Monday, March 17, 2025

Celebrating Opportunity Village

This month is National Development Disabilities Awareness Month, which was established in the US to increase awareness and understanding of issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This week I am celebrating Opportunity Village. Since 1954, Opportunity Village has been dedicated to helping people with disabilities find the very best version of themselves. Through workforce development, community employment, day services, inclusive housing, arts and social recreation, they are able to find new friends, realize future career paths, seek independence and community integration, and unleash creative passions. 

During my community outreach activities with UPS, I worked on several of their events, HalloVeen and Magical Forest, and represented UPS when we provided a $5,000 grant from the UPS Foundation. During our tour of their facility, I was amazed at how many people they support through their programs.  They have many volunteer activities that help them raise much-needed funds to support their efforts and build a sense of community for the volunteers.

About - Opportunity Village - Disability Services & Support Organization

Monday, March 10, 2025

Celebrating Shelly Miller

This month is also Women's History Month, which celebrates all women for their contributions to history and society.

I celebrate Shelly Miller, an American Cancer Society Voice of Hope and a 29-year cancer survivor.  She has been on the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Cancer National Volunteer team for several years now and has been on several Event Leadership Teams throughout the years. Five years ago, I joined the local Las Vegas Event Leadership team, and she mentored me on what was expected for logistics as I had never worked any of the events beyond being a participant even thought she had a another function within the team.  Through her tutelage, I have been fortunate to have co-chaired the event with her(I really was her assistant, smile) 

Every time I hear her speak at one of our events, I get a little misty(I am sure it was allergies) because she speaks with so much passion and heart.  Below are two pictures of her after leaving the hospital and at Last year's Relay.

Celebrating Grant A Gift Autism Foundation—Ackerman Center

This month is National Development Disabilities Awareness Month, which was established in the US to increase awareness and understanding of issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This week, I am celebrating a local organization, Grant A Gift Autism Foundation—Ackerman Center, which provides comprehensive clinical services, resources, education, research, and advocacy for individuals and families living with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. It was founded in 2009 by a mother frustrated with finding resources for her son. She turned it into a world-class organization, drawing support from other community members so we don't leave these folks behind.

I have supported this organization during my career with UPS through our community outreach program. It was an eye-opening experience when we worked at the facility and walked during the 5K; what can the community accomplish when we work for the betterment of our people? Most of the time, we take for granted what we have and don't realize how fortunate some of us are.

Grant a Gift Autism Foundation Ackerman Center  

Mission — Grant a Gift Autism Foundation Ackerman Center

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

Celebrating Cecilia Bridgewater

This month is National Development Disabilities Awareness Month, which was established in the US to increase awareness and understanding of issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is also Women's History Month, which celebrates all women for their contributions to history and society. (1)

I am celebrating my Sister Cecilia Bridgewater, two years younger than me. However, due to her intellectual disability, she is unable to live independently without outside help. DEI initiatives have helped her with home care and allowed her to work and become a productive member of society. She is such a hard worker and loves going to work.  She recently received an award for 10 years of perfect attendance at her job.  She now has her cell phone, which gives her a sense of ownership.

She loves everyone and can hug you so strong you can hardly breathe. 

(1) Diversity Month descriptions received from Seramount | Building Stronger, More Inclusive Workforces Through Talent and DEI Strategies

Monday, February 24, 2025

Celebrating Mary Harris and Michelle Dixon-Harris

As my final Black Heritage Monthly posting and continued resistance to the anti-DEI movement in the United States, I am celebrating Mary Harris and Michelle Harris-Dixon. They have been the Heart and Soul of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Southern Nevada for several years. The Mother/Daughter combo has driven our Event Leadership team's spirit over the last few years. Their team, Sisters of the Heart, has raised over $850,000 for Relay over the years and is on the way to being a legacy Team($1 million raised)  with the Relay For Life.  During a recent Little J Gambino variety show here in Las Vegas little J noted how Mary and Michelle made him feel loved and supported with his Cancer Diagnosis and that they were there to help him as well as pointing him to others that provide services to instill Hope.

I consider them part of my family and would do anything they ask of me

Below is a picture of us doing some training with the Local School Key Clubs