We hear you.

Dear Partners, Customers, and Caregivers of the Aging and Disability Resource Center

The events of this past week have been beyond comprehension. We have seen the terrible injustice, we have seen the terrible discrimination, we have seen the violence and unrest around the country. As an agency who “puts people first,” we struggle to understand why so little progress has been made. How is it that all the statistics collected through all our community programs indicate that so many people of diverse backgrounds have need, and yet they are the least served? How is it that people coming together to share a common message for change, become the target of the hate? How is it that our differences create greater divides? How is it that when we say we are “all in this together”-we don’t really mean “all”?

This morning as I approached the ADRC building I was greeted by barricades. Barricades meant to protect the protesters as much as the buildings around them. They remind us to hear the message of oppression and inequality. We are not looking out and asking why no one has fixed this. We are not looking out and asking how people can feel this way. We are not looking out and asking who is going to create the change. We are looking out, but also in. We are evaluating what we stand for, what our vision and values mean, and how we can be part of the solution. What can we do that will change our path as a community? How do we listen, really try to understand all sides of the anger, and respond in a way that brings people together?

…Read the full article by clicking here (redirect to ADRCs blog post).

Sincerely,

Devon Christianson,
Director of Aging & Disability Resource Center

Grounded Cafe is a non-profit program of ADRC.

Celebrating Abilities

One cup at a time

Grounded Café focuses on abilities through a job skills training program for persons with disabilities. The persons serving you are either older adult mentors or adults with a disability gaining job skills.

Work is a place to belong, socialize, have purpose, and feel valued. At Grounded Café trainees are given the opportunity to work in every part of the café. To learn every task building confidence and discovering their strengths empowering them to experience the pride and dignity of participating in the community. It’s been a resounding success more than half of the trainees finding jobs in the community.

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Can one cup of coffee make a difference – You bet!