Welcome to Our Network!

• You will be the first to know about new CONNECT projects and opportunities.
• You will be invited to attend the Annual CONNECT Leadership Retreat.
• You will be connected to other students with disabilities and their allies from around the state of Michigan.
• You will be registered for the CONNECT E-Zine, which connects subscribers to leadership opportunities, scholarship information, internship/job opportunities and networking events. 
• You will have support to start a disability advocacy organization on your college campus.

There is no better time to join than today! To become a registered member of CONNECT fill out the registration form on the bottom of this newsletter to CONNECT 780 W. Lake Lansing Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823, or send an email to CONNECT@prosynergy.org

8th Annual Disability Retreat

On March 16-18, 2008 The Leaven Center is holding "Stories in Community: 8th Retreat for Disability Activist and Allies.          

As disability activists and allies, which stories do people tell about their embodied experiences of disability, race, violence, class, gender identity, and sexuality? What words, ideas, and images emerge from their experiences of community and isolation, pride and shame, joy and activism? How do these stories shift, settle, or become tangled over time as bodies change? Drawing upon disability culture, conversation, journal writing, music, and movement, this retreat will spend the weekend telling stories and exploring these questions.

It will create space for telling stories of who people are, telling stories of oppression and privilege. Participants will examine the ways their stories not only repeat, but also contradict, each other. They will explore the power of story to reach across chasms of power, to struggle against willful ignorance, and to insist upon wholeness. In addition to storytelling, there  will be time to rest, relax, and hang out.

Registration Information

Register at: www.leaven.org

Call: 989-855-2606

Cost: $185 (Includes lodging and meals)

Financial assistance available

Career Development Workshop  

Submitted by DiverseAbility

Do you worry your disability may hurt your chances of getting the job you want?   Do you wonder whether you should disclose your disability?  Do you need a work experience that will make a difference? 

Come to the career development workshop to discuss career issues on your mind.  Learn about opportunities in Michigan’s AmeriCorps and Michigan corporations.  Any college student with a disability is invited to attend. 

This workshop is presented by Kathy McCreedy and Cathy McAdam of DiverseAbility (www.DiverseAbility.com) and is sponsored by Michigan’s AmeriCorps and supported by Wayne State University’s Educational Accessibility Services and Career Services.

The Career Development Workshop will be held 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 27 at Wayne State University.  Sign up today by phone or email by contacting, Randie Kruman, cq3793@wayne.edu or Marianne Balton, mbalton@wayne.edu, 313-577-1851.   When you register please give your name phone number, email address, school and required accommodations.

LeaderLINKS

LeaderLINKS is a statewide database used to link emerging leaders with each other and leadership opportunities throughout Michigan.

 LeaderLINKS is a unique tool allowing people with disabilities to learn about leadership opportunities, supports, and organizations as well as for leadership organizations to promote their programs to emerging leaders in Michigan.  Currently we have more than 2,000 leadership opportunities in the database including: conferences, workshops, groups/clubs, camps, internet courses and trainings.

Accessing the database is simple. You can call us toll-free and we will do the searching for you or you can search the database online at http://www.copower.org/leader/leaderLINKS.htm

By becoming a member of LeaderLINKS, you receive several benefits including:

• Access to search the database of leadership opportunities
• Access to search the database of leadership resources
• Receiving our quarterly newsletter
• Ability to network with other leaders in your community
• Assistance with finding and securing supports to attend opportunities

To become a member of LeaderLINKS, simply call us or register online at http://www.copower.org/leaderleaderLINKS.htm

Express Your PRIDE! Claim Your POWER!

Disability Pride

Accepting and honoring our uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity. Pride comes from celebrating our own heritage, culture, unique experiences and contributions.

Self-Empowerment

Knowing and feeling one’s pride and applying our unique voice, skills, and actions with energy and confidence to achieve a vision (of full citizenship in all places: personal relationships, home, school, work, community, institutions, etc.)

T-Shirt Contest

CCL is asking people with disabilities to send us your thoughts, your work, your stories,ideas, examples of experiences, events, and activities you are proud of which give you a sense of personal value and power. We are interested in gathering such personal pride and power intellectual paraphernalia to share with others with the goal of inspiring leaders and showing the world what a difference people with disabilities can make.

Proud and Powerful submissions can be made by:

Email: leadership@prosynergy.org

Fax: (517) 333-2677

Mail: Connections for Community Leadership, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, 780 W. Lake Lansing Rd., Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 48823 (submissions will not be returned)

All submissions received before May 1, 2008 will be entered into a drawing for a FREE FEISTY AND NON-COMPLIANT T-SHIRT! The drawing will take place on May 7, 2008. Be sure to include your contact information with your submission so we can notify you if your name is drawn.

