Disability Connection

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Community , News , Our Heroes

Hero Community Volunteers Help Veteran

Community Volunteer HeroesDC is extremely proud of these hero community volunteers that have come together to help a fellow neighbor after a fire destroyed her home.

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“I just feel blessed, you know, just blessed, blessed, blessed, blessed,” Silva said.

“We need to all come together and support our friends and neighbors because none of us know when it might be ourselves,” Founder of Disability Connection Janie O’Keefe said.

Quote and Photo Via WLOX News

July 2014

View the local news stories below:

Volunteers  help a woman who lost everything in a fire – WLOX

Disability Connection helps out Local Veteran – WXXV-25

Blog , Community , News

Introducing “The Ability Club”

There are a plethora of online job-search sites available today.

Now there is a job-search site specifically for people with disabilities.

“Online applications are so complicated that they form a barrier to the job market for people with developmental disabilities.  When I saw that the McDonald’s application included psychological testing, I knew there was a problem,” says Wade Ogletree, IDD Director, Jackson County.

“Ability.Club is a system “where employers can post jobs for free and prospective employees and their service providers can search for free.”

 

Ability.Club Website Screenshot

 

This is an excellent new resource for the disability community.

Community , News

The Father’s Heart Widows Conference 2014

Logo for Fatherless and Widows

“Fatherless and Widows is a non-profit ministry to help bring community awareness regarding the needs of the fatherless and widows in our community and abroad. We desire to listen to needs and respond with practical help that comes from a place in the heart. Please consider referring fatherless and widows to us so we might be of help to them. Your volunteer efforts &/or financial assistance is appreciated….

The Fatherless and Widows ministry would like to announce its opening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Fatherless and Widows ministry is dedicated to helping and bringing awareness to the needs of the fatherless and widows in our community.

The origins of the ministry are founded on a Bible verse that states “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…” James 1:27. This Bible verse has its own roots digging deep into the pages of scripture showing G-d’s special encouragements and warnings pertaining to the manner in which we treat fatherless and widows.”

Janie O’Keefe, Director of Disability Connection presents at the The Father’s Heart Widows Conference in Pass Christian
Janie O’Keefe, Director of Disability Connection, presenting at The Father’s Heart Widows Conference in Pass Christian.

 

For more information about his awesome organization: http://bit.ly/1nQzW5D

Community , News

2014 Art Ability Fair Success

The 2014 Art Ability Fair was a great success thanks to partners, volunteers, schools, and sponsors, like you.  Over 600 individuals participated including over 425 kids and adults with disabilities from 33 schools in 6 counties. Everyone enjoyed a free day of professional art instruction including: acting, costuming, make-up, photography, sponge painting, sand art, stencils and motif painting, hand-thrown pottery, wheel thrown pottery, and dance.

ACTIVITIES WERE PROVIDED BY THE FOLLOWING:

    • Made a Western Box to take home their Pottery-MS Department of Rehabilitation
    • Decorated a Photo Mat (refrigerator magnet) using western stickers and motifs-Walter Anderson Museum of Art
    • Created Sand Art with George Ohr’s Pottery-Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art
    • Had fun with Sponge Painting– Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
    • Learned Western Line-Dancing-Island School of Performing Arts
    • Selected a Costume for a Photo Session: Cowboy/Cowgirl or Indian Warrior/Indian Maiden
    • Got their Professional Makeup for their photo session                                -Mary C O’Keefe Cultural Center
    • Acted in character while their Photo was made by Professional photographers – Greg Wilson & George Guthrie
    • Participated in a Video Production & Learned about horse safety                   – Horses Giving Hope
    • Created Hand-build Pottery to take home-Studio G
    • Learned about Wheel-thrown Pottery – O’Keefe Studio

      • Participated in

Music (Singing), Instruments & Indian Storytelling

    -Chazmania Productions

 

  • Teachers Corner:
    • Teachers picked up their Art & Photos and left some art for the Art Ability Fair art show
    • Picked up Goodie Bags, one for each student and one for their school

This event is in its fifth year and is founded, organized, and hosted by Disability Connection, a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Corporation. The Art Ability Fair Art Shows will be hosted following the event by Lynn Meadows Discovery Center & the Knight Nonprofit Center. Additional donations were provided by Biloxi & Ocean Springs Walmart, Winn Dixie Orange Grove, ABC Rental, Rouse’s Ocean Springs, Starbucks, Negrotto’s Art Gallery, Kentwood Water, Gulf Coast Produce, Rex Distributing,Art with Heart, and Building Bridges International.

