Board of Directors

Ashley Steinbach

Board President

I have lived in Colorado Springs since 2005. I absolutely love everything about it. After being born and raised in a small South Dakota town, and spending my high school years in the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia; Colorado is a great balance. I am most grateful for this state’s open-minded population and acceptance of adaptations.

My daughter, Avalee was born in 2006. At 8 months old she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, and since that day we have received a diagnosis almost every year. From Autism, Epilepsy, unilaterally deafness, CMV, etc.

When Avalee was 10 months old, I found my voice. At the 2007 Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform where I told mine and Avalee’s story and journey with the broken Medicaid system. From that we were invited to do articles with the Independent, more speaking, and with a testimonial at the Capitol.

I saw my voice be put to action for the first time.

Again in 2014 I spoke at the Capitol about Medicaid cuts to CNA hours. After the testimonials that day, within an hour of leaving the Capitol building, we received word that there would be an emergency stop to the current Pediatric Assessment Tool be being used at the time.

I saw the magnitude of my voice that day.

In 2018 I made another trip to the Capitol on behalf of HB 18-1006 to modernize newborn screening, which had not been updated in over 20 years.

I saw the need for my voice that day.

The biggest challenge for me came in 2014, when I had my daughter Brielee. Navigating in the “typical” world has been much more unnatural to me. However, seeing the natural bond and acceptance my younger daughter has for my older, it has been the greatest blessing of my life. Through them I have learned the incredible strength of diversity. How genuine a bond can be. How everything is adaptive, just ask my 5 year old, she will prove it.

Because of my daughters, I find my voice more every day, understanding the impact and responsibility that I have with it. Being a single mom of 2 girls, I am very mindful of the world and legacy that I am leaving for them.

With that, I also know the impact and responsibility I have as a Special Needs parent to the parents after me, I want to help make that a positive place for them as well, just as the parents did before me, for me.

I’ve learned from my daughter Avalee to adapt, I’ve learned to find something that motivates you, something you CAN do, and do it happily because you can! With breaking the boundaries and stereotypes in the process. I’ve seen my testimonials be put to action, I’ve witnessed great things in the disability community over the past decade. However I wanted more for my daughters. I wanted them to play together. To experience inclusive fun. Because of this need not being met, I created it. I became a Special Olympics Coach. Currently on our 3rd season of the Cool CATS, each season there is huge growth. The desire, the grateful families, the bonds being created.

I am seeing the power of my voice, and my actions more and more every day.  It is humbling and motivating to see the growth, not only for my daughters future, but for the community’s.

I am thankful to this community for allowing my family’s voices be heard. And it is a privilege to be a part of those  voices.

Karen Egan

Vice President

Karen has 5 children and two grandchildren. She is a native of Colorado and tenacious advocate for individuals with IDD, not only for her son but for individuals of varying abilities, particularly young adults with IDD who a seeking a place of purpose in this world after completing their formal education. She has a great desire to create educational opportunities for young adults to facilitate personal life skills avenues and to strengthen the road to independence. Understanding the need for The Arc-PPR presence in the lives of families who are just starting the IEP/Special Education process, Karen is also a proponent of getting families involved for a lifetime, starting as early as pre-school

Karen has served the Colorado Springs community in a multitude of ways over the years through her work in the hospitality industry, Palmer High School, District 11 volunteer and Special Olympics Colorado, volunteer. Karen’s involvement with Special Olympics and interaction with persons with IDD and their support people/families allows her to better understand individual needs and offer support through services The Arc-PPR and other non-profit agencies provide.

Association with The Arc-PPR and its mission jives so well with her own philosophies, she feels this is part of the progression in her role as a mentor, advocate and parent of an individual with IDD.

Heather Kluck

Secretary

Heather Kluck is an 8-year Colorado Springs resident, proud wife to Brad Kluck, and mother of their 12 year-old daughter, Avery (her, “little bestie”), who lives with a life-limiting and medically complex rare disease that involves daily seizures, intellectual disability, and autism, to name a few. Heather moved from Wisconsin to Colorado in 2016 leaving behind her computer programming job, continuing education in IT-Management, friends and family, to seek better medical care and medical marijuana treatment for her daughter. 

