FREED PRESS FREED Center for Independent Living Serving people with disabilities in Nevada, Sierra, Yuba, Sutter and Colusa Counties A disability resource center for people of all ages www.freed.org Nevada City: 530-265-4444 Marysville: 530-742-4474 INSIDE -New Office-Nevada City -Directions and map -Assistive Technology -FYA -Thoughts from Shirley - Youth Leadership Forum -Friendly Visitor Program -Peer Support Groups -Coming Events -Fundraising Campaign -Support FREED -Thanks to Volunteers -Thanks to Donors FREED provides alternate formats and communication assistance upon request to ensure that all services,programs and materials are available to everyone. To receive this newsletter in an alternate format contact the FREED Office From The Director, Ana Acton After two years at our current location, FREED’s Grass Valley office is moving to a new space in beautiful Nevada City. We are very excited about our new office and think that you will like it as well. Our new office is at 117 New Mohawk Road, Suite in Nevada City. We believe that this will be a better facility for our consumers. Our new office is larger, has more private meeting spaces, and the rent is more affordable. Providing a better environment for our consumers and staff while saving money is always a good thing. The new office still has an elevator but the owner of the building is also building a ramp. FREED’s new office is on the Gold Country Stage bus route #2 and is within Telecare’s service area. Gold Country Stage’s bus stop is right in front of our building. Turn to page 2 for the map and directions to the new office. The new Nevada City office has new phone numbers, so please make note: 530-265-4444 Voice 530-265-4944 TTY 530-265-4644 Fax and the same toll free number : 800-655-7732. As far as FREED’s Marysville office goes, we are still at 508 J Street in Marysville and have no plans of moving. Thank goodness because one move is enough! ~ Ana Acton, Executive Director Directions to FREED’s new Nevada County Office: From Grass Valley: Starting on CA-20 EAST/CA-49 NORTH from Grass Valley, Take the GOLD FLAT RD exit, EXIT 185A, toward GOLD FLAT RD. Turn RIGHT onto GOLD FLAT RD. Turn LEFT immediately onto HOLLOW WAY. Turn RIGHT onto BOST AVE. BOST AVE becomes NEW MOHAWK RD. 117 New Mohawk Road will be on your RIGHT. From Nevada City: Starting on CA-20 WEST/CA-49 SOUTH from Nevada City. Take the GOLD FLAT RD exit, EXIT 185,toward GOLD FLAT RD. Turn LEFT onto GOLD FLAT RD. Turn LEFT onto HOLLOW WAY. Turn RIGHT onto BOST AVE. BOST AVE becomes NEW MOHAWK RD. 117 New Mohawk Road will be on your RIGHT. Be sure to update your address books and phone lists! FREED 117 New Mohawk Rd, Suite A Nevada City, CA 95959 Phones: 265-4444, voice 265-4944, TTY 265-4644, fax Gold Country Stage Route #2 Come visit us soon! Assistive Technology FREED is now into its second year providing useful items through the CATE Device Loan Program. Anyone may borrow items: individuals, a family, business, school, or organization. Check out the items at http://cate.ca.gov. We have funds available to purchase new items. If you have suggestions please call Jeff at the new Nevada City office location or Mike at the Marysville office. Also, please consider donating reusable items to FREED's Equipment Recycling Program. This program helps so many people meet their need for walkers, wheelchairs, canes, shower chairs and benches, transfer poles and more. Call Jeff at 265-4444 or Mike at 742-4474 to get details. YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES—WE WANT YOU!!! Come hang out at weekly meetings,meet new people, plan trips & activities & fight for your rights. YOU are the future of the largest civil rights movement in history…all disabilities welcome. Contact Melissa Richard, Systems Change Advocate in the Nevada City office 265-4444 RESPECT, VALUE, SOMEONE TO LISTEN & VALIDATE OUR THOUGHTS & FEELINGS! These are all things that each one of us craves, desires, needs