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| Newsletter of the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This e-mail newsletter is being sent to friends of AADD. If you wish to unsubscribe, click here. Click here to view previous newsletters ~ To send this newsletter to a friend, click on "File," then, "Send." Please give the pictures time to open. Thanks !
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Our mission is to build communities of support, acceptance, and opportunity for children, adults, and families living with developmental disabilities
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Issue 39 May 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(Click on title below to go directly to article.)
1. Partners In Policymaking #16 Graduates 35 Partners Graduation Scrapbook (lots of pictures!) 2. AADD Helps Five Homeless Families Find Permanent Housing - 19 to go 3. Coldwell Banker Supports AADD's Work 4. Good Intentions: "To" or "For" ~Mary Yoder, CAE, Exec. Dir. 5. FAS 5K Run-Walk to be September 9 - SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE 6. Recreation - Upcoming Events & Activities Sponsored & Co-sponsored by AADD 7. Recreation Activities & Resources Sponsored by other community groups 8. Other Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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The 16th Partners in Policymaking class graduated on May 12, 2007 with 35 participants.
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P In times like these, it is helpful to remember that there have always been times like these. -- Paul Harvey
P We will either find a way or make one. --Hannibal (247-183 B.C.)
P Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. -- Samuel Johnson
P When I hear somebody sigh, “Life is hard,” I am always tempted to ask, "Compared to what?" – Sydney J. Harris
P Tomorrow is often the busiest time of the year. -- Spanish Proverb
P Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; Teach a man to fish, and you get rid of him on the weekends. --Anonymous
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Partners in Policymaking held its graduation ceremony on May 12. Thirty-five graduates and their families celebrated the completion of the program with a motivational keynote from speaker Kathie Snow, and a presentation of certificates. The Partners program has been administered by AADD for the past 16 years, with generous support from the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. The program has graduated 471 participants from all across the state, who go on to become active advocates in their communities.
Partners in Policymaking is an innovative nine-month leadership training opportunity designed to involve and empower people with developmental disabilities, parents of young children with disabilities, and other family members. The program seeks participants from varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds, different geographic regions of the state, and with various disabilities. Applicants must have a desire to be actively engaged in advocacy activities in their communities and statewide. Upon graduation, Partners Alumni have the experience and the network to partner with policymakers in creating positive change for people with disabilities throughout Georgia.
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5 families in homes – target is 24 |
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Having loaded the truck & arrived at one of the residences, the crew takes a short break before starting the unloading process. Pictured are (L-R) volunteer Daniel Hardy, AADD Outreach Specialist Antoine Mirambeau, and two family members. (Names of family members are not shown, out of respect for their privacy.) |
In the last three weeks, AADD has helped five families who were homeless move into permanent housing of their own. Each family has at least one member with a developmental disability.
“We are grateful to the Housing Opportunity Program – administered by the Atlanta Housing Authority and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta – for the grant that is empowering AADD to help move these families out of shelters and off the streets,. These families are thrilled to now have a place they can call their own,” said Lesa Hope, Ph.D., AADD’s Director of Community Services.
According to Hope, the families have needed everything to set up households – from dishes to toilet paper, sheets to cleaning supplies.
“We had a couple of AADD Board members – Doug McKay and Marianne Craft – who brought over cars full of household items. Doug’s Sunday School class pitched in to help out in a big way. We needed everything they sent – cleaning materials, bedding, lamps, dishes, pots, pans, you name it!” she said. She explained that the need is ongoing as there are other families who will be moving into their own apartment homes throughout the summer.
The families received furniture from the Atlanta Furniture Bank, with AADD coordinating the pickup, delivery, and set-up on all the items.
“We got five families moved in, last week. We were all exhausted, but seeing those families so happy in their own homes – the first ever for some of the families – sure made it all worthwhile. Now these children who are finishing school have a place to study and get their work done,” said Hope.
