| Put People First |
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| ~Real People, Real Stories, Real Lives~ | |
On December 27th, Waking the Sleeping Giant held a human service forum in Fargo that featured testimony from a group of people that are affected by human service issues. Local Policy makers and the general public were invited to listen to testimony and to make a pledge to "Put People First"
This Pledge to "Put
People First" was signed by the audience and participants of the
forum.
Over 50 people attended the forum and it was held at the
YWCA Shelter Community Room in
Milton Little Owl opened the forum with a welcome
and Introductions
Duke Schempp, PEPP Executive Director, spoke about Waking
the Sleeping Giant.
Ronda Harrison, Executive Director of the Social
Connextion spoke about National Trends of Nonprofits and gave a report
about her involvement in the National Nonprofit Congress as a delegate
from our community.
Tegan Henke of Lakeland Mental Health was the moderator
for the forum
Jason Thorpe of Fargo spoke about employment issues and
how services have kept him employed and living independently with
quality of life.
James Baumgartner of Fargo spoke of work issues,
the high cost of living and how low wages make life hard for
people. James works 3 jobs and walks and busses everywhere he
goes.
Crystal Farmer of Fargo spoke of her experiences and
talked about how supportive services has allowed her to live and
transition back into the community.
Will Batten of Moorhead spoke of the struggle for
meaningful employment opportunities and talked about the stigma of
mental illness.
Tamara Kucha of Moorhead spoke of being homeless and how different agencies and services have helped her acheive goals in her life and well being.
Alison Wolbeck of Moorhead was not able to be
present. Her
testimony was recored and played back for the audience, Alison
spoke
of access to medical care and how the system moves her backwards as she
moves forward
Tammy Jo Warrington of Moorhead spoke about the
benefit companion animals, unfair policies concerning pet deposits and
spoke about cuts in her social security because of planning to
Kenny Steichen of Rural Ulen, MN tied the evening
together with testimony of programs and services being a hand-up,
rather
than a hand out.
The presenters made a plea to policy makers to
maintain and increase funding for programs and services that help
people in the community have a quality of life. The then asked
the entire group to join them in making a pledge to: Nearly everyone in the room signed the pledge
Stay tuned to this web site for more details,
announcements, events, trips and opportunities to get involved. |
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