Our speaker for our March 9^th meeting will be David Haas from the Arizona Center for Disablity Law.  He will be discussing the objectives and priorities for services for the fiscal year 2010.  Please come prepared for some good information!

 VOICE attendance in February was 18.

 For all of those who attended in February, we watched a good movie “The Express” (no, it was not the Disney Polar Express that Marisa had asked for) – but I think everyone enjoyed the movie and treats.  I think the movie taught us all that we can do anything we put our minds to.

 Happy Birthday in March to:

• Arlee Dennis          March 6
• Tony Trujillo        March 7
• Michael Larson   March 20
• Jean Moriki             March 27

 Spotlight – Teri Canady Raber

Teri Raber is our Spotlight Person for March. She was born in Lancaster, CA.  Teri has three sisters, Carolyne, Suzanne and Marcia and of course her parents, Dale and Dee Canady. She was married to Dalphon (Dal) Raber on March 27, 2004 and they don’t have any children. Teri loves the family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Dal has two brothers and 8 nieces and she loves them all.

 Teri has never had a pet but her family had dogs and/or cats while she was living with them.

 Teri is not able to work but has attended college and earned an Associate of Arts degree at Glendale Community College. She also volunteers and works with VOICE. She has lived independently since 1988, in Colorado Springs, and since she moved back to Phoenix in 2000.

 Teri likes to read books, watch TV, go to the movies and do crayola drawings.  Her favorite thing to do is attend a movie and a show with her husband.

 Teri feels pretty much “grown up” already and doesn’t see many changes in her life in the future.  Teri really appreciates VOICE and all those who volunteer to make it a success.

 Need Help with Your Taxes?  ABIL is offering free 2009 tax preparation at their office on Saturdays from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm beginning January 30 to April 10, 2010. For more information, contact ABIL at 602-443-0720.

 Upcoming Events of Interest:

• March 18  – Men’s Disability Group (602-980-3232)
• March 19 – COMPASS Support Group (Granite Reef Senior Center, Scottsdale) (602-241-1006)

 Save the Date:

• March 17, 2010  – 6^th Annual American Indian Disability Summit
• April 10, 2010 – 2010 Health & Wellness Fair

 A Thought for the Month

March is Women’s History Month.  What a good time to expand our knowledge – read a good book about a good woman in history.

Remember:  Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often…………              

Take care, Janene

February at VOICE is Movie Month – please join us for a movie and treats.

VOICE attendance in January was 16.

VOICE would like to THANK Robert Lynch for coming to speak to us last month. He was very informative and entertaining. We all learned that “We are Athletes”. We also learned that we need to use 100% of our mental capacity and our spirital capacity since we all don’t have 100% of our physical capacity. We learned that we are GREAT and can do anything we put our minds to. Robert answered many questions about building codes and the accessibility issues we face everyday. Again, Thanks Robert – we loved having you and hope you will visit us again in the future.

Happy Birthday in February to:
J-Bryd Hughes - February 10
Mary Beth Fanum - February 11
Steven Nikolaus - February 15
Brian Bonnot - February 28

Spotlight – Marisa Cook
Marisa was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Her mom, Jennifer Dean, passed away when Marisa was 2. She lives with her dad, Steve, step mom Lynette, and brother Jacob 17. She also has a step sister Nicole who is 24 and married and step brother Austin Harmes ,21, who doesn’t live at home anymore either.

She has a dog named Samson, who is 7 years old; Panther, a black cat , who is 14 years old, and Oreo, a black & white cat, that is 2 years old.
Marisa volunteers at “Michael’s Garden” a vocational rehabilitation program – she makes cards, hats, and other arts & crafts items to sell. She also helps out at “Accel” a school for handicapped children.

Marisa used to ride horses for therapy. She likes listening to music, watching soap operas and TV, reading magazines, looking at the internet, going to the gym and on walks. Her favorite thing to do is shopping. Her favorite time of the year is summer-when her family goes on vacations.She hasn’t decided yet what she wants to do when she grows up. I’m sure it will be something great! Marisa likes making new friends. Coming to VOICE is a good way to do this.

Need Help with Your Taxes? ABIL is offering free 2009 tax preparation at their office on Saturdays from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm beginning January 30 to April 10, 2010. For more information, contact ABIL at 602-443-0720.

Upcoming Events of Interest:
February 18 – Men’s Disability Group (602-980-3232)
February 19 – COMPASS Support Group (Granite Reef Senior Center, Scottsdale) (602-241-1006)

Save the Date:
February 20, 2010 – Surprise Disability & Human Services Summit (623-222-2266)
March 17, 2010 – 6th Annual American Indian Disability Summit

A Thought for the Month
February is American Heart Association “Heart Month”. Please make sure you take care of yours and share it with others.
Remember: Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often………… Take care, Janene

Our next VOICE meeting will be Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 2 to 4 pm at the Glendale Library, 5959 W Brown Street (Glendale, 85302).

What a great time we had at our Annual Chili Cook-Off and Holiday Party! Not a large group but a fun group. Thanks to those of you who came and especially to those who shared their good food.

VOICE attendance in December was 20

VOICE would like to welcome Robert Lynch as our January speaker. Robert has experience in the ADA arena. He has been an architect for many years and has valuable information to share with us about the accessibility issues we face each day. Please bring your questions and/or concerns for Robert. He is here to help us understand and figure out what we need to do as Advocates.

Happy Birthday in January to:

Rose Bailey January 2
Amy Thomas January 14

Spotlight

This is a new section being added to the VOICE newsletter. Please be sure to fill out a questionnaire at one of the meetings – you never know when you might be the “Spotlight of the Month”.

If you have not been to VOICE in awhile, why not start the New Year off right with a return. We miss you all and invite everyone to join us!
Need Help with Your Taxes? ABIL is offering free 2009 tax preparation at their office on Saturdays from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm beginning January 30 to April 10, 2010. For more information, contact ABIL at 602-443-0720.

Upcoming Events of Interest:

January 9, 2010 – 1st Annual Run, Walk & Roll 5K/10K at Tempe Town Lake (480-835-6273)

January 15 – COMPASS Support Group (Granite Reef Senior Center, Scottsdale) (602-241-1006)

January 21 – Men’s Disability Group (602-980-3232)

Save the Date:

February 20, 2010 – Surprise Disability & Human Services Summit (623-222-2266)

March 17, 2010 – 6th Annual American Indian Disability Summit

A Thought for the Month (from January 2004)
As the new year approaches and we all start once again thinking of resolutions, I would like to invite you to really take some time out for yourself and look at where and what you would like to be doing this time next year. I know that many people don’t like to set goals because they feel they can’t keep them. Even if you just pick one small goal and work on it a little each day you will feel so good about what you are accomplishing. I like to look at each day as an opportunity for growth.

Many people tend to just take what comes their way. It is time to start taking control of your life and start moving forward.

Remember: Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often…………
Take care, Janene

Last year we had a great time – lots of good food (as usual), we had a gift exchange and played some games.

At the end of the 4th inning we were able to honor June Olson.  The Diamondback Organization allowed us to remember June on the big scoreboard.   Here is what the scoreboard said:  VOICE remembers JUNE OLSON, A true D-backs Fan!  WE MISS YOU JUNE!  As soon as I can figure out how to upload the photo I will put it on.