4th Annual Inclusion Conference

Time goes by really quickly and Fall is here. This Friday, the 22th we are going to have our 4th Annual Inclusion Conference from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm at the Radisson in Downtown Kalamazoo. We are very excited because these year we are incorporating the touring Sprout Film Festival to our Plenary Session and to our breakout sessions. The theme for this years is Sprout Festival's Making the Invisible Visible who complements Community Advocates Mission so well.

Here we are sharing the program, so you can take a peek at how the day is going to look like:

Conference Program

And a little teaser of one of the documentaries that we are going to show:

Meet our New Board 2010-2011

On September 30^th, 2010 we had our 52th Annual Meeting & Awards Dessert where we celebrated together all the success we had in the last year. We want to share with you a little bit of our new board members.

Jerry Angeletti

In the fall of 2003 Jerry Angeletti accepted an early buy-out from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals after a twenty year career as a scientific programmer. In June of 2004 Jerry founded his own marketing company called "Angeletti Pictures" His son Jonnie is nineteen years old and has Down syndrome. Jonnie's official title with Angeletti Pictures is CEO. Jonnie has his own desk at the office and customers have requested Angeletti Picture's services due to Jonnies' positive promotion of their business.

Mary Connors

Mary and husband Charlie own Ego Imaging, a business established in 1997. They have two kids Alex, 9 and Joy, 6. Alex has autism, which has made Mary want to help all people with special needs, or all people for that matter. She was a previously member of the board of the Autism Society of Kalamazoo and Battle Creek for 4 years. She has been on the SMART team (Southwestern Michigan Autism Resource Team) for 2 years, serving as secretary and developing an autism library that will be accessible to all in Kalamazoo library. Mary has been a parent mentor through Parent to Parent of SWMI for three years. She is heavily involved in her children's school, volunteering for their classrooms, field trips and literacy programs. Mary and her family live in Galesburg and participate in the annual River Clean up in Battle Creek.

Fran Hoard

Fran Hoard has been a tireless advocate for services, supports and choices for people with developmental disabilities and their families. She has been instrumental in supporting the work of a number of organizations serving people with disabilities, including the John F. Kennedy Center, McKercher and MRC Industries, Residential Opportunities Inc., and the Center for Disability Services. Fran Hoard is one of only a few recipient of our Community Advocates Award. Fran's long history of service is due to her two daughters, but her volunteer work has gone far beyond taking care of her own family. Fran has served on Community Advocates' Board more than once. She has agreed to extend her current board term an additional year.

Kim Squires

Kim Squiers brings expertise in communications, strategic planning, financially accountability, team leadership, volunteer mobilization and project/program management. In 2002-2003, while completing her Master's degree in Public and Nonprofit administration, she worked as a researcher with Community Advocates and the Arcadia Institute. Kim's career has included work with Goodwill, Battle Creek, Girl Scouts Louisiana East, American Red Cross, and St.Bernard Parish Chapter in Louisiana, Holland Hospital Foundation and Haworth. She was also a Program Director for Allegan County Community Mental Health, for two programs assisting people with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and launch microenterprises.

We are really exciting of having our new Board of Directors and looking forward to a wonderful 2010-2011 year here at Community Advocates!!

Our 2009-2011 Board of Directors

Back Row from left to right: Carl Phalin, Kim Squiers, Diana Devries, Michael Payne, Brian Bruce, Steve Barber & Jerry Angeletti

Front Row from left to right: Ian Kennedy, Susan Brooks, Dawn Pantaleo, Fran Hoard and Mary Connors

Self Advocacy: Bullying

Here at Community Advocates we are very excited and working hard on the last details of our 4^th Community Inclusion Conference. This Conference is going to be on October 22, 2010 from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm, at the Radisson Hotel in Downtown Kalamazoo. And we are setting precedent; it’s going to be the first time the Sprout Film Festival is going to be used as a Plenary and as a kick off for discussion in the afternoon workshops. Themes discussed in these years conference:

Self-Advocacy: Bullying

Autism: Transition

Community Inclusion: Social Networking

You can register online, just click here: https://acrobat.com/#i=hfDoIvCsAx2NwvFa*8KvSA. If you have any trouble downloading it just click here:

2010 Inclusion Conference Registration Brochure3-FINAL_distributed_0001

Also I want to invite you to the 1st Sprout Film Festival that same day at the Radisson beginning at 7.00 Pm. For more info click here: FB

Our presenter for the Self Advocacy: Bullying Workshop is Lisa Freeman. She shared a little bit of her story and her mission with us.

