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   Building a World of Inclusion

Foundations 

ABILITY Awareness's E-Newsletter

     February 2008   

                                                                                                                       Vol. 2, Issue 1

 About Us

 Programs

 How You Can Help

 Volunteer

 Resources

 Contact Us

 In This Issue: 

 · Hammer Time 
 · Sign of the Times
 · Better Than a Coupon
 · Letter From the Editor
 ·
Blueprints in Action
 ·
QuickLinks
 ·
Staff List



1440 E. First St., Suite 107
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Tel (714) 277-4330
Fax (714) 277-3743
http://www.abilityawareness.org/




Special Thanks

 Our success has been made
 possible through the generous 
 contributions from our following
 sponsors:

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ABILITY Magazine Icon

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WANT A FREE DVD?

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Building a World of Inclusion available now on DVD!  Learn more about our exciting ABILITY House program which we will send you for free! Call (714) 277-4330
or email Jennifer Beekman at
jbeekman@abilityawareness.org



Staff List


 Judi Pennella

 Executive Director

 email

 Judi Pennella's Picture 

 Mark Hauber

 Program Director  

 email

 Mark Hauber's Picture


 Tammy Kavathan

 Project/Office Administrator

 email

 Tammy Kavathan Picture


 Jennifer Beekman

 Communications & Outreach  
 Coordinator

 email

 Jennifer Beekman's Picture

     

 

Hammer Time  


As winter gives way to spring and the ground begins to thaw, we at ABILITY Awareness begin to think warm thoughts about, well, housing construction. With 24 ABILITY homes in the works, we're gearing up for our busiest year yet. Beginning with a retro fit in Santa Ana, CA, we'll spend the next 12 months partnering with Habitat for Humanity affiliates nationwide to build accessible homes in San Juan Capistrano, CA; Indianapolis, IN, and Marion County, FL.

Along the way, we'll help a number of families fulfill their dreams of homeownership, while assisting those involved in demonstrating their skills and talents while becoming active members of their communities.

It's going to be a busy season as we take multiple steps towards building a world of inclusion.


Sign of the Times

Super Bowl commercials often receive as much attention as the big game itself. The ads are cutting edge and carefully crafted by high profile advertising firms. Some make us laugh, while others make us think. This year, one snuck through that was not courtesy of Madison Avenue. It came, instead, from a PepsiCo employee.

Actually shown pre-game, the silent ad went like this: Two guys drive to their friend Bob's house to watch the Super Bowl. Once they get to his street, neither remembers his address. So they sit in the car arguing in American Sign Language, until one of them gets the bright idea to lay on the horn.

One by one, the houses light up-except Bob's.

The PepsiCo employee, Clay Broussard, who plays Bob in the commercial, has worked for the company in Dallas for nearly 30 years. He got involved in the deaf community through a church, where services were conducted in sign language. Though he is not deaf, the two actors who play his friends-Brian Dowling and Darren Therriault-are. They also work alongside Broussard at PepsiCo.

If you would like to see the commercial and how it was made, click on the icon below:

Pepsi Icon

Better Than a Coupon

Everybody's got to eat, right? But why not have your dollar stretch a bit farther? Just by shopping at Ralphs, you can donate to ABILITY Awareness, and help unlock a world of potential for people with disabilities,.

The process is simple: Register your Ralphs Club Card online, and then, when you go in to shop, scan it at the checkout counter before you pay. Thanks to the generous support of Ralphs Community Program, a percentage of your purchase will go to ABILITY Awareness.

To register, just click on the icon below and then use your Ralphs card number, plus our nonprofit organization number: 90372. Then, the next time you make a purchase at any Ralphs and scan your card, you'll be help to build a world of inclusion.

Ralphs Picture






Thanks to You

Thank you for your readership!  It takes the efforts of many individuals to make this e-newsletter possible.  We highly value your input and welcome any suggestions for new articles or comments on the contents of our e-newsletter.

Contact Jennifer Beekman, Communications & Outreach Coordinator, through email or at (714) 277-4330.
We look forward to serving you!










 



Mission

Building a world of inclusion
for people with health conditions or disabilities
through housing, employment, education,
media and volunteer opportunities.

Copyright 2007© ABILITY Awareness. All rights reserved.

 

Letter From the Editor

Through Foundations, it is our goal to set the foundation for “Building a World of Inclusion” by highlighting our progress and providing meaningful ways for you to become involved in our mission. As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities through housing, employment, education, media and volunteer opportunities. We believe that anyone can volunteer and work to make a difference in their community.


Blueprints in Action...

 Disaboom Icon

Give Back America Icon


iGive Icon
 

GoodSearch Icon

Giveline Icon
 

VOLUNTEER - Whether it's helping to build a house, doing office work, or helping to plan a fundraiser, our volunteers provide an important service!

DONATE - We depend upon your donations to help make a difference in someone's life. Your donations help empower people with disabilities and other health conditions lead valued lives and embrace self-sufficiency.

Donate Now Icon

BECOME A CORPORATE SPONSOR - Your support allows you the opportunity to change lives, increase employee morale, maximize your marketing dollars, improve communities, and promote corporate responsibility!

If you are interested in these opportunities or have suggestions of other ways to be involved, please contact us through  email  or by phone at
(714) 277-4330.

QuickLinks

Accessibility/Visitability

Center for an Accessible Society
www.accessiblesociety.org

Center for Universal Design
www.design.ncsu.edu

Inclusive Home Design
www.concretechange.org 

Institute for Community Inclusion
www.communityinclusion.org 

Volunteer

Corporation for National and Community Service
www.nationalservice.gov

Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network
www.1800volunteer.org

Online Volunteering
www.serviceleader.org