August 18, 2004
Hockey game to net funds
U of M vs. MSU hockey game benefits Community Living Center programs
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
How can a hockey game help adults with developmental disabilities live independently?
Thanks to alumni from both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, the answer is easy.
Saturday night's hockey game at Centre Ice will raise money for the Grand Traverse Area Community Living Endowment Fund. The evening will also feature a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and an afterglow party with the players. Attendees are encouraged to wear their school colors to promote team spirit.
Residents of the Community Living Center, a residential facility for 16 adults with developmental disabilities, helped send out the thousands of invitations to the game. On game night, however, many will be otherwise occupied.
"Some of them are going to the game but a lot of them are going to the ARC camp, which unfortunately happens that same weekend," said Juanita Cole, program director of the Community Living Center for 23 years.
The money raised will help fund a variety of residential and educational programs geared to area adults with developmental disabilities. These programs include residential programs at the Community Living Center, Community Living Apartments, the Fern Street, Kelly Street and College Park living centers. The Traverse Region Assisted Independent Living, or TRAIL, supports individuals living independently in apartments or homes.
These programs have served more than 200 adults since Mary Jean Brick founded the Community Living Center in 1978. This first independent living center welcomed adults over 18 to a licensed group home with 24-hour supervision and programs to develop daily living skills.
In addition to facilitating independence, Brick also wanted to integrate the developmentally disabled into the community. Now, 26 years later, she sees the results of her efforts in many areas. These consumers have jobs, volunteer work, use public transportation, shop and hang out at the mall.
Brick noted that improved medical care has also allowed people with developmental disabilities to live longer, healthier and more independent lives.
"People with disabilities are living longer, in the past, it was common for people with Down syndrome to live until they were 40 years old, due to heart and respiratory problems," Brick noted. "Now we have several who are blessed with better health, thanks to the medical community."
"We have some of our residents enjoying activities at the Senior Center, they go there for meals or to play cards," added Brick, pointing to another facet of integration.
Raised with a developmentally disabled sister and the mother of a developmentally disabled son, both now deceased, Brick has been a passionate advocate for the disabled for decades. She watched mother integrate her sister, Hermine, into their lives and later was proud to provide an independent setting for her sister's later years.
"I always feel it's their home and we're here to make it happen," said Brick, who serves as development director of the Community Living Endowment Fund.
The MSU vs. U-M Alumni Hockey Game will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 21 at Centre Ice. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at Brick Wheels, the Howe Arena, Centre Ice and Dave Harvey's Athletic Supply. For more information on the Community Living Center programs, call MaryAnne Macy at 932-9050, extension 15.