We are San Diego People First
In 1988 a small group of self-advocates decided to start a chapter in San Diego. We have matured into being the voice of self-advocacy for San Diego County. We sponsor annual self-advocacy conferences, deliver presentations on self-advocacy and voter education, track legislation and write governmental officials, encourge our members to be active and productive members of the community, and support other self-advocacy groups through out San Diego County.
Our officers attend annual retreats to develop team leadership skills, to identify the achievements of the previous year, to set our goals for the upcomming year, and to recommit ourselves to advancing the cause of self-advocacy.
We meet on the second Saturday monthly from 10:00AM to 12:00 NN in the Balboa Club Room in Balboa Park. The meetings alternate. One month we have a business meeting. At this meeting we conduct chapter business and have guest speakers talk on matters of interest to our members. The following month we have a workgroup meeting and plan on carrying out our goals. We conclude each meeting with our commitment pledge. Lunch is served following business meetings only.
We are continuing an exciting new self-advocacy support program funded by People First of California. It is the IPP Buddy System. We have trained four People First members to be Buddies and they are now meeting with self-advocates to assist them with their IPPs.
We believe that when individuals with developmental disabilities are denied opportunities and fail to make their unique contributions, society suffers an irreversible loss. When self-advocates voice their dreams and access new and exciting experiences, resources, and supports, society increases in wealth, value and meaning. Everyone is endowed with unique strengths and abilities and we are all linked together in abundance. Maximizing and nurturing the talents and dreams of self-advocates builds a richer, more prosperous society for all of us to enjoy.
Do you want to be a part of a self-help group for self-advocates? Do you want to reach your full potential? Do you want to take the rewarding step of changing hearts and minds? Do you want to empower, facilitate and support people to voice their wants, needs and dreams? Do you want to make decisions over the important choices in your life? Come and give San Diego People First a try.
