FREED PRESS FREED CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING FREED Center for Independent Living Serving people with disabilities in Nevada, Sierra, Yuba, Sutter and Colusa Counties A disability resource center for people of all ages www.freed.org Grass Valley: 272-1732 Marysville: 742-4474 INSIDE Grass Valley: Women’s Support Group...2 Shirley Klein……….……….3 Marysville : Welcomes New Staff...3 Board Members Needed...3 Service Dogs...4,5 Assistive Technology…..….6 ,7 Book Review ...8 From the Director...9 Support FREED...9 Thanks to Donors..10, 11 FREED says farewell to Ann Guerra, welcomes new Executive Director, Ana Acton Dear Friends, The FREED Board of Directors is pleased to inform you of a recent staff change at FREED Center for Independent Living, Grass Valley and Marysville offices. Ann Guerra, who has been FREED's Executive Director for the past 6 years, has accepted the position of Executive Director of the Nevada-Sierra In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority. As a result of Ann's strong leadership skills, passion for advocacy, and vision that is aligned with Independent Living philosophy, FREED grew greatly in its mission, programs, and services. The Board invites you to join us in wishing Ann success in her new work. Many will continue to benefit as Ann carries forth her passion for equality and independence for all people with disabilities. After an extensive process of interviewing several candidates, we are excited to announce that Ana Acton has agreed to serve as FREED's new Executive Director. Prior to accepting this position, Ana served FREED as Systems Change Advocate and most recently as Program Manager. Ana has been an articulate spokesperson for FREED and has grown to be a powerful force not only in our local community, but also statewide and nationally. Ana, a Nevada County native, acquired a spinal cord injury as the result of an automobile accident at age 14. Already armed with determination and a positive attitude, Ana became a strong model of living a life of unrestricted possibilities. Through her participation in Team Phoenix, an off-road wheelchair racing team and promoter of outdoor recreation opportunities for people with disabilities, she is an empowering example of challenging the boundaries that restrict independence. Ana has served as chair of the Systems Change Network Voting Committee and the Nevada County Voting System Selection Committee. She currently serves on statewide and national disability issue committees. She has the insight and ability to track legislation that has the potential of affecting all people with disabilities. Ana's experience, vision, voice, and understanding of as well as passion for the Independent Living Movement make her exceptionally well-qualified to be the Executive Director of FREED. We hope that you will join us in welcoming and supporting Ana in her new role. ~ Kate Luce, Chair, Board of Directors Grass Valley FREED Office, serving Nevada and Sierra Counties In Tribute to Shirley Klein It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our friend Shirley Klein. Shirley will always be remembered as a strong disability rights advocate and gifted poet. FREED staff was fortunate to have the opportunity to get to know Shirley. As an unwavering advocate for disability rights, Shirley participated in BEAT (Building Equal Access Today) a local disability advocacy group and often joined community members for protest, rallies, and legislative visits at the State Capitol. A graduate of Marshall University in West Virginia, she worked as a public relations writer for the West Virginia Rehabilitation Center until retiring and moving to California. Also a published poet, Shirley gave a poetry tour in England, read her poetry at the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as numerous rallies and protests and wrote extensively on social justice issues. Shirley and her extended family moved to Nevada City in 2004. Shirley will especially be remembered for her passionate and thought provoking poetry. Many of Shirley’s poems were inspired by her personal experiences of living with a disability (cerebral palsy). Below is an example of Shirley’s beautiful and strong poetic voice……. ~Submitted by Ana Acton, Executive Director March I pity those who never march who stand at ease as others pass or watch from cars as fists are raised. Whose throat has never raged with song Then let the swiftness of my step be the quick of freedoms call. When cries for Justice cannon forth in cadence strong I take my place. Women’s Cross Disability