Walnut Street Center's Halloween Dance 2009!

Yesterday we had our annual Halloween Dance and WOW...did we see some serious dance moves. Our dance was held at the Somerville City Club, the space was generously donated to us by the Club and we had a blast. Lunch was served at the dance thanks to the generosity of Don Ribero one of the club's members and tunes were spun by our favorite DJ Peter Hallisey from Boston Sound Choice. This year we partnered with the Somerville Homeless Coalition for a food drive to help stock the Somerville Food Pantry. Individuals were responsible for bringing one canned good as an entrance fee for the dance. Mark Alston-Follansbee, Executive Director of the Somerville Homeless Coalition made a guest appearance at our dance and let everyone know the significance of bringing a canned good and the impact that everyone's generosity had for those in need. Our food drive will continue through the holidays. So if anyone has any canned food items they would like to donate please put them in the box in our main lobby.

Now a few words about the dance itself...I am always reminded why I work at the Walnut Street Center when I attend our dances. It is the greatest opportunity to see everyone enjoying themselves and the community around them. Dancing, singing and genuinely having a good time. It is the simple surprises the I am met with at our dances and group gatherings that I go home thinking about. Yesterday, while driving home I thought about the incredible dance moves that Michelle displayed on the dance floor along with many others. The staff's enthusiasm and dance moves were also in my thoughts, I think we need to have a "So you think you can dance" party to showcase some of the talents possessed within the agency! Folks certainly have the moves!

I also went home happy to have met so many new staff members that have joined the WSC team. We don't often all get to be together to enjoy the work we do but yesterday was one of those special days that we did and it felt GREAT. So I just want to thank you all again for making WSC a special place and the dance a success. We each bring something different to the agency and it is the blend of everyone that makes Walnut Street Center a special agency.

Thanks again to everyone involved in making the dance a success.

Dana

Vigil News!

Vigil News: Past and Present
"Vigil to save our Safety Net" moves on to
Speaker and Senate President's Offices next week

Boston - Because of the great success of our Vigil to save our Safety Net - while we didn't get any assurances from the Governor, it was very evident that he felt the pressure, and the media helped us get the word out to the public - we are launching the 2nd Phase of our "Vigil to save our Safety Net."

On Monday, the recently completed vigil at the Governor's Office will move to the Offices of the Senate President and Speaker of the House. The vigil continues to focus on the serious crisis facing thousands of people with disabilities whose services are slated to be slashed due to the budget crisis.

This second phase of the vigil will begin Monday, October 26 at 9:30 am and run through Wednesday, October 28 at 3:30 pm.

"It is vital that we reach out to the leaders of our legislature and make sure they realize the devastating effects of both recent and proposed cuts," said Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director of The Arc.

Meanwhile, please visit our Action Center to send the Governor an email to Save our Safety Net. (Even if you miss our "Day of Action" you can still send the message).

See below for the complete press release that will be sent out to the media. Also, see these items:
WCVB-TV story: Janet Wu visits vigil on last day (yesterday) and asks Gov. Patrick if he's given disability advocates any assurance (note: story is mostly focused on furloughs).
Video: Governor's concluding remarks to Disability Advocates on first day of Vigil
Video: More remarks from the Governor to Vigilers... "I see you. I see the issues. I see the challenges..."
Video: Parent gives passionate testimony to an aide to the Governor during vigil
Read Leo Sarkissian's October 16 Budget and Vigil Update


Disability Advocates Launch
Phase 2 of
Vigil to save our Safety Net
Moves to Offices of Senate President and Speaker!


CONTACT: Leo Sarkissian/Joshua Komyerov, advocate@arcmass.org
781-891-6270

Disability Stakeholders are launching the 2nd Phase of its "Vigil to save our Safety Net." On Monday, the recently completed vigil at the Governor's Office will move to the Offices of the Senate President and Speaker of the House. The vigil continues to focus on the serious crisis facing thousands of people with disabilities whose services are slated to be slashed due to the budget crisis.

This second phase of the vigil will begin Monday, October 26 at 9:30 am and run through Wednesday, October 28 at 3:30 pm.

"It is vital that we reach out to the leaders of our legislature and make sure they realize the devastating effects of both recent and proposed cuts," said Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director of The Arc.

The Arc of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change (MFOFC) are organizing the event in recognition of the importance of the legislature in budget and policy decisions.

"We need the legislative support if we are to avoid the termination of services to several thousand people served through the Department of Developmental Services, MassHealth, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and other agencies," said Susan Nadworny of MFOFC.

The Arc and MFOFC stated that further cuts will destroy the Commonwealth's safety net for the most vulnerable people in the state, causing them to lose residential, Personal Care Attendant (PCA) services, employment, transportation and family supports.

"We need the leadership of Senate President Murray and Speaker DeLeo more than we have ever have," Sarkissian added. "They have been supportive in the past. We pray that the leadership team in both branches will hear our plea."



Expanded Vigil to save our Safety Net

Why: Impending cuts in this year's and next year's budgets will eliminate services for thousands of people at DDS (Dept. of Developmental Services, MassHealth and other agencies). We need the House and Senate along with the Governor to hold these already damaged services harmless from further cuts.

Where: At the Speaker's and Senate President's Offices on the 3rd floor of the State House (356 and 330).

When: Starting Monday, October 26, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. and continuing daily from 9:30 to 4 p.m. until Wednesday Oct. 28.

We expect the Governor to announce the details of his 9C cuts on October 30, 2009. Monday, October 26, 2009Tuesday, October 27, 2009Wednesday, October 28, 2009


COPIED FROM THE ARC WEBSITE.....

TIME TO ACT PLEASE READ!