Publicity provided by WLOX, Sun Herald, Clear Channel Radio, Biloxi Bay Press, Ocean Springs Record, and others.

Volunteers assisted from Job Corps, Kohl’s, RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteers), VA Veteran Warriors, & LIFE of MS

This event is free to individuals with developmental disabilities 8years old through adult. To participate or volunteer for the 2015 event contact Disability Connection, 700 Pass Rd, Gulfport, MS 39501; www.DisabilityConnection.org; Office@DisabilityConnection.org; 228-604-4020

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS

 

                                        
  Thank you for all that you do in helping us create a connected community!

 

Blog , Community , Events , News

2014 Playground Party Success

Thank You for supporting an Earth Day event in support of our friends in South Mississippi with disabilities. The “I Love My Playground Party” was the opportunity for our community to celebrate the one year anniversary of building the Disability Connection Community Playground in Harrison County. Over 200 individuals participated in the Picnic including about 140 kids and adults with disabilities.

Playground Party Happy faces 2014

This event was made possible by the support of Harrison County Parks & Recreation, Kaboom, and Kohls with help from additional volunteer friends such as the VA Veteran Warriors, Job Corps, Disney, and the MS Department of Rehabilitation. The participants planted bushes, freshened mulch, raked and bagged leaves, and other tasks that beautified their playground. Following the work, everyone had a picnic lunch, enjoyed music and an art project, and, of course, enjoyed playing on the playground.

Your support assists us in ensuring that people with disabilities in South Mississippi have access to social, recreational, and educational opportunities that improve the quality of life for both individuals and families. In addition, DC currently assists with eliminating barriers to employment and home repair for some individuals in need with priority to seniors, veterans, homeless, and people with disabilities.

The Disability Connection staff, volunteers, and friends appreciate your support of our programs. Your support allows us to continue doing important work in our community, and we are proud of our partnership. Other well-attended Disability Connection inclusive events include the Arbor Day 5 K-1 Mile Run/Walk/Roll & ¼ Mile Challenge, the Mayor’s Disability Awareness Health Fair, and the Art Ability Fair. As a Disability Connection Donor you will be helping DC to reaching over 4,500 community members each year.

Thank you for your donation. O’Keefe Educational Media, dba Disability Connection is a 501 c 3 Corporation, and your donations are tax-deductible; no goods or services were received for this donation.

 

Most Sincerely,

Janie O’Keefe

Blog , Community , News

Local PRAM Chapter Supports DC

From the PRAM’s monthly newsletter:

Community Service Project
Disability Connection

“Dear PRAM members,

For our next service project, we will be partnering with Disability Connection who helps seniors and veterans as well as people with disabilities to gain employment. For the months of April, May and June, we will be collecting new or gently worn work attire. Most of their clients are looking for entry level positions, and we can accept any and all sizes and styles. Feel free to donate nice jeans, polos, suits, dresses, ties, scrubs, etc. They will also accept letter or letter-like (imitation) portfolios/folders for their clients who are out interviewing. These portfolio/folders look professional for interviews and some of us have ones we don’t use. Thank you for supporting this service project through your donations. I challenge you to go through you closets now. You can deliver those directly to Disability Connection, located at 700 Pass Rd in Gulfport in the Gulfport School Annex down the hall from maintenance. Call first to (228) 604-4020  to coordinate drop-off or bring these items to the next PRAM meetings. Feel free to visit www.DisabilityConnection.org or email Office@DisabilityConnection.org for more information.”

