FREED PRESS FREED CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING Spring Issue 2008 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 Grass Valley: 272-1732 Marysville: 742-4474 www.freed.org INDEX: --FREED Youth Advocates…....2 --Capitol Action Day…...…......3 --Poem: “Faces”…………….3 --Vote………………………...4 --There is No Home There…...5 --Thanks to Donors…..........6, 7, 8, 9, 10 --Grass Valley - Welcome to New Staff…11 --Marysville - Outreach to Youth..…12 --Peer Support Groups……......11 --Disability History………..….12 --Coming Events………….…...13 --Support FREED……..…..…..14 From The Director, Ana Acton…….. Summer is on its way and FREED staff is busy providing services, outreaching to the community, and advocating for change. This year’s big fundraiser for FREED is an event to honor Sam Dardick for all of his contributions to the community. We want to thank Sam for his support of our community and the disability movement. In 1986 Sam founded FREED, later served as a Nevada County Supervisor, and chaired and participated in various local and statewide committees related to long- term care, independent living, and services for people with disabilities. In all roles, he has worked to integrate people with disabilities into the community and ensure equal opportunities. The Tribute to Sam Dardick on May 29th will include dinner, a silent auction, dancing, and will be an excellent opportunity to personally thank Sam for his great community leadership. Are you prepared in the event of an emergency? In northern California we have the potential to experience a variety of emergency situations, including wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, and extended power outages. FREED is a member of the Access to Readiness Coalition and has a variety of emergency preparedness resources for people with disabilities, seniors, and their families. Check out www.cfilc.org and look at their Emergency Preparedness information under the Issues tab. Are you a business owner, organization, or builder and want to know how to comply with accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Or are you a person who has experienced barriers to services or programs? FREED is available for consultation and has resources on ADA requirements and how you can ensure your services are welcoming to all community members. If you are an individual with a disability, FREED can assist you with advocating for accessibility and making change in the community. Page 2 This year FREED is expanding recreation opportunities for people with disabilities in collaboration with the Nevada Co. Land Trust (NCLT). FREED and NCLT have a series of spring and summer accessible treks for people with disabilities, family members, and friends. Check out the dates of the upcoming treks on page 11. Thanks to the Nevada County Land Trust for their dedication to creating accessible trails and recreation opportunities. Remember to register to vote and vote in the June 3rd election! Onward, Ana Acton, Executive Director FREED Youth Advocates - FREED Reaches Out To Local Youth When the door opens at FREED, not only will you hear the jingling of the bells that hang fromit, but now the sounds of new wheels turning, big thoughts spinning, ideas brewing, chip bags crumpling and kids laughing. One month ago FREED began doing youth outreach at Nevada Union High School to find out if youth with disabilities had a desire to get involved in the disability rights movement. The result of the outreach has turned into a weekly youth advocacy group named, FREED Youth Advocates (FYA). The group’s founding father Rico Stephenson, a seventeen year-old junior at Nevada Union, has put in countless hours over the past month educating himself on current disability issues, disability history and doing youth outreach. Like FREED’s founder Sam Dardick, Rico initially felt he was so independent that it never crossed his mind to identify with the disability community. Like the young Sam of years past, Rico considers himself a jock despite the wheelchair that frequently hops curbs, pops wheelies and assists him in working toward his black belt in karate. Rico realized that by living his agile life without identifying with the disability community, he actually made it harder for less agile people with disabilities to live their lives, due to societies belief that “if one person in a wheelchair can, so can they all.” This assumption is of course far from the truth because even two people with the same spinal cord injuries can have widely varying sets of abilities. When Rico learned this, he began to see things in a different light and he dedicated himself to systems change advocacy, accessibility issues, and peer support. At FYA’s last meeting