WHAT PEOPLE SAY
NAME, TITLE
“I learned a lot about how departments can help us”.
Keith, 21
Community Connections
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"Thank you so much for organizing this great experience for everyone! Jayden especially loved learning about and meeting the K9 dog! We both enjoyed the ASL a lot too! What a fantastic program you've put together! Thank you for all your hard work!"
Sarah, mom of Community Connections student
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"I liked that they want to help with other people that are hurt or injured. I enjoyed that they get to show us the inside of the police car and the emergency car. I learned about to stay safe and look ways if there is a car coming. The community does keeps us safe why because we need to stay in touch and to make sure that nobody gets hurt and does not get in trouble with the police." Thank you, Myah R
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"My favorite part of the presentation was how nice the first responders were and they made it seem like we can trust them, and not be scared of them. I learned what it would look like if someone was in need of help from the first responders." Amy
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NAME, TITLE
"Hi. My daughter, Cassie, with special needs, has gone thru the “Stranger, Danger” program that Ellie put together. This is one of the best things for Cassie as it gave her awareness of what to look for when needing help – who is safe and who is not. It also helped having all the different professional people come to meet with the kids - fire dept, policeman, paramedics and police dog. She is now not afraid when seeing people – she can identify name tags, badges etc. I would highly recommend this class especially for people with special needs.”
Penny, mom of Community Connections student
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"I think that it is good to see the 3 first responders. It is because I wanted to see them face to face and learn about their jobs and what they do. I enjoyed looking at the inside of the ambulance and look at the stuff that they use for their job. And it takes a lot of skills to become the 3 first responders. For the community, they keep us safe from many things. Even though we are going through tough times, the 3 first responders are doing their best to keep us safe." Xavier C. – Student
NAME, TITLE
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"I want to endorse the Recognizing a responder program that Fort Collins First Responders and Ellie Gassman have brought live to our Transition program. We also watched the videos they have prepared. The intent of the presentation was to help young adults with disabilities learn about first responders. Understanding the important role each of these agencies play in our community is vital for our students. Learning that there are “safe strangers” who are there to help us is an important life skill. Our students benefit from meeting the first responders in person. Being able to interact, ask questions, see the inside of the vehicles helps in their overall understanding. Our students suffer from anxiety with unfamiliar people, places, and situations. To interact with the officers in such a friendly, calm manner was such a great experience. Thank you for all you do for our community."
Gayna Jobe Transition Teacher Cooper Home.
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"My son Camden attends Cooper Home Transition Program in Fort Collins. I attended a visit at Cooper Home that included Officer Hunter and Eleiko (a K-9 with the Fort Collins Police Department), organized by Ellie. Most of the young adults in the Cooper home program are vulnerable when it comes to staying safe and understanding stranger danger in the community. The visit with Officer Hunter and Eleiko was very impactful visually teaching about safe people and animals in the community and the roles each play. Officer Hunter and Eleiko were very friendly and open to questions and photos which was fun and helpful." Kendra N.