The Independent1st Quarter 2014

Published by Resources for Independence Central Valley

Vol 38 issue 1

The Independent published quarterly volume 38 issue 1 printed and published by Resources For Independence Central Valley 3008 North Fresno street, Fresno, Ca 93703 tel 559 221 2330 www.ricv.org, editor : Casandra Eastwood

RICV in South Korea

During Executive Director Robert Hand’s second trip to Korea he

made a few presentations and met several significant individuals. Among

them, Margaret Hawley, Cultural Affairs Officer, and Geon Cho, Cultural

Affairs Specialist from the U.S. Embassy in Korea attended the

presentation on leadership he gave.

He also had the opportunity to meet Byun Seung Il, Director General

of the Presidential Committee for National Cohesion, Oh Yong Kweon,

Secretary General of the Korean Association on Mental Illness (KAMI), and

numerous other individuals working in this field.

Daily Points of Light

We are proud to say that Resources for Independence Central Valley

was chosen as an honoree for Daily Points of Light! RICV was recognized

for Community Leadership Academy and its successes.

President George W. Bush created the Daily Point of Light Award in

1990 to honor those individuals and groups working toward improving and

changing communities across America.

For more information visit their website, http://www.pointsoflight.org/

US Embassy Supports CLAIC

Brent D. Byers, Minister Counselor for Public Affairs U.S. Embassy Seoul on the CLA for International Cooperation:

“I would like to extend my warm congratulations for the opening of the

Community Leadership Academy for International Cooperation and for the

publication of this program book.

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has conducted a number of programs in

partnership with the Korea Differently Abled Federation (KODAF) to

highlight the importance of an inclusive society that values equally all of its

members and their contributions. It’s a real pleasure to work with KODAF

on another great initiative to foster engagement of the differently abled in

international cooperation. This program is based on a concept jointly

proposed by the U.S. Embassy Seoul, KODAF, and the GongGam Law

Foundation in January last year. These three organizations worked

together to launch a new exchange program between the United States

and The Republic of Korea focused on disability rights. Our efforts were

rewarded by the Empower Partnership for Inclusive Communities

Professional Exchange Program, a U.S. State Department sponsored two-

way international exchange for organizations working on disability-related

issues and inclusion as articulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of

Persons with Disabilities. Robert J. Hand from Resources for

Independence Central Valley, one of the authors of this book, visited Korea

as an American program partner in August. The Korean counterparts

visited the United States in October. The U. S. and Korean delegations

worked together to create sustainable organizational partnerships between

our two countries, expanding the capacity of each organization to promote

disability inclusive communities and to advance disability rights. This

seminar and the accompanying book are a follow-up project to amplify the

outcome of that exchange program. I am proud the U.S. Embassy Seoul

could play a role in initiating and developing this project. Over the past

year, the U.S. Embassy has supported a number of programs to support

greater inclusion and civil rights of persons with disabilities. In two visits to

Korea, Judy Heumann, the Special Advisor for International Disability

Rights at the State Department and an internationally known civil rights

activist, underscored the importance of disability-inclusive diplomacy. As

we begin 2014, the U.S. Embassy Seoul will continue its efforts to promote

civil rights and an inclusive global society. With very best wishes to the

Leadership Academy for 2014!”

Inspiration Park Re-Bids

Inspiration Park is close to becoming a reality. The re-bids have come

back and RICV is now waiting to hear back on the bid results.

Inspiration park is planned as a completely accessible park with all features

accessible to persons with disabilities. Once completed, it will be the only

park of its kind in the region.

The City of Fresno had $7 million to construct the park. In 2012 RICV

entered into an agreement with the City to become the lead agency for

developing and maintaining the park. Several community organizations

agreed to lend their support to RICV to raise funds and assist in helping

RICV develop the park.

Chief among them were HealthNet, CalViva, University of Phoenix,

ARC of Fresno, Whitney Foundation, Children’s Hospital Central California

and Central Valley Regional Center. Jim Santos, who has organized many

Special Olympics events, spearheaded another major fundraiser for RICV.

Through him, the Baltimore based League of Dreams and Major League

Baseball Players Alumni Association joined hands with RICV.

The Swing With the Legends Golf Tournament has had two

successful annual events in Fresno to raise funds for the park.

RICV is raising funds through the sale of bricks and naming rights to the

park as well.

