Keys to Community July 2026 | Monthly Notes

Writer: Angela Hollingsworth

July was a month of strengthening relationships, refining our vision, and preparing for the next phase of CommuniKeys.

While our students continued enjoying community adventures throughout Northern Colorado, much of this month's work focused on building the partnerships, organizational systems, and long-term planning that will allow CommuniKeys to continue growing in meaningful and sustainable ways.

As always, our work remains grounded in communication access, purposeful participation, adult dignity, and creating opportunities for people to experience genuine belonging in their communities.

Student Experiences & Community Engagement

Summer programming continued with a wide variety of community experiences, including kayaking, pontoon boating, hiking, bowling, gardening, and other outings designed to encourage participation, confidence, and connection.

Throughout the month, we continued listening to students and families, using their feedback to shape future programming and explore additional opportunities across Northern Colorado.

Behind every activity is a larger goal. Whether we're out on the water, exploring a trail, caring for animals, or gathering around a meal, we're helping participants build familiarity, confidence, communication, and independence through repeated community experiences.

We also continued developing several new learning pathways, including outdoor mobility, adaptive cooking, agricultural learning, and future equine opportunities that will continue expanding over the coming months.

Organizational Growth & Strategic Development

July included significant behind-the-scenes work focused on strengthening CommuniKeys for the future.

Development of the CommuniKeys Framework 2026 is nearing completion, bringing together the organizational philosophy, Life Scaffold Model, Participation Pathway, and guiding principles that shape everything from programming to partnerships.

We also continued improving the systems that support our daily operations, including participant registration, RSVP management, communication, and program planning.

Our website continues to evolve with updated program information, improved event registration, and resources that better support families, volunteers, and community partners.

This month we also completed our Candid nonprofit transparency profile, an important milestone that strengthens CommuniKeys' visibility and credibility with foundations and grantmakers as we pursue future funding opportunities.

At the same time, we have continued exploring sustainable ways to communicate the value of our programming. While we are not yet implementing a formal membership or billing structure, we have begun developing an internal point-based system that helps us better understand the staffing, preparation, safety, and community resources involved in each experience. This work will strengthen future grant reporting and help demonstrate the true impact of our programs.

Partnerships & Community Collaboration

One of CommuniKeys' greatest strengths continues to be the incredible community willing to collaborate alongside us.

This month we continued strengthening relationships with:

• Colorado State University's Temple Grandin Equine Center

• CSU Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center

• Colorado Youth Outdoors

• Loveland Youth Gardeners

• Local businesses and community volunteers

  
  

Each partnership expands opportunities for our participants while helping build a stronger network of inclusive organizations throughout Northern Colorado.

We also continued sharing the CommuniKeys Collaborator Guide with community partners to encourage communication access, presumption of competence, and respectful, individualized support for every participant.

Looking Ahead

August will be an exciting month for CommuniKeys.

Our team is preparing for Sunday Sound Garden: Keys for CommuniKeys on August 9, our largest fundraising event of the year. Every ticket purchased, every social media share, every volunteer, and every conversation helps introduce more people to our mission and strengthens future programming.

We're also looking ahead to fall as we continue developing community mobility programming, adaptive cooking opportunities, equine partnerships, and expanded outdoor learning experiences.

Behind every new partnership, every grant application, every website update, and every community outing is the same vision: creating a community where autistic adults and adults with disabilities have meaningful opportunities to communicate, participate, contribute, and belong.

Thank you to every family member, volunteer, donor, partner, and supporter who continues building that community with us.

Angela Hollingsworth

Executive Director, CommuniKeys