May 29, 2015 | By Admin
Thirty three (33) members from the Baraga and Copper Country Regional Inter-agency Consumer Council (RICC's) recently attended the "Walk A Mile" rally held on the steps of the state capitol building in Lansing, Michigan. The rally, an organized event that advocates for equal rights and independence for people with varying mental and physical disabilities to promote and influence positive changes at a community level, was attended by over 3,000 people from throughout the state.
The trip, coordinated by Oak House, was funded through a $2,500.00 grant from the PHFoundation. This is one of four grants awarded since the first of the year that has been focused on Mental/Behavioral Health.
Mick Sheridan, a co-organizer of the trip said the experience was timely as local RICC members are advocating for increased public transportation hours and pedestrian crosswalks in our local community.
"The statement that was repeated several times." added Sheridan, "was that we cannot let a persons disability define them. The person needs to define the disability."
"Services for those in our community affected by mental and physical disabilities and illnesses are largely under or un-funded." said Kevin Store, Ex. Director of the PHFoundation. "There are a lot of services needed that simply are not available and we believe in and support the RICC's as they advocate on their own behalves."
The Portage Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that receives and contributes charitable donations which support the health needs of the community through enhanced philanthropy and community collaboration throughout Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties.