Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Appointment to the Arc Board of Directors, nonprofit research, and a Daniela update!

From Tina -

I found out yesterday that I have been appointed to the Arc of Virginia Board of Directors!! I am very excited and honored and I hope I will be able to make a real difference in the lives of Virginia's citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I plan to put my main focus in improving opportunities for young adults with I.D and D.D.

My other (admittedly ambitious) plan for the next 3 years is to lay the groundwork for Daniela's permanent return to Virginia so that she can make the most of all the new skills she will have gained at Shepherds College. With that goal in mind, I am in the early (research) stage of planning to build a local nonprofit to benefit Daniela and all her independent minded young adult peers with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our region (the Middle Peninsula). My first step will be to begin classes this fall in nonprofit management.

My goal for the nonprofit will be to help provide these young adults with better access to adult education, transportation, vocational opportunities, housing, and last, but certainly not least, a social and support community within our larger community. Their advocacy, leadership, ideas and goals will be guiding the direction of the organization.

I have decided to move forward with this goal because I have noticed the severe lack of opportunities and support (including financial support) for this younger age group (18-35) to actually achieve independent lives. These great young adults have been taught to expect inclusion and opportunities in their school setting, only to finish school with little opportunities out there for them to make good use of their independence and other skills. In this current financial climate, it's a little hard to be optimistic that waivers and other federal and state programs are going to be there for all of them, at least any time in the near future. I know my goal is a lofty one and, frankly, an overwhelming one, but I am very determined that Daniela and her peers will lead happy, productive lives, even after their parents are no longer around to help make that happen.


I will fill you in more as my appointment and work in setting up the nonprofit become active!

Meanwhile, Daniela is busy enjoying her summer at home before she leaves for Shepherds College at the end of July. She is spending lots of time with her friends and, literally, counting the days until school begins. (Time is just not passing quickly enough to suit her!!) She has already made friends with another incoming student named Katy from New Jersey via Facebook. They can't wait to meet each other and the other new students.

I think it is a wonderful twist of fate that Daniela and I will be starting new journeys this summer, hers in Wisconsin and mine, with the Arc and the (hopefully possible!) nonprofit, here in Virginia!

Best wishes for a wonderful summer to all our followers!!