Board & Corporate Officers Elected

During its first meeting of 2018, Project Freed’s Board of Trustees elected its officers and the corporate officer of Project Freedom Inc.   They are:

Chair, Board of Trustees
Herb  Schneider

Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
Tim Lutz

Treasurer, Board of Trustees
Anthony Torrington

Secretary, Board of Trustees
Dan Surtz

President, Project Freedom Inc.
Tim Doherty

Vice President, Project Freedom Inc.
Norman A. Smith

Assistant Treasurer
Steve Schaefer

Assistant Secretary
Tracee Battis

“My Medicaid, My Life” by Alice Wong

“My Medicaid, My Life” by Alice Wong,  New York Times — Opinion/Disability Section, May 3,2017

I am a Medicaid welfare queen. When Republicans talk about safety net programs like Medicaid, Social Security and food stamps, they evoke images of people like me gabbing on their smartphones, eating steak and watching TV from the comfort of home. Political rhetoric and media coverage paints us as unmotivated and undeserving individuals, passive consumers of taxpayer dollars who are out to “game the system,” taking resources away from hard-working people.

The reality of being a disabled person on Medicaid is far more complex and nuanced. Many people do not even know the difference between Medicaid and Medicare and simply consider them “entitlement programs,” as if tax breaks and corporate subsidies aren’t entitlements by another name. Medicaid is more than a health care program. It is a life-giving program.

Like the thousands of people sharing their stories at town halls about how the Affordable Care Act saved their lives, I am sharing my Medicaid story to illustrate its value and the potential consequences of “reform.”

I am an Asian-American woman with a disability and a daughter of immigrants. When I turned 18, my dad told me that I needed to make an appointment at the county office and apply for Medicaid. Living in an affluent suburb of Indianapolis, I was indignant. Medicaid was for “those people,” the “indigent.” I learned that my parents paid exorbitant monthly premiums for my health care. Only one company in our state would cover me because of my pre-existing condition (spinal muscular atrophy, a congenital motor neuron disease). I had no idea of the financial pressure placed on our family for basic health insurance because of my disability.

I graduated from high school in 1992, two years after the Americans With Disabilities Act was passed. Learning about disability history and realizing I was a member of a protected class encouraged me to imagine and create the life that I want. Once I got over myself and realized I had a right to Medicaid, it made a difference immediately.

I began to receive several hours a week of services to help me with personal care. When I went away to college I was able to hire attendants and live independently for the first time. It was an exhilarating taste of freedom that showed me a glimpse of what was possible. Before Medicaid, my family members, including my siblings, provided all of my care, including bathing, dressing and toileting. Now I had choices and the basic human right of self-determination.

Unfortunately, Indiana made cuts to Medicaid the following year that resulted in fewer hours of services. Our family couldn’t manage both tuition and private pay for personal care, so I made the heartbreaking decision to leave the school I loved and move back home.

As I commuted to a school nearby, I learned about the activism by disabled people that led to expanded accessibility and services across the country, California in particular. Moving to San Francisco for graduate school in the late 1990s afforded me the privilege of being in a state with a program that allows me to direct my own personal care services, including hiring and training my attendants. This program, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), is funded by a combination of local, state and federal funds. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to go to school, work or volunteer.

By no means is it fun or easy receiving Medicaid. I follow strict eligibility rules and guidelines. I’ve been able to work as a researcher thanks to a state Medicaid Working Disabled Program where I can maintain eligibility by paying monthly premiums. Over time, my disability progressed and I needed substantial care that would normally take place in an institution if I didn’t have any help. I became eligible for additional hours of service through a Medicaid waiver so that I could remain in the community and stay out of a nursing home, at a considerable savings cost for the entire system.

When you are disabled and rely on public services and programs, you face vulnerability every day. This vulnerability is felt in my bones and my relationship with the state. Fluctuations in the economy and politics determine whether my attendants will receive a living wage and whether I’ll have enough services to subsist rather than thrive. The fragility and weakness of my body, I can handle. The fragility of the safety net is something I fear and worry about constantly.

Although the American Health Care Act — the Republican attempt to replace the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act — failed, the assault on poor, disabled, sick and older people continues in other forms. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services can weaken regulations, place limits on the services states provide without legislation and add new work requirements. States can request block grants and changes to eligibility and regulations from the federal government directly. Block grants and per capita limits will force states to reduce or eliminate services to make up the difference from the federal government, affecting millions of people.

“Program flexibility” is code for the decimation of Medicaid that will put lives like mine at risk. Some people with disabilities may have to live in nursing homes if community-based services wither away under this flexibility and reform. We cannot disappear again after a history of segregation and institutionalization. When Republicans talk about freedom and choice, they don’t realize that Medicaid gives those very things to people with disabilities.

