Jim Kittel
Jan Nice writes:
It was unlikely in the scheme of things that I would ever have met Jim Kittel. In ‘97 when a small group of us got together to create a place for people who had sustained a brain injury, Jim was there. Jim became the face of the Hangout for many years as its President. As the Secretary on the Board with Jim, I had the opportunity to spend many hours with him. We were often in his home planning the next steps for the Hangout, or even dreaming of much more long term goals for far into the future. Jim became the embodiment of what the group is all about. He became so active in housing rights for the disabled that he moved on from the Hangout to champion those issues in Denver. Jim will be missed as the great friend that he was to all of us, and to those he did not personally know, but was none the less their voice.
Rennie Hart remembers:
Jim energized The Hangout. He was a one man committee. He was tireless. After I met him at the BIAC support group, he went on to create his own TBI support group for survivors who were specifically in wheelchairs. His influence will always be with us. He came up with the acronym for The Hangout Resources Network, or HRNI.
Eve Heimbach writes:
Jim took on causes for people with disabilities. He joined and was active in a group to ensure low income housing be made available in new building projects for people with disabilities. For example, He was instrumental in the Gates housing development planning. A quote from Tory Read’s article illustrates this- ”After a three year campaign Jim and the Campaign for Responsible Development set a national example by establishing new standards for responsible community development in the Gates Cherokee Project”.
On a more personal note, he would call me to get Xmas presents for his CNA's grandchildren. He gave them piggy banks with a card saying that he would match the money they saved. I will always remember Jim's sense of humor and the time spent laughing with him. Thanks Jim!
It was unlikely in the scheme of things that I would ever have met Jim Kittel. In ‘97 when a small group of us got together to create a place for people who had sustained a brain injury, Jim was there. Jim became the face of the Hangout for many years as its President. As the Secretary on the Board with Jim, I had the opportunity to spend many hours with him. We were often in his home planning the next steps for the Hangout, or even dreaming of much more long term goals for far into the future. Jim became the embodiment of what the group is all about. He became so active in housing rights for the disabled that he moved on from the Hangout to champion those issues in Denver. Jim will be missed as the great friend that he was to all of us, and to those he did not personally know, but was none the less their voice.
Rennie Hart remembers:
Jim energized The Hangout. He was a one man committee. He was tireless. After I met him at the BIAC support group, he went on to create his own TBI support group for survivors who were specifically in wheelchairs. His influence will always be with us. He came up with the acronym for The Hangout Resources Network, or HRNI.
Eve Heimbach writes:
Jim took on causes for people with disabilities. He joined and was active in a group to ensure low income housing be made available in new building projects for people with disabilities. For example, He was instrumental in the Gates housing development planning. A quote from Tory Read’s article illustrates this- ”After a three year campaign Jim and the Campaign for Responsible Development set a national example by establishing new standards for responsible community development in the Gates Cherokee Project”.
On a more personal note, he would call me to get Xmas presents for his CNA's grandchildren. He gave them piggy banks with a card saying that he would match the money they saved. I will always remember Jim's sense of humor and the time spent laughing with him. Thanks Jim!