Ultimately, according to Hope, 24 families will be moved into apartments and supported by AADD in establishing and maintaining their homes, and in coordinating required health and education services.
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Lesa Hope, Ph.D., Director of Community Services, explains that moving furniture falls in the category of "other as needed," in her job description. |
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Alberta Mirambeau, AADD Housing Opportunity Program Coordinator, who coordinated the moves, learned the finer points of using a hand cart. |
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Having successfully moved a total of five families into their new homes, the group celebrates. L-R are: AADD staff Antoine Mirambeau and Ruth Wright, two family members who pitched in, staff` Alberta Mirambeau, and volunteer Daniel Hardy. |
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| 3. Coldwell Banker Helps AADD's Work | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Coldwell Banker on Mansell Road in Alpharetta presented AADD with a $1,000.00 donation this month. The Coldwell Banker Cares Foundation matches the donations of their agents on a quarterly basis and donates the proceeds to a local non profit.
We appreciate the support of Judy Linderman and the Coldwell Banker staff for selecting our agency and helping to further our work with families. Pictured (l-r) are: Mary McPherson, Rita Young (AADD), and Judy Linderman. |
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4. Good Intentions: “To” or “For” |
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~Mary Yoder, CAE
I recently heard a speaker differentiating between the concepts of what is important to and what is important for a person. This way of thinking about things helped me to realize part of the source of tension that is so often present when we work with program participants to develop a support plan. Because choice is a value we hold dear, it is easy to include things that are important to individuals. However, funding sources, societal norms, and the medical model indicate that we also include things determined by others to be important for the person, even when the individual does not see it as important or want it to be in the support plan. We must find ways to embrace this tension and make it creative.
Doing things “to” the person and doing things “for” a person presents a tension-filled construct as well. Doing things “to” a person comes with a history laden with interventions that today challenge our sense of appropriateness and human decency. This holds true for doing things “for” a person’s own good as well. Under the guise of intervening for a person’s own good, there have been abusive and outrageous interventions, as well as some well intentioned attempts to improve the lives of people served.
The “To” and “For” in our service design, funding streams and relationships with individuals with disabilities is something we need to consider. |
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Mary Yoder, CAE AADD Executive Director
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5. FAS "FASTrack"5K Run-Walk to be Held September 9 - SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE |
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High-profile sponsorships for AADD “FAS Track” 5 K Run-Walk are available now according to Matt Pieper, AADD Director of Development. The event commanded terrific participation in its first year, and will be bigger and better in this, the second year, according to Pieper. Persons interested in sponsoring the event may contact Matt at mpieper@aadd.org, or at 404-881-9777 ext. 232. |
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The Second Annual FAS 5K Run-Walk benefits AADD and helps to build awareness of the fact that women drinking alcohol while pregnant is the leading known preventable cause of birth defects and intellectual disabilities. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most serious condition in the list of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
Registration to participate in the Run-Walk will be $25 per entry. Race registration and sponsorship information will be available shortly on the AADD web site, www.aadd.org. |
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6. Recreation - Upcoming Events and Activities -sponsored & co-sponsored by AADD |
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Walking Club - NOW's the time to get started! Mondays
You can’t beat an afternoon walk at Stone Mountain Park in the Spring. 5:30 PM Everybody walks at their own pace. Our goal is to work up to walk a full lap around the mountain (About 5 miles). However we don’t expect walkers to walk a full lap the first day. We have a plan for each walker. Come check us out. You don’t have to commit. If you are interested or just curious, give Dan a call. Ages 14 and above No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events). Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org
Bocce Thursday morning bocce will start May 31st at Mason Mill Park. (Toco Hills Area) Bocce is an easy, slow-paced, laid-back type of a game that’s fun for all. If you are interested, or just want more information, call Dan “Dij” Evatt at 404-326-5345.