Support Group FREED is hosting a support group for women with disabilities. I want to take this opportunity to invite you in joining this dynamic group! Do you ever feel the need to talk to someone about your disability, but your friends and family just “don’t get it”- Join us to just listen, get questions answered or answer questions and meet some great people who know what your life is all about because they, too, are living with a disability! We will be a group of women with a variety of disabilities who will come together to form friendships, get support and encouragement, learn from each other and have a laugh or two! We meet every other Monday at 1:00. If this interests you, call me. Do you have questions- Call me. Want to come but are shy or unsure and need encouragement- Call me! Call Pam at 272-1732 ext. 208 pam@freed.org ~ submitted by Pam Matteson, Project Manager Shop Rider Deluxe Scooter Available FREED’s AT recycling program sometimes receives the most amazing donations. We have available for a FREED consumer a 2-person electric scooter in excellent condition. (See picture below.) Weight capacity of 500 pounds. Contact Jeff at the Grass Valley office if you would like more information about this fine scooter……. Marysville FREED Office, serving Yuba, Sutter & Colusa Counties Meet new Marysville Staff Member—Raul Curiel Raul writes: Hello, my name is Raul Curiel Jr. and I’m from a small town called Live Oak. I have three sisters and also my two wonderful parents. My family means the world to me. In my free time I like to go work out and go visit my friends and family in Mexico. Mexico is like the other part of home for me because of my family and friends. I really love Mexico and how everybody cares for each other — that’s how it should be. I used to work for the City of Live Oak as an office assistant. Now, every summer I work for the City as a Lifeguard. Working with people means a lot to me. I really like to help people with whatever I can assist them with. So that’s why I really like my job here at FREED. I have disabilities, myself: my disabilities are learning and hard of hearing. With the disabilities I have, I’m very proud of what I’ve completed right now in my life. ~Raul Curiel, Independent Living Specialist BOARD of DIRECTORS POSITIONS OPEN Are you looking for an opportunity to share your skills and leadership with FREED- If so, we have a position open for you to help guide and support our organization as it offers vital services to people with disabilities of all ages. Qualifications: -commitment to disability rights and issues as well as systems change -ability to provide oversight and support for the Executive Director -ability to work with a team toward common goals -willingness to represent FREED in the community -time to fulfill member duties, including board and committee meeting attendance -any or all of the following skills or expertise: personal disability experience, financial -knowledge such as banking or accounting, fundraising knowledge and enthusiasm, and real estate know-how. Personal Characteristics: enthusiasm, integrity & strong leadership abilities For more information or to request a recruitment packet, please call FREED at 272-1732 (Grass Valley office) or 742-4474 (Marysville office) or email at contact-04@freed.org FREED Gone to the Dogs—Service Dogs, That Is Welcome Chip–I’m Glad You‘re “Hear”! FREED is the place for a dog to be. In the Grass Valley Office there are two dogs who accompany their owners to work. My hearing alert dog, Chip recently joined me at the Marysville office from The Sam Simon Foundation in Malibu. He is a 2 year old pug/chow mix and was scheduled to be euthanized when he was rescued from an animal shelter by Foundation trainers. The Foundation is funded by Sam Simon who is an Emmy and Peabody award winning writer/director/producer (The Simpsons, Taxi) with a lifelong love of animals. It rescues dogs from animal shelters and trains them to become assistance dogs for people who are hard of hearing or deaf. The hearing dogs are available for no fee and the applicant has to meet certain qualifications including a profound hearing loss or total deafness. It can cost as much as $25,000 to train a hearing dog. I have a profound hearing loss since birth and wear hearing aids. However, there are sounds I don’t hear with or without my hearing aids. Chip alerts me by touching me with his paws and taking me to the source of the sound. These sounds include smoke alarm, doorbell/knocking, alarm clock, oven timer, telephone, and my husband calling my name. He