Livin: Official Newsletter of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living—Spring 2010 In This Issue: Why Weight? 1 HPRP 2 2010 FAN Group Schedule 2 LV Action Team Update 3 First Time Home Buyers 3 Mentors Wanted!!! 3 The Advocate’s Corner 4 Upcoming LVCIL Events 4 Why Weight? By: Amy C. Beck, Executive Director Thanks to the many Livin’ readers who have contacted me or our staff about my last article, which I wrote about losing weight over the past two years! Who knew so many of us are in the same battle. Debbie Rozear and I have been talking, and with some feedback from our Lehigh Valley Action Team, we’d like to offer a Why Weight Group. The group will provide support and education to anyone who wants to lose weight, maintain their weight, and/or learn to eat healthier foods. People in weight loss support groups lose more weight, so let’s give it a try! Attendance will be free! And, LVCIL has a state of the art wheelchair accessible scale you can use independently, anytime we are open. Join us to plan when and how often the group will meet, along with group topics! We will have an Organizational Salad Fixin Pot-Luck on Monday, May 17th from 12:00 noon to 1:30 at LVCIL. We will supply salad greens, beverages and paper products, and everyone else needs to bring something(s) they like to put on a salad (chopped veggies, nuts, beans, fruits, salad dressing, etc). Please RSVP to Greg Bott before April 15th, at 610-770-9781 ext. 20 or gregbott@lvcil.org. Call today, Why Weight? Save the Date! On July 21, 2010, LVCIL will host “To the Future and Beyond!” LVCIL’s 20th Annual Independent Living Celebration at the Palace Center! Mark your calendar for this very special, space-themed 20th anniversary celebration as we look ahead to the future of LVCIL! For more information call Greg Bott at 610-770-9781 ext. 20 or email gregbott@lvcil.org. Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program By: Debbie Rozear The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP for short) is the name for the funding program that has been awarded to several different agencies in the Lehigh Valley, to help people maintain their current housing status. It also can help if you are behind on your utilities payments and have a shut off notice pending. Or, it can help if you are nearly homeless. LVCIL has been granted HPRP funds to help persons with disabilities maintain their current living standards. We have not, however, been awarded any funds to do the Rapid Rehousing portion of the program for those who are already homeless. In order to qualify, a person must fit all the criteria for the program. You must already have an eviction notice, have adequate income to maintain the payments when you are caught up with the back rent or utilities, and be able to supply us with all the proper paperwork that is necessary for proof for LVCIL to help you. In addition, you or someone in the household must have a disability. These guidelines come from the government and we have nothing to do with the requirements, our agency just follows the rules in order to help distribute the money among people who meet these criteria and qualify for the funds. If you have any housing needs or think you might be eligible for the Homelessness Prevention Program, please feel free to call 610-770-9781 to speak with a Community Support Coordinator; Debbie ext. 24, Eladio (Spanish) ext. 18, or Annette ext. 27. 2010 FAN Group Schedule April 10th—@ LCCC, Schnecksville Campus from 10:30-Noon. Jodie Steiner will talk about her own fascinating journey of transition. May 8th—@ LCCC, Schnecksville Campus from 10:30-Noon. Jordan Toman will present the story of his life, including his life in Europe. June 12th—Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community in Bethlehem. FAN Group will assist LVCIL staff and volunteers by participating in the Highmark Walk. More details will come in the Spring. July 10th—@ Promenade Shops in Center Valley from 1:00-3:00. We will spend an afternoon together. You must bring your own money. August 14th—@ Parkway Bowling Lanes in Allentown. Time TBA. We will try our luck at bowling and games at Parkway. September 11th—@ LVCIL from 1:00-5:00. Bring your favorite snacks for movie day! October 9th—@ Old Country Buffet in Whitehall from 11:00-1:00. Lunch! You must bring your own money to pay for your lunch. November 13th—@ LCCC, Schnecksville Campus from 10:30-Noon. Edward Wilson will speak about his life experiences. December 11th—@ LCCC, Schnecksville Campus from 10:30-Noon. Holiday party and planning for 2011! Future Advocates Now! (FAN) is a group of young adults with disabilities that meets every month to discuss the issues that impact our lives. We spend time together and, most importantly, support each other. For more information, please call 610-770-9781. Lehigh Valley Action Team (LVAT) Update The LV Action Team meets the second Wednesday of each month from 11:30 to 1:30 pm. Prior to these meetings there is a craft class from 10:30 to 11:30, which is run by board member Jean Feldman. She asks that there is a $2.00 donation each time to defray some of the cost of the materials that are used by each person attending these classes. On April 14th we will all share a craft and/or talent that we each may have. You may bring along and share some examples of your craft as we will take a few minutes for each person to showcase their skills. There will even be live keyboard music! Come prepared to share and join in the fun. The next few meetings are being held on: April 14th—Sharing craft and/or talents May 12th—TBA June 9th—TBA If you are interested in attending, please call Debbie at 610-770-9781 ext. 24. First Time Home Buyers Seminars By: Francisco Sainz de la Peña Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) is offering seminars for first time home buyers targeting people with disabilities. We can do it on an individual basis by going to your home at your convenience, or you can come to our office for assistance. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Francisco Sainz de la Peña at 610-770-9781 ext. 22 or email fsainzdelapena@lvcil.org. Seminarios para compradores de la primera casa Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) ofrece seminarios para compradores de la primera casa que tengan algún tipo de discapacidad. Podemos dar el seminario en forma individual en nuestra oficina o en su domicilio. Para mayor información o para hacer una cita, llame a Francisco Sainz de la Pena al 610-770-9781 Ext. 22. Email: fsainzdelapena@lvcil.org. S2L Mentors Wanted!!! LVCIL’s Transition: School to Life (S2L) program is looking for a few shining stars who would like to provide mentoring and peer support to young adults with disabilities as they transition to adulthood. You must be at least 18 and pass child abuse and criminal clearances. Experience with disability is a plus. A stipend is provided for your involvement. We expect the mentor to provide regular contact by phone, email, or even getting together. As a mentor you will attend the S2Ler’s person-centered-plan meeting and then help them with their goals by providing peer support, encouragement, and guidance. We look for about 4 hours of contact per month but are more focused on the quality of interaction. For more information, please call Seth Hoderewski at 610-770-9781 ext. 19 or email sethhoderewski@lvcil.org Special thanks to Randy Wenhold and Anthony Rivera from Susquehanna Bank for donating so much of their time to teach finance classes during the First Mondays Program. For information on LVCIL’s new business guide, “Doing Business with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing” please contact Greg Bott at 610-770-9781 ext. 20 or email gregbott@lvcil.org. SAVE THE DATE!!! Join us on Saturday, June 12, 2010 in beautiful Downtown Bethlehem for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. You can register to walk online at www.lvcil.dojiggy.com. For more information, please contact Greg Bott at 610-770-9781 ext. 20 or email gregbott@lvcil.org. The Advocate’s Corner By: Robbie Graves I have always said that the best advocate is a well informed consumer. One well informed voice can create a tremendous amount of positive change. It is with this thought, and with the suggestion of a long time consumer and local advocate, that I decided to change the format of my column from the “Ask Robbie” format to this current format, where I will write a short article detailing some specific advocacy tools. The first thing I want to discuss is that you must speak up and be persistent. Nothing will ever happen unless concerned citizens speak up and be persistent about it. I am thinking now of a specific situation that an individual contacted me about not long ago. Her rights were clearly violated. She had the courage to speak up and complain to the company responsible. She was persistent and kept talking about the situation in an educated, clear, and logical manner without name calling and being threatening. The end result was positive change where the company agreed to a more thorough notification of their employees of what their obligations and responsibilities are to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are upheld and equal access to the company’s service is assured as the law, and company policy itself dictates. This was great advocacy by this person. She took a bad experience and turned it into a positive where all people will be assured greater access to this company’s service. The company worked with her to seek out a solution and positive change is occurring. The difference is persistence. Be involved, speak, up and be persistent. Know where to call if you have a complaint. If you have any questions on where or who to call if you have a complaint, you can always start by calling the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living at 610-770-9781 and ask to speak with a Community Support Coordinator, or if you have access to email, you can email me your question personally at robgraves@lvcil.org Upcoming LVCIL Events! April 14th—@ LVCIL from 10:30-1:30. Craft class/Lehigh Valley Action Team meeting. Crafting will begin at 10:30. No experience necessary and assistance is provided. Lehigh Valley Action Team will meet from 11:00-1:30. You’re welcome to attend this free, casual gathering where people come together for peer support, activities, and guest speakers. You may bring a lunch. For more information, call Debbie Rozear at 610-770-9781 ext. 24. April 21st—@ LVCIL from 7:00–9:00 pm. ASL Nights are back! Come and join us for a night of great fun. Bring something to share if you’d like, such as your favorite game, or just come and chat in ASL. For more information, please contact Michele at 610-770-9781 ext. 27 or email michelemarks@lvcil.org. For VP call 484-866-8407. May 3rd—@ LVCIL from 10:00-3:00. DASH Advocacy workshop will be held at LVCIL. Help to improve your advocacy skills! Learn how to organize for success and be an advocate in your area. There is no charge for the workshops or materials and lunch is provided. Accommodations are available upon request. To enroll, or for more information, please contact DASH toll-free at 800-692-7443 ext. 312 (877-375-7139 TTY) or email ido@drnpa.org. May 19th—@ LVCIL from 7:00–9:00 pm. ASL Night! Come and join us for a night of great fun. Bring something to share if you’d like, such as your favorite game, or just come and chat in ASL. For more information, please contact Michele at 610-770-9781 ext. 27 or email michelemarks@lvcil.org. For VP call 484-866-8407. May—@ LVCIL. Date and time TBA. Landlords for All Workshop. May—@ LVCIL. Date and time TBA. Landlords for All “Meet and Greet.” Landlords and consumers will meet each other to discuss potential housing and exchange information. June 12, 2010—Join LVCIL for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community in beautiful downtown Bethlehem. For registration info please visit walkforahealthycommunity.org.