Rico had a real treat with a surprise visit from FREED’s founder Sam Dardick. Sam gave the group almost an hour of his time talking to them about everything from basketball to Ed Roberts (Sam’s friend and the father of the disability rights movement). Working together with FREED’s new Systems Change Advocate, Melissa Richard, they hope to reach out to every high school within Sierra, Nevada, Yuba, Sutter, and Colusa counties to create different chapters of FYA for youth with all types of disabilities. The group hopes to create a community of young advocates that are educated on the history of the disability rights movement and begin to make their own contributions to the cause. The group is also creating a transition manual for youth with disabilities who are 18 and wanting to transition into the world as independent adults. To be involved in FYA you have to be in high school and have a desire to learn and work together to eliminate barriers to full equality for people with disabilities. Currently FYA is working on creating the logo, mapping out their 2008 plan and preparing for Disability Capitol Action Day. Individual members of FYA are becoming consumers and working on different individual and interpersonal goals. Page 3 Disability Capitol Action Day Every year FREED organizes community members to participate in Disability Capital Action Day (DCAD). People with all types of disabilities come together on this one day to fight not just for our own personal rights, but the rights of the disability community. United in our common cause we come together to celebrate our independence, self-determination, and to celebrate achievements of disability activism. The theme driving this year’s DCAD is, “You can’t balance the budget on cuts alone! Cuts cost more.” This theme goes along with California’s 2008-2009 sixteen billion dollar budget crisis where governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a 10% across- the-board cut to all of California’s programs. Impacted by these proposed “across the board” cuts are people with disabilities who receive IHSS (In Home Supportive Services), Medi-Cal (California’s public health insurance program for individuals with low incomes) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). --IHSS stands to take a hit with a reduction in domestic service hours. --Medi-Cal will drop what they have determined to be “optional” benefits which include: dental, audiology, optometry, optical, podiatry psychology, speech, therapy, incontinence creams and washes, acupuncture and chiropractic care. Although these services are considered supplementary, studies have shown that many of these services can prevent an individual from developing more complicated and costly chronic illness further down the road. When chronic disease becomes sosevere that the individual ends up in a crisis, the small amount of dollars saved on cutting provider rates and eliminating options ends up costing the State hundreds of thousands of dollars more. --Supplemental Security income (SSI) is the program that makes payments to people with low income who are age 65 or older or have a disability. The SSI cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) provides annual increases in SSI payments to assist these individuals with the increasing cost of living. A 2.3% COLA was determined on October 17, 2007 to be implemented for the 2008 year, but the State of California has delayed the disbursement until September in order to save money. A 10% across the board cut puts people receiving IHSS, Medi-Cal and SSI in danger of taking a devastating hit in three different ways at once. At this year’s DCAD event, we showed our numbers as a thriving and vibrant community that has the power to speak out against legislation that balances the budget on the backs of individuals who receive home and community based services. For more information, call Melissa R. at 530-272-1732 A poem by Patrick Thomas: Faces Faces of People, Here we are, We are different, But we are the same, Human Beings. Faces of People, This is it, All of us together, Together Forever, This is who we are. Page 4 Faces of People, Memories of Today Memories of Yesterday, Remembering the Past, Movin’ on ahead for the Future. Decide To Vote, Register, and Become Educated! The June 3 election is fast approaching. The deadline for registering to vote in the June 3rd election is May 19th. To register to vote, contact your local election office, which will mail you a voter registration card for you to fill in and return. Registration cards also are available at post offices, libraries, and FREED’s offices. Voting is an individual’s voice and a powerful tool, so become educated on officials and initiatives to make sure