The "Delta Project" Comes to Midland 

Disability Network (DNMM) is facilitating the Delta Project in Midland County. This new program aids students with disabilities transition from high school to college.  

The Delta Project is a joint effort of the Midland County Schools, Delta College and Disability Network. "We are excited about this collaboration," said Amber Vondra, Project Facilitator at DNMM. "The Delta Project will increase the probability of students with disabilities receiving a degree from Delta and then having success in their career." 

Delta Project students participate from their sophomore year through their senior year of high school, as well as being supported during their time at college, if needed. During high school, students will participate in many different workshops designed to help students with self-advocacy, communication, writing and studying skills, career assessments, team building, and test-taking strategies.   

Students will also have opportunities to visit Delta College in order to familiarize themselves with the different departments and opportunities Delta College provides. While the collaboration is centered on Delta College, the skills learned will benefit the student, regardless of what college the student chooses to attend.

"Disability Network promotes the independent-living philosophy and person-centered planning," said project coordinator Lowell Gisel. " The Delta Project also focuses on individual needs and desires.  Each student will have their own transition plan specific to Delta College. The plan is based on the student's needs and it will drive the student's high school curriculum and other transition activities to ensure success."  

For more information on the Delta Project, please email Lowell Gisel or call 989-835-4041. 

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Man, Once Institutionalized, Reunited With Family After Six Decades 

 By Nancy Bartley, The Seattle Times 

Jerry Wooliver was a little boy in high-top baby shoes when he was taken from his mother and siblings and sent to a state institution. He never saw his family again, but for 61 years they lived on in hazy memories.

On Saturday, the 67-year-old Auburn, Washington man - who in 1951 was sent away because he had cerebral palsy - was reunited with part of his family in an emotional meeting at the social-service organization where he works in the office.

"Oh my, I can't believe it!" said Karen Newman as she walked into the Total Living Concept (TLC) office, leaned down and hugged Wooliver. "Hi, sweetie."

"Hi, Uncle Jerry. I'm your niece," said her daughter, Shauna Rohloff, giving him a hug. Wooliver's sisters, Julie Martin and Janis MacPherson, kissed him on the cheek.

In all, three sisters, two nieces and one nephew came to meet him, as well as his friends and TLC helpers. With tears in her eyes, Wooliver's friend Cathy Hilde stood watching the siblings reunite.

"I'm speechless, just seeing the happiness. They will bring an enormous amount of completeness to each other."

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STAGES Summer Program Begins Its Tenth Year  

The Summer STAGES youth program celebrates its tenth year this June. Students have the chance to participate in events focusing on employment, independent living skill building, and recreation.  Students tour local businesses, participate in a community gardens project and work at Camp Fish Tales near Pinconning.   

On the recreational side, students can attend River Roar in Bay City, tennis lessons at Midland Community Tennis Center, a Great Lakes Loons baseball game, bike riding events in Bay City, Midland and Saginaw, High Ropes & Horseback riding at Camp Fowler, a Bay City River Boat ride, swimming at Delta College and more!  In addition, 2pm-4pm on Wednesdays throughout the summer, students can make use of our "Hang Out" at 3921 Todd Street in Midland.

Registration for the STAGES program is due by May 30th and is open to youth ages 14-26.  Please contact Lowell Gisel at 989-835-4041 for information on applying. We are very excited about the tenth summer of STAGES and we hope to see you!

Dial-A-Ride's New Emergency Hotline 

Effective Monday, April 16, 2012 Dial-A-Ride has a new after-hours emergency hotline number: 

837-6999.   

Dial-A-Ride Transportation (DART) has also made the following policy changes:

• DART will no longer accept cancellations after 5:00pm, Monday thru Friday, for evening rides.
• DART will no longer accept cancellations after 1:00pm for Saturday rides.
• Morning cancellations for rides scheduled 6:30 am - 8:30 am can be made by calling 837-6999 and selecting the option to leave a message on the answering machine

DART provides demand-response public transportation for travel within Midland's city limits. To schedule service, call 989-837-6940 at least 60 minutes before you need to be picked up, and plan on a 25-minute bus ride to your destination. Ride times may be longer during busier hours (weekdays 7-9 am and 3-5 pm).  

Great Lakes Bay Miracle League: 2nd Season Starts May 12  

Play Ball! The Great Lakes Bay Miracle League is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with physical and mental disabilities to develop and achieve their full potential: mentally, socially and physically. They accomplish this through America's favorite pastime - baseball, providing an opportunity for children with disabilities to play baseball as part of a team in an organized league.

Volunteers Needed!  

The Disability Network passenger van needs some light bodywork and painting. We're looking for some volunteers to help with these repairs.   

If you are able and willing to help, or for more information on what type of work is needed, please give us a call at 989-835-4041 or email us at info@dnmm.org

Your help is greatly appreciated!!!     

Kroger Community Rewards Supports Disability Network   

Attention Kroger Shoppers! Supporters of Disability Network now have an easy way to support our mission of promoting independence for people with disabilities. All it takes is a Kroger Card and a few clicks at KrogerCommunityRewards.com.

With the Kroger Community Rewards program, using your Kroger Plus card earns dollars for Disability Network programs while saving you money on your groceries! By enrolling, you allocate a percentage of what you spend as a donation to Disability Network EVERY TIME you shop! It's that easy! And, it takes nothing away from your Kroger rewards points.

If you have previously enrolled, you must Re-Enroll every year after April 1st. To enroll in the program, just follow these steps:

• Register online at KrogerCommunityRewards.com  
• Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy to register your card with your organization after you sign up.
• Click on Sign In/Register
• If you are a new online customer, click on SIGN UP TODAY in the 'New Customer' box.
• Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering your zip code, clicking on your favorite store location, entering your email address and creating a password. Then agree to the terms and conditions
• You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
• Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
• Click on "Edit Kroger Community Rewards" information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
• Update or confirm your information.
• Enter 90870 or Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, select us from the list and click on confirm.
• To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization's name on the right side of your information page.

After that, just remember to swipe your Kroger Card at the checkout line for savings on groceries and a portion of those sales will be donated to Disability Network!

If you need assistance or if you have questions about the program, please contact Matthew Ivan at 989-835-4041.

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Disability Network Legislative Day a Big Success! 

Disability Network members gathered together at the State Capitol in Lansing on April 26th to share our stories of impact, policy position statements and rational for continued support for Centers for Independent Living (CIL).  Initial numbers indicate we had nearly 60 legislators and staff stop by to meet with their CIL representatives, in addition to several meetings that took place in legislative offices. The turnout was among the largest ever for the CIL Legislative Day. 

This event was a great example of how our network of CILs engage around issues, and together, with a unified voice make a big impact.  We provided Legislators with three key position statements and the 2011 Disability Network Michigan annual report.  

Employment Position Statement 

Transportation Position Statement 

Long-Term Supports & Services Position Statement 

A special thanks goes to the members of the Public Policy Committee and Sandi Lewis and Holly Mauck, from Muchmore, Harrington & Smalley, for putting on such a successful event.