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1705 S. Saginaw Road
Midland, MI 48640
(989) 835-4041 (800) 782-4160
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Piano Palooza a Huge Success
On February 5th Disability Network hosted our 5th annual fundraiser, Piano Palooza. Over 150 guests attended the event at the Midland Country Club to enjoy networking, dueling piano's and great food. This year's focus was on raising funds for our youth transition program, STAGES. Over $30,000 was raised to help make dreams come true for youth who want to live and work independently after high school.
Chuck and Jose Cote served as this year's Honorary Chairs for the event, and Tabbetha Troy took a lead role in securing many wonderful silent auction donations. Without their support, as well as the many sponsors of the event, we would not have reached our goals. Thanks to all of you!
Please make sure to SAVE THE DATE for Piano Palooza 6. We are scheduled to host the event on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the Midland Country Club.
Also, you can check out photos of the event on our facebook page.
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Disability Network Receives Three Year CARF Accreditation
Disability Network of Mid-Michigan is pleased to announce they have received a three year accreditation from CARF. In January CARF surveyors visited the organization to meet with people who utilize their services, board members, funders and staff. They also spent time reviewing program information and providing input to the leadership of the organization.
Disability Network received re-accreditation for their Community and Employment Services. The Board of Directors also sought and received accreditation for the Governance Structure of the organization. Board President Jerry Pritchett states, "We take the role of governance very seriously, and feel that CARF provides us with a structure to ensure we are providing high-quality oversight of the organization."
Sara Grivetti, Executive Director, states, "The benefit of being an accredited organization is that people with disabilities, our funders and the community can be assured they will be provided with the highest level of services." Grivetti states, "It's especially important when an organization experiences growth." |
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National Junior Disability Championship Coming to the Great Lakes Bay Region
The summer of 2011 promises to be an exciting one with the National Junior Disability Championships being held in our backyard. Over 300 top young athletes aged 7-21 from all around the country compete for medals in six different athletic events. What makes this event special is that all of the athletes have significant disabilities that have not affected their ability to enjoy sports to the fullest. These exceptionally talented athletes have all qualified at regional events and represent the very best athletes in their sports from around the country.
This is also a great time for the Great Lakes Bay Region to shine! We need nearly 1000 volunteers between July 16-23rd to make this event a success. Also needed is support in the form of corporate sponsorships, personal donations or even a couple hundred bottles of water. For more information please call Michigan Sports Unlimited at 989-771-5530 or www.njdc2011.com
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Free Tax Preparation
With a new year comes a new tax season. And even though taxes aren't due until April 15th now is the time to get all of the necessary paperwork together and forms filled out. There are many resources in our community that can help you with these, sometimes daunting, tasks.
The United Way offices in both Bay and Saginaw Counties are offering free tax preparation for low income families and individuals residing in those counties. Please have call (989) 755-0505 for Saginaw and 989-893-7508 ext.19 for Bay. This service is free for low income.
Also, below is a link to Legal Services of Eastern Michigan for free tax preparation in Midland, Clare, Gratiot, Arenac and Gladwin Counties. If you are interested call and to find out if you are eligible for this service, follow the link for the contact information.
www.MichiganLegalAid.org |
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Motorcycle Helmet Law Repeal is Gearing up Again
House Bill 4008 was introduced by Representative Richard LeBlanc in mid-January to repeal the motorcycle helmet law in Michigan. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation for further review. In essence the bill states a person 21 or older will no longer be required to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. The person must also have private insurance to pay for any medical care should an accident occur while not wearing a helmet.
For years Disability Network of Mid-Michigan has opposed this legislation; and once again we are taking a strong stand against House Bill 4008. In the State of Michigan we require safety belts to be worn when driving; and have strongly enforced this law. Aren't we sending a contradictory message if we allow motorcyclist to ride without a helmet?
