-
Don’t Forget the Microphone
At a conference a few weeks ago during the Q&A part someone asked how to keep doing this work in challenging times. I spoke of offering the people we work with “a seat at the table.” The presenter next to me added to the statement by saying “A seat…and a microphone.” This distinction is important. […]
-
I Am Olmstead!
This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Olmstead Decision. I am personally grateful to the United States Supreme Court for the impact this has on my life. About Olmstead The story of the Olmstead case begins with two women, Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson. They had mental illness and developmental disabilities. They […]
-
Our Website has Changed – Check it Out!
We are excited to announce updates to our website! What’s New? We’ve built out web pages with more information about our Pennsylvania Services. Before, we had a single web page that had brief descriptions of our services. Now, each of our services has their own page. Each service page includes expanded information about what the […]
-
Trauma Informed Care: The Healing Power of Choices
I think most people can think back to a time when we felt trapped and helpless. Maybe it seemed like the world was spiraling out of control. Perhaps our life was unraveling before our eyes, or we had just lost something that mattered to us deeply. The reality is, many things in life are out […]
-
Volunteering in Action
Happy Holidays, Everyone! One of the best ways to spread holiday cheer is through volunteering. According to Wikipedia, volunteering is “when a person or a group of people freely give their time and labor for Community Service”. Volunteering can help a person to connect with others and make new friends. You can learn new things from […]
-
The Real Struggles: Talking About Suicide Among People with Disabilities
Two years ago on August 9th, my family lost a loved one to suicide. He was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and soon to be father. While he was not a person with a disability, he had addiction and mental health issues. He received a lot of support and still the result was tragic. […]
-
With, Not For.
With, not For. That is a power statement and one that is used frequently here at Values into Action. It’s the cornerstone on which the work we do is supported. The collaborative model works to bring everyone to the table. This allows people to forge a path into a space where once hidden voices have […]
-
Finding My Way
It began in January of 2020 with a trusted and respected friend who knew I was having trouble finding a job. I began working at a local movie theatre, but the hours and the pay were not enough to support my family. My friend had told me she knew about a company named Values Into […]
-
Celebrating 18 Years of Building Community
As we celebrate the 18th anniversary of Values Into Action, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Marian Frattarola-Saulino, shares a message of gratitude for the Values Into Action community. From the beginning, this was about YOU. Our community, our rights, and our determination to live our best and everyday lives. VIDEO TRANSCRIPT Hello Values Into Action community. […]