MAB Community Services Newsletter Spring/Summer 2019

Welcome to Buzz, MAB Community Services' email newsletter. We will share with you the highlights, activities, achievements, and stories of the differences being made in the lives of the people we serve at the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, MAB Adult Disability Services, and the Ivy Street school

SHOWTIME! Extravaganza is Tonight

Extravaganza!, Ivy Street School's annual night of singing, dancing, acting, and more will be on today, June 6 at the Wheelock Family Theatre in Boston. You won’t want to miss the Ivy Street students take to the stage and show the world what we already know - that they truly are stars. For many of our students, they take an enormous step to be on stage, particularly in front of a large group of people. They spend an entire year preparing for a performance of a lifetime — artistically, physically, and emotionally. Indeed, it’s a night to remember! Come cheer our students on and enjoy a unique and enjoyable evening. We would like to thank Eastern Bank for generously sponsoring this year's show/ RSVP AND MORE INFO HERE Thursday, June 6, 2019 6:00 pm Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston

Team With A Vision Raises $250,000 To Support Programs and Services of MABVI

MABVI's Team With A Vision (TWAV) celebrated its 26th year with several events over Marathon weekend. TWAV runner Erich Manser had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. During Saturday evening's team dinner, MABVI presented Joe Walsh, President of Adaptive Sports New England Adaptive Sports New England, with the 2019 Kara MacDonald Aspire Award to celebrate the late Kara MacDonald, and her dedication to athletes with disabilities. Runners Ellen Goldberg, and Michael Castle were also inducted into our Hall of Fame . At Sunday’s TWAV Brunch attendees were treated to a media tips discussion with Boston Globe Columnist, Adrian Walker and MABVI's Kyle Robidoux. On Marathon Monday, 34 blind or visually impaired Boston qualified runners, 62 sighted guides, and 13 charity runners set off from Hopkinton to compete in the 123rd Boston Marathon. Congratulations to TWAV runners Lisa Thomson and Stuart McGregor, who finished first in the Women’s and Men’s VI divisions.

MAB is Hiring

Interested in a meaningful career? MAB Community Services, Ivy Street School and Adult Disability Services needs talented individuals committed to helping people with disabilities live full and satisfying lives. MAB offers many rewarding positions. Find out about our occupational therapy jobs, vocational coach jobs, and many others. MAB’s Adult Disability Services division has several full time and part time positon available. Open positions range from direct care, to program coordinators and supervisors in our Day, Residential and individual supports programs. We have also expanded our programming well outside of the Metro Boston area.  All of these positions offer the opportunity to build your expertise while making a difference in the lives of others.MAB is committed to building an inclusive and diverse community and strongly encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Please visit here for all current job openings

I vy Street School Graduation is June 12

On June 12, Ivy Street School's 2019 Graduation Ceremony will recognize the hard work of all of our students and present awards to some of our community partners.  Seven of our students will be graduating. Six of them have passed MCAS and will be graduating with diplomas from their district high school, which will open higher education and employment opportunities to them. It is an honor to see our students move on to the next chapter of their lives, taking the skills they have acquired here and applying them to their next goal. In addition to honoring our students, our Graduation Ceremony will include the presentation of Community Partner Awards to individuals and organizations for everything they do to support our mission and help give our students a brighter future. 2019's honorees will include: Community Rowing Inc J.P. Licks Ronald Brown of Hamilton Realty Company Ivy Street School Graduation and Community Partner Awards Wednesday, June 12, 2019 200 Ivy Street, Brookline MA 4:00 pm RSVP to Sarah George,  sgeorge@ivystreetschool.org , 617-732-0215

Advocacy in Action 10th Annual B.L.I.N.D. Day

Brian Charleston of The Carroll Center for the Blind on the left standing next to Sassy Outwater-Wright. Brian is demonstrating AIRA technology to the attendees. — at Massachusetts State House.

MABVI's Executive Director, Sassy Outwater-Wright emceed the Tenth Annual Blind Legislative Informational Networking Day at the State House, a day to advocate the critical importance and need for funding for services for blind and visually impaired indicviduals. The event also honored Senator Joan B. Lovely with the 2019 Legislator of the Year award and included a demonstration of AIRA's assistive technology.

MAB in the News

Sassy Outwater-Wright Selected as Judge for Prestigious Hollman Prize MABVI’s Executive Director has been selected to be a judge for the Holman Prize. Created specifically for legally blind individuals with a penchant for exploration of all types, the Holman Prize provides financial backing – up to $25,000 for three individuals to pursue their passions, push their limits, and inspire and educate people around the world about the boundless abilities of the blind. Read More

T offers app to help the visually-impaired navigate the system Norwell’s Flaherty won’t let vision loss slow her down Blind runner defeats the odds Go the distance: UGA student to run Boston Marathon, raise money for charity

Save the Dates - Upcoming Events

Ivy Street School's Extravaganza, Thursday, June 6 and Graduation Thursday, June 12, 2019

Volunteer Appreciation Celebration Friday, June 14, 2019 Community Rowing Inc RSVP HERE

John Pratt Memorial Lecture March 19, 2020 Keynote speaker Temple Grandin

Give to our Annual Fund

MAB Community Services fiscal years ends on June 30. We have less than 30 days to raise $26,000 to meet our Annual Fund goal, and we are asking for your help. We are so close to our goal; would you help us get there? A donation of $25, $50, $100, or more will go to work right away . Your tax-deductible gift provides immediate resources directed to current needs. If you sign up as a monthly sustainer your gift will work year-round. Please send your gift today. The individuals that MAB serves are counting on your support.  Thank you!

Get Involved. Be A Volunteer. Be A Champion Sign up to Volunteer Today! or call 888-613-2777