Gillette
Opens a Mobile Outreach Clinic in Grand Rapids
The mobile clinic housed in the Itaska Medical Center will offer
access to custom wheelchair seating, orthotics and augmentative
communication devices. The mobile clinic saves patients thousands
of miles in driving to St. Paul or Duluth for services. The
next scheduled date for the outreach clinic is September
20. For more information, contact Deborah Day at 1-800-578-4266.
Volunteers Needed to Read to Young Children
Two great opportunities to share your talent with a child.
RSVP: The Greater Twin
Cities Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), is accepting
applications from people 55 and over who are interested in tutoring.
RSVP places people in volunteer tutoring positions at schools in
their own neighborhoods. In 2003, 137 RSVP volunteers contributed
over nine thousand hours. One hour a week can make a difference
in a child’s
life. A reading tutor can open up a world of possibilities for
a child. The RSVP program, sponsored by Volunteers of America of
Minnesota, provides volunteer placement and follow-up, transportation
reimbursement, supplemental insurance, and other benefits to people
55 and over. For more information call Connie at 612-617-7807.
The Friends of the Minneapolis
Public Library: Volunteers are needed at five agencies in Minneapolis,
Mary’s
Place and People Serving People (homeless shelters in downtown area);
The Harriet Tubman Center (a family violence shelter in south Mpls.);
The Jeremiah Program (a career and education program near the Basilica
in south Mpls.); and The Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery (in south
Minneapolis).
Volunteers in the program
read once a month. Weekday, evening, and weekend reading times
are available. A one-year commitment is requested. Read to Me volunteers
are asked to attend a 3-hour training session. For more information,
please call The Friends’ Volunteer Services
at 612-630-6173.
Taking Action
The
United Spinal Association, a national veterans service and disability
rights group, has published a new pamphlet titled Taking Action,
a step-by-step guide to becoming a self-advocate to encourage
change for disabled individuals in a community. Included in Taking
Action are five suggested steps of self-advocacy, do’s and don’ts,
a listing of helpful web sites and much more. The pamphlet points
out that to become involved in issues of importance, the first
step is to become informed about the subject matter. To order
a copy of Taking Action, call 1-800-444-0120, or you can download
a copy at www.unitedspinal.org.
Personal Care Assistant Scholarship Opportunity
People Enhancing
People (PEP), is a PCA Choice Provider dedicated to support the
enhancement and satisfaction of personal care service for individuals
with disabiliies, as well as recognize Personal Care Assistants
(PCAs) for the quality care they provide to their consumers. The
Personal Care Assistant Scholarship is an opportunity for PCAs
who are pursuing higher education to receive reimbursement for
a portion of their tuition expenses. For more information, contact
People Enhancing People at 651-450-5960.
Camp
Courage Reunion
Camp Courage
is
seeking former Camp Courage participants, volunteers and staff
for its 50th reunion celebration in 2005. In the summer of 2005,
Camp Courage will celebrate 50 years of camping fun and independence
for people with disabilities. To receive more information about
Camp Courage’s
50th Anniversary celebration, please send an e-mail to campreunion@courage.org or call 763-520-0862. Please leave your name, address, telephone number
and e-mail address and specify when you attended Camp Courage and if
you have any memories or photos that you would like to share. All
names will be added to Camp Courage’s 50th reunion
invitation list and kept confidential.
Adjunct Safety Monitor
Assist
with the administration of a department-wide building and staff
safety program for this large social service agency. Volunteers
must be at least 18 years of age. Contact Ramsey County Community
Human Services-Volunteer Services at 651-266-4090 for additional
information or e-mail to, volunteerservices@co.ramsey.mn.us.
Pamphlet
Available Online for Students with Disabilities
More and more high school
students with disabilities are planning to continue their education
in postsecondary schools, including vocational and career schools,
two- and four- year colleges, and universities. As a student with
a disability, you need to be well informed about your rights and
responsibilities as well as the responsibilities that postsecondary
schools have toward you. Being well informed will help ensure that
you have a full opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the postsecondary
education experience without confusion or delay.
The Office for Civil Rights
(OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education has developed a pamphlet
to explain the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities
who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools. This pamphlet
also explains the obligations of a postsecondary school to provide
academic adjustments, including auxiliary aids and services, to
ensure that the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability.
To
view the pamphlet online or for information on ordering copies
of the pamphlet, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html.