Thank you,

Jessica Breazeale, Community Service Chair

View The Employment Connection Page

Visit PRAM Mississippi Beach on FB

Blog , Community , News

Thank You CVS Caremark

Thank you for Assisting Disability Connection with the 26th Arbor Day Run/Walk/Roll!

February 18, 2014

Dear CVS Caremark,

Thank you for your sponsorship of the 2014 Arbor Day 5k -1 Mile Run/Walk/Roll. The Arbor Day event was incredibly successful, and it’s all thanks to organizations like yours.

Statistics are still being compiled, but raw numbers are as follows:

  • 75 organizations were part of the event.
  • Over 30 nonprofit, service, and health organizations participated, and at least 10 different schools and day programs brought individuals to participate.
  • Over 460 individuals registered and participated in the 26th Arbor Day 5k – 1Mile Run/Walk/Roll for Disability Awareness. And at least 50 additional participants walked the 1Mile – ¼ Mile challenge to support of individuals with disabilities.
  • More than 70 volunteers assisted with event set –up, implementation, and clean up, logging 350 philanthropic hours.
  • The Event received significant media attention. 5 TV stations did interviews, several newspaper, magazine, and radio stations provided additional coverage, and the event was posted on numerous community calendars.
  • The Event was promoted by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Tourism on their website.

Thank you for assisting Disability Connection in “creating a connected community.”

We look forward to working together again in the future to serve individuals with disabilities. News stories and photos will soon be posted at  www.DisabilityConnection.org with information about our next scheduled event, the Art Ability Fair, April 10th.

We will also be hosting a day of planting and partying with kids and adults with disabilities and the community at-large on our Disability Connection Community Playground. We expect to select a day in March for this event.
Our Best,

Janie O’Keefe
Executive Director

Arbor Day Runner at Finish Line
Blog , Community

2014 Run Walk Roll Success!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2014 RWR ROCK!

View Pictures Here

View Race Results Here


Donations can still be made via PayPal to

Disability Connection, a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Corporation.

Post by Disability Connection.

 

A fun event to encourage healthy lifestyles and disability awareness.

Arbor Day Race Starts

At Disability Connection (DC), our mission is “creating a connected community to inform, assist, and participate in collaborations that engage individuals with disabilities, eliminating barriers, and fostering cooperation and understanding.”

The Arbor Day Run/Walk/Roll is a fun event promoting healthy lifestyles to individuals of all ages with and without disabilities. This event has 3 goals: to promote healthy lifestyles, to encourage people with disabilities to be active community participants and join the fun of a Run, and to share information on community resources for people with disabilities and the underserved. An estimated 800 individuals participate each year.

The Arbor Day Finish Line PhotoThe event includes music, snacks, accessible sports demonstrations, and vendors promoting health and wellness. Individuals with disabilities will receive information on community resources, opportunities for socialization, and disability sports opportunities including tennis, basketball, soccer, and basketball. This event is in partnership with the Gulf Coast Running Club, the most respected running club in South Mississippi. The race includes a ¼ mile challenge so that everyone, including wheelchairs, can participate in the healthful benefits of a run with awards following.

 

 

Call the office for Sponsorship Information.

Disability Connection, 700 Pass Rd, Gulfport, MS, 39501

228.870-7775; Fax 228.284.4419

Office@DisabilityConnection.org

 

  • mike
  • May, Mon, 2013
Community , News

Mississippi Angels Pageant

A pageant for anyone with special needs.

Saturday, November 9th Starting at 2pm
Magnolia Civic Center 127 East Bankhead Street New Albany, MS 38652
Anyone with special needs is invited to participate. Any age from 0-105 are welcome.

Hair and makeup will be provided. Pageant wear or Sunday best is requested, but not required.

Contact Information :
Julie Bogue
Email: jlbogue@yahoo.com
Phone or text: 662-507-9950