Dear Imagine friends and family,
Some of Santa Cruz' favorite inclusive events are coming up. Mark your calendars and set your alarms for the return of Shared Adventures' Day on The Beach July 14. The Gathering of Extraordinary People returns on August 18. We very much look forward to these events all year.
Keep an eye on Shared Adventures' website for Day On The Beach registration (the event is open to all but spaces in the adaptive sports events are limited and go quickly.). Watch this space for how to register for the Gathering, although participation isn't nearly as competitive.
Imagine has had a lot of support from partner agencies and other friends in making the Gathering happen. If you would like to help out that day or during the preparation, please email Norma.
For those of you who are new to our community: The Day On The Beach (DoTB) is an annual event put on by Shared Adventures at Cowell's Beach, next to the Santa Cruz wharf. Each year, a wheelchair is built out along the beach down to the tide line leading to a dance floor and several stations where a Hoyer lift and volunteers from the Santa Cruz Carpenters' Local are available to make kayaking, outrigger canoeing, surfing, diving and other water sports accessible to people in any body. There is a free lunch provided and a concert. Imagine has been supporting this event for a long time with volunteers and assistance organizing. I have met visitors from other states who came to Santa Cruz for the opportunity to enjoy activities that aren't otherwise accessible. We are very proud this event happens here.
The Gathering of Extraordinary People is another local marquee event and takes place in Harvey West Park. The community of people with developmental disabilities from throughout the County are welcome. A typical gathering offers food, musical and artistic activities, sports and a talent show. We make this happen in partnership with other agencies and friends. Please reach out to Norma if you'd like to help us stage this event.
In penance for last month's newsletter, I'll keep this column short and my sentences simple.
I want to introduce two new columns for this month. The first is Jake's Favorite Animals. In cooperation with staff, Jake plans to produce a column each month telling you about a favorite animal and posting a photo. We're thrilled to add this feature to our monthly newsletter. Jake is a wealth of knowledge, memories and enthusiasms. He also needs support to write so the columns may vary in length based in part on who is there to support his writing. This month's column is probably short because he wrote it with my support. The other new column is written by Myrissa, from Jake's care team. I sure do hope this will also be a regular feature.
Further down, this month's newsletter includes the following:.
Patty Lopez, Imagine's Assistant Director of Human Resources thanks our employees for successful benefits election season and points out the new improved and expanded Employee Assistance Program that can be especially helpful with mental health challenges.
In The Service Sector, the new Heather-Stephanie column kicks off with Heather talking about her new approach to supporting our Facilitators to better support our clients and coworkers.
In Community Connections, Susan yawns and takes a month off because she can. (No column this month and I promised to give her a hard time about it.)
Our usual stuff in the columns around advocacy, self-determination, the Imagine Endowment and Transparency.
The Person-Centered Evolution this month talks about some of the less heralded benefits of Person-Centered Thinking tools.
This month we have spotlights on Netty and Lisa.
As ever, if you have any questions, feedback or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can write me here. I look forward to hearing from you.
Gratefully yours,
Doug
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