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!!
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!!
It might be nice to have a countdown to the beginning of the semester on the blog, if you could find such.
ReplyDeleteExcellent "acting local" and a substansive platform for the next three years. That's right! "Bringing it all back home".
It seems the key lies here:
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.
And what good is inclusion if it's in one setting and a quarter of your day?
(I do acknowledge that in the cities and the suburbs, schools are often the hub of the place and a ground for development).
Have done some reading about Following the Person and ALLY. (A Life Like Yours).
Best with the non-profit management/leadership.
I think this is a wonderful twist of fate, Daniela, I will begin a new journey this summer, she and mining in Wisconsin, bending and profits, in Virginia!
ReplyDeleteappointment setting