Every day I resist forces that label me as the Other or a scapegoat for society’s problems. With the disability community, I share our stories and speak out against threats to our future by using my privilege and tools such as social media. I hope my story will continue for decades to come.

 

Justice Department Scraps ADA Guidance

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he’s rescinding more than two dozen guidance documents including several clarifying the implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Among the 25 revoked documents are a number of ADA-related items dating as far back as 1995 offering guidance on everything from service animals to accessible building practices as well as a 2016 letter on employment of people with disabilities.

Sessions called the revoked documents “improper or unnecessary” and said they were outdated or went beyond what the law called for.

The move announced in late December came after President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring all federal agencies to identify regulations for “repeal, replacement or modification.” The withdrawn guidance was identified through this process, Sessions said.

Disability advocates indicated they are particularly worried about the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to pull a statement issued under the Obama administration addressing the implications of the ADA’s integration mandate on employment.

“The civil rights of persons with disabilities, including individuals with mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or physical disabilities, are violated by unnecessary segregation in a wide variety of settings, including in segregated employment, vocational and day programs,” the Obama-era guidance stated.

The document warned states that they needed to modify their policies to ensure that employment programs offer people with disabilities the opportunity to work in integrated settings.

“We are extremely concerned about the withdrawal of this guidance document, both because it sends the wrong signal to public entities that are seeking to comply with the ADA and because it may reflect a diminished concern with the importance of providing employment services in the most integrated setting,” reads a statement from the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and the Collaboration to Promote Self Determination, two umbrella groups representing dozens of disability advocacy organizations.

Taking away the guidance does not change any of the ADA’s mandates, disability advocates noted. Nonetheless, withdrawing the guidance, which serves as an interpretation of the law, can create uncertainty, they said.

“Guidance documents are important tools to educate all stakeholders about the requirements of the law in a clear fashion, and the withdrawal of some of these guidance documents may create confusion and misunderstanding,” the advocacy coalitions cautioned.

Sessions indicated that the Justice Department is continuing to review guidance to identify other documents that may be ripe for repeal, replacement or modification.

 

Justice Department Scraps ADA Guidance

“My Two Cents” – January 2018

As I write these words, it is the day after Christmas, so all the parties, have come and gone, with only memories of those good times.  It indeed has been a wonderful year, for which we at Project

Tim Doherty, Executive Director

Freedom have a lot to be thankful.  This year, we obtained our funding for two new projects, one in West Windsor and one in Gibbsboro.  Staff will soon be working to make them a reality, which will provide needed barrier free housing for many of our consumers.  We must have had our guardian angels working overtime for us to win those funding awards this year, which was quite extraordinary.

And speaking of Angels, at Project Freedom communities we have always been grateful for our “community angels” throughout the years, who provide special programs to our consumers throughout the year. 

  • At Robbinsville, The Resurrection Lutheran Church gives gifts to tenants at Easter as well as hosting our Thanksgiving dinner and Labor Day picnic, open to all tenants there. 
  • In Hamilton, the Nottingham Women’s Club donates a $25 Gift card to all the tenants there at Christmas Time.
  • In Hopewell, Merrill Lynch provides a ” Giving Tree” with Christmas gifts to each family there as well as food for many families during the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • Our Woodstown Community had a holiday food delivery to several tenants thanks to Franklin Savings Bank, and the Woodstown Police Department, and Meals on Wheels provided large gift bags to their Meal recipients.
  • In Lawrence, the Menges family donated personalized gift bags for all our tenants there, as well as helped with our annual Christmas party. They, along with Deborah Hospital donated Christmas gifts for our Chinese Auction, allowing many tenants to go home with more than one gift.  The students from Sommerville High School come down to help serve as waiters and waitresses, and escort tenants home or deliver gifts to those who couldn’t come out.  We even had the Lawrence Community Band give a holiday concert, with attendance from our other Mercer County communities, for a great night of Christmas music. 
  • In Toms River and Westampton, our two newest communities, PFI has provided the means to hold a Christmas party so all could enjoy the holidays.

So, a lot to be thankful for.  For me, these things don’t just happen.  I am pleased to have a great staff, who orchestrate, coordinate and work, those days….all with a smile on their faces, to provide these memorable events.  So, I would like to give a big “thank you” to them:  Lawrence: Joanne, Brie, Ross, Joe and Johnny; Hamilton and Robbinsville:  Jackie, Melinda, Mary, Esther, Judy, Dana, Maria, Doug, Ed, John and Ron; Hopewell: Ceil, Jennifer, Jen, Frank and Damien; Toms River: Laurie, Joyce, Jim and Al; Woodstown:  Sammi, Arlene, Mike and John; Westampton:  Dara, Savanah, Tony and  Leonard.  And of course our executive staff: Norman, Steve,  Frank, Tracee, Marion, Heather and Sakina.

