Weld County, CO, March 3, 2021 – Connections for Independent Living welcomes Joshua Fulenwider as the non-profit organization’s Director of Independent Living Services. The University of Northern Colorado graduate served as a member of the Greeley-based organization’s board of directors for two years prior to applying for the position.
“Connections for Independent Living is important to me because I have seen the barriers my cousin faced growing up and living with cerebral palsy,” said Fulenwider. “The mission of Connections became so important to me that I jumped on the opportunity to become more involved. We’ve achieved so much, but there is still so much more that needs to be done.”
Connections Executive Director Rochelle Mitchell-Miller led the search for a director to manage and lead the organization’s largest department. “Josh had been an incredibly valuable board member during his tenure. His background in finance and business are huge assets to our agency,” Mitchell-Miller said. “Although we will miss his contributions at the board level, I know our independent living team will appreciate his leadership, and his strong interest to provide assistance to our consumers, and I am grateful to have him as a leader full-time.”
Tasked with the operational management of all Independent Living programs for Connections, Fulenwider supervises a team of seven specialists who work directly with the public. Fulenwider spent seven years with two Greeley-area banks serving customers. He also is well-connected with Weld County Chambers of Commerce, recreation groups and non-profit organizations.
The author of the October 2020 book, “What We Should Teach Our Children About Money,” Fulenwider is well-educated about finances and business operations. He has directed a business startup in Fort Collins, and has exceptional accounting knowledge.
Fulenwider considers providing assisting persons who live with disabling conditions as a process to improve the lives of his neighbors in northeastern Colorado. “Many of the things that the rest of the world takes for granted requires extra steps and/or navigating complicated governmental bureaucracy for those who live with disabilities,” said Fulenwider. “I have become heavily invested in the peer-to-peer support system that Connections works with daily.”
Connections for Independent Living is a non-residential, participant-controlled nonprofit Independent Living Center that promotes independent living and the empowerment of all persons with disabilities. The organization is one of nine certified Independent Living Centers throughout Colorado and since 1986 has specifically served individuals in seven northeastern counties.
