Access to Community Services, Inc.

Hi. My name is Kevin Keisling and I am the Executive Director at Avenues to Community, Inc. I am here today to talk about the Partners in Giving Campaign and the umbrella organization we are affiliated with called Access to Community Services. The Partners in Giving Campaign is a one time a year cooperative campaign for State, University of Wisconsin and UW Hospital and Clinics employees to give to their favorite charities. There are 475 charitable organizations with 12 different umbrella organizations participating this year. The goal for this year is to raise $3 million dollars and to increase the number of donors over last year's campaign.

Access to Community Services is an umbrella organization made up of nine different organizations that provide a variety of services to thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and other challenges. Access to Community Services was founded with the belief that all people deserve equal access to opportunities that allow them to live, work and enjoy life in their community. Member charities provide people with disabilities and other challenges access to job training, support in living situations, and assistance with recreational time through arts programs and sports opportunities. Access to Community Services organizations are not affiliated with the United Way of Dane County. Ninety five percent of the dollars Access to Community Services receives goes directly to help people with disabilities. One hundred percent of the contributions received stays in Dane County.

To best describe the service organizations within ACS, I would like to share a story about a gentleman named Fulton. Fulton is a 53-year-old man who has Down Syndrome. In 2006, Fulton, his support team, and his Avenues to Community, Inc. Support Broker, developed a person-centered plan to identify his daily needs and goals for the future. At the time, Fulton was being under supported, which was leading to an unsafe situation. He was isolating himself in his bedroom and was not engaged in any social activities. He was even eating his meals in his bedroom. Although his support staff and the people who cared about him would encourage him to participate in activities, he continued to disengage from the world around him.

During the planning process it was decided that Fulton's living arrangement and provider should change to better meet his needs. Through the Broker's efforts, different agencies were identified that could potentially meet his needs at the level of funding he was receiving. Although this change was a big decision for Fulton and his guardian, they decided to make a change. He is now receiving more hours of support at a lower cost for services. He is fully engaged with this roommate and support staff. He is participating in VSA arts of Wisconsin and is involved in numerous other social activities.

After this change with residential services occurred, in early 2007, Fulton's support team started talking about the idea of his starting a micro-enterprise with the assistance of Progressive Community Services Self-Employment program. Since Fulton has a strong interest and some natural talent in art, the idea of him creating a business around selling his artwork emerged. Fulton and his team are currently starting the process of working with the Self Employment Coordinator on developing a business plan. In the meantime, Fulton is developing his art skills by exploring new art styles by taking numerous classes.

Fulton today is not the man he was just two years ago. The positive changes that have occurred in his life during these last two years is just one example of the way that ACS organizations work collaboratively with one another to make a difference in the lives of people with developmental and other disabilities.

Contributions to ACS or to individual organizations within ACS make a significant difference not only for individual lives but for the betterment all people in Dane County.

I would like to thank you and all of the people who will be participating in this year's campaign. Regardless of the charitable organization you and your co-workers decide to give to, it is important to know that you are making a difference. If you or your co-workers are interested in contributing to ACS, our information can be found on page 23 of the Partners in Giving Campaign booklet. You can also go to our website to see Fulton's story as well as stories about other people supported by ACS organizations at www.madison.com/communities/accesscommunityservices.

Thank you again for this opportunity, for taking the time to be trainers and to encourage your co-workers within your department to make a difference. Remember, give a little, change a lot.