Community Support Services, Inc.’s Post

🌱 From Adversity to Advocacy: A Single Mom’s Quest to Transform Lives 🌱 👋🏼 Hello LinkedIn family 👋🏼 In sharing my journey today, I open a chapter that’s both deeply personal and a testament to the resilience we’re capable of. As a single mom with no traditional family support, navigating life’s storms has been more than challenging ~ it’s been a crucible forging a commitment to change, not just for my daughter and myself, but for communities far and wide. Don’t Raise Statistics is more than an NGO to me: it’s a testament to survival, hope, and the power of collective action. 🙏🏼 🔥 Overcoming Personal Tragedies 🙌🏼 Life has thrown its share of curveballs, from battling legal injustices to facing the devastating loss of our home to a fire. These experiences, while harrowing, have only fueled my determination to fight for those caught in the cycle of statistics that society often dismisses. Being a single mom in these circumstances has taught me not just the depth of my own strength but the power of community support and the difference it can make. 👩👧 A Mission Born of Struggle ❤️🩹 Through “Don’t Raise Statistics,” I channel my struggles into strength for others. Our hope it to establish three primary initiatives — Helping Others Prevent Eviction (HOPE), Parents Advocacy Creating Transformation (PACT), and Mentoring Youth Through Holistics (MYTH). As well as more than programs; but I believe these to be lifelines for many facing similar adversities. From providing educational support to fighting for tenants’ rights, our goal is to empower and uplift, ensuring that no one has to navigate their darkest moments alone. 💼 A Call to the Professional Community 🆘 The journey from personal trials to establishing a nonprofit has been anything but easy. My journey, underscored by legal battles, personal struggles, and an unwavering commitment to self-education, mirrors the fight and spirit of those we aim to uplift. Like Erin Brockovich, a figure of resilience who inspired millions, I’ve learned the power of standing firm in the face of adversity. It’s not just about overcoming; it’s about paving a way for others to follow. Yet, the lessons learned are invaluable. I’ve seen firsthand the impact of resilience, advocacy, and community support. I share this story not just as a call for support but as an invitation to reflect on how we can combine our skills and networks for a greater cause. 🤝 Your Support Can Light the Way 🌟 Whether you can offer expertise, resources, or a word of encouragement, your support is a beacon of hope for those we serve. I invite you to join us in transforming adversity into action, statistics into stories of success, my door is always open. Let’s prove that together, we can create a world where every individual has the chance to rise above their circumstances. Michelle 🥰 #SingleMomStrong #Resilience #CommunitySupport #DontRaiseStatistics #ChangeMakers #Empowerment #BarberBeauty413 #JustAMomFromAkron

📣 Exciting news! Check out our latest donor experience report for disability advocacy #nonprofits. 📓 Learn valuable insights and strategies to enhance your organization's impact. #DonorExperience #DisabilityAdvocacy

The next benefit that UCP National provides is our work in advocacy as we strive to fight for people with disabilities so that they may live a life without limits. Our Public Policy Agenda is developed through our partnership with the Arc covering a range of topics like healthcare, transportation, taxes, and education. UCP also offers twelve $3,000 advocacy grants to network affiliates to help send self-advocates to public policy events. UCP also helps co-sponsor the Disability Policy Seminar which provides training, learning opportunities, updates, and opportunities to visit members of Congress for advocacy. UCP also hosts the Conference on Latinos with disabilities which cover a wider range of topics including major public policy issues and their impact on the eight million Latinos with disabilities in the United States. If you would like to learn more about UCP’s advocacy efforts you can visit ucp.org If you would like to donate please visit https://bit.ly/4alsf3O #UCPnational #UCPunited #UCP75 #UnitedCerebralPalsy #CerebralPalsy #CerebralPalsyMonth #CPMonth #Disability #Advocacy #DisabilityEducation #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityAdvocacy

An information session at CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) serves as an opportunity for individuals interested in becoming advocates to learn more about the organization, its mission, and the role of a CASA volunteer. Typically, these sessions provide an overview of: CASA Mission and Impact: An introduction to CASA's mission to advocate for abused and neglected children in the foster care system, emphasizing the importance of volunteer advocacy. Role of a CASA Volunteer: Detailed information about the responsibilities and duties of a CASA volunteer, including advocating for the best interests of children in court proceedings and ensuring they receive necessary support and services. Volunteer Requirements: Discussion on the prerequisites for becoming a CASA volunteer, such as background checks, commitment to attend court hearings and training sessions, and the importance of having reliable transportation. Q&A Session: A chance for attendees to ask questions, clarify doubts, and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a CASA volunteer. Overall, information sessions aim to inspire potential volunteers by highlighting the profound impact they can make in the lives of vulnerable children and providing them with the information needed to decide if becoming a CASA volunteer aligns with their interests and commitments.

