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Independent Life
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Volume 25, Issue 2
Summer/Fall 2006

Logo for DOGFITE,  Disability Organizing Group for Initiating Total Equality
D.O.G.F.I.T.E.

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Title art for News Stories

news story bullet Hot Fun in the Summer

news story bullet Family Bike Day

news story bullet Jennifer Roberts Building

news story bullet DOGFITE in the Ring

news story bullet ILSNC Partners w/ BIA

news story bullet New ILS Board Member

news story bullet Get Living Skills Training

news story bullet Vision Gateway Success

 

 

 


Roberta, Jennifer and Phil Roberts

 

 


Pirate PALOOZA!

 


Happy Partners: Members of California United Homecare Workers (CUHW) celebrate the new contract for Butte County IHSS workers with Chico Chapter DOGFITE members.

 

 

 

 


New ILSNC Board Member, Nicole Hutchinson

 

 

 


Jennie Neal instructs Victoria Larson in the fine art of one-handed egg cracking.

 

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME

Little League baseball, Challenger Division, enables kids of all ages, with any disability, to participate in league games. The kids learn about teamwork, fundamentals of the game and, most of all, have a blast. ILSNC’s Executive Director, Evan LeVang, co-coached the Athletics team, who enjoyed hotly-contested duals with their arch rivals, the Giants. Call Chico Central Little League at (530) 345-0925 to get involved.

SUNSHINE KIDS CLUB FAMILY BIKE DAY

In late summer, ILSNC assisted the Sunshine Kids Club in presenting their first annual Family Bike Day in Bidwell Park. The event gave kids of all abilities an opportunity to ride a variety of adapted bicycles, supplied by Disabled Sports USA. Members of Chico CORSA Cycling Club provided assistance and support for the kids and their parents.

THE JENNIFER ROBERTS BUILDING DEDICATION

ILSNC’s Chico home for the last five years, located at 1161 East Avenue, has a new name, The Jennifer Roberts Building. The Roberts family are, through their generosity, enabling ILSNC to follow our dream of owning our own building. Phil Roberts, a retired business owner, used his experience in the business world to help form Friends of ILSNC, a non-profit organization that will assist ILSNC in ultimately purchasing the building.

The family chose to name the building after Jennifer, Phil’s granddaughter, a young woman with a disability. The dedication ceremony was June 23, 2006. Jennifer attended the ceremony alongside her large extended family and was effervescent about the proceedings.

ILSNC’s Graphic and Web Designer, Christen Derr, was commissioned to make the building’s plaque in honor of the dedication. A mosaic artist with public art pieces throughout Chico, she made handmade ceramic tiles for the text and used stained glass to frame a photograph of Jennifer.

SAVE THE DATE, YE SCURVY DOGS!

APRIL 13, 2007... PIRATE PALOOZA, A Feast for the Fearless
Join our crew of merry makers for the bash of the year! With a pirate feed, belly dancers, pirate band, celebrity auction and grog bar. Proceeds benefit ILSNC's crisis intervention programs. Costumes provided by Alley Cat in Chico, CA. (530) 343-7089.

DOGFITE IN THE RING: Universal Health Care, IHSS Victory and New Sacramento Chapter

DOGFITE went on the road this fall to support universal health insurance. SB 840, a bill passed by the California legislature after years of grassroots organizing by advocates, would have provided comprehensive health insurance for all Californians. Unfortunately, the bill was vetoed by Governor Schwartzenegger. Supporters remain undaunted, however, and vowed to continue the effort next year when Senator Kuehl re-introduces the bill. For information on universal health care, go to www.onecarenow.org.

SACRAMENTO DOGFITE CHAPTER ESTABLISHED
Resources for Independent Living (RIL), our sister center serving Sacramento and Yolo Counties, has formed the newest chapter of DOGFITE. For more information, call Michael Dunne at (916) 446-3074.

DOGGONE VICTORY! IHSS Homecare Contract for Butte County
After a 3-year struggle, a new contract for over 2,000 Butte County IHSS homecare workers was ratified in September. A wage increase with health insurance will benefit providers AND recipients of IHSS, the lifeline program for seniors and people with disabilities.

INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED
Bidwell Insurance Agency joins ILSNC to promote ADA awareness

We’re experts in the field of ADA compliance, they’re experts in Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI). We’ve joined together to offer a full package of services to benefit local businesses and their customers with disabilities.

The Walk & Talk is our new, low-cost service, offering:
Site visit with an ADA expert
Verbal consultation
Less than an hour
Friendly, informal
Flexible hours

Call Courtney Nelson at BIA in Chico at (530) 894-1096.

NICOLE HUTCHINSON RECENTLY ADDED TO ILSNC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

I am a 26-year-old mother of two daughters, Emma (age 3) and Brooklyn (age 1). I have cerebral palsy. Inspired by ILSNC, I moved to Chico to find my own path to independence. Prior to talking with the staff at ILSNC, I never thought of independence as a possibility. Now it is a continuous goal.

As a board member, I hope to encourage ideas and initiatives that will support communication between board, staff and consumers. I also intend to do my part to help others see that independence can be learned, empower consumers and change societal misconceptions of disabled people and what it means to be independent.

Nicole Hutchinson

ILSNC REDDING CENTER: Living Skills Training Offered to Individuals

One of the many free services provided at ILSNC is independent living skills training. With a curriculum devised by Jennie Neal and Sandra VanLarson, this program provides individualized instruction in a wide variety of daily living skills like cooking, budgeting, housekeeping and nutrition.
Our Redding center is a full-service satellite office, serving Shasta, Siskiyou, Modoc and Lassen Counties. For more information, please call Jennie at (530) 242-8550.

VISION GATEWAY: A Smashing Success

On September 29th, ILSNC joined Eye Life Institute to present a free, one-day seminar on all things related to low vision and coping with blindness. Vision Gateway attracted 200 participants who were treated to guest speakers, a wide variety of product and service vendors, a doctor’s question and answer panel and a catered lunch. Gina Gavett, ILSNC’s Senior Vision Specialist and lead organizer of the event, said, "We were thrilled with the turnout and the positive response from all involved."

YOUR SUPPORT CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Many ILSNC programs are supported through private donations and all contributions are greatly appreciated. Whether you are able to give a monetary pledge or donate your time, all gifts are welcome. You can reach us by mail at 1161 East Avenue, Chico, CA 95926 or call us at 800-464-8527.

 


Kendall LaCombe prepares to ride with an assist from his dad, David, and Lau Ackerman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


ILSNC Board Treasurer, Frank Smith at the rally in support of universal health insurance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The audience at Vision Gateway '06 enjoys one of several presentations relating to low vision and blindness.

 
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