll this work takes, leading to high turnover rates and burnout among those in the field. Most powerfully, she reframes animal welfare as fundamentally a human service: "Animals don't bring themselves into shelters. Every animal who comes into our organization or leaves has a human with them." This perspective highlights how the Alliance strengthens the human-animal bond while supporting families during difficult times.

The conversation also touches on personal challenges, including the complex process of merging two established organizations and raising nearly $3 million for a 7,000 square-foot shelter expansion. For Swanty, these challenges confirm her life's calling despite moments of doubt. "We are here to help you," she emphasizes, inviting listeners to connect with Animal Friends Alliance through their website at savinganimalstoday.org or by visiting their shelter at 2200 North Taft Hill Road. Whether you're seeking a new family member, need assistance with your current pet, or want to support their mission, Animal Friends Alliance stands ready to serve both the animals and people of our community.