requires daily “sound work” periods to keep his training sharp. Having Chip alert me to these sounds makes my environment safer and more secure. I don’t have to worry about not hearing someone at the door or missing a telephone call. When we are out in public he provides environmental awareness to me by paying attention to surrounding sounds. Chip has access rights just like any other service animal and goes almost everywhere with me to work and meetings in the community. I was carefully evaluated during the application process– the trainer made a home interview visit to assess my home environment and my needs. During that visit I was introduced to Chip which was love at first sight for me. He also got along with our cat, Rummy. A month later the trainer guided me through 5 days of orientation with Chip, learning how to maintain the training he has received. I also receive ongoing support from the staff. Chip and Rummy are good friends and enjoy sharing a sunny spot as they look out the window. So, drop on by the Marysville office and say “Hi” to Chip. We have a bowl of treats for you to share with him. As you can see FREED has gone to the dogs! For more information on hearing alert dogs go to www.samsimonfoundation.org ~By Claudia Hollis, Branch Manager Definitions The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government. Companion animals, also referred to as assistive or therapeutic animals, can assist individuals with disabilities in their daily living. They are typically for people with mental disabilities and can assist the person with depression, anxiety or provide emotional support. They are not covered by the ADA, however under fair housing laws, individuals may ask housing providers for a reasonable accommodation in a “no pets” policy, in order to allow a companion animal. If you would like more information about service or companion animals, contact FREED at 272-1732 (Grass Valley) or 742-4474 (Marysville) FREED Gone to the Dogs—Service Dogs, That Is Aldrich the Service Dog I have had my service dog, Aldrich, a black lab, since February 1997. I got him from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) when he just over 2 years old and had been through his full training. I went to Santa Rosa, CA for two weeks where I went through an intense training period with 7 other people who were receiving service dogs. When the 2 week training starts you train with a number of different dogs learning how to give commands and corrections. Part of the days are spent on lecture and we had several field trips. They match you with your dog on the 4th day of the training and your dog stays with you from then on. They have a beautiful facility in Santa Rosa with 12 apartment type rooms and a gigantic central gathering room and a large kitchen. You become very close to the other people receiving dogs as we had about 2 hours of study each night which we usually did in groups in the big room. It was an experience I will remember the rest of my life. Aldrich has been coming to work and most everywhere else with me since then. He was trained to do over 50 basic commands. Some are basic like, set, down, stay and others are used to have him pull a door or cupboard or refrigerator door open by attaching a rope or cloth that he can pull on and other commands have him look at things on the ground and pick up the one I tell him to. He also pulls me in my manual wheelchair, mostly on level ground. He has been a big part of my family life for over 10 years which is several years more than the average service dog works. 8 years is usually the most they hope for but it depends on what is required of the dog its state of health and desire to work. I think when Aldrich is ready to retire and be just a regular well behaved dog, I will know. I hope Aldrich will continue to be my sidekick at work and home and maybe we will both retire at the same time. When that happens you are all invited to the party! For more information on Canine Companion service dogs go to www.caninecompanions.org ~By Gary Peterson, Benefits Specialist Frankie the Companion Dog Frankie is my 17 yr old “companion animal”. He is not specially trained or certified for this service but he has always been a very well behaved dog. Due to anxiety and depression, I have a prescription from my doctor that allows me to take Frankie with me as I go about my daily life. It gives him the status of being allowed into places that a “regular” pet would not be allowed but not quite the status of a trained service dog. The prescription would allow me to rent a ‘no pets allowed’ apartment but might not allow me to bring him into a crowded restaurant. I have not tested this as Frankie has expressed no desire to “eat out”. Frankie started to come to work with me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. I found he was a great comfort to me and helped me, just by his presence, to feel calmer and more able to deal with my “new” reality. I just feel safer when he is with me. There have been lots of studies done on the value of companion animals for all sorts of situations. People with disabilities of all ages can benefit greatly from a dog’s (or other animal’s) companionship and assistance. Animals have been shown to give people something other than themselves to care for and about, have shown to give people the unconditional love they may not get anywhere else. Dogs as therapy animals have proven to help autistic children, people in nursing homes and cardiac patients recover to a fuller life. ~By Melissa Blackwell, Fix It Coordinator Assistive Technology (AT) CATE has Joined FREED No, CATE is not a new FREED staff member but an exciting new assistive technology loan program. CATE is short for California Assistive Technology Exchange. FREED is one of ten California organizations operating new loan centers which offer various AT items. FREED's specific collection of items available for loan includes: For those with visual disabilities - pocket-sized and desktop video magnifiers, handheld magnifying lens with built-in light, talking blood pressure monitor, talking weight scale, talking digital voice recorder, talking universal remote control for TV or DVD player, large print computer keyboard, desktop automatic reader for print matter. For those with mobility or dexterity disabilities - large key computer keyboard, various types of switches and mounting arm systems, mechanical book page turner, one-touch can opener, ergonomic computer keyboard, various types of alternative computer mouses and trackballs, device to diminish hand trembling when using a computer mouse, reacher/grabber, 6- to 12-foot portable wheelchair or scooter ramps, portable hand controls for vehicle. For those with hearing disabilities - wireless assistive hearing devices for personal and group use, “Ubiduo” 2-way communication device for those who are deaf, alarm clock with vibrator. For those with developmental or communication disabilities - two types of talking keyboards, switch-operated action toys (race car, school bus and monkey). These items are intended to help people have an assistive device to try out, to help when starting new employment, for aiding them in school, to fill in when their own device is being repaired, or any number of other situations. There is no cost to borrow any of these items. Along with other loan centers, FREED's items will be listed on a new CATE website. Every loan center will have a different collection of loan items and some of them will be able to be sent outside of a particular loan center's service area. Visit the CATE website at: http://cate.ca.gov/ and click on "Device Loan." On the same website you can take advantage of another new statewide service for linking up people who want to buy, sell, give away or trade various types of assistive technology items. There is no cost to register CATE Program, continued and browse the list or place an item for sale. Go to the same website and click on "Reutilization." Lastly, the same website gives information about a long-running low-interest loan program to assist people needing to buy expensive items like a wheelchair accessible vehicle, electronic aids and more. Click on the "Funding" link to learn more about the Low-Interest Guarantee Loan Program. The CATE Program serves people with disabilities in FREED’s catchment area of Nevada, Yuba, Sutter, Sierra and Colusa counties, as well as all of the rest of California. For more information on any of these AT programs please call Jeff Samco at the FREED office in Grass Valley - 530-272-1732 or 800-655-7732 or email jeffs@freed.org. New Website Resource for Seniors & Those with Vision Impairment Assistive Technology (AT) New Website Resource for Seniors & Those with Vision Impairment The American Foundation for the Blind, a national organization, has recently announced their new Senior Site. It is the first web resource of its kind. Senior Site is a virtual community for seniors, their concerned loved ones and the dedicated professionals who serve them. The website assists people in finding critical resources and connections to regional and local services helpful for attaining independent