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IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE
THROUGH INCLUSION
Earlier this month, President Obama declared October to be Disability Employment Awareness Month. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed more than 20 years ago, individuals with disabilities still have fewer opportunities in the workplace and often face similar barriers in their personal lives. Despite this, individuals with disabilities have a wealth of talent, passion, and expertise that can benefit communities in a variety of ways. In the Great Lakes State where nearly 1.9 million residents have a disability, the issue of disability awareness and inclusion is especially crucial to the transformation of our state.
At the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), we are committed to encouraging all Michigan residents, regardless of ability, race, religion, gender, age, income, or education, to engage in service. In addition to improving community challenges, volunteer and service opportunities provide jobs skills, hands-on experience, ongoing training, networking, and so much more that can be instrumental to gaining employment. By promoting and providing disability and inclusion resources, the MCSC strives to make this connection for the disability community by bringing them together with national service programs and volunteer organizations. Read on to learn how the MCSC and other agencies are empowering individuals with disabilities to be recipients and providers of service.
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Changing Lives Through the Power of Service
When Doug Nol began serving as a Michigan's AmeriCorps member with the Goodwill Grand Rapids AmeriCorps Partnership program, he struggled with feelings that his opportunities and future were limited. "I would often feel defeated because of my physical disability - cerebral palsy," commented Doug. "While I knew in my heart that my disability did not define me, I also began to believe that my possibilities and capabilities were restricted because of it and this made me question what I could do in life."
After a year of AmeriCorps service, Doug's outlook on life has become much more optimistic. "Though I still sometimes struggle with that perception," Doug explained, "I now believe in my strengths." During his AmeriCorps term, Doug served as an Employability Skills Coach in Goodwill's R.E.A.C.H. program. In this role, Doug helped program participants to see their strengths and how those skills can be used in the work place. By discovering their strengths, people who once felt confined by their limitations and circumstances are empowered to find work.
Ironically, Doug found that by helping these individuals to achieve Goodwill's motto of 'Changing lives and communities through the power of work,' he was also changing his own life in the same way. "I have acquired a passion for working in workforce development with people with physical and mental disadvantages," said Doug. "I want to thank AmeriCorps and Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids for all the life lessons learned this year and for equipping me to become a better servant to the community." As he wraps up his first AmeriCorps service term, Doug is considering positions in the social work and workforce development field, as well as performing another year of AmeriCorps service.
The Goodwill Grand Rapids AmeriCorps Partnership is one of 22 Michigan's AmeriCorps program administered by the MCSC. Back to top |
 A Mentor Match with a Special Bond
As a Mentor Michigan College Coaching Corps (MMCCC) AmeriCorps member, Kelly van Frankenhuyzen supports mentor-mentee matches at the Clinton County Michigan State University Extension office. Mentoring relationships provide youth with a caring adult who can listen to them, provide advice and guidance, and be there for them in ways that parents sometimes cannot. This special bond has been proven to have many benefits including improved behavior, better mental health, and higher educational attainment. To help optimize this experience, Kelly and other MMCCC AmeriCorps members provide recruitment, training, evaluation, and other resources that support youth and mentors in mentoring programs.
One such young person supported by Kelly and Clinton County program is a 10 year-old mentee with Asperger's Syndrome, psychosocial delays, and ADHD. To ensure she was accommodating the special needs of this mentee, Kelly spent time learning how to best serve youth with autism. By attending trainings in the community, Kelly met the father of a young autistic girl who was interested in helping a family in a similar situation. Kelly instantly thought of her 10 year-old mentee in waiting and quickly matched the two up. Uniquely knowledgeable and sensitive to the mentee's situation, the mentor has been a great match, sharing resources, fun, and more. Kelly has even been able to connect the match with a Equine Assisted Learning program offered through the Clinton County Juvenile Court. The mentee and mentor visit a local horse farm that has been working with autistic children for more than 8 years. The horses are used in a beneficial way that supports the youth and further cultivates the mentoring relationship. "I'm so grateful that you found my mentor for me," the young mentee recently commented. The MMCCC is one of 22 Michigan's AmeriCorps programs administered by the MCSC.
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 Volunteering to Better Lives
As a wheelchair user himself, John Kamsickas understands first-hand the importance of mobility and independence. This unique knowledge and understanding makes John an exceptional Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) - a person who analyzes the needs of individuals with disabilities, assists in the selection of the appropriate equipment, and trains the consumer on how to properly use the specific equipment.
Assistive technologies, ranging from wheelchairs and alternate computer access, to augmentative communications devices and more, can vastly improve the function and quality of life for an individual with a disability. However, knowing the appropriate tool to select and how to use it can be a daunting task, making the skill and expertise of ATPs such as John critically important. Despite this necessity, many people do not have access to an ATP as a result of resources, location, or other limitations. To help these individuals improve their lives, John volunteers his time to the disability community. "I feel that it is important for people to give their talents," commented John. "I am blessed to have a unique skill set that can benefit the disability community. As a person with a disability myself, I know mobility and independence are very important."
One community that has particularly benefited from John's skill and generosity is the Michigan chapter of the ALS Association and its patients. ALS - also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's Disease - often causes patients to have sudden changes in mobility and John travels across that state on behalf of the ALS Association to assist these patients. "We are extremely lucky to have him as a volunteer," commented Michigan ALS Association Executive Director Susan Woolner. "Our families benefit so much. Whether he is modifying equipment or providing adjustments for comfort, he provides the patients what they need to have quality of life."
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Are you ready to answer the call to serve and support inclusion? Consider disability accommodations when planning your next service project or volunteer your time to the disability community. A member of the disability community yourself? Find a way to serve - the opportunities are endless! Explore volunteer positions that fit your skills and interest in our online volunteer portal.
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About the MCSC
The Michigan Community Service Commission builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism. In 2012-2013, the MCSC is granting more than $7.5 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. The MCSC is funding 22 AmeriCorps programs and six Volunteer Michigan grantees. The Governor's Service Awards and Mentor Michigan are also premier programs of the MCSC.
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