And finally, to our Board of Trustees, who consistently meet every month to provide support and     continue the mission of Project Freedom, now and into the future.  Many thanks to all.                   Happy New Year.

 

Donations to PF at Lawrence Brings a Delicious Thanksgiving to Tenants

Project Freedom at Lawrence was blessed to have received numerous food donations from extremely generous people, stores and restaurants to help the tenants celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

As always, The Knights of Columbus along with St. Anne’s church began the holidays with a huge donation of 28 turkeys that they delivered to the Community Room above the call of duty.

Fusion Employer Services’ employees went all out by further donating an amazing amount of food delivered from ShopRite. Butter, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, yams, corn and green beans all bagged up and sent to Lawrence tenants.  On top of all of that amazing food,  Fusion employees also had ShopRite donate 25 freshly made pumpkin pies.  Yum!!

In addition, Terhune Orchards enthusiastically donated 15 delicious homemade pies to tenants featuring apple, coconut custard, peach and mincemeat.  It was quite a treat.

Both ShopRite in Hamilton and Ewing were also generous in donating five turkeys each.  This helped a number of families in need to have a proper and delicious Thanksgiving meal.

With all of these amazing, lovely and thoughtful donations, Project Freedom at Lawrence was able to provide complete and delightful Thanksgiving meals for tenants in need helping to make their Thanksgiving a joyful one to remember!! 

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Awards Project Freedom $1.6 Million for Gibbsboro

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Awards 36 Million for 42 Affordable Housing Initiatives

Projects will create, rehabilitate or preserve nearly 2,900 affordable housing units

New York, NY –  José R. González, president and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, announced that the Bank has awarded $36.9 million in subsidies to fund 42 affordable housing initiatives throughout New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. These awards are funded through the Bank’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP), and will result in the creation or rehabilitation of 2,890 affordable housing units, including 2,002 units dedicated to very low-income housing. The awards will not only help provide housing, but also drive community development: it is anticipated that more than $600 million will be leveraged in housing investment from the development of these initiatives.

One of the 42 awards is going to Project Freedom Inc. for its Freedom Village at Gibbsboro initiative for 72 wheelchair-accessible affordable apartments with one-, two-, and, three-bedrooms.

“Our Affordable Housing Program is central to our mission to advance housing opportunity and local community development,” said Mr. González. “Affordable housing is the work of many hands, and it has been our privilege to support this work through the AHP for more than 25 years. The grants we announce today – the second-highest annual award amount since we began making AHP grants – will allow us to join with our members to make contributions to communities across our District that are both significant and lasting.”

The $36.9 million in grants represent a portion of the AHP funds that are drawn from the Bank’s earnings. As mandated by Congress, the Bank forgoes 10 percent of its earnings each year to support these neighborhood housing and economic development initiatives.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s AHP provides member-lenders with direct subsidies which are passed on to income-qualified households through sponsoring local community-based organizations. AHP financing is combined with other funding sources to create housing for moderate-, low- and very low-income families. Program awardees receive this funding through a competitive application process. Each competing project must be sponsored by a financial organization that is a member of the Bank in partnership with a community-based sponsoring organization.

The AHP was created by Congress in 1989, and the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks have awarded more than $5.4 billion in AHP funds since the first awards were granted in 1990. At the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, the AHP has supported 1,530 projects with more than $580 million in grants, helping to create or preserve nearly 70,000 units of affordable housing and generating an estimated $10 billion in total development costs. 

“My Two Cents” – December 2017

Tim Doherty, Executive Director

Well Christmas is right around the corner and for many of us, it revolves around the tasks of shopping for that special gift.  Shopping for family and friends, can really get expensive, however many times giving doesn’t require money.  It can be as simple as making a phone call to our Mom or Dad or a friend, to just wish them a Merry Christmas and to say “ how are you”. Giving is really what Christmas is all about, and it is something that we can all do. 

Recently, I hooked up with an old high school classmate, who is recently disabled and who uses a wheelchair full time.   Prior to becoming disabled, Ed was a policeman, a building contractor and a private investigator.  A man of many talents.  Ed also has a love of animals and nature, and has chosen to use his Facebook and blog pages to advertise pet adoptions in this area.  Ed will include photos of these animals on his postings, with a little description of each pet.  Getting out the word is how Ed has managed to save many of these stray animals.  Not only is Ed providing a great service to the local animal shelter, it is very satisfying for him knowing that he is contributing something back to society.