in everyday life—not only in our work environments, but in our family life, and dealings with each and every person we come in contact with throughout the day, every day of our lives. This has become clearer to me with each passing year, and it also becomes more and more difficult to handle when you know you are not shown these basic courtesies. My experience seems to be that being a woman who happens to have a disability makes it easier for others to not show these common niceties. I do not think it is fair or reasonable for people to treat each other in such a manner, and I know and understand that I am not going to bring about any changes just because I write one simple article; I simply felt like I needed to say these things. Who knows, maybe this simple little piece might even get a couple people thinking. ~By Shirley Crisci Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) I attended the Youth Leadership Forum’s annual summer camp last month for students with disabilities, as a staff person. I was a Personal Assistant, and there were approximately 65 students and 25 staff. The camp gathers annually in Sacramento, at California State University, after delegates are chosen through an intensive interview process. We all live in the dorms and attend a week’s worth of activities designed to prepare youth with disabilities to be future leaders of the disability rights movement. This event was a life changing experience for me - being with students that have all different types of disabilities and came together from all over California to spend a week learning about leadership, diversity, tolerance and disability pride. From going to the State Capitol and actually talking to the Governor’s secretary about our rights to dealing with the hard issues that youth face such as attitudinal barriers, bullying and discrimination, I found myself right at home as a YLF staff member. I didn’t attend YLF as a youth; however, I find myself still close enough in age to take home many of the valuable lessons, and I was definitely able to forge many lasting friendships with people that I would have never met had I not been given this opportunity. YLF students have hopes, dreams, and goals, and we can do what our hearts want us to do. Things we did at YLF: * ?Speakers came to talk with the students about how YLF has changed their lives * Went to the state capitol and participated in legislative visits with successful mentors from the Disability Community * ?Small group activities (8 students, 3 staff—my group was the “Purple Rain”) * Large group activities (all YLF together) * “Hollywood” Talent show * Dance * YLF cheers got students all pumped up! ~By Raul Curiel Independent Living Specialist With Friendly Visitor Program…You’ve Got a Friend The Friendly Visitor Program is a program that has allowed hundreds of seniors in Nevada County the opportunity to meet with volunteers for a cup of coffee, a game of cards, for laughter or serious conversation. In short, to be a friend. FREED is currently managing the Friendly Visitor Program in collaboration with Nevada County…. and expanding it to include adults with disabilities under age 60. If you are interested in having a volunteer come out and visit with you in your home, call us and ask to speak with Judith Catlett. Volunteers are matched as closely as possible with community members who would like a visit. Or if you would like to volunteer to visit with a senior or someone with a disability in their home, we’d like to hear from you. Many friendships have been formed through the Friendly Visitor Program. If you want to make a friend or be a friend then join the Friendly Visitor Program today! Call Judith Catlett at FREED 265-4444 PEER SUPPORT GROUPS Nevada City/Grass Valley: --ECHO-A Hearing Impaired Support Group—every 3rd Friday at FREED. For information, call 265-2265 or 477-8408 via relay 711 --Spinal Cord Injury Support Group, meets 3rd Thursday of the month. Call Pam at FREED, 