Kent County Senior Millage Up for Renewal

92-year old Aileen lives alone in her home despite her frail health that makes it difficult to do her daily activities like bathing, cleaning her home, and getting her groceries. With just a few hours of help per week from an aide paid for by Kent County Senior Millage(KCSM), she can remain independent instead of having to move to a more costly supervised setting.

Funding for the Kent County senior Millage ends in December. However, voters will be asked on August 8 to renew the Senior Millage at a slightly higher rate for an eight year term. “The Kent County Senior Millage is invaluable to our community,” said Deb Snow, Steering Committee chairperson for the KCSM. “It funds many needed in-home services that are more cost effective for older adults and their families and also offers health promotion programs, medical transportation and prescription assistance,” she said.

The Kent County Senior Millage serves over 12,000 people annually. Client numbers have increased 36% since 2000, the first full year of millage services. “Most of the millage clients either donate to or share in the cost of their services,” noted Snow, “that enables us to stretch millage dollars farther and serve more people.”

Unmet needs still exist in Kent County. A Grand Rapids Community Foundation survey found that two-thirds of all people who reported needing assistance with daily activities weren’t getting help. It comes as the older adult population in Kent County is projected to double in the next 30 years. That’s why Kent County Commissioners voted unanimously to ask voters to approve the millage at a slightly higher rate which would cost a $160,000 homeowner an extra $6.40 per year.

To learn more about the Kent County Senoir Millage go to www.kentseniormillage.com If your group would like to learn more about the millage, call 222-7068 to schedule a millage presentation.

Become a Toastmaster

Toastmasters International is a non-profit, educational organization focused on helping develop or improve skills in thinking, speaking and listening. Clubs function as a laboratory for learning and applying these skills each week and provide immediate feedback on the progress. Extensive educational material is available to members in the areas of communication, leadership, effective listening, conducting meetings, training and management. The program is self-paced, hands on and fun! Meetings are well organized and run by the club members. Toastmasters can help you lose the fear of public speaking and learn skills that will help you in both your personal and professional life.

What is “In Utter Words?”

People meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month to improve their public speaking skills while having fun. You are cordially invited to join us at an “In Utter Words” meeting to see who we are and how we can help you boost your confidence and become a better leader. You don’t have to be good to start…..you do have to start to be good! Better communication and leadership is ONE meeting away! You owe it to yourself…be the best that you can be! You can do it!

“In Utter Words”
Toastmasters Club #643428
2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month
Disability Advocates of Kent County
3600 Camelot Dr. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
12:00pm to 1:30pm
Contact Esther Hickerty at 791-4431 or Stacy Addis at 780-6336

Housing-Moving in the Right Direction!

Inclusive Home Design Act (also known as HB4138), has passed in both the State House and Senate and will soon become law! HB4138 requires 50% of homes built with MSHDA funding be “visitable”, no-step entry and an accessible path to the bathroom. Although it doesn’t meet universal design standards, it is a step in the right direction.

The Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) has taken the plunge. Since its first meeting on January 19 of this year, the Committee has established an aggressive agenda to increase housing choice for people with disabilities. The strategic plan that is being developed establishes three areas of activity:

1. Modify policies and procedures to increase housing availability.
2. Train consumers in housing issues and develop housing advocates.
3. Develop a Housing Locator System to make it easier to identify accessible, affordable housing.

After reviewing Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations, the group initially decided to focus on the largest public housing provider in the area, the Grand Rapids Housing Commission (GRHC). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits disability discrimination in programs receiving HUD funds or financial assistance. Further, 5% of the units in HUD public housing projects must meet the accessibility standards for persons with mobility issues. The HAC has been examining whether the GRHC meets that standard.

While more than 5% of the GRHC’s 860 units are accessible, only 4 (.0047%) are in buildings that are not restricted to seniors or other special group. Of the 47 accessible units that do exist, only 29 (62%) are occupied by people with disabilities. Why is this so and what is the policy to insure qualified applicants can gain access? The HAC has suggested that persons with mobility disabilities be given a preference in receiving Section 8 Housing Vouchers to insure that the GRHC truly meets the standard. The HAC will continue to hold the GRHC accountable so that housing opportunities for people with disabilities increase to really meet regulations.

To train and cultivate advocates, DAKC has teamed with the ARC and presented a number of workshops on housing to families in transition. We are also working with MOKA on self-determination and will be providing a train the trainer workshop on July 18. Things on the horizon— a training series on direct action organizing starting during the summer and potentially a seminar on Fair Housing issues for the fall.

Finally, the committee is working on developing a Housing Locator System to increase housing choice. A survey has been developed and is being distributed to housing providers. Once our information base is updated, a website will be developed. The website will include information on a wide variety of housing issues. If you are interested in working on housing issues or becoming a part of the Housing Advisory Committee, call Frank at 949-1100 x238.