living. Visitors to the website can also learn through the examples of others living with vision loss. Learn how people continue to thrive and become painters, leaders of major organizations, or even experience quieter triumphs like cooking their own meals or connecting to their grandchildren. It is widely said "knowledge is power." AFB Senior Site offers tips and essential support for coping with age-related eye disease to families, caregivers and people directly affected by vision loss. Information, experience of others and solutions are a source of hope and comfort when someone first learns they or someone they love are losing their vision. AFB Senior Site can be that source. Visit the AFB Senior Site at: www.afb.org/seniorsitehome.asp Also, do not forget our own local resource in Nevada County - Sierra Services for the Blind, 530-265-2121. And, people with low vision or blindness can contact any local office of the California State Department of Rehabilitation to learn if one is eligible for any of there services. Book Review Make Them Go Away: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Reeve & the Case Against Disability Rights by Mary Johnson Clint Eastwood became famous portraying the hero who was as tough as nails and always took the side of the underdog. However, Make Them Go Away casts a much different light on the famous actor/director. The author, Mary Johnson, uses him as a focal point to paint a picture of the movement against disability rights that mobilized in response to attempts by the “organized disabled” to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) using the only means available to them: lawsuits. On the other hand, Christopher Reeve was not a member of either side of the debate, instead focusing on the search for a cure for spinal cord injuries. Reeve considered himself less than whole after the horse riding accident that left him paralyzed and he devoted the rest of his life to finding a cure. Unfortunately, this belief supports the attitude that the problems persons with disabilities face are because “their bodies don’t work correctly” as opposed to society’s lack of accessibility. But this is not a book about Hollywood stars; it’s a story of the many people of diverse opinions on both sides of the debate on disability rights. Johnson gives a solid background of the intent of the framers of the ADA and how it has been misinterpreted by its critics, and even by the Supreme Court, whose definition of disability is limited to those who are blind, deaf, or use wheelchairs. However, Johnson argues that there is a wide range of disabilities both in type and severity. She adds that even if people don’t think they have a disability they can be discriminated against if they are “perceived” to have one. Make Them Go Away is helpful for anyone who wants to know more about the history of the Continued at top of next column ADA and the struggle to make a more accessible society. There are those, like Eastwood, who think the ADA has gone too far, that it hurts business. There are those like Reeve who are focused on fixing the disability. Then there are those like Mary Johnson who want to fix what is perhaps this country’s greatest disability: its failure to comply with the ADA and end discrimination against persons with disabilities. ~Reviewed by Tim Hughes, Independent Living Specialist Note: I borrowed this book from FREED’s library and I encourage you to do the same. We have many other books as well as videos covering a variety of disability-related topics. New Books & Videos in the FREED Lending Library BOOKS Disability is Natural-Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children With Disabilities, by Kathie Snow A Health Handbook for Women with Disablilities, by Jane Maxwell, Julia Belser & Darlena David The New Disability History by Paul K. Longmore and Lauri Umansky FDR’s Splendid Deception by Hugh Gregory Gallagher Moving Violations—War Zones, Wheelchairs, and Declarations of Independence, by John Hockenberry VIDEOS “No Barriers—The Mark Wellman Story” (VHS), a film by Eric Perlman & Mark Wellman “Disability is Natural—Revolutionary Common Sense about People with Disabilities” (DVD) by Kathie Snow From the Director….. Dear Friends, I am excited to have the opportunity to serve the community as FREED’s new Executive Director. FREED is an amazing resource for people with disabilities in our communities and I look forward to continuing to advocate and provide services so that people with disabilities have the resources that allow them to have real choices in their lives. Working with