FIRE Denver
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FIRE Foundation News
Engulfed in Peace: Experiencing the Ignited FIRE
Liam began attending St. Mary Catholic Virtue School’s preschool in the 2023-2024 school year. However, it wasn’t until recently that Liam experienced one of the great joys of inclusion – learning and growing side-by-side with his sister, Hattie.
FIRE Denver joins the Sonrise Morning Show
Listen as FIRE Denver’s Executive Director discusses inclusive Catholic education on the beloved Catholic morning radio show.
Entrusting Disabled Children to Jesus, Via Catholic Schools
2024 BonFIRE’s keynote speaker, Francis X. Maier, shares his keynote for republication with National Catholic Register.
Surging FIRE: Growing inclusion in Catholic high schools
As FIRE surges to new heights, we reflect on the momentous impact of expanding inclusive Catholic education to our first high school partner.
12 Wicker Baskets Podcast Episode 30: Making Catholic Education Inclusive and Accessible
Abriana Chilelli, Assistant Director of Catholic Education for Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon and Kyle Van Frank, Executive Director of Fire Foundation of Denver discuss all things inclusive Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Denver with Christopher Beaudet, host of the Steier Group’s 12 Wicker Baskets podcast.
Catholic Inclusive Special Education: A Million Reasons
As FIRE Denver surpasses over $1 million granted to archdiocesan schools in just 3 years, we look forward to the future and the growing need for support.
A Labor of Love: Local teacher works to welcome all students, especially those with disabilities
The work of Mrs. Eileen Haniszewski, Director of Resource & Special Education at FIRE Foundation of Denver Partner School St. Mary Catholic Virtue School, is highlighted in this Denver Catholic article.
FIRE Foundation of Denver to host Resource Fair for Parents of Children with Disabilities
In addition to our School Grants Program, FIRE Denver partners with parents, educators, and community organizations to champion the inclusion of children with disabilities. Check out this article on Friends of FIRE’s inaugural Resource Fair.
Students with Down syndrome belong in our Catholic Schools
FIRE Foundation of Denver Board Member, J.D. Flynn, is a prolific Catholic writer. Check out this article in America magazine on World Down Syndrome Day 2024.
Parents find ‘conspirators for the good’ at Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette
Check out this article on the good work being done to include children with significant learning differences at Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette, led by Fr. Joe McLagan and Principal Avery Coats. At Wellspring, students with disabilities are welcomed, supported, and valued. Way to go, Wellspring!
At BonFIRE, everybody belongs — including you
Board member JD Flynn shares the power of inclusive Catholic education and the impact our annual BonFIRE Gala has on this important work.
Denver’s Catholic schools embrace ‘God’s work’ of including kids with special needs
Read more from the Denver Catholic about growing supports for children with special needs in local Catholic schools.
What does it mean to be Pro-Life?
Written by FIRE Denver Board member, Dr. Susan Selner-Wright
Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Boulder Works for Inclusion
We want to highlight the good work being done to include children with significant learning differences at Sacred Heart of Jesus School led by Fr. Mark Kovacik, Principal Marie Dunn, and Learning Resources Coordinator, Andrea Berry. Thanks to their leadership and advocacy over the past five years, Sacred Heart of Jesus has actively worked to accept any child who wishes to attend their school, no matter their needs. They have utilized their resources to develop their special education program and have also developed creative ways to work with their local public school district to improve access to title funding and support. As a result, they have added a Special Education teacher to their faculty and now offer services including speech and occupational therapy. Their goal is to provide a Catholic education to any child who comes to them. Great job, Sacred Heart of Jesus!
Writing on the Life and Ministry of the Catholic Church
FIRE Foundation of Denver Board Member, JD Flynn, has written extensively on the life and ministry of the Catholic Church, including theologically based responsibilities to those with disabilities. Read one of his recent articles here.
Disability Debunks the Late Modern Myth of Radical Autonomy
FIRE Foundation of Denver Board Member, Susan Selner-Wright, is a professor and prolific Catholic writer. In the article below she describes that, per God’s design, we are interdependent with all those He has created, including those with disabilities. Read her thoughts in the article here.
FIRE Foundation Empowers Special Needs Inclusivity in Catholic Schools
Check out this article in the Denver Catholic!
Support for FIRE in the Archdiocese of Denver
We have the full support of the Office of Catholic Schools including Superintendent Elias Moo. Abriana Chilelli, the Associate Superintendent of Academic Renewal, is a board member of the FIRE Foundation of Denver, adding strategic insight and collaboration. Listen to the support for FIRE and the education of our students with special needs by Superintendent Moo during the Archdiocese of Denver Status Update 2022. Please begin watching at 44:30
Office of Catholic Schools expands team to better serve students with special needs with a grant from FIRE.
In his message for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2015, Pope Francis said that the Catholic Church needs the participation of everyone, including those with disabilities: “As we celebrate your International Day, I would like to speak directly to all of you who live with any condition of disability, to tell you that the Church loves you and needs each of you for the fulfillment of her mission at the service of the Gospel.” Continue reading…
March for Life 2023 from Washington, D.C.
FIRE Denver Ambassador Casey Gunning and twin sister Sr. Mary Casey speak at the March for Life on January 20, 2023 in Washington, D.C.! Watch at 3:28:45 to see Casey and her sister.
On December 3, 2021, we received this statement of support from Archbishop Samuel Aquila:
The mission of our Catholic schools is to bring students into a relationship with Jesus Christ—to form young men and women who are intentional disciples, who grow in wisdom and virtue, in friendship with Jesus Christ. We’re called to form all students for life in Jesus Christ, including those who have intellectual disabilities or learning difficulties. I am proud that the FIRE Foundation is working to make that call a possibility—working to help our schools become more welcoming, and responsive to the Lord’s call. I support their mission, and am grateful for their work on behalf of comprehensive Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Denver.
–Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila
Contact FIRE Foundation of Denver
Contact FIRE Foundation of Denver via the brief form below:
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(720) 464-7411
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Mailing Address
40 W. Littleton Blvd, Suite 210-283 Littleton, CO 80120