“My entire family/dogs have been abused in some form, but we haven't stayed in those situations, we've been healed, restored, and gotten free, and that's what we share with others, how they can get help/safe when bullied or abused, we also talk about prevention.”

Our dogs have very distinct positions and we use their stories to share important learning techniques. The way we teach is very unique. We do not stereotype or single out the bullies. We educate. Because truthfully all of us can bully someone at certain times. Yet, we explain what TRUE BULLIES are, that they do it all the time. And at the end of the presentation, the dogs put on a fun trick presentation to reinforce what we have learned.

My dealing with special needs is this: all four of my children were born with varying disabilities. My son, Brian, just passed away three weeks ago.
He had Asperger's and a rare heart condition. Doctors said he'd only live to be 1, yet he had an amazing faith and lived to be 22. He was bullied his entire life, yet he lived and died forgiving his bullies and even befriending them. That is why when we found a jar of change Brian had been saving after he passed; we decided to make a CHANGE of Heart for Brian and others like him by raising the money to go all over the USA to educate others on how to stop abuse, bullying and violence. More about our mission and what we hope to do can be found by logging onto Brian's page @ http://www.takeabiteoutofabuse.com/change.html

Our family/dogs have presented at the ARC Shiawassee, RAVE, Peckham in Lansing, and lots of schools, churches, nursing homes all over Michigan.”

Also we recommend visiting her blog Abuse bites. We’re looking forward to meet her and her family on October 22th at our Conference.

And now we are going to share a little bit of more info about: Bullying among Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Needs

What is bullying?

Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. Often, it is repeated over time. Bullying can take many forms, such as hitting, kicking, or
shoving (physical bullying), teasing or name-calling (verbal bullying), intimidation through gestures or
social exclusion (nonverbal bullying or emotional bullying), and sending insulting messages by text
messaging or e-mail (cyber bullying).

What is known about bullying among children with disabilities and special needs?

There is a small but growing amount of research literature on bullying among children with
disabilities and special needs. This research indicates that these children may be at particular
risk of being bullied by their peers. For example, research tells us that:

• Although little research has been conducted on the relation between learning disabilities (LD)
and bullying, available information indicates that children with LD are at greater risk of being teased
and physically bullied (Martlew & Hodson, 1991;Mishna, 2003; Nabuzoka & Smith, 1993;Thompson, Whitney, & Smith, 1994).

• Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are more likely than other
children to be bullied. They also are somewhat more likely than others to bully their peers
(Unnever & Cornell, 2003).

• Children with medical conditions that affect their appearance (e.g., cerebral palsy, muscular
dystrophy and spina bifida) are more likely to be victimized by peers. Frequently, these children
report being called names related to their disability (Dawkins, 1996).

• Obesity also may place children at higher risk of being bullied. In a study of children aged 11–16,
researchers found that overweight and obese girls (aged 11–16) and boys (aged 11–12) were more
likely than normal-weight peers to be teased or to be made fun of and to experience relational
bullying (e.g., to be socially excluded). Overweight and obese girls were also more likely to be
physically bullied (Janssen, Craig, Boyce, & Pickett,
2004).

To be continued......

Ribfest is here ! Be our Potluck Pal!!

Community Advocates Ribfest 2010 has started!

Please come down to the festival site and visit our tent!There's a lot of food and fun to be had as well as a rockin' entertainment line up:

Friday, August 6
2 pm:Cooking demonstration
5-6:30 pm: Small Town Son
7 pm: Sponsor's Choice
7-9:30 pm: Jedi Mind Trip
10-11:15 pm: Eddie Money
11:45 pm-1:15 am: InCustody

Saturday, August 7
11 am-1 pm: Family Day at the Fest
11 am-1 pm: Kalamazoo Academy of Rock
Noon-4 pm: Kalamazoo Cook-Off
1:30-2:30 pm: Adhesive Pieces
5-7 pm: Midtown Underground
7:30-9:30 pm: Drop 35
8:30 pm: Awards Announcement
10-11:15 pm: The Verve Pipe
11:45 pm- 1:15 am: The Vandrie

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Please Vote for Community Advocates

starting today through august 20th at http://one.wkzo.com/stationfiles/loris-cookbook/vote.asp

Select Community Advocates from the list of charities. You may vote once a day every day per computer through August 20th.

