Newsletter | March 2025

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A New Home, A New Life—Sam's Story.

At 33 years old, Sam had been living with her dad in Gladwin. In December of 2024, she suffered a fall that resulted in a broken ankle, which led to her being admitted to The Laurels of Mt. Pleasant for rehabilitation services. During her time there, she decided to embrace her independence and establish her own life in Mt. Pleasant.

Sam was referred to Disability Network Mid-Michigan’s Community Transition Services (CTS) program to help her reach that goal. The program staff helped Sam with the resources and support she needed to establish her independence and pursue a self-sufficient living arrangement, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in her life.

"I really enjoyed this program; I would still be in the nursing home if it weren’t for Brehanna and this program. I didn't expect to receive so much help, and I am grateful for everything this program has done for me. I would recommend it to anyone who needs help finding a place to live."

If you or someone you know is interested in moving out of a nursing facility and back into community living, please get in touch with us at (989) 835-4041 or info@dnmm.org. Anyone can make a referral, and the benefits are life-changing!

Free Tax Filing Resources

File your taxes for FREE using United Way’s secure platform, MyFree Taxes. This easy-to-use system gives you two options – file by yourself or with assistance.

• Mobile optimized for computer, tablet or smart phone
• Most filers complete their taxes in less than an hour
• Completely free for federal and state returns
• File on your own or with assistance
• Powered by United Way and TaxSlayer

AARP Tax-Aide

The AARP Tax Aide program is a volunteer-run organization that assists low to moderate-income seniors over the age of 50, and low-income families. The annual program features IRS-certified tax aide volunteers and offers individual tax appointments available February 1st through April 15th.

Appointments are available at the following locations:

Each return gets reviewed by a senior Tax Aide member, and it will be electronically filed the same day. Appointments typically take an hour or an hour and a half. You may be required to pick up an intake form to fill out prior to your appointment – call the locations listed above for more details.

Social Work Month

People enter the social work profession because they genuinely care about other people. However, social workers have the education, training, and expertise to empower people so they can live to their full potential.

That is why this year’s theme is Social Work: Compassion + Action.

In a world often fraught by political turmoil and societal upheaval, the theme speaks to the core of the social work profession: the need to transform compassion into tangible action and produce positive results. It calls on social workers to not only provide support, but to engage in advocacy, influence policy, and work toward lasting, systemic solutions.

Social workers play a pivotal role in transforming empathy into effective strategies. From ensuring equitable access to health care to addressing the criminalization of homelessness, social workers are working tirelessly to build a more just society.

Social workers have shaped our society in myriad, positive ways for more than a century. They pushed for Social Security, a minimum wage, a 40-hour work week, Medicare, and equal rights for people who are Black, women, and people who are LGBTQIA2S+.

However, this work is complex and social workers face numerous challenges that can cause stress, fatigue, and even disillusionment. We ask for your support in recognizing the importance of social workers. Together, we can make sure social workers have the resources they need to transform compassion into action and make a real difference in peoples’ lives.

We would like to acknowledge the impact social workers make on improving the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. 

Jane Vermeulen Leadership

Janey Vermeulen was an advocate for disability rights who believed all people with disabilities should be respected and supported to live actively in their community. Jane was an ardent supporter of self-determination, self-directed services and supports, and community living. She shared her experience and knowledge with others as a Peer Mentor.

Jane was an active member of the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute (MI-DDI) at Wayne State University, and shortly after her death in 2022, they established the Jane Vermeulen Leadership Award in her honor. The award recognizes Jane's passion for self-determination, self-advocacy, support for person-centered supports and community living for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities - just the way Jane lived her life. The award is presented to a Michigan resident with a disability who exhibits leadership in their local and/or disability community.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - a chance to recognize and celebrate the individuals living with developmental disabilities and their families. It’s also a time to reflect on the progress we’ve made in providing opportunities and advocating for rights for this community. 

Developmental disabilities affect mental or physical functions, such as cognitive or motor skills. Common developmental disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, hearing loss, vision impairment, and learning disabilities.

It’s essential that we ensure people with developmental disabilities have access to meaningful job opportunities. They deserve every chance to live independently and access the resources that support their journey toward achieving that goal.

As a society, we must work together to reduce the stigma associated with disability and create supportive environments where everyone is valued. Through our services, like Independent Living Skills training, Community Transition programs, Advocacy and Peer Support, we are able to educate and bring awareness to those living with disabilities and their families. 

For more information about our services in your community, contact us at (989) 835-4041 or visit dnmm.org

Person-Centered Options Counselors

Full-time | Day Shift | $20.00 per hour

Independent Living Assistant

Immediate Openings | $15.73 per hour

Program Manager – No Wrong Door

Full-time | Day Shift | $58,656.00 per year

Do you need food?

Statement of Inclusion

Inclusion is a universal human right for all people, regardless of race, age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other discernible quality. To be inclusive is to promote a sense of belonging, respect, and value for who you are as a person. It is about equal access and opportunities for everyone. Inclusion is an integral part of our Independent Living philosophy and of our agency's vision of accessible and inclusive communities.

DNMM offices have been, and continue to be, places of solace, understanding, and information for all. We are committed to promoting and protecting diversity and inclusion, within our offices, among our community partners, and throughout the 15 Centers for Independent Living in Michigan.

Disability Network Mid-Michigan

989-835-4041 | dnmm.org