Entries from Advocates' Art Exhibit, held each year in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. | |
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Happy Holidays!
Last month we gave thanks. This month, we give back.
Advocates 2012 Art Calendar has arrived!
If you would like a copy, contact Francesca Santoro at fsantoro@advocatesinc.org. |
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You make giving back possible.
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Collecting gifts at Gallagher Benefit Services |
Thank you to all who donated to our Games for Good 2011 Holiday Gift Drive.
Your generosity provided gifts for over 745 individuals served by Advocates. Thank you to all our generous friends who made this possible.
 
  
  
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Spreading holiday cheer to those in need
This past Thanksgiving, SCS Building Maintenance, Inc., a professional cleaning company located in Framingham, provided four families Advocates serves with special holiday meals. Since 2010, under the leadership of Trevor Rhone, CEO, SCS has provided a dozen mini grants which go directly to families in need.
SCS has also generously donated to our Games for Good Holiday Gift Drive and has committed to help three more families in need this holiday season.
Thank you for partnering with Advocates to make the holidays bright for families in critical need. |
Using personal triumph
to give back to community
Brian Lane, a member of Advocates Newton Corner Program, fueled his mission to "re-establish his life" and help those with similar struggles by joining others on the road to recovery. This past October 15th, Brian along with several Newton Corner employees participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at Artesani Park in Brighton, MA.
Brian has worked hard to get through many mental health challenges in the past including three suicide attempts. His strength to better his life through this experience has opened his eyes to another recovery outlet. "I hope everyone who attended saw what I saw: 1,500 people supporting each other. I want people who go through what I have to know that they are not alone, and everyone can find an outlet, a walk or a group of people, like I did," said Brian.
Nicole MacAskill-Kaylie, CPRP, program manager for Advocates Newton Corner Program said, "At the end of the walk, Brian thanked us all and told us how much our participation in supporting him meant, and that he was glad he hadn't been successful on a previous suicide attempt, the anniversary of which was coming up on the 30th of October. This was to say the least, a very monumental moment in his recovery."
Since taking part in the Out of the Darkness Walk , Brian has remained safe and strives to continue his journey to wellness.
 | Back row (left to right): Michael Match, Dominique Ellison, Stacy Connolly, Jim Lane (Brian's father), Brian Lane
Front (left to right): Nicole MacAskill-Kaylie, Benny "the wonder dog," and Ivy Rose Connolly |
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Self-Advocates' voices are heard
With the threat of Massachusetts budget cuts possibly affecting services for people with developmental disabilities, Anne Fracht, self-advocacy coordinator for Advocates, chairperson of Mass Advocates Standing Strong, and member of the Governor's Commission for People with Intellectual Disabilities, offered the self-advocate's point of view at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services budget hearing on December 9th.
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Anne Fracht as she awaits to testify |
Anne highlighted the great importance of self-advocacy and critically needed supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. "We [self-advocates] are working on teaching people to live as independently as possible with supports they need in a home of their choosing. We advocate for people to have jobs in the community with good pay. There are still some people that need day habilitation and residential supports. These people deserve the best services possible," said Anne.
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Share your giving back stories.
How are you giving back this holiday season? Do you know an inspiring story of giving back? Tell us on Facebook! | |
Congratulations to Allison Daigle, assistant program director for Autism Alliance of MetroWest, for winning our "Keep the Giving Going" contest on Advocates Facebook page! We are thrilled to honor you for the amazing work you do every day for the community.
Thank you to everyone who nominated and voted for the deserving people who do an exemplary job of giving back. Thank you to all the nominees for your outstanding commitment to help others in your community. |
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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