Keep the Promise Rally

 Last Friday's event at Balboa Park was cut a little short by the sudden storm, however the dedication and participation in local activism was not dampened at all. Many people from all over San Diego came to listen and share...

 The ARC, representing

 The crowd with some great signage

A woman stands alone, her sign read "Fair cuts, extend the taxes"

Former Assembly member Laurie Saldena demonstrates how drastically Medi-cal services have been reduced over the past years with 20 feet of shocking evidence

Coordinators Kritoffel from CSA and Kirk from Life Works 

participate in signing petitions to be sent to the Senate

 More speakers...

People lined up to share

One person shared "I am not handicapped, I am handi-capable, but if thee cuts get approved I am forced into being reliant instead of self-sufficient. These reductions are what's actually handicapping me!"

 Sandy, Stefanie, Jacob, Kirk, Kristoffel and Joy

Coordinators, in this together

The next public rally is scheduled for March 4th, however don't miss Norman Kunc, creator of Credo for Support, at USD that same day 10am-2:30pm. More info here!

Keep the Promise Rally this Friday

Another local opportunity to meet other activists, advocates, Educators and neighbors, and speak your peice and/or learn about the budget reductions that would devastate supported living service for people with disabilities. This Friday, (rain or shine) from noon till 2pm, at Balboa Park on the corner of 6th and Laurel.

Print this, fill it out, and bring it with you!

More information here

Phone Rally- this Friday!

WHO: Any and all advocates, self advocates, family members, friends, teachers, social workers, employers, and anyone in the community who supports services for people with developmental disabilities. Basically... YOU!

WHAT: Phone rally to express rejection of the governor’s proposed $750 million budget cut to developmental services.

WHEN: Friday, February 11th, 2011. Call anytime between 2pm-4pm

WHERE: The comfort of your office, home, anywhere you can use a phone!

WHY: To urge your legislators to reject Governor Brown’s proposed cut to developmental services.  Let’s make our voices heard and show just how many lives this kind of cut will affect.

Here's how: 

Start by finding your District's Legislature here
This link will allow you to access the phone number of your contact person through searching by your zip code.

When you call, it might help to have a brief script for yourself, or notes to go by.
Make sure you identify yourself, your position within the field as friend, family member, advocate, or all the above. Assembly men and women need to know how these cuts will directly affect the lives of over 200,000 Californians labeled with a developmental disability who rely on funding from the state to receive vital services to live independent and inclusive lives in the communities they choose.

Let's overwhelm them with reasons why they should listen, and educate them on how this proposition would be disastrous if it were to pass.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

The Governor and The Legislature Have a Mystery Plan for Cutting Services to People With Developmental Disabilities and Their Families.  They want the Legislature to approve $750 Million in cuts to the system BEFORE deciding what agencies, services, groups or individuals will be ELIMINATED from the system.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO YOU OR YOUR FAMILY MEMBER WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY WENT AWAY?

The Governor’s Plan
Dept. of Developmental Services		PROTECTED!
Regional Centers		PROTECTED!
The Agencies Providing Services to Your Family Member		DEVASTATED!

The Governor’s Plan Will DISMANTLE the entire network of agencies providing services to people with developmental disabilities and their families!

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Contact Your State Senator or Assembly Member

Tell Them to Vote NO on Cuts to Services

Recap on Tuesday night's meeting...

Although Tuesday night's community meeting got off to a late start, former state Assembly Member Laurie Saldena did take a moment out of her busy night to explain the root of our state's $25 million dollar deficit, and some of the agenda on this June's special election.

Life Works dominated the meeting, bringing half of the concerned attendees, and representing those who utilize the system for independent living support.

Here Coordinator Jacob Fiedler addresses the crowd, expressing how the $750 million dollar proposed cut to the Department of Developmental Services would directly effect the quality of services we provide, and in turn those dependent on their support staff to live full lives outside of group homes and state institutions.

Alan Wubenhort speaks to a community member about his role as Disability Commissioner at San Diego State University.

 Laurie Saldena poses with Roseanne Anthony and her support staff Laura Tate. Roseanne is interested in writing letters to the Legislature to make her opinion known, and Laura will be providing form letters in the near future that we can collectively send.

 Laura, Jacob and Joy

with Roseanne, Alan and Ivan

We are determined to be heard! Stay posted for more information on what you can do too.

You're invited to a Community Meeting

Governor Jerry Brown's recent proposed state budget includes a $750 million dollar cut specifically for the Department of Developmental Services, which has a lot of heads spinning, especially those who either work within the field or more locally, are funded by the San Diego Regional Center. Adults with Developmental Disabilities who have overcome many obstacles to live outside of institutions and group homes have utilized programs and agencies such as Life Works, Creative Support Alternatives and Networx, specializing in supportive and independent living services. These services are in jeopardy of being harshly cutback, which will directly result in a reduction of quality of life for each person.

Tomorrow night in Hillcrest, former State Assembly member Lori Saldana will give her perspective and facilitate a community meeting to discuss exactly what that means. We encourage any support staff, family members, and anyone interested in the realm of social work to come by and participate (or listen) to how these cuts will directly affect your neighbors, friends and loved ones. Be educated and help us educate others in turn.

When: Tuesday Jan 25th at 7pm
Where: Joyce Beers Community Center
           1220 Cleveland Ave.
           San Diego, CA 92103
Cost: Free!

For more info call 619-249-1625

No RSVP required, we just hope to see you there!

Waddie Welcome

Our event last Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day was part of a nation wide awareness building activity, and a great way to kick off the new year in our new location. The reading of Waddie Welcome is the story of man with a disability whose community rallied around his independence and exodus from institutionalization.  It is best shared in a Georgia potluck setting, and in honor of his home state we encouraged our own neighbors and friends to bring something sweet and join us.

Before everyone arrived

 Life Works Coordinators with Diana Carson

Justin reading

 Group discussions

 Alan

 Deb Callahan, Director of Networx with Sandy 

A great collaboration of minds

More photos on our Facebook page