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Center for Independent Living
of Northeastern Minnesota
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Volume 2 · Issue 9
March 2011
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 Greetings!
Welcome Spring! At least we're trying to welcome spring to the Northland! With the latest batch of new snow - March is definitely going out like a lion in some parts of the region!!
It's been a busy month here at CILNM! We have had some new groups start - which have been very successful! Our Basic Computer Class had so many people sign up, we had to make another class! We have also been busy raising awareness of the current cuts to CILs that are being talked about in the Minnesota legislature. We are passionate about enabling people with disabilities to remain independent and not be forced into a living situation that is not desirable to them. In addition, it will be more costly to have more out-of-home placements. Read our letter below for more details. You can also find a link to contact your local legislator.
Thank you to all who contributed to stories in this month's edition. Keep your stories and ideas coming! Hope our next Newsletter finds us with flowers blooming and no more snow!!!
Kim Tyler,
Executive Director
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 AccessNorth - CILNM NEEDS YOUR HELP
The Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate announced cuts in the Jobs and Economic Development budget of between $65-$87 million. This could mean severe cuts of 10, 20, 30% or more to Minnesota's Centers for Independent Living (CIL).
IT IS CRITICAL THAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HEAR OUR CONSUMERS STORIES
Please contact your Minnesota Senator, Representative, and the Governor. Tell your story. Describe for them how important AccessNorth Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota is to you, a family member or friend. Share with them the critical services you receive from AccessNorth. Ask them not to cut Centers for Independent Living, which are funded through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Security. Help us to continue to offer these services! Don't allow your elected officials to make these critical, life changing decisions without hearing from the individuals who will be affected. Now is the time to act, and to be heard. AccessNorth CILNM makes a difference in lives, prevents more costly out of home placements, and enables people with disabilities to live more productive self-directed lives. We would love a copy of your consumer's story for our files too. Contact information regarding local legislators can be found at http://accessnorth.net/legis/legislators.html |
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A World Free of MS
March 14-20 was National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week 2011
 Multiple Sclerosis stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn't.
Recently, Renee Fredrickson, Afternoon Receptionist in the Hibbing office, was recognized with a Sylvie Award from the Minnesota Chapter of the MS Society. The award is named after Silvia Lawry, who placed a classified ad in the New York Times more than 60 years ago, then went on to single-handedly launch an international movement to end multiple sclerosis. The Minnesota Chapter created the Sylvies to annually celebrate volunteers in the MS community who continue to bring passion to the movement.
 Congratulations, Renee, on being such an awesome advocate for the MS Movement!
May 1, 2011, is the annual Walk MS. Visit this link for more information, to register, or to donate to an existing team!
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AccessNorth receives
Operation Roundup Grant
Money will help purchase portable ramps
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Pictured above is Tami Zaun, Lake Country Power, giving Pam Parson, AccessNorth AT Specialist, the check for $1,000.
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AccessNorth has been awarded a $1,000 Operation Roundup Grant from Lake Country Power. This grant was awarded to many local organizations and non-profits in the region for community service,
economic development, education and youth, environment, disaster relief efforts.
This grant will allow us to purchase portable ramps that can be loaned out on a temporary basis. We have had many requests for these ramps, and are excited to be able to further meet this need.
Thank you, Lake Country Power, for your generosity in helping us help the citizens of the Northland!
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Meet Sheri Cooke
New IL Specialist in our Duluth Office
 Hello! My name is Sheri Cooke. I started working at AccessNorth - Center for Independent Living in Duluth back in December, 2010. I am working as a IL Specialist and also doing some work with Assistive Technology.
Previously, I worked at Hermantown School District for 11-1/2 years. At Hermantown, I worked in Special Education for 9 years in the DCD program. The last two and a half years I taught Title One to K-3 grades.
I am loving working here at AccessNorth. We have an amazing team! I feel very lucky to have this position, this is something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I was very lucky to have received such wonderful, professional training through the school district that I can use in this position. I look forward to many years with AccessNorth and teaching people of all ages IL skills.
