Search
The Arc of the East Bay (formerly The Arc of Alameda County) joined voices with Manos Home Care and the local Gamaliel affiliate, Genesis, in a community organizing effort to hold a Public Meeting at Chabot College in Hayward. Local legislators, elected officials, and disability services administrators were invited to listen and learn from people with developmental disabilities, their families, and their services providers. Issues on State and Local levels were discussed and a response of support was asked.
Over 520 attended! Persons with developmental disabilities, families, friends and service providers! Manos brought the largest number, while representatives from 14 other nonprofit and faith communities brought the support of their organizations advocating for Disability Justice!
Individuals with disabilities and families told their stories in Spanish and English. Manos released data showing the impossible challenge of hiring respite care providers and direct support professionals at the minimum wage level, when these same workers can make more at a fast food restaurant. Assembly Member Jim Frazier was asked to respond by saying Yes to increasing the financial stability of the developmental disability service system. He responded, Absolutely!
Mark Salinas, City Council Member for the City of Hayward, and Dana Bailey, Community Service Manager of Hayward were asked to attend a community meeting within 60 days to address the transportation crisis for people with I/DD and their families. Emphatic Yes from both!
Esa Ehman Krause, Asst. Chief of Probation and Parole, was asked to support the Genesis efforts to Disrupt the School to Prison Pipeline, especially for Black students. The response was, Very Definitely!
Finally, everyone was asked at the end to NIX on SIX! Vote No on Proposition 6, to save $5.4 billion dollars each year for road repair, bridge safety, pedestrian safety, and especially transit funds for seniors, youth and people with disabilities!
The Public Meeting ended by everybody being invited to eat tacos together! Community definitely coming together, being heard, and making a difference!
Tim Hornbecker