Meet Jeffrey Kingston | Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeffrey Kingston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeffrey, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
I don’t think the average person thinks much about adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities unless they have a direct connection, even though roughly 3% of the population is impacted by an IDD. I am not even sure my own family really knows what I do day to day. The individuals that I have worked with have contributed so much to the Denver community over the last 10 years putting in tens of thousands of volunteer hours to local non profits. Most people probably don’t realize how many services there are for these individuals and how much they are contributing to the community through volunteering, working and even social interactions. The amount of smiles I have seen our clients bring to others is countless These individuals are truly inspiring. They have dreams and goals. They strive to get better every day bringing them closer to actualizing their potential.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started working in the Human Services field when I was 25. I had done everything from working construction, retail, bar tending and everything in between. I got tired of the late nights and responded to an ad in the paper (when that was still a thing) to work in an apartment program for adults with Developmental Disabilities. It was enjoyable and came naturally to me. I noticed that a lot of people changed how they interacted with people with disabilities. For me, I was able to see them as people like anyone else. Working in a residential program was hard though. I was promoted to Program Manager which meant being on call on weekends, evenings, covering shifts, etc. Being a manager also meant I had less time with the individuals and more time behind a desk. I ended up stepping down from management so that I could spend more time with our clients.. I also shifted my focus to vocational training and employment. This really excited me. It allowed me to be more hands on, be in the community, and track progress more easily. There were still challenges along the way but the pay off was worth it. One of the biggest lessons learned was the lack of knowledge amongst the general population about individuals with IDD. It was a challenge to convince people not to give special treatment and to hold individuals accountable with reasonable accommodations. I think what sets us apart is our focus on connection. I have personal relationships with every individual we serve and most likely their parents or provider as well. I strive to maintain those connections so that we have a true community. My proudest moments have all been ways that I have seen the impact I have had on someones life, big or small. On a professional level, becoming a part owner of the company was something I never though possible and was also a very proud moment for me. There were many challenges along the way but i learned to ask for help and lean on those around me during those times.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Denver and the front range have so much to offer that it would be easy to fill a week. Although it has changed a lot over the years, South Broadway is still one of my favorite areas in Denver. Shopping at FM, Decade and some of the other shops with a stop at Sweet Action for ice cream makes for a great afternoon. The Hornet is a South Broadway staple and a great spot for a casual dinner. I would hit up Sputnik for a pre show drink before heading next door to Hi-Dive for some live music. The L is a great spot to end the night on Broadway with a quality cocktail. Denver is a great city for Comedy as well. Comedy Works downtown is iconic and always a good time, but The Denver Comedy Lounge is a hidden gem in Rino. Sake, sushi, and a comedy room in the back make for a unique night out. I could go on and on about food and drink but some of my favorites are Linger, Pig and Sprout, Pho 95, The Post, Tacos El Metate, Acova, Jelly, Death & CO, Forget Me Not, Adrift and many more. Denver is of course a great city for music. Everyone should get the full Red Rocks experience with a full day of tailgating and music but I also think Mission Ballroom is one of the best music venues in the country. As for getting out of Denver, I really like Idaho Springs. It’s such a quirky little town and doesn’t have as many tourists as the ski towns. I would spend one day hiking the Chicago Lakes trail followed by a visit to the Indian Hot springs after the hike. The second day a drive up Mt Evans is a must do. Standing on top of a 14,000 + foot mountain is surreal. Lastly, you can’t forget the art in Denver. There is no shortage of museums and galleries but my favorite is the Clyfford Still museum. The museum has a great story and is the largest collection of his works. I like it so much, I named my son after him!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I moved to Denver 10 years ago with no job and no plan. I had been dating someone long distance and we decided to take the leap to move to Denver together despite never having spent more than a weekend together over the previous year. After about a month of exploring Denver and our savings getting smaller by the day, it was time to get a job. I responded to an ad on Craigslist to be a mentor for adults with developmental disabilities. It was an entry level position that I was over qualified for given that I had held management positions in the field over the previous seven years, but I figured it would work until I found something better. I got a call from the CEO TJ Roper saying she had found my resume in her spam folder. We talked for two hours on the phone and scheduled an in person interview for the next day. I was offered the position and started immediately. I quickly realized that TJ was unlike any person I had ever met and that Ability Specialists was unlike any company I had every worked for. I felt like I was able to be myself at work for the first time. TJ saw my potential and began to mentor me and challenge me in ways I hadn’t been before. I was promoted to Program Manager, Program Director, Executive Director and eventually was offered an opportunity to buy into the company as an Equity Owner. I had a lot of support from my now wife along the way as well so turns out the gamble to move to Denver paid off in more ways than one. TJ and I continue to work together as a team to improve the lives of those around us.

Website: https://www.abilityspecialists.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/abilityspecialists?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-kingston-419325133/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbilitySpecialists

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