Bocce - AADD's Special Olympics Bocce (Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities) Wednesday evenings, starts Wednesday, July 11th, 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events) Mason Mill Park (Toco Hills area) Ages 8 and above. This is a Unified Bocce group. Everyone is welcomed. We need more players for this group. The team is planning to compete in Special Olympics Fall games, to be held the weekend of October 7th in Albany, GA. The more the merrier! Contact Dan Evatt at 404-881-9777 ext 216, or via email at dan@aadd.org.
Cycling (Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities) OUR TEAM STARTS OUTDOOR TRAINING AT STONE MOUNTAIN PARK Monday, March 26th. Our group is looking for riders. You don't have to be a hardcore cyclist. Everybody rides at their own pace. Come check us out. You don’t have to commit. If you are interested or just curious, give Dan a call. Mondays 6:30 PM Ages 14 and above No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events). Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org
Fitness Tuesdays mornings East Lake YMCA Come to the East Lake YMCA ant work out with us. We’ll work out on the fitness machines, walk or run and practice with free weights for Powerlifting competition. If you are interested or just want more information call Dan “Dij” Evatt at 404-326-5345.
Happy Group (Social Clubs) Meets twice monthly at several Metro Atlanta YMCAs, usually on Saturday afternoons, depending upon the activity. Takes field trips such as Braves games, dinner and a movie, dances, plays, “wish to fish,” Hawks basketball games (we don't sit courtside), paint your own pottery, etc. The newest location will be in the South Metro Area through the Fayette Co. Parks & Recreation and Fayette YMCA Dept. Contact Debbie Parrish 770-461-9714 ext. 5644 Contact Happy Club Voice Mail 404-687-2521
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7. Recreation Activities & Resources -sponsored by other community groups |
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Help Us Update This List The Junior League of Atlanta and AADD are partnering together to update this list. If you know of an activity or have an activity you would like to include in this list, please contact Dan Evatt at dan@aadd.org or call the AADD office at 404-881-9777 ext. 216.
Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts designed for children with special needs Includes soccer, volleyball, Miracle Baseball and Blaze Sports Goal Ball. Aseelah House and her staff do a great job; give them a chance and try out some of their activities. Contact Aseelah House at arhouse@co.dekalb.ga.us or call 770-671-1728
Caglewood Interested in sleeping in a tent, enjoying nature activities, hiking, and backpacking? Or maybe you would like to spend the weekend in cabins at some of Georgia’s great state parks. If so, this may be a good program for you. Costs available from Caglewood for various programs. Check out the Caglewood web site at www.caglewood.com/. Caglewood Inc. 455 Friars Head Inc. Suwanee Ga. 30024 Tel: 770-402-9355 Fax: 770-441-3406 Email: info@caglewood.org
Cobb County Residents Contact the Cobb Co. Parks & Recreation Cultural Affairs, Therapeutic Recreation Services Unit for lots of activities. They have social clubs, special trips, dances, camps, and various sport teams. 555 Nickajack Rd, Mableton, GA 30126 770-819-3215 Fax 770-819-3218
DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Activity Guide The DeKalb County Department of Parks and Recreation has published their new activity guide for this Winter & Spring. Aseelah House, TR Program Coordinator, has provided a copy in PDF format. You can print your own copy at this location: ACTIVITY GUIDE. (It is in PDF format, so you will need Adobe Reader or similar software to open it. It's 8 pages long, so give it a minute to open.) If you have further questions, Ms. House can be contacted at: (770) 671-1728.
DeKalb County Recreation - Other Activities and Events Check out great events and activities in DeKalb County. Some activities include: Adventure Series Ropes Course, camping, and indoor rock climbing.
DeKalb - Social Club DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department has started two new social clubs. One is at Midway Park for 13- through 16-year olds, and the other is at Browns Mill Park for 16+ year- olds. Contact Aseelah House at 770-671-1728 or email at arhouse@co.dekalb.ga.us.
Metro Miracle League (Buddy Baseball & Bowling) Interested in Buddy Baseball and Bowling? Check out the North Metro Miracle League’s web site at www.nmml.net.
