Imagine! Success Story

Imagine! consumer Scott Hill has been working at the Boulder Montessori School since April, 2009. Previously Scott worked at Pizza Hut for five years and Domino’s for five years. His job duties at Boulder Montessori School are to wash the dishes, run them through the sanitizing machine, and put them away. Scott also does other tasks such as emptying trash and cleaning off tables.

Scott is a very enthusiastic and hard worker, and is proud to work all five days of the work week. He almost always has a smile on his face at work, and you can tell that he enjoys what he’s doing.

The staff at Boulder Montessori consider Scott part of their “family”, and they appreciate his work ethic and friendly attitude. Karen Olson, the Director for Boulder Montessori School said, “Scott is such an integral part of our staff. He is very energetic and if he’s done with the dishes he will look for something else to do. Also, the students respond well to his friendliness.”

Karen stated that she is very pleased with the work that Employment Link’s Tim Eaton has done. She specifically mentioned Tim’s attentiveness, his ability to know Scott’s strengths and how to best support him at his job, and his communication skills.

This successful job placement is the result of Scott’s dedication to his job, the efforts of Tim Eaton and Pam Christensen in finding a good work environment for Scott, and the Boulder Montessori School for being willing to give Scott a chance to succeed.

Thanks to Pam Christensen and Tim Eaton for their help with this story.

Imagine! Consumer Donates Hair To "Locks Of Love"



William will miss his long hair that kept his neck warm, but finds it gratifying to know that someone who is going through hard times is going to receive the hair.

Imagine! consumer William grew out his hair for about 18 months for the purpose of having it cut and donating it to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under the age of 21 who experience long-term medical hair loss.

William learned about Locks of Love when a friend of his had cancer. When asked if he misses his hair, William replied, “Yes and no. Yes, because it kept my neck warm, and no because it bugged me at night when I was sleeping. Also, when the wind blew it would get in my face.” William added, “It was a gratifying experience, knowing that someone who is going through hard times is going to receive the hair. I'm going to wait until next summer, and then I plan on growing it out again.”

Imagine! Success Story

“Bill Pringle has touched my heart with his positive attitude and his overall zest for life,” Marie Handlin, Imagine! Host Home Program Coordinator, told us. “He always has a smile on his face and is eager to help others in need.”

Bill has lived in a host home with Sandy Allen since 2007, and has had quite a transformation since his move into that home. When Bill moved into the home, he was on oxygen, he was overweight and diabetic, and was on a long list of medications. In the past four years he has lost 181 pounds, and only takes a multivitamin, aspirin, and an eye drop as part of his medication regimen. His blood sugars have stabilized within normal limits for more than two years and he has not shown any signs of any diabetic symptoms.

Exercising and eating well-balanced, healthy meals are an important part of life for Bill and his housemates. Bill is proud of his weight loss and consistently chooses healthy meals and/or snacks over the junk food he so often used to pick. He leads a very active and social lifestyle. Bill participates in volleyball, bike rides, spinning class, dance class, bowling, and weight lifting. He walks at least 2.5 miles daily, including walking to the bus stop to get to work four days a week. For 16 years Bill has worked for Boulder Beer and he is well liked by his coworkers. Bill also completed his third Boulder Bolder in a row last year.

Last summer, the Boulder Daily Camera wrote an article about Boulder being the fittest city in the country. Bill and his two housemates were featured in the article displaying how persons with special needs are truly part of our healthy community, and how the local hiking trails and community activities offered here in Boulder County really do benefit everyone who chooses to use them. Bill is a great advocate and positive role model for educating our community on how persons with special needs should be valued as part of our greater health-conscious community.

Over the past year, Bill has started owning responsibility for his health and seems to have an empowered attitude toward his accomplishments. He is independently researching the local athletic center to see what classes they offer. His attitude and overall mood have improved greatly. He loves helping with yard work and enjoys keeping active at work, at home, and in the community. Bill’s dramatic shift in lifestyle choices has improved his overall health, and through his hard work, commitment, and a supportive home environment, this remarkable man has made himself into a great role model.

Imagine! On TV!

A couple of weeks ago, participants in Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source “On The Air” radio class appeared live on the “Colorado & Company” TV show (KUSA Channel 9 in Denver). If you missed the show, press the "play" arrow below to take a look: