Orleans County Citizen Advocacy
About us
“Our Mission is to create and support relationships between community volunteers and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities so that all are heard, empowered and fully included in the community. We strive to engage all members in opportunities that enhance quality of life.”
Please help us continue to fulfill our mission and help our program grow!
Founded in 1988, Orleans County Citizen Advocacy is a non-profit organization that brings together adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities (age 18 and older) and community volunteers throughout Orleans County, Vermont. For each match, we find a local volunteer, referred to as an “Advocate”, whom we partner with a person with disabilities. We then we provide ongoing support to their relationship. Over the years, we created and supported nearly 100 matches.
When children with disabilities leave the school environment and enter adulthood, they far too often experience limited social interaction and isolation. The adult world is often hard to navigate. Through OCCA friendships, adults with disabilities find respect, empowerment and inclusion. As in all relationships, the Advocates find their lives enriched as well. Our volunteers serve as mentors, advocates and friends. They help their partners access the community, enjoy a wide variety of activities, hobbies and interests, and get additional help when needed.
WHAT DO OUR ADVOCATES AND PARTNERS DO TOGETHER?
Each pair decides how much time they spend together and what kinds of activities they do. Some pairs meet once a month, some once a week. Some maintain regular phone contact, others communicate via Facebook or email. Depending on interests and needs, our pairs have done some of the following activities: cooking, play cards and board games, go to the gym, take classes (exercise, art,etc), go to church, attend meetings, go shopping, to restaurants, movies, concerts, fairs, fishing, skiing, hiking, biking, bingo, arts and crafts...the list goes on! We have a fund to help pay for activities, so lack of money should not be a deterrent from becoming an Advocate!
WE NEED YOU! VOLUNTEER TODAY!
We currently have a list of Partners waiting for Advocates. We depend on volunteers to keep the program running. Please contact us for more information. OCCAVT@gmail.com
In addition to 1:1 relationships, we also hold group events and activities so that our Advocates and Partners can socialize and have fun!
When children with disabilities leave the school environment and enter adulthood, they far too often experience limited social interaction and isolation. The adult world is often hard to navigate. Through OCCA friendships, adults with disabilities find respect, empowerment and inclusion. As in all relationships, the Advocates find their lives enriched as well. Our volunteers serve as mentors, advocates and friends. They help their partners access the community, enjoy a wide variety of activities, hobbies and interests, and get additional help when needed.
WHAT DO OUR ADVOCATES AND PARTNERS DO TOGETHER?
Each pair decides how much time they spend together and what kinds of activities they do. Some pairs meet once a month, some once a week. Some maintain regular phone contact, others communicate via Facebook or email. Depending on interests and needs, our pairs have done some of the following activities: cooking, play cards and board games, go to the gym, take classes (exercise, art,etc), go to church, attend meetings, go shopping, to restaurants, movies, concerts, fairs, fishing, skiing, hiking, biking, bingo, arts and crafts...the list goes on! We have a fund to help pay for activities, so lack of money should not be a deterrent from becoming an Advocate!
WE NEED YOU! VOLUNTEER TODAY!
We currently have a list of Partners waiting for Advocates. We depend on volunteers to keep the program running. Please contact us for more information. OCCAVT@gmail.com
In addition to 1:1 relationships, we also hold group events and activities so that our Advocates and Partners can socialize and have fun!
