Heading West: Finding Belonging for the Whole Family

The Bodammer Family - Jared, Jill, Lily, Landon, Tristan and Taelyn. (Photo courtesy of the Bodammer family)

By Kyle Van Frank

Executive Director, FIRE Foundation of Denver

Catholic education is familiar for the Bodammer Family.

Mom Jill attended Catholic schools from preschool through college, attending and playing basketball at Briar Cliff University, a small Catholic college in Iowa. Dad Jared was also raised Catholic and attended Briar Cliff, where he played collegiate soccer. Both would find their way into the school's Hall of Fame.

Jill continued her college athletics career with a 22-year stint at Morningside University, also in Iowa, on their basketball team’s coaching staff, eventually earning her a place in their Hall of Fame as a coach.

Needless to say, education, and especially the Church’s role in operating schools, has played a profound role in the lives of the Bodammers.

It was never a question that their children would attend Catholic schools and enjoy the rich gifts offered to them in their own upbringing and formation. Their sons — twins Landon and Tristan — began attending local Catholic schools in their home Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa. However, when daughters Lily and Taelyn were born, that future assurance of enrollment was not as clear.

“Some families take for granted that all of their children can access Catholic education,” Jill said. “But when you have a child with a disability, that’s not a given. You have to see what’s best for each child and assess what is possible for each one.”

Knowing the historical challenges for Catholic schools to include children with disabilities effectively, the Bodammers began researching and learning more about organizations across the country that support the Church’s efforts to change that reality.

Along with a few other couples, they began efforts that would eventually lead to the founding of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa. 

However, before the organization was founded, Lily experienced some illnesses that prevented them from seeing the vision to fruition directly. At the same time, Jared’s employer, based in Colorado, was interested in him joining the team in person.

With a move ahead of them, the family began researching and learned about the rich and diverse services available for people with disabilities in Colorado that were not as easily accessible in their home state. They also learned about a Catholic school in the area where they were moving — St. John the Baptist in Longmont — and called then-principal Dr. Kemmery Hill.

“When I spoke to Dr. Hill,” Jill recalled, “it was the first time I saw the opportunity for Taelyn to be just fine in a Catholic school.”

Dr. Hill's reassurance about the culture, structure and nature of inclusive education at St. John the Baptist Catholic School was an answer to the Bodammers' prayers.

In May of 2023, the Bodammers made the move to Colorado.

While their daughter Lily’s needs are more complex, and she remains in public school, St. John provided a clear path for fulfilling Jill and Jared’s dream of Taelyn attending a Catholic school with her brothers. The couple continues to hope that Lily will one day join her siblings in receiving the gifts of Catholic education.

Taelyn with brothers Landon and Tristan on the first day of school in the 2024-2025 school year. (Photo courtesy of the Bodammer family)

St. John the Baptist in Longmont is a trailblazer in inclusive Catholic education in our archdiocese. It has been working to include children with disabilities since before our foundation was established.

“Our family feels deeply blessed by the inclusive environment being fostered at St. John the Baptist,” said Jared and Jill. “We believe that inclusivity leads to a richer, more well-rounded education for all students. We know it helps students learn firsthand the importance of empathy, understanding and celebrating differences. And it is such a blessing seeing classmates of all abilities and backgrounds working together, learning together and supporting each other, fostering a genuine sense of community and acceptance within them. It's not just something they're taught; it's something they experience every day, which has a profound impact on their character development.”

A cross-country move is never easy for adults and children alike. However, the beacon of light St. John provided — both in the parish and school — has led the Bodammers to experience more fruits and gifts than they ever imagined for their children.

On this Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, we look to the example of a saint unafraid of a path unchartered or a way of life that comes with a few bumps in the road. The parish and school named for this great saint have embodied that beautifully in their work to include children with disabilities before being asked or told, before having all the funding, and before having all the knowledge and expertise to do so perfectly.

However, their faith and commitment to a full vision of the Catholic school have charted success and vitality beyond imagination. Their trust in the Holy Spirit has ensured that his loving hand may be at work in their efforts.

According to the Bodammers, the bottom line is that “St. John’s inclusive environment reinforces the values we strive to instill at home and strengthens our faith by showing us the true meaning of Christ's love for all.”

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Want to support the FIRE Foundation of Denver? Join us at this year's annual BonFIRE Gala! An evening ablaze with purpose, this event promotes FIRE Denver's mission to ensure all Catholic school students with disabilities are welcomed, supported, and valued. Learn more here.