By submitting you work, you agree that your submissions can be shared publicly with through our newsletter, web site, CONNECT E-zine, and other publicity materials.

What’s New?

NEW ONLINE COMMUNITIES

You can now join CONNECT on MySpace CONNECT’s user name is CONNECT

You can now join CONNECT on Facebook, just search groups and type in CONNECT.

DISABILITY SPOTLIGHT

CONNECT is gathering stories of student disability organizations who have done disability activism on their campus to be featured on the CONNECT website and in future CONNECT E-Zines. Send your name, organization and a short story of what you did.

All Submissions to the CONNECT E-Zine can be made by:

Email: CONNECT@prosynergy.org

Fax: 517-333-2677

Mail: CONNECT, 780 W. Lake Lansing Rd., Ste 200, East Lansing, MI  48823

By submitting your work, you agree that your submissions can be shared publicly through our materials.

Scholarship, Internship, Leadership and Networking Opportunities

Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders

The AHF, Incorporated web site has a list of 26 scholarships for college students with Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders.  The scholarship application dates and award amounts vary.
For more information visit, http://www.ahfinfo.com/ahfinfo/academic_scholarships.html

KarMel Scholarship

The KarMel Scholarship has two scholarships available with award amount of $400 and $300.  Students must submit an artistic or written Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Transgender theme work.
Applications are due March 31, 2008
For more information visit, http://karenandmelody.com/karmelscholarship.html

Patrick Charnon Memorial Scholarship

The Center for Education Solutions is accepting applications for their Patrick Charnon Memorial Scholarship.  Applicants must submit a 2-4 page essay explaining how community service experiences have shaped your life and college education.
Applications are due: March 31, 2008
For more information visit, http://www.cesresources.org/apply.html

NFB Scholarship

The National Federation of the Blind is accepting applications for 30 scholarships ranging in award amounts from $3,000- $12,000.
Applications are due: March 31, 2008
For more information visit, http://www.nfb.org

Patient Advocate

The Patient advocate foundation is offering ten, $3,000 scholarships for students under 25 that are or have been diagnosed with cancer or a critical or life threatening disease.
Applications are due: April 14, 2008
For more information visit, http://www.patientadvocate.org

Factor Support Network

The Factor Support Network Pharmacy is offering seven scholarships for women and men with Hemophilia or von Willebrand Disease.
Applications are due: April 30, 2008
For more information visit, http://www.factorsupport.com/scholarships.html

Sertoma International

Sertoma International offers two $1,000 scholarships to cover tuition, books and supplies.  Applicant must be hard of hearing or Deaf, or have a communicative disorder.
Applications are due: May 1, 2008
For more information visit, http://www.sertoma.org/%5EScolarships/scholarships.html

Ulman Cancer Fund

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults National College Scholarship Program funds multiple scholarships for young adults whose lives have been impacted by cancer and are seeking higher education.
Applications are due: May 10, 2008  

2008 Dart Organizers Institute

DART Center is now accepting applications for their Community Organizing Institute.  The institute is a paid, four-month field school of people interested in launching a career in community organization.
Applications are due: March 17, 2008
For more information visit, http://www.thedartcenter.org

NMHA Awards

The National Mental Health Association is calling for nominations for the "Outstanding Efforts in the Mental Health Awards."   The MPower Award is for young adults ages 13-23, who have spoken out about mental health issues to educate their peers and eliminate stigma.  Recipients will receive two nights’ lodging, round-trip travel and a full registration to the 2008 Annual meeting for themselves and one other person.
Applications are due: March 30, 2008
For more information visit, http://www.nmha.org

Incight Scholarship

Incight is offering a long-term scholarship program for students with disabilities.  This program helps to reduce barriers of education advancement.  They work with students on through mentoring and internship opportunities, empowerment trainings and career planning.
Applications are due: April 1, 2008
For more information visit, http://www.incight.org   

Subscription Information

To subscribe to the CONNECT E-Zine, please send an email to CONNECT@prosynergy.org with "Subscribe" in the subject line. If you need to receive the E-Zine in an alternative format such as large print or plain text, please note that in the email or call 1-866-532-2669.

Registration for CONNECT (Please mail to CONNECT 780 W. Lake Lansing Rd. East Lansing, 48823)

Name:  ____________________________________________________________________________

Address:  __________________________________________________________________________

City:__________________________    State: _________________ Zip Code: ___________________

Phone Number: (____)_______-_______________

Email Address:______________________________________________________________________

Are you a student?  

            If yes, what grade are you?   _________________________________

            If yes, what school do you attend?  ____________________________

Would you like us to contact  you with further information on the CONNECT network? 

                        Yes                                                                  No