KADEP Garden is Growing

The KADEP Garden is growing, by planters and dirt!  Reed McRoberts has constructed these FABULOUS planters, and we are so excited to begin planting in them.  We had some great starts thanks to a cooperative program through the Denver Botanic Gardens.  Angie, the Horticulture Therapist at DBG, and a few volunteers, brought plants and helped us start seedlings and make seed tape to start our garden growing.  In the next few weeks, we will be working to get the rest of the planters filled and planted with seeds and seedlings, some from the Denver Urban Gardens free seed and seedling give away.  Checking for more updates soon – Watch Us GROW!  (Oh, and our potatoes are starting to sprout!)

Ikebana Wrap up

RTD Outing



There is an outing tomorrow, Tuesday April 3rd.    The Guy’s Only group will be heading to Sports Authority Field for a private tour! Please be here by 9:15 to be eligible to attend the outing. Thanks Guys, have fun!

KADEP visits Shambhala Mountain Center

Ten KADEP participants attended a Spring Retreat at the Shambhala Mountain Center March 28-30th.  Located on 600 acres in a mountain valley of pine forests and meadows, Shambhala Mountain Center provides an ideal environment for meditation, yoga, retreats, and conferences.

We stayed in the Shambhala Lodge and enjoyed many of the relaxing and renewing activities that SMC has to offer.  As we were unloading our bags on Wednesday, we even spotted 8 deer right outside our bedroom windows.

Meditation expert, Robert, taught us the basics and led us through a meditation exercise.  We had a delicious healthy dinner, and watched a movie about the Dalai Lama.

Thursday, we awoke to a hearty breakfast and a visit to the Great Stupa, which is a unique architectural marvel and a quiet site for contemplation.  Joshua was a great guide and taught us about the beautiful Great Stupa. 

We gathered for lunch and met some more of the SMC guests.  We visited the gift shop and enjoyed the outdoors near our lodge.  Next we gathered for Dharma Art, taught by Greg.  Each of our drawings of Buddha turned out different and unique. It was a therapeutic experience.  We enjoyed Dinner and Ikebana (zen flower arranging).  This was a truly unique experience where we learned and reflected through ourselves and our arrangements.

Friday we awoke after a full filled day of activities and self exploration.  We had breakfast and met with Albert and Robert for our closing circle and a brief guided meditation session.  We said goodbye to SMC and headed back to KADEP with hopes of returning soon.

Thank you to KADEP staff members, Shin and Laura, interns Jessica, Amanda, Kasey and Becky, and family members, Sylvia and Cheri.  Thank you to all the Shambhala Mountain Center staff, Albert, Joshua, Robert, Greg, and our gorgeous Ikebana leader.  We had an amazing trip that will always stay with us!


We have TONS of great photos.  To view all the pictures from the Retreat click on the below:

http://pix.kg/p/746612834214%3A891783365/scl

Fiddlin and dancin

KADEP Drum Circle

Thank you, Deb

Thank you Deb C. for coming to play on St Patrick's Day. We thoroughly enjoyed your entertainment and knowledge!

"Goodbye KADEP," says the Social Worker

I have worked at KADEP for over four years. A lot has happened in that time. I have gotten married to my lovely wife, became a fully licensed social worker and learned I am having a baby girl. Throughout it all, you have been there with me and I thank you for that. I can truthfully say that working at KADEP has been the most rewarding and enjoyable job I have ever had. I think that is proven by the fact that this is also the longest job I have ever had. If I had to pick one activity at KADEP that I enjoyed doing the most, my first instinct would be to identify working the ski trips at Breckenridge as my favorite. However, the truth is that there have been so many things that I have enjoyed doing at KADEP. The fact is, it is that you, the clients that have made my experience at KADEP so awesome. You all have enriched my life in so many ways. Thank you so very much!

So where am I moving on to? I will be working for DaVita, a really big dialysis company. I will be helping the clients there deal with Medicaid, getting an organ transplant and all sorts of other stuff. I feel fortunate because I feel that I am able to do what I need to do in order to be best prepared for when my daughter gets dropped of via stork on July 20th ; ).

I feel that I am really entering a whole new phase in my life and I am super stoked! However, it has not been easy to say goodbye to you all. KADEP really is a family too.

I cannot say enough about you guys. I will just leave it at letting you all know that you make me feel very special. You all are one of a kind!

Goodbye and take care of yourselves!

Chris Dunbar



Welcome KADEP's new Registered Nurse, Michaela

"Hello! My name is Michaela Welch and I am happy to be joining the KADEP team.  In the last 10 years I have worked in a variety of community health settings. Denver has been my home base for much of my life.  I have lived in Ft. Collins, CO where I earned a Bachelors degree in Sociology and then spent a few years traveling, working for a health care labor organization.  I returned to Denver to be near my family and attended Regis University to pursue a registered nursing degree.  During my studies I had the opportunity to work with a participant at KADEP and learned about this great organization.  In my spare time I enjoy cooking for dinner parties, live music, spending time with family, and seeking out new adventures in and around Denver."

Let's welcome Michaela! 

KADEP Horticulture Program

This season in the garden, we are going to have LOTS happening! We have some fabulous new planters being built by one of our fantastic volunteers that will make our dreams of an accessible vegetable garden a reality- FINALLY!

In the horticulture groups, we have already started planting. Sweet Peas are started on our windowsill, Pansies adorn planters near the front door and we just started two tubs of POTATOES!! – they don’t look like much now, but by late summer, we should have potatoes coming out our ears! We are very excited by the way are garden is growing and anticipate lots of yummy fresh veggies and beautiful flowers.

Keep checking back to see what’s new- Watch us GROW!

KADEP Store

Visit the KADEP Store!

KADEP Prom is almost here!

Thank you Empire Beauty School

Thank you, Empire Beauty School.

Empire gave free haircuts and manicures to KADEP participants

We appreciate your time!