that your vote represents you and your beliefs. In order to be eligible to vote in the statewide election on the June 3, 2008 Direct Primary Election, your registration must be postmarked no later than May 19th, 2008. In order to be eligible to vote in the November 4th presidential election Election, your registration must be postmarked no later than October 20th 2008. FREED has voter education materials for the June 3rd election available in large print and audio cassette. The Secretary of State’s website has additional voter education materials including voter rights in video sign language. Check out http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ elections_dis.htm. There are three different ways that you can exercise your right to vote: early voting, at your polling place, or vote-by-mail. You can vote anytime between now and June 3rd using early voting at your counties election office. On Election Day polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the location of your Polling Place check the back of your sample ballot, call or check the Web site of your county elections office, or call the secretary of state's voter assistance hotline, (800) 345-VOTE (800-345-8683). At your polling place, you can choose to vote on a paper ballot or on an accessible voting system. Polling places are required to be accessible but if your polling place is not accessible, you can ask to vote at the closest polling place that is accessible but you will have to vote on a “provisional” ballot. If you are registered to vote but your name is not on the rolls at the polling place, you can vote "provisionally", and once verified for eligibility, your provisional ballot will be counted and added to the official results. If you have difficulty getting into your polling place you can vote using curb side voting. A poll worker can bring a ballot to you even if you are in your car or on the sidewalk. Remember that you will have to get the poll workers attention. Poll workers are trained to look for people who may need assistance with curb side voting. If you make a mistake marking your ballot, you are entitled to receive up to two additional ballots before casting your ballot. Page 5 If you need assistance voting you can bring up to 2 people into the polling place with you. Poll workers are also available to provide assistance if you request it. If you want to vote by mail (the preferred term for "absentee" voting), use the application printed on your sample ballot, which local election officials will mail to registered voters in May, or apply in writing to your county elections office. Remember that all requests for a vote-by-mail (absentee) ballot must be received by your local county registrar by May 27 for them to mail you a ballot. After May 27, vote-by-mail ballots must be picked up at the election office. All vote-by-mail ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. Election Day (June 3) to any polling place in the county where you vote. For your mailed-in ballot to count, it must arrive by 8 p.m. If you have trouble voting, Protection & Advocacy Inc., has a toll-free voting hotline. If you are an individual with a disability and you have problems: -- accessing your polling place -- voting privately and independently -- getting assistance -- casting your ballot call 1-800-776-5746 or TTY 1-800-719-5798 Contact Melissa R at FREED-272-1732 for more information on voting. Get out to the polls and make them feel the power of the disability vote! County Registrars for the Counties served by FREED: Yuba: (530) 749-7855; fax (530) 749-7854; website: http://elections.co.yuba.ca.us Sutter: (530) 822-7122; fax (530) 822-7587; website: www.suttercounty.org/elections Colusa: (530) 458-0500; (530) 458-0512 fax, website: www.colusacountyclerk.com Nevada: (530) 265-9829 website: http:// new.mynevadacounty.com/elections/ Sierra: (530) 289-3295website: www.sierracounty.ws There is No Home There…. Six days a week, Ron Ellis spends flat on his back in bed. On Friday afternoon, you can usually find him at FREED. It is the only time he gets out of bed. If he had his power wheelchair, which was denied twice by his insurance, he would spend time in the rose garden at the nursing home where he lives. Staff at the nursing home would get Ron up daily and put him in his manual chair, but Ron can’t move the chair on his own and knows that he will end up having to wait for the staff to move him. So he chooses to stay in bed. Page 6 The nursing home isn’t home. For one thing, it’s noisy with people yelling all day and night. When Ron acquired his disability, he tried to stay out of the institution, but his only care was his mother. When she died, Ron found himself on the downward slide into a nursing home. Ron, who speaks only through a speech board with the letters painstakingly chosen by the movement of his eyes, feels living in the community might be feasible. He needs round-the-clock care, but with a power wheelchair and, attached to that chair, a Dynavox (an electronic speaking device), Ron says he “would love to live out.” He knows that the community services he needs are not currently available and the nursing home is where he needs to be right now. “Still,” Ron sighs, “When I think how much the State spends on nursing homes….” Ron doesn’t finish the sentence. There is some hope. In 1999, the Supreme Court issued a decision that is commonly called, “The Olmstead Decision.” The Olmstead Decision essentially confirms the rights of people with disabilities to Page 6 live in the community…. providing the cost of care in the community does not exceed the cost of care in an institution. To fully implement the Olmstead Decision would require shifting money from institutional care into community services. If Ron did live in the community, more people would know what an absolute sports fanatic he is— “Football, baseball, any sports at all,” Ron says. “Except Nascar.” Well, nobody’s perfect. By Cheryl Bergan Friends of FREED – Sincere Thanks to FREED’s Recent Donors: SPD Nevada City Barbara Abbey Robyn Martin & Arlo Acton Marjorie Alburn Robert Angove Marian Axhelm Curtis Bok & Sharon Bailey-Bok In honor of Ann Guerra Christina Bark Pat Barrentine Linda Beatie Joan Bechtel Abigail Bok David Bowman Sharon Brady Patricia Bristow in memory of her Mother Fernella Mason Melba Brown Casey & Linda Burtch Peggy Ann Cabrera Page 7 Donna Calame Ralph Black & Catherine Campisi Larry Channel Preston Christy Rodolfo Rubio & Cindy Parker Kathleen Coleman Betty Cross Brad Croul Thomas Cunningham Donnalee Curry-Brown Peggy Dalton Gates Caleb Dardick Rudy & Jeannie Darling Dee Davis William & Mary Deal Harold & Opal Dietzel Leo Distel Dustin Eichler Dean Ekstam Margene Elliott Gary Engelking Carl Eyring Gelsomina Fichera Jann & Michael Garitty Muriel Gaschke Kathryn Gauthier David & Marjorie Giles Phil & Ann Guerra Sue Habegger Rick Haffey Elwood Hansen Lola Hargens Otto & Shirley Haueisen Edward Haven Laurel Havlik Priscilla Haynes Susan Healy-Harman Bruce Heid Stephen & Sheri Heilmann Fred & Mary Hillerman Michael & Judith Hill-Weld Robert & Marjorie Hilton John Hollis Jody Hughes Cynthia Humlick Alvina Ingram Ernest Jackson Paula Jain Page 8 Archie & Doris Jessee Marian Jewett Ruth Johnson Mirriam Jones Cindy Kennard Helen & Patrick Kenneally Donald & Sandra Kewman Chuck King Geoge & Michaele King Katherine Kneier David Komisar Gary Leete Len Lewis Neuelyn Long Geraldine Long Barbara Lowe Kate & Eldon Luce Mimi Malthan Michael Mann Beverley Marshall Jimmie Mathews Ron & Beverly Mathis Katherine Matsumura Michael & Rosina McAlpin Dorothy McCallum Jewelle McClard Robert McCune Sheela McGillicuddy John Meeks Earlene Mylrea Michael Navarro Dorothea Nudelman Mary Nystrom Celia Painter Beverly Palmer Stella Pattie Jim Perkins & C Schuetz Eugene and Alfreda Plunkett Elizabeth Price Phil Reinheimer Mary Ann Rhoads Randi Roberts Herb Robins Jack Rosenberg Debbie Rossovich Jerry & Emi Sakai Doris Salter Rosalie Santagada Page 9 Robert & Bette Sauer Tony Sauer Stanley Schwartz Ed Scofield Linda Sheridan D.D.S. Peter & Cindy Siegfried Barbara Smith Charles Spotts Connie Stone Margaret Strausbauch Andy & Kristen Sulonen Bobby Swanson Cornelia Taylor Katherine Thompson Mary Ellen Tierney Dave & Carol Todd Mary Tucker in memory of her husband Osmer Tucker John Vandenberg Douglas Vernon Dr. Angel Diaz Sr. & Vicky Diaz Rosemary Viles Darla Wallace Jeree Waller Joanna Weise Jack Wellington Tom & Clare Whiteside Leslie Widerholt Susie Williams Max & Phyllis Williamson Adama Wise We make every effort to keep accurate records and apologize for any errors or omissions. Heartfelt Thanks to Sustaining Supporters and Volunteers: Sustaining Supporters: *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 Page 10 *Sutter North *Yuba Co. Employees Association Raffle Baskets’ Donors and Volunteers: Ana Acton Christina Billeci Sarah Cranston Shirley Crisci Gary Engelking Ann Guerra Claudia Hollis Cindy Humlick Kate Luce Robin Martin Spencer McClay Gabriel Moore Paulette’s Jim Perkins Shirley Reid Randy Snethen Sweetland Pottery Bev Tassone FREED’s Dedicated Volunteers: Michael Anderson Christopher Bergh Jim Cowger Shirley Crisci Robert Gass Ray Hooker Patrick Kenneally Fred Mirch Horacio Paras Anastacia Parker Prema Robins Bill Rogers Bev Tassone Bruce Van Zee Everett Vestal Hank Wikstad Page 11 Grass Valley FREED Office, serving Nevada and Sierra Counties Grass Valley Office Welcomes New Staff: