Entries from Advocates' Art Exhibit, held each year in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. | |
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March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
· Resource booths
· Informational sessions
· Family meet and greet
· Announcing grant opportunities for families
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Fred Gaspari Fund Grant Applications for MetroWest Families Are Now Available
Applications for the Fred Gaspari Fund for MetroWest Families are now available. Established by the Advocates Family Alliance, a partnership between Advocates staff and families of individuals who receive Advocates services, this grant opportunity provides financial support to families caring for a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. The family member must be living with the family or independently in their own home within the community. Past recipients have used their grant for private therapies, leg braces and equipment for therapy rooms.
The Wong Family, a 2010 Fred Gaspari Fund Award recipient, used their grant to help their two children who require private therapies throughout the year. Their younger son, who has a form of low functioning Autism, was able to receive private speech therapy and attend a structured playgroup last summer during a time that he did not have any special services through school or accessible activities in the community. Currently, the Wong family is working toward creating a sensory playroom in their home where they can provide play therapy in a safe environment.
For more information about eligibility and the application processes, please download the grant procedure details and application, or contact Lisa Chabot at lchabot@advocatesinc.org. |
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Karen Koser Receives Honorable Mention for Self-Determination from ADDP
Karen proudly showing her figure skating gold medal from the Special Olympics
Karen Koser, a woman with an intellectual disability who resides at an Advocates program, received an honorable mention for her exceptional self-determination at the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP) Annual Conference and EXPO on Friday, March 18th at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Anthony Macharia, an administrative director in Advocates Developmental Disabilities Division, nominated Karen for an ADDP Self-Determination Award because of her drive to complete a ten week American Sign Language course. Karen was inspired to take on the challenge in order to communicate with her sister-in-law. After demonstrating a few signs, Karen said that her favorite phrase to sign is "Yankees stink." She is from Philadelphia and a huge Philly's fan.
Not only has Karen just completed part II of the American Sign Language course with plans to attend part III next year, she also is a determined athlete. She has been figure skating for many years and is a swimmer. Karen said, "My favorite swim is the relay, and I do the front crawl." She competes in these events every year at the Special Olympics and was proud to show her figure skating gold medal. |
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What's new on Advocates' Facebook Page?
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness and Brain Injury Awareness month. Advocates' Facebook page is featuring important resources, inspiring stories and exciting events all month long. Join our online community now, and help spread the word.
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Advocates' mission is to help people achieve their hopes and dreams within the fabric of their communities. We partner with people with disabilities, elders, and those with other challenges to overcome personal obstacles and societal barriers so that they can obtain and keep homes, engage in work and other meaningful activities, and sustain satisfying relationships. We work to inspire communities to create opportunities for contribution and participation by all.
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QUICK LINKS
Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers Autism Alliance
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know about the Home Modification Loan Program? It 'provides no- and low-interest loans to modify the homes of adults and children with disabilities, and elders.' Check it out!
mass.gov
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