by independencenw | Jul 23, 2010 | advocacy, community connections, resource
The Oregon DD Coalition has recently posted a training by disability advocate David Pitonyak on their website. The training is called “The Importance of Belonging” and it is from June of 2008. Check it out here.
The largest part of David Pitonyak’s work involves meeting individuals who are said to exhibit “difficult behaviors.” Most of these individuals exhibit difficult behaviors because they are misunderstood and/or because they are living lives that don’t make sense. Often they are lonely, or powerless, or without joy. Often they are devalued by others, or they lack the kinds of educational experiences that most of us take for granted. Too often their troubling behaviors are the result of an illness, or even a delayed response to traumatic events.
Another part of David’s practice involves training. He provide’s workshops and seminars on a variety of topics, including supporting people with difficult behaviors and supporting the needs of a person’s friends, family, and caregivers.
In the recent past, he has provided consultation and training for individuals, families and professionals throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. He has worked with people in a variety of settings, including: home and professionally-staffed residential settings, schools, supported competitive job sites, sheltered workshops, and day activity programs.
“The Importance of Belonging” Part 1
“The Importance of Belonging” Part 2
David Pitonyak’s Website
Thanks to Cynthia Owens for the tip.
by independencenw | Feb 23, 2010 | advocacy, aging into adult services, asperger syndrome, autism, caregivers, cerebral palsy, community connections, customers, employment, healthcare, high school transition, housing, learning disabilities, multnomah county, providers, resource, training, Turning 18
Reynolds School District in collaboration with Multnomah County School Districts presents the 2010 Multnomah County Transition Resource Fair.
Time – 10am – 6pm on April 9th, 2010
Place: Four Corners, Reynolds School District
14513 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97233
Independence Northwest will be sharing a table with several other metro area brokerages.
The fair will include resources on jobs, self-determination, health care, housing and training available to individuals living in Multnomah County and receiving (or preparing to receive) high school transition services.
For questions, please contact Shirley Burns (503.328.0428) or Shannon Selby (503.328.0423), the co-chairs of the 2010 Transition Resource Fair.
by independencenw | Sep 8, 2009 | advocacy, caregivers, community connections, customers, employment, homelessness, rent assistance
Impact NW’s mission is to help people achieve and maintain self-sufficiency and to prevent and alleviate the effects of poverty. In the 2007-2008 fiscal year, Impact Northwest served over 70,000 individuals.
Their clients include low-income children, adolescents, adults with disabilities, seniors, and families. Working with schools, businesses, faith communities, community-based organizations, and governmental agencies, Impact Northwest creates a safety net and springboard for Portland residents seeking to improve their quality of life.
Safety Net Services:
- homeless family shelter
- rent and housing assistance
- utility assistance
- food, clothing, transportation
- information and referral
- client support services
- access to health care & income assistance
Education Support Services:
- youth tutoring & mentoring
- social & educational activities
- early childhood education
- community school coordination
- youth development
- before & after school activities (SUN)
Employment Support Services:
- youth employment training
- Richmond Place homeless transition services
- skill-building classes
- beyond shelter homeless transition services
- access to vocational training
- job referral
Community Involvement Services:
- volunteer placement
- student internship and work study site
- public education
- employee & group community service site
- system advocacy & community organizing
Seniors and Adults with Disabilities:
- transportation
- advocacy/case management
- meal sites and activity centers
- legal and tax assistance
- low-income energy assistance
- shopping trips and friendly visits
- respite
- health promotion activities
- multicultural events
- service access
by independencenw | Aug 31, 2009 | advocacy, caregivers, community connections, customers, resource
Via Oregon YTP
October 15, 2009
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Doubletree Hotel
1000 NE Multnomah Street
Portland, OR
Join family, friends and colleagues at Connecting Communities 2009 as we celebrate this October as National Disability Awareness Month. Headlined by national speaker Olegario “Ollie” Cantos VII(LinkedIN/BIO), Connecting Communities 2009 celebrates all people living in our community – regardless of age or ability. Ken Boddie (BIO), a KOIN Channel 6 anchor, will emcee the event.
It is our intention that this event will be the catalyst to create a powerful coalition of community partners who represent and advocate with and for those with disabilities. Please look out for our first community meeting which we will convene in mid-November.
Featured Activities:
* Dance performance by the Disability Art & Culture Project
* Musical performance by Jeremy Doney
* Storytelling by writer and narrator, Choi Marquardt
* Presentation of City of Portland’s 2009 “Making a Difference” awards
* Unveiling of City of Portland’s new Commission on Disabilities
* Interactive showcase of assistive technologies
* Fundraising for the “Returning Veterans Project”
For more information visit: http://www.phcnw.com/cc09/
by independencenw | Aug 24, 2009 | aging into adult services, autism, caregivers, cerebral palsy, clackamas county, community connections, customers, domestic employees, employment, high school transition, independent contractors, multnomah county, provider organizations, providers, resource, training, washington county
Last Friday, the metro area brokerages (Independence Northwest, Inclusion, Mentor Oregon and The Arc Brokerage Services) held the 2009 Resource Fair. The fair was an enormous success. We’re still tallying the attendee count, but it will likely surpass 400! Special thanks to all the vendors who came and presented their resources to metro area brokerage customers. You can check out their services below.
211
Autism Society of Oregon
Bridges to Independence
Child Development and Rehab Center
DePaul Industries
Disability Accomodation Registry and Safety Zone
Disability Compass
Disability Rights Oregon Work Incentives Program
Disabilty Rights Oregon Help America Vote Act Project
Eastco
Edwards Center
Families Supporting Independent LivingGenerations X and Y
Good Shepherd Communities
Goodwill Industries
Happy Trails Riding Center
Independent Police Review
Making Magic Tours
Mentored Learning
Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services
NAMI Multnomah
Off The Couch Activity Night
On the Move
Oregon Office on Disability and Health
PASS
Port City/Project Grow
Portland Community College, Culinary Assistant Program
Quiet Waters Outreach
Ridewise
SDRI
Self Advocates As Leaders
Special Olympics Oregon
The Companion Program/Adventures Without Limits
TNT Management Resources
Trips Inc
*NOTE: Not all vendors listed above provide services that can be paid for through Support Services funding. Some are natural resources and others are available through private pay. Check with your Personal Agent if you have questions.
by independencenw | Aug 13, 2009 | caregivers, community connections, customers, domestic employees, independent contractors, multnomah county, resource
Next Walk: This Sunday in Southeast Portland.
Opening streets to walking, bicycling, rolling, and roller blading – without having to watch out for cars!
Sunday Parkways are 7-8 mile “temporary parks” along city streets connecting neighborhoods and residents in North, Northeast and Southeast Portland.
A relaxed, non-competitive, FREE event featuring a variety of activities in several parks and along the routes.
Intersections are staffed by volunteers allowing residents to get to and from their driveways, with larger streets supervised by Portland Police Bureau staff and certified flaggers.
Sunday Parkways gives Portlanders a chance to get out and be active right in their own neighborhood. Participants walked, biked, rolled, ran, strolled, and roller bladed along the route to activities in the parks as well as to nearby shops and businesses in the vicinity.
Why?
Sunday Parkways highlights Portland as a walkable and bikeable city. Sunday Parkways is ideal for connecting neighborhoods by bringing people together with healthy activities. Health, transportation, recreation, community, environmental, and safety interests all benefit by partnering to implement Sunday Parkways.
Full information here.
