We are already half way through September! With the back to learning, back to school and covid most of us are living one day at a time. However, in 47 days we will be electing a President.
Are YOU registered to vote ? More importantly, if you have a son or daughter who has come of age are THEY registered to vote? This is quite possibly the most important election of our lifetime. Many think that individuals under guardianship do not have the right to vote. They do in Massachusetts, unless their guardianship contains specific findings prohibiting voting. We all use our voices to speak up for our sons and daughters who may not have a voice when we advocate for them at the IEP or ISP table and the Statehouse. This fall they CAN have a voice and raise it at the ballot box. It's important that they prepare for this, so we will be offering workshops and social stories you can use so that they can be comfortable as they take on this adult role. My good friend Susan Senator wrote a social story for her son Nat about voting, check it out here.
If you are the parent of an individual aged 18 or older we hope you and they will join us on September 22nd at 6:30 PM for a presentation by Mass Advocates Standing Strong on voting rights. To register for this workshop click here. You will receive an e-mail with the link to the webinar. This will prepare both of you for November. With mail in voting this is the perfect time to begin if your family member has never voted. No lines, no sensory overload just a form to fill out and sign. But the time to register is NOW !
HMEA also has a wonderful page about voting that has lots of information that you'll find helpful check it out by clicking here. I'm giving you all the tools I can think of and implore you, for the sake of all our children and for our country use them.
We are working to pull together a schedule of activities for the next few months. In the new reality of the fiscal constraints placed on the center due to the impact of Covid on our walk, we've been working extra hard with HMEA's Development team on applying for grants to fund activities like our week of camp last month. Without a development coordinator much of that job has fallen to Kris & I. Being apart complicates matters but we spend lots of time on the phone and Cid weighs in with ideas and then has to execute activities in a whole new way. But we're beginning to get the hang of things and are experiencing some success in procuring the funds we need to support all our families through this difficult year.
I'm hoping that I will have the newsletter for the Fall ready next week for you. In the meantime have a great week.
Stay Safe & Well
Sue
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