Greeley Center for Independence, Inc. will provide places of encouragement, growth and transition, where people with temporary and permanent disabilities can reach their maximum potential of personal independence.

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In 1977 Hope Cassidy founded Greeley Center for Independence, Inc. (GCI). GCI, a non-profit agency, began as an all-volunteer, grass roots nursing home advocacy program. During the past 30 years, GCI has evolved into a multi-faceted agency focused on services for people from more than 40 Colorado communities, as well as other states in the country. These people are living with neuro-muscular disease, Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), and/or Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). GCI serves approximately 1,200 individuals with temporary or permanent disabilities annually and now offers a full continuum of services including:

Camelot Apartments (opened in 1986) Located across the street from University of Northern Colorado, 18 accessible apartments with round the clock Home Health nursing staff available. Residents range from people with spinal cord injury, advanced ALS, Muscular Dystrophy and ventilator dependent post-polio patients.

Hope Apartments (opened in 1993): Thirty-two apartments are 90% occupied by ABI survivors or people with SCI and 10% occupied by non-injured, low-income tenants. GCI Home Health staff is available on site 20 hours/day.

Hope Therapy Center (opened in 1997): provides a complete range of physical and occupational therapy treating orthopedic and neurological disorders. In addition to two therapy gyms, the center offers warm water therapy and a variety of classes in a 65,000-gallon warm water pool. GCI offers a specialized range of outpatient psychological services and support groups to our residents and community. Areas of focus include issues relating to chronic pain, amputation, Parkinson’s disease, and brain injury.

Stephens Farm Campus (completed in 2006): The first fully certified Brain Injury Supported Living Campus on the Front Range of Colorado, provides residential services for 18 ABI survivors and a specialized adult day program for its residents along with survivors living in Weld County and Northeast Colorado. Medical Director, Jonathon Woodcock M.D, is board certified in Neurology, Psychiatry and Internal Medicine.

HIGHLIGHTS OF A SUCCESSFUL HISTORY

1977	Patient Advocacy Team organizes as private, non-profit.
1978	Begins Hospice, Inc. of Weld County.
1979	Begins Nursing home counseling program (now under North Range Behavioral Peer counseling program).
1980	Begins Seniors Helping Other People (now under RSVP).
1981	Begins Eldergarden (now has a separate board).
1982	Begins Senior Ed. program (now under Aims College).
1983	Helps develop first small group home in Greeley.
1983	Leases 9 duplexes (Camelot I).
1984	Purchases 6 duplexes at Camelot I, 16 apartments and house for rehabilitation center at Camelot II.
1985	Leaves Hospice in North Colorado Medical Center, establishes office at Camelot II, renames agency to Greeley Center for Independence, Inc.
1985	Accessible computer training program begins in remodeled Center.
1986	Remodeling completed at Camelot II, residents move in.
1987	Certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for 3 years (highest possible accreditation) as provider of Independent Living Services.
1988	Downtown Service Center opens to provide on the job training for people with disabilities.
1989	Supportive living program opens for people who are ventilator dependent.
1992	Capital improvement project begins to build integrated apartment complex for survivors of TBI.
1993	GCI approached by Residential Services, Inc. to develop housing for survivors of TBI in Denver area.
1994	Opens Hope Apartments in Greeley for TBI survivors.
1994	Opens Leyden House in Denver, and Brighton House in Brighton for TBI survivors. Northglenn House opens Day Program for TBI survivors.
1994	Sells Downtown Service Center to a private corporation.
1995	Begins capital campaign to build North Colorado Therapy Center.
1995	Staff of 67 serves over 100 clients annually, manages 66 apartments and three shared living homes, and provides day program for approximately 28 survivors of Brain Injury.
1996	Closed Brighton and Northglenn Houses.
1997	Opens North Colorado Therapy Center, including GCI offices and warm water pool.
1998	Begins capital campaign for Camelot II addition.
1999	Remodeled Camelot II apartments and built new addition.
2000	Opens new addition to Camelot II for people who require complex medical support.
2001	Acquires the Stephens homestead for development as a BI campus.
2003	Builds Residence and Day Center at Stephens Farm.
2004	Stephens Farm Campus opens.
2004	Sells Camelot I to North Range Behavioral Services. Renamed Camelot II to Camelot.
2004	Closes Leyden House.
2004	Installs elevator in Hope Apartments, and begins converting available apartments for wheelchair accessibility.
2004	GCI finalist for El Pomar Award for Excellence in Self Sufficiency category.
2005	Hope Apartments conversions completed and clients moved from Camelot I as agreed in sale to North Range Behavioral Services.
2005	GCI awarded El Pomar 2005 Award for Excellence in Self Sufficiency category
2006	Builds Hertzke House, new residence at Stephens Farm Campus
2008	North Colorado Therapy Center renamed Hope Therapy Center