SAILing into Independence Newsletter

SAILing into Independence

December 2020

An informative newsletter with SAIL news and resources for an accessible Upper Peninsula disability community.

Individual Success Story

SAIL services to the community can result in great successes because of the hard work of individuals living with a disability. Read more about a consumer who was supported by many of the SAIL staff to accomplish their independent living goals. Click the link below.

Click here for Success Story

Program Highlight

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a program at SAIL that will support individuals to increase access to Social Security Income/Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI). Individuals who are eligible should be experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. For more detailed information about the SOAR program, please click the link below.

Read more about SOAR here

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) Champion Award Winner

Rita, Assistant Director

Congratulations to Rita! She was awarded the Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) Champion Award for Community Partner in October. We are so proud of Rita and her accomplishments!

SAIL Employee Spotlight

Tanya

Tanya is a SOAR Practitioner and Nursing Facility Transition Navigator at SAIL. Since she came to SAIL in 2018, she has brought a wealth of knowledge in regards to supporting individuals with resources through Social Security, Medicaid/Medicare and housing options in the community. In addition, working in our Nursing Home Transition (NFT) program, Tanya collaborates with UPCAP staff and many local U.P. nursing facilities supporting residents with their choices to live independently in the community. When asked about her role at SAIL, Tanya stated, "It is so rewarding to see the smiles on our consumers' faces when we have helped them achieve their goals! Confucius had it right when he said “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Tanya can be reached by calling 906-936-0921 or by email at tanyaj@upsail.org.

One in Five Donor Spotlight

Beth Millner Jewelry

Thank you to Beth Millner Jewelry for the contribution to the SAIL One in Five Annual Appeal from their mask fundraiser! We appreciate their support in providing programs to the community! Click on the Beth Millner logo to go to their site to purchase a mask and help fundraise for SAIL!

COVID pandemic relief services (CARES program)

Since summer 2020, SAIL has been supporting individuals with barriers and needs due to the pandemic through our CARES Act program.

SAIL received funding from the Administration on Community Living (ACL) to serve individuals living with a disability who are struggling due to the COVID pandemic. Our services include errand services, supporting transportation costs, assistive technology, food insecurity needs, social opportunities and PPE supplies.

In this short time, we've made 649 calls and supported 39 individuals with more than 75 services through the CARES program. If you need or someone you know needs support, please contact SAIL at 906-228-5744.

We are here to help!