In existence for a decade, an Alsip group is stepping up its efforts of helping adults with intellectual disabilities to live independently.
The Sertoma United program is attempting to help adults at Sertoma Centre’s Martha Polacek facility, 4100 W. 127 St.
“They’re learning to speak up for themselves,” said Lynn King, Sertoma Centre’s consumer support services coordinator. “They’re learning to shape the services that they’re receiving so instead of support professionals telling people what they need to do, they’re really learning to speak up for themselves and advocate for what’s important to them.”
Sertoma Centre consumer support services specialist Melissa Sands said that 20 years ago “people thought (individuals) with disabilities couldn’t do things.”
“They would tell people what to do as opposed to teaching people what to do,” Sands said.
The Sertoma United effort program trend that reflects a change in our culture, Sands said.
“Sometimes individuals with disabilities — from the minute they wake up to the minute they go to sleep — are told what to do, what to eat, what to wear — simple things that we take for granted. Being part of the self-advocacy group is teaching people that they have a say in things,” she said.
An example of growing independence is the use of “consumer” by Sertoma Centre participants to describe themselves since each of them chooses the services they purchase from the nonprofit, Sands said.
She said the increased independence must be supported by competent daily living skills, a focus of the program which teaches Sertoma United consumers how to become productive members of the community, teach others at the Centre what they have learned and enjoy a better quality of life.
The current Sertoma United group has 10 members who attend classes, participate in programs and decision-making at the Centre, and work in the community, Sands said.
One consumer-taught class currently in place “to build leaders” teaches grocery shopping skills, Sands said. Occupational therapists recently attended classes to help the participants understand product sizes, pricing and other consumer information through the use of props, Sands said.
She said Sertoma United members also are taught how to use their phones to assist in shopping and how to read and understand ads and coupons in the newspapers. Members create a shopping list based on a specific recipe, shop for the groceries needed and then make the recipe choice.
Sands said the program is “hopefully giving them different skills. (We try)…to make our classes, our groups, outings…as educational as we can. That’s our goal.”
King said another important role of the self-advocacy group is assisting executive director Gus Van den Brink with new employee training.
“With Sertoma United…they have developed and grown to the point where they have so many more responsibilities and input here at the agency. Some of the self advocates help teach new employees about our services and how our individuals want to be treated and respected,” King said. “One of our self-advocates goes to (the new employee) training and speaks up about what the individuals here want. That’s one of the coolest things we think that they do. What we’ve seen is more and more involvement for our individuals.”
The Sertoma United participants are also involved in off-site events such as Advocacy Days to encourage the Illinois state legislature to fund services for people with disabilities. They also assist at fund-raisers for Sertoma Centre and other non profit organizations, conduct food drives for the needy and make holiday cards for people in retirement homes, among other activities, Sands said.
When members of Sertoma United “graduate” from the program, they become “Sertoma United ambassadors,” a resource for the program while remaining involved in other activities at the Centre.
“We want to have as many people to develop those skills as possible,” King said.
“We like to rotate in new people, too, because it’s new ideas, and they are kind of the core group that helps the agency evaluate to make sure we’re doing things the right way.”
Derrick Hudson, 33, of Olympia Fields, is one of the Sertoma United graduates who is a Sertoma United ambassador and also holds down a job at Food for Less in Alsip. Hudson said he enjoys meeting new people in the community and feels Sertoma United helped him with customer service, especially “how to treat people politely, the way you want to be treated.”
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Deborah Smith, 34, of Park Forest, said the program has helped her “speak up, not speak out.”
Smith was recently able to use her self-advocacy skills to help her improve her living situation, she said. She works at Knutes in Midlothian and Smashburger in Oak Lawn.
Baltazar “Billy” Alpuche, 38 of Homewood, said he has definitely benefited from the Sertoma United program.
“I’m learning how to …speak up for myself and I’m learning how to help others the way others helped me,” Alpuche said. “When I had a question or I had a problem I never would speak up for myself by telling staff or anyone I needed this, I need that.”
Alpuche is in his third year in the program and will soon become a Sertoma United ambassador, Sands said.
Nathaniel Ayala, 30, of Chicago, requested entrance into the program. He said participating over the last three years has made a difference for him.
“It’s been a challenge for me. I was very shy because I didn’t know what to do, and I was afraid to say something. I was afraid to express my feelings,” Ayala said. “After I joined the class, I got the hang of it. I feel more confident.”
Individual’s stories about the benefits of Sertoma United illustrate the worth of the program for its members, but Sertoma United members put their self-advocacy skills to work for all members of Sertoma Centre, King said. Whenever there is a possible policy change at the Centre which would affect its members, staff members explain the situation to Sertoma United members who can make their voices heard on the subject.
“They’re either going to approve it or sometimes they’re going to challenge it,” King said.
King said focusing on developing the strength and ability of the individual, developing self-advocacy skills and allowing individuals to use their skills off-site allows them to be integrated into and valued by the community.
King said Sertoma United has been “a great example of that,” choosing to participate in several volunteer activities per year.
“They have so much to give and to offer and a greet skill set that can be used in the community,” King said. “They want to be in their community, giving back to their community.”
Adults 18 years old and older with disabilities are eligible for services at Sertoma Centre even if they are currently in a different program or leaving a high school program, King said. For more information, contact King at [email protected] or call (708) 730-6352.
Ginger Brashinger is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.