The MASS Blog
June 2020
The southeast regional meeting was held via zoom on May 14, 2020. This month 2 guests visited the meeting, Marie D’Aoust sharing about self advocates choosing to start Voting Clubs and Nate Hoover(DDS SE Human Rights) visited to say hello to everyone.
Chairman of the Southeast region group is Albert Milne, and has been a monthly attendee since 2017,he is a MASS Board member, and recently became the Chairman of the MASS Board. Congratulations Albert, we are sure you will do a great job.
Commonwealth Enterprises (Mansfield Redemption) has put together a newsletter for their self advocates to stay connected during the pandemic. Several self advocates shared either a story or suggestions how to spend time during Covid-19.
“Patience is not about the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting” is the theme of their newsletter.
MoLife’s self advocacy group has invited Gail Delgado, Marie D’Aoust, and Nate Hoover to their next meeting, June 3rd, to talk about self advocacy groups, Voting Club, and Human Rights. Congratulations self advocates of the MoLife Program in New Bedford on starting a self advocacy group.
CAST and STAR Launch self advocacy groups continue to connect with the regional coordinator for encouragement to virtually stay active.
On May 14th, Cynthia Goldberg participated in a webinar about self advocate stories during the Covid-19 emergency, and she read two of her newest poems. She is sharing one in the June 2020 MASS Flash.
Adventures of the World to Shine
By Cynthia Goldberg
Sounds of the ocean waves
Have words through their doors
Opening up to a bright shining beautiful day.
Lift our voices of the world to the sea.
Listen to the waves following me.
We speak from our hearts to create the world—
To shine on our day, to shine across the bay!
It feels like shining crystals of the sun let these words speak to me,
“Let the Angels take the challenge.”
I’m hearing in the ocean waves
The courageous words of the “courage of Sarah Noble.”
Hearing the tides is in my adventure.
I start believing how it sounds
With heart words above the shining sun on a beautiful day.
The sunshine is following me.
Next meeting is June 11, 2020 at 6pm - 7:30pm via zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/108541531
Any questions email or call Gail Delgado, Region Coordinator
gail@ma-advocates.org or 339-832-2922
(if I do not answer please leave a message)
April 2020
Check out this link for some music and instruction about washing your hands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxOJ7hh3H-I&feature=youtu.be
Southeast Regional Meeting
Thursday, April 9⋅6:00 – 8:00pm
https://zoom.us/j/108541531 OR Join by phone +1 413-438-7148 PIN: 689 838 506#
ANY QUESTIONS CALL GAIL @ 339-832-2922 OR EMAIL gail@ma-advocates.org
ACTS OF KINDNESS by Delta Projects
During these trying times it is great to have caring staff, Cherita Miles Jackson and Kolby! Today they, and the people they support, made care packages of chicken and vegetable soup, biscuits, sugar-free brownies;. Then door dropped off at some of our other homes, that have medically challenged people living there. Great job AJ, Ashley, and Sara.
March 2020
Save the Date!!!! Southeast Region Meeting
March 12, 2020 6pm - 7:30pm Lakeville Library Lakeville MA
Many self advocates from the southeast attended the Annual Arc Mass/MDDC Legislative Reception, thank you Arc Mass sharing pictures of our friends from the southeast.
2020 Youth Leadership Forum Information and Application Materials to Share:
Partners for Youth with Disabilities is proud to host the 2020 Massachusetts Youth Leadership Forum! The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is an overnight conference for youth and young adults with disabilities held annually in Massachusetts and other states across the country. YLF participants build leadership skills and leave better prepared for future employment, higher education, and independent living. This year's YLF will take place from June 23rd-June 25th, 2020 at Bridgewater State University. Below are links to the 2020 YLF information and flyer as well as the 2020 YLF Application which can be completed online.
Link to Online YLF 2020 Application: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YLF2020
Link to YLF 2020 Flyer: https://www.pyd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/YLF-2020-flyer-Final-2-13-20.pdf
Website: https://www.pyd.org/programs/youth-leadership-forum/
The YLF 2020 recommendation form can be found at this link:
February 2020
SAVE THE DATE
FEBRUARY 13, 2020
6pm-7:30pm @ Lakeville Public Library
4 Precinct St, Lakeville, MA
Join other self advocates in the Southeast region, express your voice, and brainstorm with others regarding issues in your local community, regionally, and statewide. Your southeast region group will be discussing voting and doing your political homework. They will be working on connecting with legislators representing communities in the southeast.
OTHER NEWS
DDS Southeast recently held their Human Rights Forum, educating your human rights officers, sexuality education, and how to help self advocates have healthy relationships. Two self-advocates from the Foxboro Rainbow Support Group spoke to the audience of human rights coordinators and officers, Lisa Pedrotti and Tommy Pruvot.
Southeast Board members Alber Milne, 2nd year, AJ Caldron 3rd year, and newly reelected George Brown started a new year of Board meetings in January.
The region meeting in January guest speaker was Neil Stein, who shared his voting presentation he put together for a recent Public Speaking workshop series that he attended.
A small group of self advocates are saving their money to attend SABE National Conference October 2020 in Denver. They are getting excited to attend this conference and check out the conference at the following link: http://sabeconference.org/
Not involved with the southeast region yet, email or call Gail, gail@ma-advocates.org or 339-832-2922.