About Us
Founded in 2019, Blue Candle Foundation was started to help address fundamental problems with the current residential systems for individuals with developmental disabilities (DD/IDD), including autism (ASD). Some individuals are able to live with family caregivers; however, many people live in institutionalized settings that do not provide opportunities for greater community involvement, including work, leisure and social participation. Individuals with DD/IDD/ASD are shown to have better mental, emotional and social outcomes when they are able to live in environments with greater accessibility to the community and with more individualized attention and care (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2016).
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Blue Candle Foundation has a vision of providing a small, family "home" type setting in our home base of southern Colorado that can address not only the safety, health and shelter needs for people with DD/IDD/ASD but also these crucially important mental, emotional and social needs. As we are able to gather resources, we would like to incorporate more than one family home to serve more people in this population. Our ultimate goal is to build a full community around this home setting that includes work, shopping and leisure activities.
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Every organization starts with an idea that is capable of changing the world. We hope to help change the norms when it comes to housing our most vulnerable by demonstrating the benefits and possibilities of support, community and housing outside of institutions. Please support us in our mission by donating today!
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Meet the Board of Directors
We are actively seeking motivated individuals in the Pikes Peak region who have experience with non-profit management, federal/state grants and special needs populations to join our Board of Directors. Please submit an email to Aaron Nyquist (nyquist999@gmail.com) for more information.
Aaron Nyquist, President
Aaron is the father of two exceptional adult children with autism. He has education and experience in property investment and hopes to use this background to locate and build our Blue Candle Foundation homes.
Michelle Nyquist, Secretary
Michelle is the mother of the same two exceptional sons on the autism spectrum. She has been working in special education and school settings and understands the challenges that come with supporting people with special needs as well as methods to teach skills needed for greater social involvement, safety and independence.
Megan Simmons, VP and Treasurer
Megan previously worked for a non-profit organization that provided therapeutic riding services for individuals with disabilities. She has experience working in day programs and other mental health settings and has most recently worked under certification as an occupational therapy assistant. She has a greater understanding of the role accessibility and behavioral support needs for people with special needs.