ADVOCACY AND CHANGE
Mainstream Association for
Proactive Community Living’s Commitment

"To see what is right, and not do it, is want of courage, or of principle."
- Confucius

Advocacy. The idea raises a visual of a courtroom, or a bargaining table. It is a hard-edged word that makes us think of struggle, obvious social injustice and brusque competitive adversaries.

MAPCL’s advocacy is evidenced, not only from the agency’s stated objective of inclusion but a depth of understanding about daily life for individual’s with challenges. Advocacy seeks justice, compels committed individuals to action and promotes self mobilization and purpose in individuals who face barriers. It is the act of reassuring, and walking beside another to conquer prejudice, derision and ignorance.

Our commitment to our self advocate group now extends this year to include greater communication from this committee, a posting of the meeting minutes from their regular discussions in our newsletter, regular newsletter submissions and expansion of the existing group. Concerned, energetic new committee members will work to reach more persons served, and to undertake projects that educate the community about Community Living and advocacy. If you have any ideas for the self advocacy committee, and for Sarah Baumbusch who will manage consumer focused family support and our self advocacy group, please email us at info@mapcl.org and write “self advocate issues” in the subject line. We will be posting schedules for drop-ins and other activities in the newsletter soon.