Brain injuries are life-changing to not only the person who sustains them, but their whole family. The ability to walk and talk can be affected. The ability to return to work is very challenging, and often impossible. The person with the brain injury may be dependent on others the rest of their lives. Wearing a helmet saves lives, and prevents brain injuries. It's the same rational for wearing a seatbelt.
Some legislators are supporting the bill based on the premise that it will increase tourism in Michigan, thus increasing revenue for the state. It's an attractive argument for some as who can deny the need for more revenue. But, at what price we ask? Please join Disability Network in opposing House Bill 4008 by contacting your legislator. If you need more information don't hesitate to call us at 989-835-4041. |
At Disability Network We Are More Than a Team
By Sara Grivetti, Executive Director
Due to some staff changes I have temporarily taken on the role of creating our monthly newsletter. So, when I put out a request for news articles to the whole staff I got back something I wasn't expecting. Mike Swartout, who is the new Program Leader for our Community Living Supports Program in Bay County, sent me a note about a co-worker that he wanted me to share in the newsletter. My first thought was to call Mike and let him know that this was an external newsletter and, we often don't burden the community about the day-to-day internal operations of the organization.
However, I thought about this further and decided that why not tell you about the great group of committed, passionate and knowledgeable people we are blessed to have working at Disability Network. After all, if you are receiving services from us wouldn't you want to know that the team at Disability Network not only cares about you, but that they care about each other too!?
In the example that Mike shared with me about our team, he wanted Steve Locke, Associate Director, to receive a public pat on the back. Steve is the kind of employee who will pitch in wherever needed, and truly embraces the portion of his job description that states "all other duties as assigned." Often times the public doesn't see Steve because he is working on our database, reports, grants and human resource tasks. His role helps us turn our hard work into a story of how we are making dreams come true.
Recently, while trying to launch a new software system and getting accustomed to our new location in Bay City, the staff were running into constant challenges with networking into our server. This created tremendous inefficiencies and was taking focus away from the consumers needs. Due to Steve's hard work, and support from Mitcon (our IT provider), we were able to get all the bugs worked out and the team was back up and running efficiently. Thanks Steve on behalf of the whole team for working this out.
When I talk to our team about why they stay in their jobs, the response is often "it sure isn't for the money." But, in all seriousness, many stay because they like helping people with disabilities and because Disability Network feels like a second family to them. We've been there for funerals, graduation parties, birthdays and all other events. The fact we care so much about each other demonstrates how much we care for you, our consumers, our community and our partners.
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In this Issue:
Piano Palooza 5 a Huge Success
Disability Network Receives CARF Accredidation
National Junior Disability Championship Coming to the Great Lakes Bay Region
Free Tax Preparation
Motorcycle Helmet Law Repeal
Letter from Executive Director
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Board of Directors
Officers:
Jerry Pritchett
President
Sharon Leenhouts
Vice President
Harry Leaver Secretary
Members-at Large:
Tim Troy
June Price
Peter Jensen Frank Champagne Teresa Oliver Ivonne Mosquera
Executive Director:
Sara Grivetti, M.A., C.R.C. |
Check out
our NEW
website!
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Even if We Cannot
...See
...Walk
...Hear
...or Read
We Can Dream!
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Disability Network of
Mid-Michigan celebrates 21 years of promoting & encouraging independence.
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Events Calendar
March 17 Disability Rights Bingo & Luncheon
Come share lunch and learn about important people and events in the independent living movement as we play disability bingo. Everyone is Welcome
Little Ceasar's
3475 E. North Union
Bay City
11:00-1:00
May 6th
50+ Health for Life Expo
Delta College
9:00-1:00 Peer Group Calendar
March 2
Peer Group Meeting
DNMM Offices
1705 S. Saginaw Rd. Midland
3:00 pm
March 21
Peer Group Meeting
Butman-Fish Library
1716 Hancock Saginaw
March 22
Bay Peer Meeting
Westminster Church
103 E. Midland St., Bay City
9:30 am |
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