For more information and/or to get involved in the development of the

park log on to www.ricv.org and click on Inspiration park, or call RICV

Executive Director Bob Hand at 221 2230.

Consumer Corner

Absolute perfect life is limitless. Love and peace begin with the core

of our common sense and in our humanity that expresses itself in

forgiveness. As we deal with daily challenges and raise beyond negative

distractions, we can believe in the positive. Expressing it through

thoughtfulness, maintaining balance in everything we do, checking in with

ourselves, making the right choice, in knowing when to rest, redirecting our

thoughts and actions when necessary and continuing to improve our lives

and building a future for ourselves. The ultimate purpose of life is to

awaken universal love consciousness by giving everyone the gift of

limitless love and peace—always.

By Amyefaith Servantsergeant 

Community Leadership Academy

Interested in learning how to be in a community leadership role such as a board, council or committee member? APPLY Today! Starting April 14 – April 30, 2014 on Mondays & Wednesdays from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm RICV will be holding a course to prepare people with

disabilities to serve effectively on local government and nonprofit

organizations’ boards and trusts.

Please go to www.nationalcla.org to apply. For assistance please

contact Kevin Vu at

S.H.A.R.E.S. Card

The DAT has acquired S.H.A.R.E.S cards to raise funds for DCAD

and other DAT activities. The DAT’s will receive as much as 3% of your

purchases at any Savemart or Foodmaxx store when you swipe your card.

To receive a card, contact Agustina Lopez at (559) 221-2330 or

alopez@ricv.org.

 Congratulations Dr. Pitt

Dr. Jenelle Pitt, Coordinator of the Master’s Degree Program in

Rehabilitation Counseling at Fresno State, was recently nominated for two

outstanding awards!

Dr. Pitt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counselor

Education and Rehabilitation at Fresno State. She was nominated for the

Rosa Parks Faculty or Staff “Unsung Hero” Award on campus. Also, while

she is still within the first 5 years of her career in academia she was

selected as the Rehabilitation Educator of the Year by the National Council

on Rehabilitation Education. Generally the nominees for this award are

those beyond the 5 year mark that are tenure seeking or tenured faculty, so

it comes as a great surprise and honor to Dr. Pitt to be selected to this

award.

We would like to send out a big Congratulations to Dr. Pitt and all her

success!

 Central Valley Coalition for Human Services

The Central Valley Coalition for Human Services (CVCHS) is a

group of private nonprofit, government and education organizations that

have come together in an effort to provide more effective and efficient

human services in the Central Valley.

Quarterly CVCHS meetings promote networking among local CBO

professionals, opportunities for collaborative grant applications, marketing

and outreach, as well as provide staff training and peer mentoring

opportunities.

For past training resources, Partner information and other details,

visit www.CentralValleyCHS.org

Disability Capitol Action DayDisability Capitol Action Day is an annual event where people with

disabilities and their allies come together for a day of unity and advocacy.

For many years, RICV has hosted a charter and accessible buses for

consumers from the Central Valley to attend. This year, our consumers are

raising funds to pay for a portion of the transportation costs, a test of their

true independence.

You can show your support through one or more of the following

opportunities below.

Fragrance Crystals

All three of RICV’s Disability Advocacy Teams are selling Fragrance Crystal Sets (Fresno, Merced, Visalia) The $10 set includes: (1) Luminary Ceramic Holder (2) Tea Candles (2) Bags of Scented Crystals (choose from 6 fragrances)

If you are interested contact Advocacy Team Leader, Agustina Lopez (559) 221-2330 x54 alopez@ricv.org

Rummage SaleThe Visalia DAT is holding a Rummage Sale on April 26, 2014 from

8:30am-1:30pm in the Visalia Chamber of Commerce parking lot (220 N

Santa Fe St.)

Those who can’t attend can also help by donating items ahead of

time.

Contact Visalia DAT facilitator, George Curtis for more information.

(559) 627-9015 or gcvisalia@sbcblobal.net

BRIDGES Spring Dance

BRIDGES will be holding a Spring Dance for youth and young adults in late

April to raise funds for DCAD! For details, contact Youth Services

Coordinator, Suzanna Gamez. (559) 221-2330

RSVP for DCADIf you are interested in attending this year’s DCAD event on May 21,

2014 contact Community Organizer, Joanna Zamora at (559) 221-2330 x12

or

jzamora@ricv.org.

