PEOPLE FIRST CHAPTER OF
MADERA-MARIPOSA COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA
Association members, friends, program supporters, and agency staff over the past 35 years have each contributed to the achievement and successes our clientele have made as a result of participation in our program services.
Together, we have advocated for increased inclusion opportunities, which include community employment, access to community resources, and independent living options for persons with developmental disabilities.
Our community now has another group of advocates that are committed to the same purpose; they are those we serve and support . . . people with developmental disabilities.
The People First Chapter of Madera-Mariposa Counties was chartered on October 23, 2006. People with developmental disabilities residing in Madera and Mariposa Counties have embarked on a quest to establish a recognized chapter of People First of California, Inc, that unites all interested persons with developmental disabilities in Madera and Mariposa counties to learn the skills they require to formally advocate for themselves to exercise their right to choice and full participation in every aspect of community life.
People First is a self-advocacy organization and is part of an international, national, and statewide movement of people with developmental disabilities. People first means that [they] are people first, and that their disability is second.
The members of People First chapters work to increase their self-advocacy skills by learning how to speak for themselves and others and build decision making skills about what is important to their own lives and that of their peers.
As a self-advocacy/self-help organization, members help each other with problems, make friends, and reach out to people with severe disabilities. Members of People First work together to advocate for their rights, train others about disabilities, participate in community projects, hold social events, take political stands and /or plan conferences-conventions-events.
Heartland has made a commitment to act as a sponsor and advisor to help our community's local People First chapter accomplish their goals. This chapter will most certainly continue to evolve in the years ahead to ensure that every person with a developmental disability, residing in Madera and Mariposa County, has an opportunity to fully participate in their community. Towards this end, Heartland has designated staff to serve as a liaison/advisor. People interested in learning more about People First may contact:
Ken Robbins, Community Resource Coordinator
559.661.2888
krobbins@heartlandopportunity.com
or
Kristy Anderson, Director of Adult Day Programs
kanderson@heartlandopportunity.com
or
Marina Fisher, Director of Adult Day Programs
209.966.7291
mfisher@heartlandopportunity.com
or
People First of California
www.peoplefirstca.org
Every person with a developmental disability, residing in Madera and Mariposa County, that has a desire to learn how to advocate for themselves and a desire to fully participate in their community is welcome to participate in this organization.
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