Melissa Richard, Systems Change Advocate Melissa Richard is a graduate of California State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She has over twelve-years of experience working with high-risk youth, youth and adults with developmental disabilities, and with autism, in many facets—from the front lines of one on one care, to program development and management. Melissa took a break from managed care environments and worked for three years as the Media Center Director of CalExpo for the California State Fair. For thirteen years Melissa was an Elite Athlete in the sport of Judo at the Olympic Training Centerin Colorado Springs, Colorado. She retired in 2002 and gained over 150 lbs, tipping the scales at 500 lbs. She has lost over 300 lbs to date and continues to focus on a long-term balance of healthy lifestyle choices. Melissa skateboards, snowboards, mountain bikes, and spends copious amounts of time with her partner and three dogs when not actively trying to save the world. “I have always had a passion for political change and grass roots movements and I know that I have found my new home here at FREED,” says Melissa. “I am very passionate about equality and independence for all people, Cheryl Bergan, Program Manager Cheryl Bergan comes to FREED with over ten years of Independent Living experience and three years as the Public Policy Analyst at California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. “My heart has always been in Independent Living and I welcome the opportunity to get back to the basics—working as the Program Manager of an active Independent Living Center,” says Cheryl. “I am absolutely thrilled to be working for an organization with an established staff and a wonderful reputation in the community.” Cheryl’s background includes extensive advocacy on the IHSS program and on the Olmstead Decision. On a personal level, Cheryl is married, and recently became a grandmother for the ninth time. Peer Support Groups Grass Valley Area: --ECHO-A Hearing Impaired Support Group—every 3rd Friday at FREED. For information, call 265-2265 or 477-8408 via relay 711 --Spinal Cord Injury Support Group, meets 3rd Thursday of the month. Call Pam at FREED, 272-1732 for info and to confirm meeting date. --Women’s Cross Disability Support Group—meets on last Monday of the month. Call Pam at FREED, 272-1732 to confirm meeting date & time. --Healing Through Loss and Grief Group — Call 265-3258 for further information, and details on when next session starts. --Bipolar and Depression Alliance Support Group, every 2nd Monday. Call 274-8400 or 346-2160 and leave a message --Spirit Center has many Peer Support Groups for people with mental health issues. Call 274-1431 for more information. Page 12 Marysville Area: --Cross Disability Support Group -every 2nd Wednesday of the month at FREED. For information call Raul at (530) 742-4474. --Hearing Loss Support Group—every 3rd Wednesday of the month at FREED. For more information contact Claudia at 742-4474. Fix-It Volunteers Needed for the Grass Valley Area: Volunteers mostly install grab bars, but also tighten handrails, repair steps, put new washers in leaky faucets, fix toilets, build threshold ramps and platforms for chairs. If interested in this opportunity, call Melissa B at 272-1732 Marysville FREED Office, serving Yuba, Sutter & Colusa Counties Month of the Child The FREED office in Marysville has been very busy doing outreach events during April which is Month of the Child. As part of our strategic plan we focus on outreach to youth with disabilities. As a member agency of Yuba-Sutter United Way, we are very active in United Way sponsored activities. We volunteered to staff a lollipop toss contest and display United Way and FREED information at the Little League Day in Live Oak and the annual Hawk Flight at the fair grounds in Yuba City. We receive incentive points from United Way for volunteering for these events which earns FREED extra funding. We also participated at Harmony Health Spring Fling at Fernwood Park in Linda with a sign language alphabet/book marker activity. The children are able to make their own book marker with their name in sign language by using wooden alphabet stamps which show the letter and the hand sign for that letter. We also display a poster showing the alphabet in sign language. The other event we participated in was the second annual Autism Awareness Fair at Butte Vista School in Yuba City. This fair includes various agencies who provide information and resources for parents and fun activities for the children. Again we had the sign language book markers for an activity. Family Soup sponsors this event. This agency serves families with children with special needs. In May will be the 