Tell Your Story, Win a Prize

Hello, high school age youth and young adults with disabilities. We

want to hear your story!

There is power in storytelling and sharing how you have been

successful in accomplishing your personal goals. Your story can bring hope

and inspiration to others. Express your success through art, story writing,

poems, photographs, paintings, drawings, etc. Its your choice how you

want to do it.

Topics include employment, volunteer experience, developing social

skills, recreation activities, independent living, transportation and education.

Selected stories will be printed in a book and there are prizes too.

Categories for winning prizes are best book title, best idea for cover

page and first person to submit a story!

Deadline to submit your story is May 23, 2014. Questions? Call our

BRIDGES staff on 559 221 2330. The book is made possible through the

Cultural Arts Rotary Club mini grant.

Healtcare website in Spanish

The US government has debuted the Spanish-language version of

the healthcare website that will help Latinos to shop and sign up for new

insurance plans under President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law.

The site, www.CuidadoDeSalud.gov was soft-launched in December

2013. Over the next month, the Department of Health and Human Services

will boost its promotional efforts to introduce the site to Spanish-language

speakers.

The department will rely on feedback from Spanish-language

organizations that use the site during the initial stage to improve it before it

is mass marketed, said department spokeswoman Joanne Peters.

Accessibility Lawsuit

Trader Joe’s will be making alterations to all its stores in California to

make them more accessible.

According to a release from Simpluris, Class Action Settlement

Administration, this is part of its lawsuit agreement.

Trader Joe’s has entered into an agreement to settle a class action

lawsuit, concerning accessibility to its stores for individuals who use

wheelchairs or scooters for mobility and/or are vision and/or hearing

impaired.

Trader Joe’s will also pay $460,000 to a Damage Fund. If a class

member shopped at a Trader Joe’s location in California between June 22,

2009 and December 13, 2013, they may be eligible for monetary recovery.

To qualify for the payment you must submit the claim before May 31, 2014.

For additional information visit

www.CATJAccessSettlement.com or call

888-836-1697.

Staff Training on Team Building

Team building was the topic of the first training this year for staff at

RICV. It was held on January 6th during the quarterly staff potluck.

Our Youth Services Coordinator, Suzanna Gamez, facilitated the

event. She set up a training with Rodrigo Gomez, from the College

Assistance Migrant Program at Fresno State. The training was on “Building

a Teamwork Morale within Staff.”

The training consisted of various activities where staff had to work

together in small groups or as one collective group. Rodrigo covered topics

such as, listening to each other and communication, dealing with conflict,

providing feedback in an effective manner, and teamwork. He also pointed

out how people have a tendency to work against each other when there is

a sense of competitiveness but explained how to best work together.

The activity that stood out the most was called TRUE COLORS. This

identified the staff’s personality and work style as individuals but also

allowed them to see who they were alike. Rodrigo described in detail each

groups strengths and weaknesses and explained how to best interact with

each type to form a positive working relationship. It was a good reminder

that it is beneficial to have a diverse group of people working together.

Fundraising Committee

Ready to spread the word? Join our Fundraising Committee! RICV’s Fundraising Committee is actively seeking committed experienced individuals to join!

Please contact Maria Valencia at 559-221-2330 to Apply!

Holiday Dinner

Staff, volunteers and the Board of Directors of RICV came together to

celebrate the holiday season on December 6, 2013.

The RICV holiday dinner, which was organized by RICV staff Agustina

Lopez, came complete with delicious food, a DJ, and dancing!

Staff that had served at RICV for five or more years were honored on the

occasion.

Staff honored were:

Robin Shaw: 23 yrs Barney Morris: 15 yrs Reyes Sandoval: 11 yrs Vidal Medina: 10 yrs Suzanna Gamez: 10 yrs Jennifer Coke: 7 yrs Ileana Perez: 7 yrs Ellissa Anaya: 5 yrs Maria Olivarez: 5 yrs Patrick Atkins: 5 yrs

Board of Directors

President Selina Escobar (Sr. Public Programs Administrator, HealthNet)

Vice president Gayle Black (Vice President, California Bank and Trust)

Secretary Susan Thompson (Graduate, California State University Fresno)

Treasurer Frances Reyes Acosta (Consultant)