I want to share a message from the President of Sunflower House, a child advocacy center here in Kansas that helps us in our investigations by conducting forensic interviews with children in a non-threatening environment: "Today, I ask for your help to advocate for child victims and their families.   For the last 40 years, the Victims of Crime Act and the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) have been the primary source of federal grant funding for thousands of Child Advocacy Centers and victim service providers across the nation—Sunflower House is one of them. Over recent years, we have experienced several funding cuts, and this year, Congress has left the CVF out of its 2024 appropriations. Without this appropriation, VOCA funding could be cut by 40%. These cuts would greatly diminish the critical services and support network for thousands of children and families who need help. These cuts would hurt Sunflower House and children and families in Kansas City. Children who have been victims of abuse, trauma, and violence are vulnerable and need our help and protection. Our essential services are at risk without VOCA funding. Like you, the thought of having to turn a child away is unimaginable for me. Here’s how you can help: A bill in the House of Representatives and the Senate would create a VOCA Stabilization Act to ensure funding is available for child advocacy centers nationwide. Call your local legislators, email them, and ask others to call to show support for this stabilization act. Every signature can help secure funding for Sunflower House and other Child Advocacy Centers to continue providing much-needed resources and life-changing care to child victims and their families. The minutes you take to reach out can be the difference in a child’s life. See below for more information and instructions on advocating for Sunflower House and thousands of children nationwide. With your help, children can receive care and support when they need it the most." -Judi Rodman, President and CEO Support Sunflower House's mission in protecting children. Call your legislators to help stabilize VOCA funding in Kansas!

#Nonprofits that work to provide aid, resources, and support on behalf of people with disabilities and their families can benefit from better understanding the donor experience. Download this free donor experience report from Bloomerang to inform the way you build a loyal and passionate donor base. In this report you'll learn: ✅ Data on the giving experience and its impact at disability advocacy nonprofits ✅ Practical steps you can take to enhance your organization’s donor experience ✅ Key areas for your nonprofit to focus on when assessing and improving the donor experience

#Alabama groups are empowering residents to influence community policies with a new training program. Alabama Arise and Alabama Values are launching "Think Big Alabama" to equip people with tools to foster change in their communities. Anneshia Hardy, executive director of Alabama Values, a nonprofit focused on messaging and increasing community engagement, highlighted the four-part program as a way to break down information barriers in the legislative process and amplify underrepresented voices. "This is about training folks or giving folks tools to use that operate at the intersection of messaging and narrative, taking back control of their narrative," Hardy outlined. "Also advocating and organizing in communities and using the systems that we have in place during the legislative process to be a part of the change that they want to see." She emphasized the key skills to be taught during the training include advocating through media, policy, grassroots organizing and community engagement. She strongly believes by focusing on the core areas, people in underserved areas often impacted by poor policies will be able to tackle the issues that matter most to them. Presdelane (Pres) Harris Harris, organizing director of Alabama Arise, said "Think Big Alabama" is all about creating more access to democracy. She explained the program goes beyond teaching people how to organize and actively encourages them to take action on critical state and local issues. One part of the program will cover how to make plans to move the needle on important policies. "If we're going to have a strong democracy, we need more people engaged and more voices a part of the process, not fewer voices," Harris contended. Harris added the program is open to anyone who wants to learn more about policy advocacy or be a change-maker in their community. The program is currently accepting 20 people for the training, which will consist of a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. The application is open until June 28. Disclosure: Alabama Arise and Alabama Values contribute to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Civic Engagement, Health Issues, LGBTQIA+ Issues, Poverty Issues, Reproductive Health, and Social Justice. 

How to navigate guardianship advocacy for your child with special needs in Florida.

📣 Exciting news! Check out our latest donor experience report for disability advocacy #nonprofits. 📓 Learn valuable insights and strategies to enhance your organization's impact. #DonorExperience #DisabilityAdvocacy

#Nonprofits that work to provide aid, resources, and support on behalf of people with disabilities and their families can benefit from better understanding the donor experience. Download this free donor experience report from Bloomerang to inform the way you build a loyal and passionate donor base. In this report you'll learn: ✅ Data on the giving experience and its impact at disability advocacy nonprofits ✅ Practical steps you can take to enhance your organization’s donor experience ✅ Key areas for your nonprofit to focus on when assessing and improving the donor experience