AADD Welcomes Our Newest Board Members

All About Developmental Disabilities begins our new fiscal year with three new board members, including Sandra Edwards from Merrill Lynch; Bernadette J. Faber of UBS Financial Services, Inc.; and Mamie Kneller, Greater Atlanta region of Wells Fargo Private Bank.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sandra, Bernadette and Mamie to AADD's Board of Directors. With their guidance and commitment, we all work towards creating a society that believes our families and communities are better when everyone contributes...when everyone has a chance to play a productive role," said Dave Blanchard, AADD's Executive Director.  "Their work and support in the upcoming year will help continue our mission and help those living with developmental disabilities achieve personal empowerment, family stability and community participation." 

AADD New Board Member Information:

• Sandra Edwards is a Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor for Merrill Lynch in the Atlanta Buckhead office.  She joined Merrill Lynch in 2007, and has been a financial advisor for over 20 years.  Sandra has attained the professional designations of Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), and Certified Special Needs Advisor (CSNA).  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Economics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  Sandra enjoys community service activities including Habitat for Humanity, working with the Arthritis Foundation and various zoo/animal related volunteer opportunities.

• Bernadette Faber is a seasoned investment professional servicing a variety of clients at UBS Private Wealth Management.  With over 17 years in the financial industry, she has acquired a tremendous amount of experience leading and supporting critical projects that deliver business value.  Having been a trusted advisor to senior corporate executives, she has overall responsibility for client consultations and specialist functions. Bernadette moved from New York and opened the Atlanta UBS Private Wealth Management office in 2007, in partnership with Robert Karem, the managing director.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from Molloy College, in Rockville Center, New York.

• Mamie Kneller is a Senior Vice President and Senior Trust & Fiduciary Specialist for the Greater Atlanta region of Wells Fargo Private Bank. As part of her role at Wells Fargo, she specializes in the administration of Special Needs Trusts and works to help individuals living with disabilities through the coordination of life-enhancing services.  Kneller, a graduate of Agnes Scott College, is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor and has recently completed AADD's Partners in Policymaking program.  She was a guest speaker at the 56th Annual Estate Planning Institute in Athens and the DeKalb County Estate Planning Council and has been a member of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council since 1998.

 Partners in Policymaking Reunion Brings Together 100 Graduates from Across the State 

On Friday November 4, 2011, over 100 graduates from AADD's Partners in Policymaking program reunited for a day of learning, networking and fun. Since 1990, Partners in Policymaking, an educational program that provides self-advocates and parents the tools to become better advocates for individuals with disabilities, has produced nearly 600 graduates across the State.

 

Rita Young, AADD's Director of Public Policy and Education, facilitated the event, which included a candid conversation between advocates and policymakers. Among those in attendance were Dr. Frank Shelp, Commissioner for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; Beverly Rollins, Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; and Corinna Magelund, the newly appointed Governor's Office of Disability Services Ombudsman.

 

In addition, participants also learned about different social media platforms and how to best utilize these technologies for their advocacy efforts. The advocates also heard from Executive Director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, Alan Essig, on the budgeting issues Georgia is currently facing, and Cindy Zeldin, Executive Director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, who offered insight into the Affordable Care Act and how federal reforms will affect Georgia.

  

With information in tow, the State's top disability advocates left the event with a feeling of being revitalized, reconnected and poised to implement what they had learned in their daily lives. According to Young, "AADD always relishes the opportunity to work closely with our Partners in Policymaking graduates in order to support and encourage their many advocacy endeavors."

 

The 2012 Partners in Policymaking class will be held March 23-25 and April 20-22.  If you would like to apply for the 2012 class, please complete the application here.  If you need assistance with your application or would like to learn more about the Partners in Policymaking program, please contact Ryan Johnson at (404) 881-9777 extension 217.  

 

Individual and Family Support

Adopt an AADD Family for the Holidays!

Betty is a single mother of four children who is living with a developmental disability. Before Betty came to AADD three years ago, she was unemployed and had lost her children to the court system. Today, with AADD's help, Betty has found a job at Kroger, is involved with AADD parenting support groups and has been reunited with her children. In her spare time, Betty enjoys spending time with her children, watching movies and going out to eat when she can.  

Despite all of the positive changes in Betty's life, she does not have the resources to provide for her children during the holiday season. Betty is a caring mother who remains optimistic that her life will continue to change for the better. She dreams of one day owning a home and living independently with her children.  

Betty's only holiday wish is to provide gifts for her children.  

AADD still has nine families who want to be adopted for the holiday season! You can help make holiday wishes come true for Betty and others like her through AADD's Annual Holiday Adopt a Family initiative. When you adopt an AADD family, you will give the gift of joy to some very deserving families living with developmental disabilities. Your donations of food, gift cards, clothing, toys and household essentials will create a holiday celebration that will be remembered for years to come.  

Your support will help meet the basic needs of every family we serve for the holiday season. It is only through the generosity of people like you that we can make this happen. To learn how you can sponsor one of the amazing families AADD is proud to serve, please contact Suzie Fatkin at (404) 881-9777 extension 205.

Get Involved with AADD!   

AADD is proud to announce that we have new and exciting ways to get involved with our organization! Whether you want to volunteer at events with your family, lead a workshop or become a Crisis Intervention Trainer, we have opportunities for everyone!  Please visit our website at aadd.org/volunteer to find out how you can volunteer with AADD.