Welcome
toPeople First
of Toledo!
Welcome
to
Our Mission Statement: "To learn to advocate for
ourselves and to learn to let people know what we
need in order to do the things we want to do. We
need to let them know how they can help us. Also,
to realize we have responsibilities to give back to
society and contribute all we can to it."
Our History: People First Of Toledo was established on September 16,1999. The first meetings were held at the Telegraph Road Lott Industries facility. The first board of officers were as follows: Ruben Garcia, President; Pamela Love,Vice President; Jo Rita Fox, Secretary; and Wanda Herbert, Treasurer. The first group of advisors chosen to assist with the meetings were: Frank Spinelli, Gloria Castro and Edward Wolf. People First of Toledo continues to grow.
Our meetings: The meetings are held at the Ability Center, 5605 Monroe Street, on the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. All are welcome and invited to participate in the organization's mission and reachable goals. 'Together we can all do what we once thought was impossible."
August 18 – Advocating for Change –
My Choice, Your Decision
September 15 – TARPS
President Wanda Huber is a graduate of Devilbis High School. She works at the Telegraph Road Lott Industries plant. She has been a member of the People First of Toledo Board for one year and is a new member of the Arc of Lucas County Board.
Vice-President Ruben Garcia says he began his advocacy work while still in the sixth grade. Employed at the Telegraph Road Lott Industries plant, he was involved in creating the first Employee Advocate and Advisory Council (EAAC) in 1988. He was the first president of the People First of Toledo Chapter when it started in 1999. He is now the first self-advocate on a contract with the Lucas County Board of MR/DD.
Secretary David Loyer is "38 years young." He lives in his own apartment that he shares with his sister. David is employed four days a week in the community and one day a week at the Telegraph Road Lott Industries plant. He enjoys going to the movies, bowling and eating out with friends.
Treasurer Jo Rita Fox is a past Secretary of People First of Toledo. She has been involved with the Arc since 1998 where she has served for the past year. Jo Rita helps teach the rights and Responsibilities classes at Lott Industries. She has also been a volunteer for Taste of the Town.
Sergeant-at-arms Amanda Wallace has been a self-advocate for six years. She is president of the Employee Advocate and Advisory Council at the Hill Avenue Lott Industries plant. Amanda says she enjoys helping people with disabilities.
Links
to other valuable web sites:
People
First of Ohio
People
First Language
Disability Network of Ohio
Ohio Legal Rights Services
Ohio Public Images
Arc
of Ohio
Arc of Lucas County
Ohio Governor's
Council on People with Disabilities
Ability
Center of Greater Toledo
Lucas County
Board of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities