Supports and Connections

1-866-532-2669    *    http://www.copower.org/leader/index.htm   *   leadership@prosynergy.org        

What is the purpose of the Supports and Connections program area?

The Supports and Connections program area of Connections for Community Leadership assists people with disabilities in fully participating in leadership opportunities by providing them with support and creating connections among leaders with disabilities.

What types of support does CCL provide?

What kinds of connections does CCL provide?
CCL supports people with disabilities to participate in leadership opportunities by:

* Identifying scholarship funds and connecting people with disabilities to those funds.
* Working with generic leadership opportunities to help ensure inclusiveness of people with disabilities.
* Providing ongoing support and follow-up to the person with a disability as they participate in leadership opportunities as well as after they complete the program.

CCL creates several types of connections including:

* Connecting people with disabilities to each other to discuss disability issues and leadership techniques, along with helping each other grow as leaders.
* Connecting people with disabilities to local disability organizations.
* Connecting people with disabilities to leadership opportunities in their community and area of interest.
* Connecting disability organizations to organizations hosting leadership opportunities.
Example:  Disability Activists Retreat

Example:  CONNECT Retreat
In May 2006, the Leaven Center in Lyons, Michigan held a retreat for disability activists and allies.  MDRC and CCL’s Cookie Gant Leadership Development Fund provided financial support for 6 people with disabilities to attend this retreat.  

In March 2006, CONNECT, a project area of CCL, held a retreat for college students with disabilities who were active in disability student organizations on their campuses.  At this retreat, students with disabilities learned how to sustain their student groups, create transition plans for when members graduate, and network with other student groups to create a state-wide impact.



This information is available in alternative formats upon request