North - Special Olympics in Alpharetta (Special K’s) Interested in Special Olympics activities in the north metro area? The Special K’s have a lot of sports to offer; aquatics, track & field, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, basketball, long distance running & walking, bocce, golf, tennis, and cheerleading are the sports Debbie Currere has in the Alpharetta area. Contact Debbie Currere at 770-649-0070
Rockdale County Residents Rockdale is rockin’. Check with Tom McPike, Rockdale County's Parks and Recreation Department recreation therapist. He has started and expanded many programs. A few of the activities include: after school programs, bocce, Halloween Party, Beep Baseball, Miracle Baseball League, bowling, sled hockey, social clubs, wheel chair basketball, basketball, cooking, swimming, soccer, Christmas Parade and Party, and Mother- Daughter Spa Day. Call Tom McPike at 770-981-6306 and see what’s new.
Roswell Department of Parks & Recreation Roswell offers a variety of activities throughout the year. They are mostly geared for ages 18 and up but have children's activities periodically. For more information Contact Mary Rummel at 770-641-3950 email mrummell@ci.roswell.ga.us. The Roswell website is www.roswellgov.com.
SASSY (A Fun Family Group) This group in South DeKalb County meets several times a month for social activities. They meet as a family, parents and children, for picnics, parties, bowling, and even trips to Disney World. Contact: BJ Kelly 770-987-9171 Voice Mail 770-969-9571
South Metro Residents Check out Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department Therapeutic Programs. Special Olympics Teams, Happy Club, and social activities are just a few of the activities Debbie and her group have for South Metro Atlanta residents. Contact Debbie Parrish at 770-716-4325
Summer Camp If you are thinking about a summer camp for Summer, now is the perfect time to look. Go to the excellent GLRS summer directory at www.glrs.org, then go to the link for “GLRS Publications.” If you need help looking for a camp give AADD’s recreation manager Dan Evatt a call. He will be glad to assist you in finding a camp. Call Dan at 404-881-9777 ext 216.
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In the items below, activity costs, if any, are noted.
Lekotek ATLANTA Computer Club All kids 8 and above, come join us for fun, computer games and pizza! We have teens and young adults who participate as well. Dates: The second Sunday of every month 4-6pm Cost: $10 per child (scholarships available) Where: Our Lekotek in Atlanta on 1955 Cliff Valley Way, Suite 102, 30329 RSVP: ASAP 404-633-3430 visit Lekotek web site at www.lekotekga.org
Lekotek LekoPals - For more information contact Audrey or Helene at Lekotek 404-633-3430
Lekotek COBB Computer Club** All kids 8 and above, come join us for fun, computer games and pizza! We have teens and young adults who participate as well. Dates: 3rd Sunday of every other month 4-6pm Cost: $10 per child (scholarships available) Where: Lekotek in Kennesaw on 1925 Vaughn Rd. NW, Suite 150, 30144 RSVP: ASAP to Lisa at 770-420-9889 visit Lekotek web site at www.lekotekga.org **Volunteers needed for COBB Club Return to Top |
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Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities - (AADD) 1440 Dutch Valley Place - Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30324-5371 Phone: 404-881-9777 Fax: 404-881-0094 Email, AADD newsletter ONLY: AADDnewsletter@aadd.org Email, AADD Information: info@aadd.org AADD web site: AADD WEB SITE Click here to UNSUBSCRIBE
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If this free newsletter has been forwarded to you and you wish to SUBSCRIBE, click here: SUBSCRIBE (Please be sure to give us your name when you subscribe. Thanks!) Announcements of Activities and Programs are provided as a public service. If you have announcements of upcoming events, send them to AADDnewsletter@aadd.org, by the 10th of the month. AADD reserves the right to include or edit information. Excepting programs of which AADD is a sponsor, AADD does not endorse any product, privilege, or service.
AADD is proud to receive support from the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and the Junior League of Atlanta
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