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Assisting Cedar Valley Senior Citizens
Cedar Valley United Way supports community members of all ages. Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging, one recipient of United Way funding, seeks to improve the quality of life for older persons in the area. Cedar Valley United Way recently supported this mission with funding that provided transportation for these residents, helping them maintain their independence.
The agency is also grateful for the dollars that went toward their Special Assistance to Seniors program, which provides elderly individuals with access to services that allow them to remain in their own homes. Your United Way contribution distributed fans to older persons in the community who are living without proper cooling systems. These were especially helpful during the recent heat wave. Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging thanks you for your support of Cedar Valley United Way!
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Community Inclusion Matters
In a publication entitled Community Matters, it seems appropriate to explore how "inclusion" fits into community matters. In fact, we might even put inclusion right in the middle of community matters, creating the apt tag line Community Inclusion Matters.
Including everyone in all aspects of community life does matter, especially to persons with disabilities. It is our personal experiences, interactions with other people, and the resulting friendships that enrich, define, and give quality to our lives. Everyone should have the opportunity for an ordinary life enriched by typical experiences. For this to happen for persons with disabilities, however, they need to the chance to participate in community life. Quality of life experiences do not happen in isolation. True inclusion occurs only when all people are welcomed and encouraged to participate in everyday activities.
Everyone has experienced a time when they have noticed a staff person taking a group of people with disabilities out into the community, maybe out to lunch or shopping at the mall. However, simply being visible and present in the community is not inclusion. Having special, segregated activities and programs for persons with disabilities is not inclusion. Inclusion is not about our being kind or compassionate. Inclusion goes beyond mere acceptance.
Inclusion is a certain way of thinking that translates into a certain way of acting - an inclusive way of acting. Inclusion means we see everyone as a "person" and avoid making distinctions that let their disability define who they are in our mind. Inclusion only happens when we invite someone with a disability to participate in typical life situations because we want them to be part of things, enjoy their company and value their contribution.
At the heart of a truly inclusive community is the ability to value all people regardless of differences. At the heart of a truly inclusive community, everyone is a valued citizen with the opportunities to participate in all aspects of community life.
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| 2009 Golf Classic Results |
| The 2009 Scheels Cedar Valley United Way Golf Classic was a great success thanks to all involved.
We raised over $15,000 for the Cedar Valley with the help of our players, auction participants and sponsors. The event has received positive feedback, and we are looking forward to next year! |
Waterloo Schools Registration
Thursday, August 6
7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, August 7
1 to 7:30 p.m. |
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Rally for the Valley
2009 Campaign Kick-Off
Wednesday, September 2
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
R.S.V.P. |
Cedar Valley Chase
Saturday, September 26 |
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