Citizen Advocacy…
A valued citizen who is unpaid and independent of
human services, creates a relationship with a person who is at risk of social
exclusion. The citizen advocate chooses one of many ways to understand,
respond to and represent that person’s interests as if they were the advocates
own, thus bringing that person’s gifts and concerns into the circles of
ordinary community life.
The Mark of An Artist
Many artists and their works
are not fully celebrated until after their deaths. Some artists create through
difficult times and circumstances and are rarely acknowledged by their
contemporaries. That was true for the likes of Picasso, Monet, Renoir, and Vangogh
although each became important contributors to modern art. Countless others will never be identified and
their works will fade away along with memories of them.
Paul
Smith was a brilliant, but little known artist whose work will hopefully be
remembered. Paul was skilled in the craft of typewriter art. Yes, typewriter art. Using his left hand to
still his right hand on the keys of a typewriter, Paul brought amazing images
to life using these ten characters: @#$%^&*_( ). Through his signature technique we got to
know a man who was disciplined and tenaciously innovative.
His
biography describes a man who was humble, charming, had a great sense of humor
and extraordinary “visualization and calculation skills.” Paul was also a man
who had cerebral palsy and who had been
placed in a nursing facility for the last 40 years of his life.
Paul’s
story reminds us of the importance of recognizing that everyone has gifts and capacities
far beyond what can sometimes be immediately appreciated. Some gifts are more
subtly experienced, but are powerfully needed in our community. Yet we can
easily miss the gift because we fail to recognize the artists who possess them.
Webster’s
dictionary defines an artist as “a person who does anything well, with feeling
for form.” All of the people we know who live with a label of a developmental
disability contribute to the artistic landscape in some way. But like Paul,
many live isolated from a community that should benefit from their gifts.
Citizen
advocates have the advantage of experiencing a protégé’s gifts: Jim is a story
teller and local historian, Edith is considerate of others, John is rhythmic,
Tracy is chic, Lois is artistic, Lia has a detailed memory, Fred is tech savvy,
Bobbie is a creative writer, Kim is joyful, and Michelle is a devoted friend.
Citizen
Advocates are invited to get to know one person who lives with a label of a
developmental disability well enough, that the person, their beauty and their
gifts, like those of Paul Smith’s, might help to make the lives of those around
them much richer. This is the mark of a true artist, no matter what medium is
used.
(To
see Paul Smith’s work visit www.paulsmithfoundation.org.)
Aloha Judy!
June 2010 marked the end of an era for us with the
retirement of office manager, Judy Maddox. Since February 1992, Judy
steadfastly worked behind the scenes as support for staff and board. She began
as the administrative assistant in the DeKalb Citizen Advocacy program and then
served as office manager for both Atlanta Citizen Advocacy and DeKalb Citizen
Advocacy. She was instrumental in the completion of the merger of the two
programs in 2001. In 2007, Judy took on the role of associate coordinator, and then
resumed the position as office manager in 2008 which allowed her an opportunity
to finalize her long time project of designing and completing an office
procedures manual. In 2010, Judy dedicated herself to mentoring and training
her replacement.
We
celebrated this lovely woman and her tireless commitment to citizen advocacy at
our June board dinner as former and current board members gathered to wish her
well.
Judy
has shifted onto the board of directors as board treasurer and secretary for
2010/2011. She brings to this board a wealth of Citizen Advocacy knowledge,
passion, and organizational expertise, so it is “hello and goodbye.”
Welcome Rachel Owens
Rachel is the new full time administrative assistant. She brings an enthusiastic attitude, disciplined work ethic, and a deep appreciation for inclusive community. Rachel is young, tech savvy, and eager to grow with Citizen Advocacy.
Accomplishments 2009/2010
· 12 new Citizen Advocacy Relationships Created
· 2 Matches Featured as Stories in National Media: Huffington Post and National Public Radio
· 2 Local Radio Broadcast: WSB and Georgia Public Radio
· 2 Appearances on AIBTV: Law and Society
· Hosted an Open House
· 5 New Board Members
· New Fund Raising Committee
· First Golf Tournament Fundraiser
· Exceeded Annual Fundraising Goal
· Hired New Administrative Assistant
· Expanded Social Media Presence
· A Citizen Advocacy Relationship Told on Video
· Nearly 300 People Received Training
· Hosted Voter Education Event for Advocates
Financial Overview FY 2010
Total Expenditures
Board of Directors
Rachel Platt, President
Phil Payne, Vice President
Jamie Vidich, Secretary
Anthony Aiken, Treasurer
Roxanne Randall
Woody Hall, Chair Emeritus
Staff
Derona King, Coordinator
Judy Maddox, Office Manager
Rachel Owens, Administrative Assistant
Officers Elect FY 2011
President:
Rachel Platt
Vice President:
Roxanne Randall
Secretary/Treasurer:
Judy Maddox
Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta & DeKalb, Inc. is a good steward of public and private resources. All funds are used for direct program costs and are of direct benefit to residents of DeKalb County and the City of Atlanta. From a cost-benefit perspective, this 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization is extraordinary. One could not actually assign a dollar value to the on-going relationships formed that both prevent people with developmental disabilities from being harmed and improve the lives of all community members. If one were to attempt to replace these relationships with paid human services, the quality could not be matched; the relationships would not be sustained; and the costs would be multiplied several times over.
