SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL
Proudly Sponsored by Les Schwab Martinez
ORGANIZATIONS
All In Need Family Support Needs Your Help All in Need, Family Support (AiN) serves families with children with special needs, ages 18 and under who live in the East Bay Area. AiN offers support in a nurturing and learning environment that promotes social interaction and gross and fine motor activities, all in a AiN Executive Director Autumn Green (center) with the Cooks at the presentation of sensory-based atmosphere. the Angel Fund gift. Photo taken by Karen DeJager: Spectrum Photography Their “Revive” respite care program gives parents the chance to take care of themselves, so they can take better care of their children. AiN Founder and Executive Director Autumn Green shared, “Working with families at AiN has taught me that parents and caregivers are strong. Each child that comes into AiN worms their way into the heart of every volunteer, and we hear the parents’ stories of their children’s successes and struggles.” Autumn explains, “I often cry after hanging up with a parent, hearing how their child is taking a turn for the worse or their child’s behavior is out of control. I hear desperation in their voices as they are struggling to support their child’s needs. Having a child on the autism spectrum myself, I understand their feelings and can tell parents it will get better. But there are times I cannot relate; all I can do is listen and try to hold it together while parents give me the latest update on their child. Then I hang up and cry. I cannot even imagine a child having additional medical issues on top of the daily fight of autism. I cannot imagine the fight of a wheelchair, because a child is too tired to stay on her feet. I cannot imagine hearing the words ‘Your child will not make it to adulthood.’ Yet, I see these parents push on and advocate for their children. They are exhausted, but amazingly strong. As a spectator in their lives, I get to learn what love is and what dedication and strength are.” In addition to monthly Revive sessions, AiN offers three special events a year
that give these children the opportunity to participate in mainstream events in an environment structured around their needs and allow parents to network with one another. Lastly, they offer the Angel Fund, which helps a family in need with additional financial support for unforeseen expenses. AiN recently presented the Cook family with $250 to help with some expenses for their son, who suffered a stroke early in 2015. For information about All in Need, Family Support or to donate to the Angel Fund, visit www.allinneed.org.
Mt. Diablo Center’s Crab Feed Tie those bibs and join in the fun as Mt. Diablo Center for Adult Day Health Care (MDC) celebrates its 41st Annual “All You Can Eat” Crab Feed on Saturday, February 20, at 6pm, at the beautiful Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane. The festivities start with cocktails and live music, followed by delicious crab with all of the fixings, and an auction featuring the best prizes in the East Bay! Everyone is welcome, and for those who don’t eat crab, there is an alternative gourmet chicken dinner. For over 40 years, MDC has been working to remove barriers to independence for frail people with disabilities by featuring programs that provide physical, speech and occupational therapies, social work, transportation, a healthy meal, and most importantly, a sense of community, all disguised as FUN, while giving caregivers and their families much needed respite. MDC is all about avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations and premature placement into a skilled facility. As CEO Debbie Toth often asks, “Do you hope to someday live in a nursing home?” Join in the bidding, imbibing, cracking and merriment, and raise money for the only licensed Adult Day Care Center in the East Bay that offers English, Russian, Farsi, and late stage Alzheimer’s programs to better meet the cultural needs of our beloved clients. To purchase tickets, visit our website www.rsnc-centers.org or call (925) 6826330x141 and ask for Peggy for more information and sponsorship opportunities.
FREE PRE-TRIP CAR CHECK Tires, Alignment, Brakes, Battery, Struts/Shocks, Tire Air Pressure
VISIT US AT:
www.lesschwabmartinez.com
Dwayne Glemser Manager
3800 Alhambra, Martinez • (925)370-6382
No purchase necessary, must present coupon.
ourcommunityfocus.com • february 2016
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