My other friend, Mike, who is not disabled, is always involved in some community activity.  Over the Thanksgiving holiday, he organized our church in the delivery of turkey meals to over 170 local folks, replacing the Meals on Wheels that day.  For years, he and his two boys would collect food donations to bring to the local shelter, and he has always taught his kids that it was better to give than to receive. 

I once heard it said that the most precious thing that we possess is our time.  Spending our time to comfort someone or just to talk with our friend, who may be down, is something that really costs us nothing, but can be so important to those who we comfort.  Even not saying a word, at times, but just being there for that person, can mean so much to them, especially in their time of need.

For Christians, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, someone who cares very much for others.

So, when you spend your Christmas this year, take time to reach out to someone you haven’t  spoken to in a while, and let them know that you are interested in how they are doing.  You never know, you might stumble upon a new friend, someone who you would be glad to know, and who would be glad to know you.

Have a very Merry Christmas.

 

The 1977 Disability Rights Protest That Broke Records and Changed Laws

The 504 Sit-In was the longest non-violent occupation of a federal building in United States history.

Hundreds of people arrived to the planned protest march in San Francisco on April 5, 1977, weighed down by backpacks bulging with food, medication, and basic supplies. Adults, teenagers, and parents accompanying their children came from around the Bay Area and from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. The crowd was largely comprised of individuals who were deaf, blind, using wheelchairs, living with mental disabilities, and living with paraplegia and quadriplegia.

In cities across the United States that morning, similarly diverse groups assembled for the same reason: to picket the regional offices of the federal Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, New York, and Seattle, as well as the HEW headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Most of the protests ended that day as planned. The San Francisco protest did not. After marching past the security guards at the local HEW office without resistance, over 100 protesters unpacked their knapsacks and began what became known as the 504 Sit-In. The landmark takeover remains the longest non-violent occupation of a U.S. federal building in history. Though there is some disagreement about the exact length of the protest, it is often cited as 26 days. (Some protesters stayed in the building a few days after the larger group dispersed.)

Source: Atlas Obsura “The 1977 Disability Rights Protest That Broke Records”

 

Gala Celebrates 20 Years of Celebrating

Nearly 200 supporters came together last week to celebrate Project Freedom’s 2oth Annual Dinner Gala.  Some highlights ad photos:

Robbinsville Mayor David Fried accepts the Julia Ronan Angel Awrd

 

The Gala featured Mayor David Fried of Robbinsville with the Julia “June” Ronan Angel Award in recognition of Mayor Fried’s “Pay it Forward Initiative.”  Mayor Fried has has transformed his yearly State of the Township Report into a fundraising event that raises money to help someone in need.  Created in 2015, the funds raised at the event went to address a specific need in the community of Robbinsville. 

 

 

Tim Doherty presents the Freedom Bell Award to West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh

The Freedom Bell Award  was  presented to Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh of West Windsor his steadfast support for a Project Freedom community within West Windsor since 2006.  Under his leadership, an appropriate site was identified for our project, arrangements were made to purchase this site, and $250,000 was contributed to help pay for the engineering and architectural costs so that project could be approved by the planning board.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Manzo accepting the Robin Heim Award

The Robin G. Heim Award  was given to Lawrence Tenant  William Manzo.  The Robin G. Heim Award was created in 1990 to honor his spirit and desire for self-improvement and empowerment demonstrated by a young man who had multiple disabilities.  Last summer Bill Manzo started his 19th year as a 911 operator for the New Jersey State Police. 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamie Hooker accepts the Wensley Award with Norman Smith, Tim Doherty, Tara (Wensley) Cattani, and Dara Johnston looking on.

The Stephen Wensley Award  went to  Westampton Tenant Jaime Hooker for her community service.  The Stephen Wensley Award was created to honor the memory of an unsung hero who would have served his community without recognition because it was the right thing to do.  Jamie Hooker volunteers as a mental health peer counselor with an agency for people with Cerebral Palsy.  She works on projects that advocate for improved healthcare for adults and woman.

 

 

 

 

 

Sammi DeMaris with Tim Doherty

Project Freedom Inc. Employee of the Year  went to Sammi DeMaris, the Social Services Coordinator of Freedom Village at Woodstown.  Located in Salem County, Sammi has managed Project Freedom’s southernmost site since 2009 with a very minimum amount of support from Project Freedom’s  central office. 

The National Equity Fund, Inc. and V. J. Scozzari & Sons, Inc., were this year’s Event Sponsors of the Gala.

The Angel Sponsors this year were First Commerce Bank, Joseph F. McKernan Jr. RA Architects & Associates, Nottingham Insurance, and TD Bank.  

Bank of America was this year’s Patriot Sponsor.

This year’s Freedom Sponsors were: Dumont & Watson, P.C.NJM Insurance GroupNorthfield BankNovogradac & Company LLP, and PS&S, LLC.