Living the Mission
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PCL’s Southern Oregon Division, based in Grants Pass, Oregon, is a relatively new addition to PCL’s family but one that has very quickly become a strong community partner as well as quickly developing a dedicated corps of volunteers. Dick, one of these volunteers, enjoys spending his time by helping enhance the life of one of the people supported by PCL, one of the key tenets of our mission, and in doing so, has started to build a wonderful friendship!
Dick met Scott at church, shortly after Scott started attending services. (Church attendance is one of the many great ways that the people we support come together with non-paid community members). They got to know |
| each other by chatting during social hour. From there, the two spent more time together, going to church and out to dinner, with staff in attendance. As the friendship progressed, Dick decided that he needed to take the necessary steps so that he and Scott could have outings without staff and that is just what he did. After going through PCL’s fairly rigorous volunteer background check, Dick and Scott are now able to go out and just be friends, without staff tagging along. This is definitely “enhancing the lives of those we support” in the best possible way. How is it working? Happily, it is an unqualified success and we look forward to adding more volunteers like Dick to the PCL family. |
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PCL is an inspired organization founded on principals of Justice, not Charity. Your financial contributions are vital. We cannot do what we do without the wonderful assistance of our supporters. Because of that support, people are able to live in their own homes, are offered opportunities for employment, enjoy community outings, going to church, taking trips and being a part of their community. SPARC (Self-Protection, Advocacy and Rights Council) teaches classes on human rights and the importance of voting as well as signing up voters. Their meetings are run by self advocates and they are very politically active. PCL is proud to facilitate the growth of self advocacy on all fronts.
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We, the Board, are excited about the future of PCL while continuing to be cognizant of the challenges of the current economic times and the ever present need to be wise in our leadership of PCL. While PCL is a historically strong organization financially, it is always our intention to better steward resources to accomplish more. Unfortunately this has meant that cuts have to be made without impacting services to people. To that end, wages have been frozen, cost of living wage increases canceled, employee benefits have been reduced, and new positions have been suspended and consolidated. Grants Pass has experienced similar steps. Additionally, new financial initiatives have been put in place that are saving us tens of thousands of dollars a year in operational expense. All throughout this, our resolve remains strong and our dedicated workforce continues to be passionately mission focused.
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A question that all Donors want answered is “where is my money going?” and it is an important question. According to the Accounting Department, $.87 of every dollar that comes into PCL goes to direct support of the people PCL serves. Specifically, here are some examples of where the fundraising money goes:
• Leg braces were purchased for a person who’s insurance did not cover the purchase. Her old braces impeded her standing and movement. We are happy to report that she is thrilled and shows her braces to anyone.
• Insurance did not fully cover medication for a gentleman’s skin condition and he was running out while experiencing serious discomfort. Your donations were allocated to make sure he received the medication he needed on a timely basis.
• Your donations are used to purchase Christmas presents for all of the people we support.
• Provide training to people we support in the employment areas
• Your donations are used to replace household supplies, linens and furniture that are worn out in people's homes.
• Other items of medical equipment that aren’t covered by insurance are funded.
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• At times, your donations are used to provide training to staff to ensure that the people supported by PCL are getting the best supports possible.
In the spirit of watching our money, PCL’s new and growing granting writing program is generating revenue to offset new program, operations and facility costs. To date, we have received $7,650. While it is a drop in the bucket to what we need and are asking for, it is a start and we are most grateful to our growing list of Foundation, municipal, and community partners.
And so we look forward to the challenges and rewards that 2012 will bring. We at PCL appreciate all that you, our supporters do for us. Thank you! May the New Year bring all of us peace, prosperity, and joy.
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PCL Board of Directors
Suzanne Young, Board Chair Person
Jan Burks, Board Vice Chair Person
Dottie Hart, Board Secretary
Bryan Laughlin, Board Treasurer
Rico Bocala
Janet Combs
Jodi Huffman
Chris Harris
Alan Smith
Jennifer Watkins
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