Take a look at this lovely video put together by Dave Hasbery and Patti Scott of Neighbors Inc. in New Jersey.
The Art of Social Change has been a journey through relationships, discovering gifts, and the awe filled beauty they
display. Chatham-Savannah Citizen Advocacy has fostered connections allow us to see the everyday radical path to social change.
Visit our Photo Gallery and take a look!
More than 350 folks came out to celebrate our 34th Annual Covered Dish Supper and Meeting at the Savannah Station in May. Great food, music and fellowship and stories from people involved in citizen advocacy relationships. We sa
id thank you to outgoing board chair Rigel Crockett and hello to new board members Regina Thomas and John Coleman. Robert Cohen was inducted as our Fiscal Year 2013 Chair, Amy Hughes as Secretary and Mike English as Treasurer. Continuing board members are: The Rev. Liam Collins, Felix Figuereo, Preston Hodges, Margaret Cheatham Hubbard, Quentin L. Marlin, Florence Slatinksy, Laura Greene Smith, Dicky Stone, Dan Suwyn, and Bill Tumlin.
I was recently with John O’Brien, an important mentor to me for 40 years. John lives in Atlanta and travels the world listening to and learning from people who are working to create more inclusive and just communities.
John shared a story about a man he knew named Tom Allen. Mr. Allen lived in the New York State developmental disability institutional system from 1915 to 1985. None of us can ever imagine what that life was like for Mr. Allen.
Mr. Allen wrote an autobiography, short in length and long in wisdom. He did this over a period of years, finding the occasional staff person he could trust to listen closely to him and capture what he had to say.
I am sharing some of John O’Brien’s reflection on Tom Allen’s autobiography. Think of the word “institution” in two ways. First, as the place Tom Allen was forced to live his life. Second, as a place holder for any other word that comes to your mind.
“I wanted to be part of the world and
leave the institution.” — Tom Allen
Remember, use the word “institution” as a place holder. Insert other words, feelings, ideas that come to your mind.
You can learn more about John O’Brien and read some of his work by visiting http://www.inclusion.com/jobrien.html or http://thechp.syr.edu/randr.htm
How do we bring people together in citizen advocacy relationships?
We get to know the person with the developmental disability and learn about their hopes, dreams and interests.
We reach out to people we know who have connections, talents and skills that match up with who the person is and what their hopes are.
We give both people the opportunity to learn about one another and to decide if they would like to deepen that learning.
If the two people decide they would like to get to know one another and try to create change, we help them get started and we stay in touch to listen, share ideas and to offer encouragement.
We encourage citizen advocates to ask their friends and associates to help them in their advocacy efforts.
We are always available to the citizen advocate at their request. We do not step in for them, but we try and be there for them whenever they call.
We offer invitations to ongoing learning and celebration from time to time. These are invitations not obligations.
Take a look at this short introductory video to citizen advocacy by Christine Batta. Let us know what you think!