DAKC Celebrates 25 Years of Community Service

On October 16, DAKC will kick off its year long celebration. At this significant milestone, we want to take a moment to look back as well as plan and dream for the next twenty-five years of service. John Hockenberry, of NBC, MSNBC, and NPR fame and author of Moving Violations and A River Out of Eden will be coming to Grand Rapids to commemorate this milestone. There will be two opportunities to see Mr. Hockenberry on October 16th.

1. The Grand Rapids Economics Club Lunch. At noon, he will address the business leaders in our community.
2. DAKC’s Anniversary Celebration at DeVos Place.

Evening event at DeVos Place:

5:00 Cocktail Reception (cash bar)
6:00 Dinner and the evening program
6:45 John will give his keynote address
7:30 Program concludes

John will be available for book signing and his books will be sold at the event.

In 1981, DAKC started with just four staff members to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities and a more accessible community. Today, we’ve grown into a staff of 25, with 13 board members and over 40 active volunteers to carry out our mission: “to advocate, assist, educate and inform on independent living options for persons with disabilities and to create a barrier-free society for all.” In staying true to we are who we serve, two-thirds of our staff, board and volunteers are persons with disabilities.

In looking back on the last 25 years, we have a long list of accomplishments of which to be proud. In looking forward to the next 25 years and beyond, the year long 25th Anniversary Celebration will be centered around:

• Educating the community about how DAKC impacts the community and makes a difference in peoples’ lives, not just in the lives of persons with disabilities.
• Establishing funding in the short term to open the Volunteer & Intern Center. Believe it or not, DAKC has to turn volunteers away due to lack of space and technology. To obtain additional space and specialized technology to accommodate all disabilities and manage the center, we seek to raise $120,000 per year over a five year period.
• Establishing the DAKC endowment to ensure the sustainable support of the vital programs DAKC offers.

Join us in making our 25th Anniversary a grand occasion by becoming a sponsor. You do not want to miss this opportunity to see John Hockenberry and help position DAKC to continue to impact our community over the next 25 years.

Tickets are available now from $50-$75. To purchase tickets to the evening event, contact Jocelyn at (616)949-1100 x 237 or jocelyn.d@dakc.us

ADA Picnic in the Park Celebration

Wednesday,July 26
11:30am-1:30pm

2531 Kalamazoo SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508

Lunch provided

To RSVP by July 21 and for more information, contact Lisa(616)949-1100 x255 or lisa.w@dakc.us

Aktion Club
An Aktion Club is a community based service group composed of adults. They help purchase materials and equipment and provide financial support for the Aktion Club. They can also join with the Aktion Club in community activities and events swharing their gifts and talents. For more information on Aktion Clubs go to: www.aktionclub.org

Disability Advocates is recruiting members for the Aktion Club now. Make a commitment to get involved! Sign up today by contacting Dorothy Jenkins at 949-1100 x234 or dorothy.j@dakc.us

Mentoring

A structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee.
Through involvement with community based social and recreational activities, receive opportunities to develop, discover, use and apply their gifts, talents and abilities.
Become mentors for young people (ages 8-17) with disabilities allowing them to:

• Improve self-esteem
• Develop mechanical, creative,intellectual abilities
• Develop leadership skills
• Learn skills/tools for independent living.

Contact Dorothy Jenkins
(616)949-1100 x234
dorothy.j@dakc.us

For more on mentoring go to: mentormichigan.com

DAKC Announces New Staff

Trisha Ancel
Core Services Team

Trisha is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University’s School of Social Work Program. Upon completion of her year internship at Disability Advocates of Kent County, she accepted a position as an intake and support staff worker on the Core Services Team here at DAKC. Although she is not originally from the Grand Rapids area, Trisha has grown to love West Michigan and plans to remain in the area.

Ellen Seese
Office Support Team

Ellen lives in Alto and is married with two children. Ellen loves animals and is mom to chickens, pigs, dogs , cats and a bunny. She has a Bachelor’s in accounting, a Master’s in education and is close to completing an endorsement in special education. Her hobbies are biking, walking, genealogy, sewing and making maple syrup with her family.

Joe Sibley
Resource Developmental Team

Originally from Muskegon, Joe worked in radio around West Michigan for many years including 14 years with WOOD Radio in Grand Rapids. He stays active in Visually Impaired Persons for Progress(VIPP), MoPix West Michigan, and his church activities. Joe enjoys working with sound systems and audio electronics. He has four grown children and 5.5 grandchildren.

DAKC Membership Phone Drive

Starts Tuesday, September 5
DAKC representatives will be
calling you starting in September to re-new your membership

Membership Options

• Sustaining member $100
• Family $50 Individual $25 Student or individual on fixed income $10
• Corporate Membership Sustaining Leader $500
• Corporate Membership Sustaining $300
• Corporate Membership $500

The Perks

• Ownership in an organization that truly makes a difference in peoples’ lives
• Receive our quarterly newsletter and annual report
• Added to our e-mail Action Alert list to notify you of happenings in the community, legislative actions affecting persons with disabilities and ways to get involved
• Listed in Annual Report
• Notification of training or informational sessions sponsored by DAKC.

Call today to re-new your membership 616 949-1100.