In my spare time I LOVE spending time with my family. My family consists of Chad (husband), Kody (17 year old son), Konner (13 year old son), Peekachu (10 year daughter DOG) and Polly Ann (5 year old daughter DOG). I love to walk/run, shop, STARBUCKS, clean/decorate my house, spend time playing with my family! I hope that I have a chance to meet everyone! |
Raquel Shares Her Story ....
 Raquel was referred to CILNM June, 2010 by Vocational Rehabilitation services. At that time, she was interested in getting help with: moving to Grand Rapids to live in her own apartment, budgeting, and getting her driver's license. On December 1st, 2010, she moved into her apartment in Grand Rapids after submitting several housing applications. Raquel received assistance with the entire apartment search process. Just before moving into her new apartment, she spent some time in the hospital with some serious medical issues. Currently, Raquel is adjusting to her new apartment, continues to work on getting her driver's license and she is gaining skills in the area of budgeting.
Way to go Raquel! She is meeting her goals, one at a time.
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AT 101 - Basics of Assistive Technology
Free 6-Hour Interactive Training Sessions on Assistive Technology sponsored by the MN Dept. of Human Services
 If you are a social worker, community public health nurse, occupational, physical or speech therapist or program director, please take note of these cities and dates ... Duluth - April 5thGrand Rapids - April 6thChisholm - April 7thBrainerd - April 29th8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.For more information, here is a link to the flyer and also to the registration form for these sessions. Training confirmation, location address and directions will be sent out when registration is confirmed. |
Disability Mural Project
Local Stories of Disability to Join Evolving International Mural
 Arrowhead Alliance of Artists With Disabilities (AAAWD), in preparation for National Disability Awareness Month - October 2011, is collaborating with the Center for Accessible Technology (CforAT) and the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, CA to facilitate participation in the Disability Mural Project for those whose lives have intersected with disability in the Duluth, MN area. The Disability Mural Project is an international community artwork founded and curated by Frances Valesco and CforAT in Berkeley. It's a mosaic of people's stories in painted tiles and recorded voices honoring the diversity and achievements of people with disabilities, and recognizing their struggles against stereotypes and discrimination. The Mural celebrates everyday individuals for their ongoing contributions of self-determination, independence, abilities and joy. The permanent location of the Mural project is the Ed Roberts Campus (a global center for disability organizations) next to the Ashby-Bay Area Rapid Transit Station in Berkeley, CA. AAAWD is currently in the midst of organizing free community-wide workshops in which people of all abilities can paint and/or collage their story on tiles for the Mural. Participants will be able to choose whether they would like their tile to be installed at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, or remain as part of a local installation of the Mural. The workshops will culminate with a gala exhibit in Duluth this October. If you're interested in the Disability Mural Project-Duluth, AAAWD is looking for project partners and sponsors, volunteers, participants, and help spreading the word. Find out how you can get involved by emailing us at aaawmail@gmail.com, leave a voice mail message at 218-391-7661, or visit us online. By Bridget Riversmith |
Recipe of the Month
Kids' Birthday Favorite - Dirt Cake!
This is a family favorite for birthday parties and get-togethers. I always have to double the recipe because everyone goes back for seconds.
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
2 small instant pudding
(vanilla or our favorite - chocolate!)
4 cups milk
12 oz. Cool Whip
1-1/2 pkg. Oreo cookies, crushed
Crush cookies in bag or food processer. (I put them in a large Ziploc bag and hit them with a rolling pin. Good stress therapy!) Cream the butter and cream cheese together with electric mixer. Make the pudding with the milk in a separate bowl. Slowly add the pudding into the cream cheese mixture until well blended. Add Cool Whip. Layer in bowl (or flower pot) cookies, mixture, cookies, mixture, until you finish with cookies on top. Add an artificial flower if you like. When the kids were young, I used to hide a gummy worm and whoever got the worm won a prize!
Keep refrigerated - or freeze if desired.
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Links
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Thanks so much for taking the time to read our monthly Newsletter. We value your support and welcome your comments and suggestions!
THE STAFF AT ...
info@accessnorth.net |
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CILNM Offices
Hibbing 218.262.6675 V/TTY · Duluth 218.625.1400 V/TTY
Aitkin 218.927.3748 · Brainerd 218.824.5228 · Coleraine 218.245.0211
International Falls 218.283.5752 · Cass Lake 218.339.3135
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