Details

Community Advocates has an opportunity to be one of 12 charities to benefit from the sales of Lori Moore’s Potluck Pals cookbook as well as receive a matching gift from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation but we need your vote.

For each donation made through cookbook sales on Community Advocates' designated date, the Community Foundation will match $1/$1 up to $3600. These dollars will allow us continue to serve those with developmental disabilities in Kalamazoo County.

Join us tonight!!!!

Today is the second day of our annual Fundraiser : Community Advocates Ribfest. Some people doesn't know that the Ribfest is our Fundraiser and what we do . We are a non-profit agency who has been supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in the Kalamazoo area since 1953.We are a Kalamazoo County affiliate of The Arc Michigan and The Arc US, and a Greater Kalamazoo United Way member agency.

Our Mission:

We exist as an advocacy organization to make it possible for each person with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of community and to support the effort of each individual to determine his/her own future.

Help us make a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Bring your family enjoy some delicious food and live entertainment for everybody!!!!

For more info visit: http://www.ribfestkalamazoo.com/

19th Annual Community Advocates Ribfest

Community Advocates' Ribfest is a major fundraising event for Community Advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. The money raised through this event enables the agency to make it possible for each person with a developmental disability to participate fully in all aspects of community and to support the effort of each individual to determine his/her own future. And in 2009 we made more than 4,600 contacts to assist people with disabilities and their families of all ages in Kalamazoo County to do just that.

The 3-day event is hosted at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in Downtown Kalamazoo. The event features ten national and local rib vendors along with food vendors offering fried veggies, pasta, and traditional food, plus ice cream.

Festival Hours
Thursday, 11 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. - 1:30 a.m.

Admission/Entrances
Daily Gate Fee: $5 at 4 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: $10 at 7 p.m.

Located at 145 E. Water Street (Kalamazoo, MI 49007) there are two convenient entrances and exits at Kalamazoo Ave. and Water Street.

For more info visit: http://www.ribfestkalamazoo.com/ and our Facebook Page:

Community Advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Promote Your Page Too

Dia Familiar en el Ribfest 2010

Día Familiar en el Ribfest de Community Advocates

We need Crafters and Artists for Ribfest!!

crafters

Match Day

Dear Supporter of Community Advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities:

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation is celebrating its 85th birthday this year and has given Kalamazoo's nonprofit community—and generous donors like you—85,000 reasons to celebrate with them on Match Day!

Match Day is a very special event designed to help nonprofit organizations like Community Advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities build the endowment fund established for our benefit at the Community Foundation. On Match Day, which will take place on June 23 in Bronson Park, the Community Foundation will match each dollar donated to the Community Advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Fund with 50 cents that will be available for us to use immediately. There is $85,000 in match dollars available!

On Match Day, you are invited to come to the park anytime between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and make a donation to the "Community Advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Fund." Donations must be made in person and can be made by cash, check or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express).

You can come to the park and donate anytime throughout the day, but we encourage you to come early, because while donations will be accepted all day, they will only be matched until the $85,000 is exhausted. For complete Match Day details, including information about maximum donations, how your gift will be receipted, and Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit eligibility, please visit the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's Web site at www.kalfound.org

Thank you for considering a gift to Community Advocates that will benefit the people we serve for years to come.

Sincerely,

Carl Phalin, Chairperson

Deb Russell, CEO/President

And members of the Board of Community Advocates:

Brian Bruce, Chairperson Elect Dawn Pantaleo, Immediate Past Chairperson Michael Payne, Treasurer

Steve Barber, Secretary

Susan Brooks , Diana DeVries , Fran Hoard , Ian Kennedy & Mary Connors

Guardianship and its Alternatives Presentation

As an advocacy organization for persons with developmental disabilities, we at Community Advocates would like to share information with you on this subject. It is truly our desire to provide you with as much information as possible so that your family can make an informed decision about this very personal and emotional subject. We would like to invite you to an informal presentation and discussion.