265-4444 for info and to confirm meeting date. --Women’s Cross Disability Support Group—meets on last Monday of the month. Call Pam at FREED, 265-4444 to confirm meeting date & time. Healing Through Loss and Grief Group — Call 265-3258 for further information, and details on when next session starts. --Spirit Center has many Peer Support Groups for people with mental health issues. Call 274-1431 for more info. COMING EVENTS Disability Rap radio show, hosted by FREED’s Ana Acton, every first Friday of the Month 12—1:00 pm on KVMR 89.5 FM. Tune in for talk about disability issues! BEAT—Building Equal Access Today meets every first Friday of the Month, 1:30-3:00 pm. At FREED office in Nevada City. Call Melissa R at FREED, 530-265-4444 for details. ANNUAL WINTER OPEN HOUSES PLEASE JOIN US FREED will be having our Annual Winter Open Houses at our Marysville and Nevada City offices. Please join us for food, refreshments and music while we celebrate the winter season and our new office space in Nevada City. Marysville Annual Winter Open House 508 J Street, Marysville Friday, December 12th 1 pm to 4 pm Nevada City Annual Winter Open House Come check out our new office! 117 New Mohawk, Suite A, Nevada City Friday, December 19th 1 pm to 4 pm PEER SUPPORT GROUPS Marysville Area: --Cross Disability Support Group - every 1st Thursday of the month at 10:00 am at FREED. For information call Raul at (530) 742-4474. --Hearing Loss Support Group— every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:00 pm at FREED. For more information contact Claudia at 742-4474. FUNDRASING CAMPAIGN FREED is getting ready to kick-off our end of-year fundraising campaign in November. Our goal is to raise $20,000 and we need your help to do it. FREED invests in the community through providing quality independent living services that assist people with disabilities and seniors to live and participate in the community. An investment in FREED is an investment in the community! Support FREED Yes, I want to help people with disabilities meet their goals of independence, self-reliance and dignity. Enclosed please find my tax-deductible donation of: $250 __ $100__$50__ or $_____ Name:________________________________ Address:_____________________________ _____________________________________ __In memory of: __ In honor of: Name:______________________________ Relationship: ________________________ Should we notify someone of this gift? If so, Who? Name: _____________________________ Address:___________________________ ___________________________________ Please make checks payable to: FREED, 117 New Mohawk Rd Suite A Nevada City, CA 95959 Thanks to FREED’s Dedicated Volunteers: Michael Anderson - Horacio Paras - Christopher Bergh - Anastacia Parker - Jim Cowger - Prema Robins - Shirley Crisci - Bill Rogers - Robert Gass - Bev Tassone - Patrick Kenneally - Bruce Van Zee - Fred Mirch - Everett Vestal Heartfelt Thanks to Sustaining Supporters & Sponsors Sustaining Supporters who provide ongoing substantial support: Appeal Democrat Greg Fowler of B & C True Value Jack Brokaw of Import Auto Melba Brown Century 21 Select Associates Council Brad Croul Tom Cunningham Fred Forsman Jimerson & Associates Laura Keranen Medical Benefits Administration Nevada County Contractors Association Randi Roberts in honor of her Aunt Jewell Sutter North? Yuba Co. Employees Association Sponsors: Sam Dardick Tribute Dinner Platinum Sponsors: Laura Keranen Joey & Bill Jordan Peter Van Zant & Mary DeWitt Nancy Weber Sharon Boivin GB Tucker Donna Kingwell Jeff Kane Barbara & Mike Getz Al & Lynne Dover Karla Arens & Serge Aronow Stephanie Freydont & Gary Parsons Gold Sponsors: Cynthia Schuetz & Jim Perkins Keely Smith Silver Sponsor Extasia Bronze Sponsors: Sierra Prosthetics, Orthotics & Wheelchairs Charlotte Killigrew Willow Springs NSJ, LLC Kathleen Hillis Friends of FREED—Sincere Gratitude to FREED’s 2008 Donors: Barbara Abbey Robyn Martin & Arlo Acton William & Marilyn Alderfer