Turning Generosity into Harmony: A Collaboration That Changes Lives

FRIENDS of Broomfield participants take music classes with 1,300 participant interactions per year.

At our recent Appreciation Night, Gina Coufal, Founder & CEO of FRIENDS of Broomfield, Inc., and Travis V. LaBerge, Executive Director and Founder of Parlando School of Musical Arts, shared an inspiring story about how donor contributions to the Foundation foster collaboration and community impact. For the past 11 years, these two nonprofits have been working together to bring the joy of music to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

FRIENDS of Broomfield is a one-of-a-kind service organization devoted to enhancing the community by creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At FRIENDS, participants are empowered to share their stories, develop talents, and live healthy, happy, and meaningful lives.

Parlando School of Musical Arts, an arts education and outreach organization, is committed to equitable access to music and the arts for people of all ages and abilities. Through their signature initiative, “Julie’s Program,” named after one of the founder's sisters, they’ve made a lasting impact. Julie, an adult living with an intellectual disability, captures the essence of this program perfectly: “Music is my favorite thing in the world!”

Thanks to fundraised dollars, Parlando offers weekly music classes to FRIENDS participants at no charge, while FRIENDS provides additional staffing and transportation. There are 1,300 participant interactions annually! These engaging classes—held at Parlando’s music studio, FRIENDS’ facilities, or even local parks and the Broomfield Auditorium—allow participants to explore their love of music in a variety of settings. Music consistently ranks as one of the most popular activities for FRIENDS participants, underscoring its transformative power.

This collaboration not only enriches lives but also exemplifies the ripple effect of donor generosity. Your support enables these organizations to bring hope, joy, and connection to our community. Thank you for making this impact possible!

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