She currently works for MGA Homecare as Avery’s CNA, is Avery’s homeschool teacher, volunteers as a Special Olympics swimming, snowshoeing, and cycling Coach for the ‘Pikes Peak Wolves’ team, and she and Brad annually collect, donate and deliver medical equipment and supplies to WI families in need.

In addition, Heather is an avid advocate, fighting for the rights of the disability community and her daughter at local and State levels both in WI and CO. Heather is honored to be a 5-year Arc PPR board member and greatly enjoys her advocacy work serving as Board Secretary, Arc PPR Executive and Guardianship Committees, 2023 Don Haney Award recipient, Colorado Patients Taking Action (COPTA) group, Rare Disease activist groups, Special Olympics Colorado Family Engagement Committee, & table leader for the special needs moms support group ‘Labeled and Loved Colorado Springs.’

Jonathan Walker

Jonathan Walker is a retired Attorney and a former County Court Judge in Colorado Springs, where he has resided since 1998. Prior to arriving in Colorado in 1996, he practiced law in Detroit, having graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 1977. He received a B.A. degree from the University of Michigan in 1970. Between his graduation from college and attending Law School, he served in the U.S. Army Special Forces in Southeast Asia and as an Active Reservist, until his Honorable Discharge in 1976. After Law School, he was a Trial Lawyer, specializing in Product Liability litigation.

In 1995, he resigned from his Firm and came to Colorado to do Public Service. He became an Attorney in the Colorado Office of the Public Defender and was assigned to the Colorado Springs Office. In 2007, He was appointed by Governor Ritter as a County Court Judge in the 4th Judicial District, where he remained until retirement in 2017.

In 2000, he joined the Board of the Arc, Pikes Peak Region. He has been a member of the Arc Board for 20 of the past 24 years. He served as Board President for 13 years.

Brian Hall

In 2005, Brian Hall & friend, Gregg Whelen, decided to start a nonprofit for autism. To help other families find the resources for services & therapies. Name is Stomp Out the Silence of Autism & Disabilities Inc. Rebranded in 2015 to DBA: Help Autism & Help Autism Center.

Since 2005, Help Autism Center, helps special needs families, find the resources for services & therapies. Raising awareness, acceptance, inclusion & advocating. Sponsoring & supporting multiple events & programs, including, Help Autism Service Dogs.

Help Autism Center collaborates with organizations that have similar goals.

Stefany Patriarca

Stefany Patriarcha is a mother of three. The Patriarca’s moved to Colorado Springs in 2017 for better healthcare for their child with special needs. Stefany is the Co-Owner of Slice420 Pizzeria, providing a space for inclusion and accessibility for all those in our community. As Co-Owner of Slice420, Stefany is dedicated to making Slice420 a model business for inclusion.

Stefany is an active member of the disability community through her volunteer work with Challenger Baseball and the Cool C.A.T.S. Club as well as Slice420’s financial contribution to local disability organizations as well as hosting School District 49’s Transition program for culinary opportunities. It is Stefany’s goal to be an active and dedicated voice for the IDD community.

Arthur Wirth

Self Advocate

Arthur Wirth is one of the two self advocate members on the Board of Directors for The Arc Pikes Peak Region. He also serves on the CFC Council. He is is a member of the local chapter of Self Advocates, Include U.S.A. (Unique Self Advocates) and is the vice president of the statewide self advocacy organization, Speaking For Ourselves.

Andy Kwiatkowski

Self Advocate

Andy Kwiatkowski has lived in Colorado Springs for over 24 years and graduated from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) with a bachelor’s degree in Communications –Digital Film/Media Arts in 2023. He currently works as a Shipping/Receiving/Production Clerk at Apogee Components, a model rocket hobby store. He has served on the Arc PPR board of directors since 2021. In 2016, he wrote, filmed, and directed a multi award-winning self- documentary entitled “Lonely Highway”, highlighting his struggles and successes with autism.

Eight years later, Andy receives requests to present his film and address questions to educate academic, medical, and autistic advocacy communities throughout Colorado. Diagnosed with PDD-NOS on the autism spectrum at young age, Andy desires to inspire others and educate the community about autism. He enjoys movies, hiking, running, concerts, making films, and visiting the National Parks.

Andrew Salazar

Bio Coming Soon!

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