Michael Anderson Ed Andreas Robert Angove Joyce Avenell Marian Axhelm Harry & Lois Bailey Joseph Baker Mary Barnewitz Lois Bassett Tammy Baxter Nate Beason Richard Bennett Christina Billeci Pat Black Durward Blasing Abigail Bok Bruce & Charlotte Bolinger Donna Lee Brown Eleanore Brown Connie Broz Todd & Nancy Bullock Rebecca Burtoft Connie Bustos D.B. and Nancy Cameron Philip Carville Ildefonso and Betty Castillo Ralph Black & Catherine Campisi Robin Cayton-Sutherland Preston Christy Dan Clark Robert & Margaret Clotworthy Kathleen Coleman Cathy Colvin Marguerite Cone Francis & Priscilla Covert Betty Cross Tom & Barbara Cross Peggy Dalton Gates Rosemary Daquist Caleb Dardick Oscar Darilek Rudy & Jeannie Darling Mimi Davis Howard Deatsch Harry Dexter Rich Dion Dona Dion Paula & Ken Ditmore Chris Drake Norma Du Pell Gary Engelking Teresa Favuzzi Gelsomina Fichera Elberta Filer Jann & Michael Garitty Muriel Gaschke Robert & Joyce Regan- Goar Barbara Green Liese Greensfelder Phil & Ann Guerra Richard Haffey Marion Halpert Elwood (Woody) Hansen Stephen & Sheri Heilmann Michael & Judith Hill-Weld Claudia Hollis Cynthia Humlick Katherine Kneier Patrice Kyle JoAnne Law Charles Leroy Doris Lisko Neuelyn Long W. Lavern Lowe Kate & Eldon Luce Leonard & Mimi Malthan Pat Mansfield Elizabeth Martin Jimmie & Mabel Mathews Ron & Beverly Mathis Sandra Matsumura Terrence McAteer George McKenzie Dorothy McCallum Robert & Judy McCune Helen & Bruce McDonald Sheela McGillicuddy Ed McSweeney Carol Meals John Meeks Laura Michel Tony Mociun Eileen Moon Bill & Vicki Mooney Gabriel Moore Michael & Carol Navarro Suzanne Nobles Dorothea Nudelman Diana Pasquini Stella Pattie Betty Phelps Debbie Rasmussen Joyce Regan-Goar Mary Ann Rhoads Gary & Debra Richard Alison Jauch-Lehman Lois F. Jennings Mark Johnson Cynthia Journagan Emily Kelly Helen & Patrick Kenneally Nora Kennedy Rodolfo Rubio & Cindy Parker Tamara Russ Doris Salter Donald & Jo Lynn Samuelson Robert & Bette Sauer Russ Schulze Michael Scott Sandra Self Audine Smith Edwin Smith Randy Snethen Steve Sober Dottie Ray Souter Charles Spotts Joe Stockton Connie Stone Marsha Stone Roberta Swanson Beverly J. Tassone Virginia Tippey Jenny Travers Mary Tucker Douglas Vernon Rosemary Viles Irita Warner Max & Phyllis Williamson Benjamin Wirtschafter Adama Wise Faith Wright Kimberly Zwick Business & Organization Donors: Better Day ADHC, LLC County Copy Print Gold Country Celtic Society Leaf It to Me Mountain View Landscape Tripp’s Auto Body Shop WestAmerica Bank We make every effort to keep accurate records and apologize for any errors or omissions. FREED Center for Independent Living 117 New Mohawk Rd, Suite A Nevada City, CA 95959 The FREED Press is published By FREED Center for Independent Living 117 New Mohawk Rd, Suite A Nevada City, CA 95959 Layout & Editing: Jeannie Darling & Ana Acton FREED Board of Directors Gabriel Moore- Chair Laura Keranen- Vice Chair Christina Billeci - Secretary Bev Tassone -Treasurer Janine Ford Cindy Humlick Patrick Kenneally Spencer McClay Randy Snethen Patrick Thomas FREED Center for Independent Living website: www.freed.org Nevada City Office: 117 New Mohawk, Suite A, Nevada City, CA 95959 Voice: 530-265-4444 TTY: 530-265-4944 Fax: 530-265-4644 Ana Acton, Executive Director Cheryl Bergan, Program Manager Melissa Richard, Systems Change Advocate Melissa Blackwell, Fix It Coord./IL Specialist Jeff Samco, Assistive Technology Advocate Gary Peterson, Benefits Specialist Judith Catlett, Friendly Visitor Coordinator Pam Matteson, Project Manager Jeannie Darling, Operations Manager Judi Kirkpatrick, Receptionist/Data Entry Specialist Irita Warner, Financial Manager Marysville Office: 508 J St., Marysville, CA 95901 Voice & TTY: 530-742-4474 Fax: 530-742-4476 Claudia Hollis, Branch Manager Angie Paras, Administrative Assistant Mike Scott, Assistive Technology Advocate & Fix It Program Coordinator Gina Yang, Independent Living Raul Curiel, Independent Living Specialist