Please allow us the pleasure of your presence on Tuesday, June 22nd at 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at our office. We will present information from full guardianship to possible alternative options for persons with Developmental Disabilities. There will also be an opportunity to network with other families who are experiencing this same cross road. Refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP to Lori West. 1-269-342-9801 at extension 203 or e-mail: lwest@communityadvocates.org

Looking forward to seeing you.

Community Advocates on Monday Night Live

Community Advocates was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in 1953 as an affiliate of both the state and national units of what was then known as the Association for Retarded Children. Those organizations are now known simply as The Arc. Our affiliation remains close and continues its purpose to seek the best possible services and support for children and adults with disabilities.

Initially, our constituency was individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Over time, we have broadened our outreach to include people with a variety of developmental disabilities. Our geographical scope is Kalamazoo County, but although we have provided advocacy assistance to people from surrounding counties on a case-by-case basis.

In the early years our organization was a direct provider of services, organized and run by volunteers, primarily parents. In the 1960's we began to create other programs, and during the 1980's and 1990's we created programs run by other agencies and incorporated new organizations as needed.

During the 1970's we spearheaded a planning process that prepared this county to provide the services needed to further the task of deinstitutionalization. That network of services remains largely intact today.

Our mission remains:
We exist as an advocacy organization to make it possible for each person with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of community and to support the effort of each individual to determine his/her own future.

And here is our Deb Russell (CEO) and Carl Phalin (Board Chair) with Keith Roe the host of Monday Night Live. This was televised on June,7 2010.

Community Advocates’ Ribfest 2010 Preview

Who: YOU!

You loved Ribfest last year! You're gonna love it this year too!

Please join us Tuesday evening for a sneak preview of Ribfest 2010 and to learn more about the organization behind Ribfest: Community Advocates.

What: Community Advocates' Ribfest 2010 Preview

When: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 from 6-7:30 PM

Where: Art Van Furniture Showroom (550 Ring Rd. Portage, MI)

Through this preview we will inform our partners and sponsors who help to make Community Advocates' Ribfest successful about the mission of our organization and to preview highlights of the 2010 Annual Community Advocates' Ribfest. There will be refreshments, great people, displays, games, and sign up to volunteer, Ribfest prizes, and a brief program.

Bring your friends and family but don't forget to let us know if you're coming- so we have enough food to go around! Please RSVP by Friday, June 11th to Vickie at Commadvocates@communityadvocates.org or by calling 269.342.9801 ex. 200 or you can RSVP via Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129320043760121&index=1

2nd Annual Spring Luncheon

Spring is in the air and we are getting ready for our Second Annual Luncheon, which is going to be on May 13, 2010 at the Radisson Hotel in Downtown Kalamazoo. This year were going to have Johnnie Tuitel as our keynote speaker.

Johnnie Tuitel (pronounced title like a book) was born with cerebral palsy, and has used a wheelchair his entire life. He attended East Grand Rapids Public Schools where he was the first disabled student legally mainstreamed in the State of Michigan. His disability has never kept him down.

Johnnie loves making people laugh through his humorous and entertaining stories of life. He easily puts to rest any tensions that may arise because of the wheelchair and he makes his audience comfortable with his disability.

We are looking forward to meet him and learn about his term Handicapitalism(©) to learn a little bit more about it visit :

http://www.johnnietuitel.com/home.html

For more info on our 2^nd Annual Luncheon click here :

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Community-Advocates-for-Persons-with-Developmental-Disabilities/307532964225?v=app_2373072738#!/event.php?eid=113088865397344&index=1

Alternatives to Guardianship Presentation

When you have a loved one with a developmental disability there are a lot of decisions to make. It is very important to be informed on all the choices available regarding guardianship.

Lori West, Individual and Family Advocate will explore all the options and will speak about the importance of self determination and will help you decipher the language around Alternatives to Guardianship Issues.

Date:	Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Time:	6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location:	Community Advocates Office
Street:	814 S. Westnedge Avenue
City/Town:	Kalamazoo, MI