25th Annual Very Special Arts Festival for children with disabilities. This is one of our favorite events to participate in. This program is part of VSA California which Works to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the arts and that schools, hospitals, elder care facilities and business communities provide education, career training and support in the arts through which children and adults with disabilities can improve their skills and enrich their lives. By Claudia Hollis DOCUMENTING DISABILITY HISTORY An oral history project exploring the unique history of the disability rights and independent living movements in rural Northern California Page 13 FREED has received a grant from the California Council for the Humanities to record the stories of the people and organizations who have shaped the disability rights and independent living movements in the Nevada County area. The project will culminate with a public exhibition at the Nevada County Eric W. Rood Administrative Center October 3rd—17th 2008, just in time for National Disability Awareness Month. We are seeking photographs clippings, posters, stories and more. If you have any memorabilia — or a story you’d like to tell about the disability rights movement in your community — let us know! For information about volunteer opportunities or lending memorabilia, contact Heather Heckler, Project Director, hlheckler@gmail.com, 510-529-5950. This project is made possible, in part, by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities as part of the Council’s statewide California Stories Initiative. Heads Up! The Falls Prevention Coalition of Nevada County is presenting Falls Prevention Week, September 21-28 –“Stay Active and independent”. Co-sponsored by the Elder Care Providers Coalition. Funded in part by the Archstone Foundation. Co-sponsored by the Elder Care Providers Coalition COMING EVENTS --Disability Rap radio show, hosted by FREED’s Ana Acton, every first Friday of the Month, 12—1:00 pm on KVMR 89.5 FM. Tune in for talk about disability issues! --BEAT—Building Equal Access Today meets every first Friday of the Month, 1:30-3:00 pm. At FREED office in Grass Valley. Call Melissa R at FREED, 530-272-1732 for details. --May 15th (Thurs.)—Disability Capitol Action Day— See article on page 2 for details. --May 24th (Sat.) Accessible Trek on Sierra Discovery Trail—This wheelchair accessible Nature Trail begins on a boardwalk across a wetland meadow, bridges the Bear River, then meanders through a beautiful forest for a little over a mile. Accessible restrooms, bring your lunch. After lunch, group will stop at the 1/4 mile long Omega Rest Stop Trail for scenic overlook of the South Yuba River canyon and more. Call Stephanie at the Nevada County Land Trust, 272-5994 for details. --May 29th (Thurs.) - Tribute to Sam Dardick - Dinner, Live Music, Stories, Dancing, Silent Auction and more. Thursday, 6 pm at Nevada City Elks Lodge. Call FREED for tickets and details. --June 14th (Sat.) - Accessible Trek on Rock Creek Trail This trek will feature shady, cool, moist habitats, known for wildflowers including orchids. Call Stephanie at the Nevada County Land Trust, 272-5994 for details. --June 28th (Sat.) - Accessible Trek to Frazier Falls & Sand Pond In the vicinity of the Sierra Buttes, includes mile-long paved trail to the falls and boardwalk trail over wetlands and around pond. Call Stephanie Nevada County Land Trust, 272-5994 for details. --July 12th (Sat.) - Accessible Trek to Donner State Park. Enjoy history and nature. Call Stephanie at the Nevada County Land Trust, 272-5994 for details. Page 14 --August 8th (Fri.) - Nevada Co. Fair—Day for People with Disabilities Vendor fair. Free admission and parking for people with disabilities. --October 3rd - October 17th—Disability History Exhibition, at the Nevada County Eric W. Rood Administrative Center lobby, Nevada City. 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 options. FREED Center for Independent Living Contact Information: Website: 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 Cheryl Bergan, Program Manager Melissa Richard, Systems Change Advocate Melissa Blackwell, Fix It Coordinator Tim Hughes, Independent Living Specialist Jeff Samco, Assistive Technology Advocate Gary Peterson, Benefits Specialist Page 15 Pam Matteson, Project Manager Jeannie Darling, Operations Manager Judi Kirkpatrick, Receptionist/Data Entry Clerk Irita Warner, Financial Manager 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: Gabriel Moore- Chair Laura Keranen- Vice Chair Jim Perkins- Secretary Bev Tassone -Treasurer Christina Billeci Cindy Humlick Spencer McClay 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 & Ana Acton Layout: Jeannie Darling