Members Russell Ryan (Attorney, Motschiedler, Michaelides, Wishon, Brewer & Ryan LLP)

Anthony Gracian (Graduate, Fresno Pacific University)

Art Olvera (CEO, Life Goes On-Home Improvement)

Jennifer Wynveen (Graduate, California State University Fresno) Shail Lopez-Ortiz (Director, Wayfinders, Fresno State)

Oscar Hinojosa (Graduate, University Of Phoenix)

Williams, Marvin (AT Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities CSUF)

Events Column

Fresno Advocacy Team 3rd Friday

[1pm-3pm]

Joanna Zamora [jzamora@ricv.org]

Peer Support Group 1st & 3rd Wednesday

[2:00 pm-3:30 pm]

Barney Morris [bmorris@ricv.org]

All above events held at

RICV Conference Room

2940 N. Fresno St.

Fresno, CA 93703

Merced Advocacy Team United Way, 658 West Main St. Merced, CA.

2nd Friday [2pm-4pm]

Visalia Advocacy Team RICV, 220 Santa Fe Avenue, Visalia, CA.

2nd Tuesday [2pm-4pm]

Visalia Peer Support Group 3rd Wednesday

[3:00pm -4:00pm]

Nalor See

[nsee@ricv.org]

220 N Santa Fe St.

Visalia, CA 93292

Conference Room

Central Valley Coalition for Human Services Quarterly Meetings

Joseph Cody

[jcody@ricv.org]

Appreciation

Dear Sir,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Michael Borunda and RICV for

the outstanding job they did on re-creating my resume. They did a

professional job and made my resume stand out.

RICV was also responsible for teaching me many good interview tips and

skills, and many other helpful hints that played a key role in obtaining a job.

I am please to say that it was my new resume along with the tools that I

utilized, that really helped me secure a government job.

I am happy to share that I was hired at the V A Hospital of the federal

government. Not only did your agency enable me with tools, but your staff

encouraged me as well.

Thanks to Michael Borunda and RICV, I am a federal employee and

entitled to full benefits with good pay.

Again, I am grateful for all your help and support.

Javier S. Meza.

Chandra’s Closet

Chandra’s Closet is up and running! It is a closet specifically for

people who are interviewing for jobs and need a professional outfit. People

are welcome to come in and pick out an outfit for their interview. Please

contact our Independent Living Specialists or Job Developers for more

information at 559-221-2330.

More donations are always welcome!

News in Brief

-Fifty per cent of the yellow medallion taxicabs in New York will be

wheelchair accessible by 2020. Four disability rights organizations, the

New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and the Mayor’s

Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) reached this historic settlement

agreement to phase-in wheelchair accessible taxicabs that will be

accessible to men, women, and children who use wheelchairs and

scooters. The agreement is the first of its kind in the country and would

make New York’s yellow taxi fleet the most accessible in the nation and

one of the most disability-friendly in the world. [Source: Disability Rights

Advocates (DRA), NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, NYC

Law Department Office of the Corporation Counsel, NYC Taxi & Limousine

Commission]

-Motivation, a UK based charity in Backwell, Bristol has designed a

lightweight wheelchair aimed specifically at persons with disabilities

affected during natural disasters. This affordable, lightweight emergency

wheelchair can meet the needs of injured persons with disabilities who are

unable to access basic relief services like shelter, food and water.

Normally, wheelchairs that arrive at disaster areas are hospital seconds

and arrive too late, per David Constantine, co-founder of Motivation.

Building Inspiration Park Brick By BrickA heartfelt THANKS to our Donors featured below. Choose a brick or

tile for your name or message at the Inspiration Park. To reserve a brick or

tile, log on to www.ricv.org or call (559) 221-2330.

Donors:

Russ and Nita Ryan

Tai Chi for Health

Robert & Jean Hand

Fresno Disability Advocacy Team

Arthur & Anuradha Garjaraj-Lopez

Disability is not a barrier, limited perception is

D.M. & A.C. Kimball

The Woolcock Family 2013

With love to the Bud Stanley Family

Don’t Quit SMS (2 bricks)

You somehow found this brick and now what? Whatever you dream – The

Parkers

Life Goes On – Home Improvement Inc.

Esther Cabrera Olvera “Simply the Best”

Robin Malby Healthful Balance Tai Chi, Supports the dream