Ann Guerra, FREED’s previous Executive Director, over the last few years has been an incredible experience and I am honored to follow in her footsteps. I look forward to a continued collaboration with Ann through her work at the Nevada-Sierra Regional IHSS Public Authority. My first experience with FREED was as a consumer. At the age of 14, I acquired a spinal cord injury due to a car accident. FREED helped me with transitioning back into community life and with personal advocacy issues. As a Systems Change Advocate for FREED I had the opportunity to get an in-depth understand of disability issues and developed advocacy tools for ensuring that the rights of people with disabilities are upheld on the local, state, and federal levels. As Program Manager at FREED I deepened my understanding of our communities and had first-hand experience with the delivery of services and programs that promote independent living. As Executive Director I am eager to move FREED’s mission forward and strengthen community resources that give people with disabilities the choices they need to live independently and participate in the community. ~Ana Acton, Executive Director Support FREED Yes, I want to help people with disabilities meet their goals of independence, self-reliance and dignity. Enclosed please find my tax-deductible donation of: -$250 --$100 -$50 or $_____ Name:________________________________ Address:______________________________ _____________________________________ - In memory of: - In honor of: Name:______________________________ Relationship: ________________________ Should we notify someone of this gift- If so, Who- Name: _____________________________ Address:____________________________ ____________________________________ Please make checks payable to: FREED, 900 E. Main St, Suite 201 Grass Valley, CA 95945 Other Ways to Support FREED… Did you know that in addition to cash donations, you can support FREED in other ways, such as: Bequests by Will Donation of stock, real estate or other personal property Various types of trusts Contact your accountant, financial planner or attorney to discuss these options. Sincere Thanks to FREED’s 2007 Donors : Boundless Gratitude to FREED’s Sustaining Supporters - who give ongoing, substantial support : - Appeal Democrat --Greg Fowler of B & C True Value - Jack Brokaw of Import Auto - Melba Brown - ---Century 21 Select Associates Council- -Brad Croul --Tom Cunningham --Fred Forsman -- -Jimerson & Associates - Laura Keranen - Medical Benefits Administration - Nevada County Contractors Association - Randi Roberts in honor of her Aunt Jewell - Sutter North - Yuba County Employees Ass’n Gold - N - Green Rentals Jimerson & Assocates Sergio's Caffe Sauer/Duehring Ranch High Sierra Electric Sierra Prosthetics Reed's Locksmithing Barbara Abbey Susan Amick Foothill Mercantile Curtis Bok & Sharon Bailey-Bok in honor of Ann Guerra Pat Barrentine Roselyn Batcheller Lindy Beatie Richard Beisker Durward & Mary Blasing David Bowman Sharon Brady Patricia Bristow in memory of her mother Fernella Mason Robert Burtch Donna Calame Maggie Cammack of Country Copy Ralph Black & Catherine Campisi Dan Clark Marjorie Clum Betty Cross Caleb Dardick William & Mary Deal Gail Doty George & Rosemary Duehring of Zaxby's Paul & Lee Duerksen Lila Dybe Dustin Eichler Carl Eyring Norman & Janice Fox Merlin & Opal Fry Myrna Gamble Muriel Gaschke Peggy Gates Kathryn Gauthier David & Marjorie Giles William & Wanda Goad Nicole Guerra Rick Haffey Anthony Halby Insurance Agency Edward Haven Laurel Havlik Susan Healy-Harman Stephen & Sheri Heilmann Robert & Jean Heilmann in honor honor of their son Stephen Fred & Mary Hillerman Robert & Marjorie Hilton John & Claudia Hollis Cynthia Humlick Alvina Ingram Ernest Jackson Paula Jain W.F. Jenny Archie & Doris Jessee Marian Jewett Ruth Johnston Cindy Kennard Helen & Patrick Kenneally Chuck King Karen Klayman Katherine Kneir Dr. Willy & Barbara Kollmeyer David Komisar Gary Leete Len Lewis Barbara Lowe H.B. Lyon Ron & Beverly Mathis Michael & Rosina McAlpin Carl McCrary Joanne McNamara Al & Helga Menig Earlene Mylrea Mary Nystrom Celia Painter Beverly Palmer Maria Paras Amber Pharris Carl & Nena Pinter Phil Reinheimer Mary Ann Rhoads Herb Robins Beatrice Rood Debbie Rossovich Rosalie Santagada Tony Sauer Cathryn Savage Stanley Schwartz Ed Scofield Michael Scott Linda Sheridan D.D.S. Edna Shirley Peter & Cindy Siegfried Barbara Smith Phil & Anne Starr - Sierra Starr Winery Andy Sulonen Bobby Swanson Alison Sweetser Cornelia Taylor Katherine Thompson Barbara Thorton-Hill in memory of her