Friday, May 24, 2013
WELCOME
The LEAD (Learning and Educating About Disabilities) Foundation was organized in 2002 by a handful of parents familiar with the frustrations and difficulties of putting students with learning disabilities and/or AD/HD through the public school system.

The Foundation supports and educates the entire Colorado Springs community on issues relating to learning disabilities and AD/HD by hosting free Community Forums to the public, often featuring nationally known speakers and experts on learning disabilities, sponsoring a Parent Support Group to parents in the junior high and elementary schools, funding scholarships to students with learning disabilities and providing a community Resource Center of materials on Learning Disabilities and AD/HD.

In addition, the Foundation supports the unique LEAD program in the Cheyenne Mountain School District in fulfilling their mission to educate others about learning disabilities. Started in 1997, The LEAD program has built a reputation throughout the nation, as an exemplary curriculum for "Learning and Educating about Disabilities".

Replication of programs similar to LEAD in other high schools, which teach students with learning disabilities the importance of self-knowledge and self-advocacy skills, is one of the primary goals of the LEAD Foundation.

Get ready to go "Back to the Old School".
  Mark you calendars for September 28th, when the newly renovated Old Ivywild school will be the site for this year's annual LEAD Our Kids fund-raising event. The event will include: "Pull A Cork" wine raffle, auction, LEAD student presentation, food, wine, and many other surprises. We are seeking donations of wine and auction items, as well as monetary donations and underwriting. LEAD Our Kids is the main source of income used to fund scholarships, community forums and the LEAD Resource Center. If you would like to make a donation or help in the planning, please email: leadfoundationco@gmail.com

Charles Morgan Rieder of Paonia, Colorado, selected as the LEAD Foundation’s 2013 Community Scholarship winner
  CMHS principal Paul Martin, LEAD director Al Pocock, and Carolyn Snowbarger with the U.S. Department of EducationA senior at Paonia High School on the western slope of Colorado, Charles Morgan Rieder, will receive a one time $1000.00 award to pursue his college education at the University of Wyoming this fall. In addition to excellent self knowledge and advocacy skills, Morgan has used his sense of humor and a strong work ethic to overcome the challenges of dyslexia and ADHD. Ryan Greenway from Littleton was selected as first runner up.

Over 40 excellent applications were received from across Colorado, making for a very difficult decision. We wish to thank every applicant and wish you all great success in your college and career plans. Applications for the LEAD Foundation's 2014 Community Scholarship, which is offered to a Colorado resident with a documented learning disabilitiy or ADHD, will be available on this website in January.

Learn more about the LEAD Foundation's Community Scholarship winner
LEAD Foundation Announces 2013 Board of Directors
  The LEAD Foundation has announced its new board of directors for 2013. In addition to new and returning members, the Foundation is excited to welcome the return of many of its original members to the board.

Founding Foundation members, Patty and Don Gravette and Alan Higbie, are among the returning board members. Didi Dietrich and Patty Gravette have been appointed as the new LEAD Foundation Chair and co-chair. Don Gravette returns to the board as treasurer, and Higbie will chair Community Forums. The Gravettes are not only returning as founding members, but were the main impetus in starting the LEAD Foundation in 2002. Additional members who will remain on the Foundation’s Board are Trisha Kampilla, Michelle Reich and Amy Anderson, serving in the areas of parent support and LEAD class alumni. New members include Susan Suslow, Katherine Howes, and Sarah Anderson. Anderson is the first LEAD Alumnae to join the Foundation’s board. Al Pocock will continue as the LEAD class director.

In addition, the LEAD Foundation has appointed Salle Hill Howes as its first Executive Director. Howes became the second LEAD Foundation Board Chairperson in 2004, and will bring her long term background with the LEAD organization to provide continuity to the original goals of the Foundation. “I am very excited to be back with the LEAD Foundation,” said Howes. “Not only was the LEAD program at CMHS critical to our daughter’s success in high school, but the education and support offered by the LEAD Foundation really helped my husband and I understand Hillary’s struggles and how we could help her. I want to see other parents benefit from that same type of support.”


Join Our Mailing List
  Be notified of upcoming LEAD Foundation events and stay in contact with other LEAD members. This is the perfect way for you to stay abreast of presentations, events and anything in between. Email contact information to: leadfoundationco@gmail.com
This is the mission statement of the LEAD program at Cheyenne Mountain High School. Since 1997 the LEAD program has built a reputation, throughout the nation, as an exemplary curriculum for Learning and Educating About Disabilities. Through classroom interaction and training, the students involved in the LEAD Program have enabled themselves through education to advocate for rights available to individuals diagnosed with learning disabilities.

In addition, by virtue of formal presentations to peers, parents, school administrators, and national and international learning disability professional, the LEAD students have also educated hundreds of individuals about the hurdles learning disabilities place on education.

"We as students have adopted a mission to educate ourselves and others with respect to dealing with the social, academic and emotional aspect of learning disabilities." 


 

   LEAD our Kids Fund-Raising Event
Fall marks the beginning of school and preparations for the LEAD Our Kids celebration. For five years the LEAD Foundation’s fund-raiser has included hors d'oeuvres, wines and decorations from a featured country, a presentation by LEAD students, awards presentations and a silent and live auction. Auction items from past events have included a 5 night stay at an elite South African game preserve, select Bronco tickets, weekend getaways, gourmet dinners, golf at a variety of resorts, specialty parties, and cooking classes. It’s an evening filled with fun, good food and great friends. We invite you to be a part of this special evening. more
     
 
LEAD Foundation is an affiliated fund of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
LEAD Foundation, 730 N. Nevada, Colorado Springs, CO 80903