Meet Another World's founders and Vacation leaders

Alyson Finch

I am originally from upstate NY and moved out to Colorado in 2013 to follow my passion. Ever since I was 16 years old, I have been working in adaptive recreation settings. I enjoyed making a difference in others' lives through recreation and found out I could make it a career.

In 2013 I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Therapeutic Recreation, specializing in adaptive recreation at the State University New York, Cortland. I completed my Three-month internship at Adaptive Recreation Opportunities, for the city of Fort Collins, CO. That is where I knew that Colorado was the place for me.

My family has always supported me to follow my dreams and that is exactly what I did. Two months after graduation I was heading back west to Colorado to start my career at HILLS Inc. as the program director. I got to plan dream vacations and lead trips for individuals with differences for six years. To me it never felt like a job, it was a lifestyle. I have been to 47 states and 8 countries and continue to travel to this day.

During my time at HILLS Inc. I had the pleasure of working under Polly Mendoza and Dawn Parker, who have inspired me to be where I am today, at Another World making the “impossible, possible.”

Will Frakes

Born and raised in Colorado, I graduated the University of Northern Colorado, Magna Cum Laude with a Teaching degree in Special Education. After spending nearly a decade working with students with severe and profound needs, as well as with students with severe emotional disabilities, I transitioned from working in the schools to the non-profit sector.

I was hired by HILLS Inc, a non-profit that specialized in vacations for adults with developmental differences. I successfully lead over 100 trips across the country and to international destinations for nearly five years. I stepped away from Hills to follow some of life’s other passions, but travel has always remained something truly special.

I have been tremendously fortunate to have been given the opportunity to travel throughout my personal and professional life. Being a Tenor Drummer in a Scottish pipe band afforded me the opportunity to travel to Scotland, England and Canada. I graciously accepted invitations to travel to both Brazil and Nicaragua with non-profits on humanitarian relief projects. I am also an Up With People alumni, having traveled across the US, Japan and Europe.

When it’s all said and done, I have traveled to nearly 20 different countries and 42 states. I believe being able to travel is a universal right and Another World is proud to offer that opportunity.