The Arc & Families Plan Vigil to Convince Governor To Stop Proposed Cuts

Families and consumers are planning daily visits to the Governor's office starting this Thursday, October 8, 2009, to try and convince the Governor to not make deep current and FY 11 budget cuts to developmental disabilities programs.

Led by The Arc of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change, families and consumers will be visiting the Governor's office in a symbolic vigil to convince Governor Patrick that the deep cuts planned for DDS programs will tear apart the very fabric of the community disabilities support system.

Families and consumers will be coming in shifts to visit the Governor's office, providing a steady stream of visitors. There are limited seats in the Governor's public reception area. The goal is let the Governor, his staff and the public see the number of people who are distressed over the proposed deep cuts.

The Arc is encouraging participants to visit the Governor's office frequently on October 9, 10, 13, 14 and 15 to ensure that the Governor and his staff understand that deep cuts to residential, employment, family support and day habilititation programs is likely to result in service termination for thousands of people with developomental disabilties.

A steady stream of visitors are expected to leave requests with the Governor to cancel the planned cuts and meet with disability advocates..

Following is the Vigil Announcement from The Arc of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change:

The developmental disabilities stakeholder community announced today that it will hold a vigil in the lobby of Governor Deval Patrick's office to protest the Governor's plans to eliminate services for thousands of people with developmental disabilities.

The vigil will begin on Thursday, October 8, 2009, and will continue until the Governor meets with developmental disabilities stakeholders to indicate he will protect disabilities services.

The Arc of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change (MFOFC) are organizing the event because of what they believe is the Governor's current plan to terminate over 10,000 people from community services provided by the Department of Developmental Services.

In a joint release, executive directors Leo Sarkissian of The Arc and Susan Nadworny of MFOFC said the proposed cuts would destroy the Commonwealth's safety net for the most vulnerable people in the state, causing them to lose residential, employment, transportation and family supports.

Sarkissian stated:"If the governor goes ahead with tens of millions of dollars in mid-October 9C cuts and $750 million in FY 11 cuts to disability services, it will mean the dismantling of the disability community services system".

Susan Nadworny stated: "Thousands of consumers, family members and human service workers are in shock over the Governor's proposed abandonment of people with developmental disabilities".

Organizers have been alarmed by the Governor's potential plans, noting that the human services and disabilities community cannot bear any further reductions due the state's funding problems-needs and numbers in need have increased during this difficult time. "We call upon the Governor to rethink his spending priorities and protect vulnerable people from devastating cuts."

People who plan to participate in the Vigil are requested to email advocate@arcmass.org

The Governor plans to annouce 9C cuts on or around October 15, 2009.

Please indicate a date and time when you can attend the Vigil:

Preliminary Vigil Dates:

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Friday, October 9, 2009

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Thank you!

Walnut Street's Center's First Annual WALK "N" ROLL at

Trum Field as Evening Rolled around!

Face Painting by Jen

Gene and his Crew

A GIANT THANKS TO OUR COOKS!

Without the help of facilities the day couldn't have happen...Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

I also want to thank everyone that participated in the Walk "N" Roll. It was a great day. The sun was out and the park was perfect. We had a big turn out and a great time. The music was wonderful and instead of walking and rolling there was a lot of dancing. It was wonderful meeting so many family members and friends. We are still getting donations and feel very lucky to have so many people who are willing to help us. Our fund raising efforts will continue so please stay tuned.

A Giant Thanks

Almost a week away until our First Annual Walk "N" Roll and we just want to say THANK YOU to our corporate sponsors.

East Cambridge Savings Bank

Eastern Bank

Somerville Rotary

LEONARD MULHERIN & GREENE, P.C.

Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP

Somerville Kiwanas Club

Thanks to our sponsors above we are off to a wonderful start in helping to restore some of the services that were cut from our contract as of July 1st. We are very grateful for everyone that is coming out to help make our first Walk "N" Roll a success. We are very much looking forward to September 25th. We have over 30 items to raffle including a lap top computer with printer and carrying case, tickets to a Red Sox game, a gift certificate for a new bike and much more. We are looking forward to a great day in the park and hope to see you there. Remember it is not to late to get involved in event. For any questions please call Dana a 617-620-5262.

Two weeks

WOW 2 more weeks and we will be Walking and Rolling and having a great time at Trum Field. Thanks to all the many supporters of Walnut Street Center we have some great raffle items and we are all so excited for the event. Again thank you to everyone who has been helping to plan this event. It is not too late to get involved. Please contact Dana at 617-620-5262 for more information.

Thank You

It is hard to believe that September is upon us and that our first Family Support Fund raiser is less then a 3 weeks away. We are all eagerly preparing for what should be a great party in the park. Since our last post we have learned that Sal DiFusco and his son will be playing live music for us during our First Annual Walk "N" Roll. We all want to extend a GIANT thank you to him and his family for all the time and planning that they have put into this event. His parents have been attending weekly meetings for the past 4 months and we just want to say how thankful we are to have them in our family meetings. We also want to thank Lynn Kehoe for her determination and dedication in ensuring that people with developmental disabilities receive the services that they deserve. She has brought many wonderful ideas to the table for the Walk "N" Roll and we just want to say Thank You to her for her incredible enthusiasm! Now since we are on the subject of thanking people I also want to mention several of our board members, Ann Kirby, Kathleen Houghton and John Wheeler. They have all been quick to help wherever and whenever they can and have devoted a lot of their precious time to our weekly meetings discussing the details and planning of our event. We also want to thank everyone who has donated raffle items and baskets to our event. We have some great items for our raffle including a laptop computer thanks to Jeff our computer consultant at WSC. Pleaese stay tuned for more details regarding our event and raffle items.

We are still looking for volunteers, participants and donations so if you are interested please contact Dana at 617-620-5262 or at kuhld@wscinc.org. We look forward to seeing you at the event and please stay tuned for future posts.