Home » Leaders

Leaders

OUR SELF ADVOCACY GROUP WANTS YOU TO JOIN THEM

Loren Shibley

Loren Shibley

President

Loren currently serves as President of L.E.A.D.E.R.S. He works on the grounds and properties at Community Services and has been very involved in the Agency’s annual events. Loren is hard working and dedicated to helping others.

John Wood

John Wood

Vice President

John is the Vice President of L.E.A.D.E.R.S. He brings a lot of creativity to the group and is dedicated to helping others become self-advocates.

Anthony Young

Anthony Young

Sergeant at Arms

Anthony has been an active member of L.E.A.D.E.R.S. for several years. He is committed to helping others advocate on their own behalf.

Kathy Collado

Kathy Collado

Treasurer

Kathy has been a part of L.E.A.D.E.R.S. for many years. She also serve as a board member for the Community Services for Every1 Board of Directors.

Martha Collado

Martha Collado

Secretary

Martha has been an active member of the L.E.A.D.E.R.S. group for several years and is committed to advocating for others.

L.E.A.D.E.R.S. is the name for our self-advocacy group. The members of this group truly focus on activities that promote inclusion and increase self-empowerment.

We meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 5:15 pm to 7:15 pm. Meetings are held at a Community Services for Every1 office, 1845 Kenmore Avenue, Kenmore NY. Everyone is welcome to join! Please call Tamara Staples (716) 883-8888 x307 for more information.

L.E.A.D.E.R.S.

  • Listen – Pay attention to others
  • Equality – In it together
  • Advocacy – Speaking up for ourselves
  • Determination – Not giving up, and being strong
  • Equal – Dignity for ourselves and others
  • Rights – To determine our own lives
  • Supports – Encouragement, understanding, and accepting each other

In Our Own Words: What is a Self Advocate?

“To speak up for what I believe in, help others learn about Self Advocacy, and to learn about myself and my rights as an advocate.”

“To help people. I like attending Self Advocacy meeting to do the activities and I like to meet new people.”

“The right to live where you want. The right to vote. The right to join the same clubs as non-disabled.”

“To tell others about the meetings and help them understand. Talk to people to explain what the meetings are all about. To help other people with disabilities.”

“Speak up for yourself. Help others that need help. To be there for everyone who needs help.”

“Help people out.”

“Self Advocacy means support and understanding. Being there for one another, helping one another, listening to one another.”

“To share feelings with others and helping them express themselves.”

Recent LEADERS Activities:

In light of budget concerns LEADERS has been having multiple conversations on what budget cuts will mean to them. Their heightened awareness of budget issues led them to the decision to travel to Albany to let their public officials know of their concerns. LEADERS voted to use their treasury funds to send a selected group of 7 (5 LEADERS members and 2 staff) to Albany. They independently scheduled appointments with their representatives and met with them to let them know that cuts in services were unacceptable. They found the experience empowering and after the fact felt that like their voices were heard. This was a milestone event for LEADERS because it was the first time they traveled to the State Capital to advocate on behalf of people with developmental disabilities.

Join this active group to take part in great conversations, exciting activities, and become a self advocate, too!

Find L.E.A.D.E.R.S on Facebook!