husband, John Dave & Carol Todd Blanche Toobert John Vandenberg Dr Angel Diaz Sr. & Vicky Diaz Eric Vodden Darla Wallace Jeree Waller Joanna Weise Jack Wellington Tom & Clare Whiteside Leslie Wilderholt Susie Williams Max & Phyllis Williamson Many Thanks to Veranda Party / Silent Auction & Raffle Baskets’ Donors & Volunteers Accent Lighting Aimee Taylor Jewelry All About U Salon All Breed Grooming Alta Sierra Country Club Alta Sierra Hair Design Ana Acton Ann & Phil Guerra Arch's Automotive Service Beads Galore Ben Franklin Betty's Toy Box Big O Tires Blockbuster Bratt's Beauty Salon-Nicole & Tanya Bret Harte Men's Haircutting Briarpatch Community Market CA College of Ayurveda Carol's Recycled Paperbacks Cirino's at Main Street Curtis Bok & Sharon Bailey-Bok Cynthia Lester Dan Scanlan & Friends Deborah & Casey Bridges Dorado Chocolates Dr. Rob Avery Fabrics on Mill St Ferguson Flour Garden Foggy Mtn. Music Foothill Car Care Foothill Flowers Foothill Mercantile Foothill Theatre Company From the Heart Full Circle Press Gabriel Moore Gary Engelking Gentleman's Quarters Gwen Sims Hair Brained Hair Concepts Hairlines Harrah's - Lake Tahoe Heart & Home Holiday Lodge Hot Dog Heaven Island Café Jack In the Box Janet Bullock JJ Jackson's Jim Perkins Jordan Wood Judith Berliner K-Mart Kate & Eldon Luce Kathleen Coates Kathy DiMaggio KVMR Lamppost Pizza Laura Keranen & Desmond Gallagher Laurel Havlik Lazy Dog Longs Maidu Thrift Store Main St. Antiques & Books Main Street Chevron Maple Creek Presents Mary & Hannah Samco Melissa Blackwell Moule Paint & Glass Mountain Recreation Music In the Mountains Neighborhood Center of the Arts Nev Co Fairgrounds New Moon Café Northern Mines Goldworks Olala Farms Patrick Kenneally Paulette's Country Kitchen Peacefull Valley Farms People First Penneys Perko's Port of Subs Rachel Stonick Raley’s Record Connection Reed's Locksmithing Richard Hotchkiss River Cats Round Table Pizza Sandra Reid Sasz-A Hair Studio Sergio's Café Sierra Cinemas Sierra Mountain Coffee Sierra Prosthetics Special FX Hair & Nail Spencer McClay Spirithouse Import Gallery Spring Hill Pharmacy Steve Smith Sweetland Pottery The Book Seller The Cut Above The Herb Shop The Real Graphic Source The Sacred Bee The Tool Shed The West Wind Tim Hughes Tim O'Brien Tome's Books & More Tropical Tans UpTown Burrito Walkers Office Supplies Weiss Bros Nursery Special Thanks to our 2007 Jail & Bail volunteer “Jailees” -Jack Brokaw -Gary Engelking -Ann Guerra -Kate Luce -Tony Sauer Heartfelt Thanks to FREED’s Stalwart Volunteers Michael Anderson Shirley Crisci Irl Denniston Joe Fowler Robert Gass Ray Hooker Patrick Kenneally Dan Melius Fred Mirch Horacio Paras Jennifer Robins Bill Rogers Bob Sharpe Bev Tassone Everett Vestal Hank Wikstad Welcome new volunteers: Gregg Meyer & Bruce Van Zee We make every effort to keep accurate records and apologize for any errors or omissions. FREED Center for Independent Living 900 East Main St, Suite 201 Grass Valley, CA 95945 Nonprofit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Grass Valley, CA 95945 Permit No. 092 Return Service Requested FREED Center for Independent Living Contact Information: Web Site: www.freed.org Grass Valley Office: 900 East Main St, Suite 201, Grass Valley, CA 95945 Voice: 530-272-1732 TTY: 530-272-1764 Fax: 530-272-7793 Ana Acton, Executive Director Melissa Blackwell, Fix It Coordinator & IL Specialist Tim Hughes, Independent Living Specialist Jeff Samco, Assistive Technology Advocate Gary Peterson, Benefits Specialist Pam Matteson, Project Manager Jeannie Darling, Operations Manager Judi Kirkpatrick, Receptionist/Data Entry Irita Warner, Financial Manager Shirley Myers, Experience Works Marysville Office: 508 J St., Marysville, CA 95901 Voice & TTY: 530-742-4474 Fax: 530-742-4476 Claudia Hollis, Branch Manager Angie Paras, Administrative Assistant Mike Scott, Assistive Technology Advocate & Fix It Program Coordinator Gina Yang, Independent Living Specialist Raul Curiel, Independent Living Specialist FREED provides alternate formats and communication assistance upon request to ensure that all services, programs and materials are available to everyone. To receive this newsletter in an alternate format contact the FREED Office. FREED Board of Directors Kate Luce - Chair Gabriel Moore- Vice Chair Gary Engelking - Secretary Bev Tassone -Treasurer Christina Billeci Laura Keranen Spencer McClay Jim Perkins Randy Snethen The FREED Press is published by FREED Center for Independent Living, 900 East Main St., Suite 201, Grass Valley, CA 95945 Editing: Jeannie Darling Layout: Jeannie Darling