Newsletter: Friday, February 5th
Updates on COVID-19 Vaccine
People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and their Families and Support Workers (PSWs and DSPs) can get the Vaccine now.
Vaccine Clinics are still being held regularly at the Portland Airport and Convention Center, and many smaller, community based clinics are being organized regularly. For the most up-to-date information on how to get your vaccine, visit our website here.
The Oregon Support Services Association put out a great video on IDD specific COVID-19 Vaccine Information - you can watch it here!
If you have questions that you cannot find the answer to on our website, please contact us directly at info@communitypath.org.
If you are having trouble getting an appointment or using one of the online appointment systems, contact your PA for more information.
If you have had both doses of your vaccine, you will still need to continue to social distance. You will also still need to wear a face covering over your mouth and nose while around people you do not live with (including in a car or on public transit). You should also be using hand sanitizer and washing your hands regularly! Though the vaccine will help protect you from COVID-19, you can still pass it on to others. There are also new versions of the coronavirus and no one is sure, yet, how the vaccine will protect against these new varieties. If we work together we can help stop the spread!
Black History Month
Black History Month is a yearly celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time to recognize their fundamental role in U.S. history. The 2021 theme for Black History month is, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity”. We encourage everyone to spend time this month studying the diversity, history, and incredible contributions of our black community.
For more information on the background of Black History Month, see here. Remember racism ends with each of us. More than ever we need to come together as a community to ensure the safety and security of all.
Local and virtual things you can do to celebrate Black History Month:
Support local Black-owned restaurants
Virtually attend the Cascade Festival of African Films Feb 5 - Mar 10
Check out the Portland Jazz Festival’s virtual events, Feb 18-27
Attend a virtual webinar about the Tuskegee Airmen, Feb 17, 11am PST
Support Black owned shops on Etsy
Virtually attend the Black History Month Festival / Hosted by ASALH, Association for the Study of African American Life and History
Valentine’s Day
Every February 14th chocolates, flowers and valentines are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. Who was this mysterious saint and where did these traditions come from?
Valentine’s Day (or the Feast of Saint Valentine) originated as a Western Christian feast day, which honored the Christian martyrs Saint Valentine. It is a cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world (not just the US).
The Legend of St. Valentine
Source: history.com
February has been celebrated as a month of romance for thousands of years, but who was the real St. Valentine? In one legend, Valentine was a priest during the third century in Rome. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than married men, so he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
Another story suggested that Valentine was sentenced to death for helping Christians to escape harsh Roman prisons. While being held captive himself, Valentine fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, he supposedly wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” a saying that is still in use today.
Valentine’s Day: A Day of Romance
In Medieval times, February 14th was believes to be the beginning of the mating season for birds. Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet, was the first to write about Valentine’s Day as a romantic celebration. In his 1375 poem “Parliament of Fools”, he wrote, “For this was sent on Saint Valentine’s day / When every fool comes to choose his mate.”
Who Is Cupid?
The modern day Cupid is usually shown on Valentine’s Day cards, shooting arrows of love! This cupid is based on the Greek God of love, Eros. Eros was very handsome and played with the emotions of Gods and men. He used gold arrows to provoke love, and lead arrows to spread hate.
Valentine’s Day Craft
Source: 123Homeschool
This month’s craft is a cute cloud and heart mobile! It is quite easy to make from items you may have lying around and can be hung just about anywhere. It’s the perfect thing to chase away those winter blues and celebrate Valentine’s Day!
Materials
Red construction paper (or red card stock paper)
Cotton balls
String
Scissors
Glue (school glue will work best)
Instructions
Source: 123Homeschool
Build your cloud. Start by gluing a loop of string to one cotton ball. This will be the top of your cloud – where you will hang it from when complete.
Keep gluing more cotton balls to the first one to create a cloud shape. Our cloud used about 20 cotton balls. Set the cloud aside until it dries.
While the cloud is drying, trace the outline of different-sized hearts on a sheet of red paper. We used six hearts for our cloud, but you can use as many as you’d like. Cut out the hearts.
Cut a random length of string for each heart that you have. You want the hearts to hang at different levels, so make sure you have some longer and some shorter strings. Glue the end of the string to the back of each heart.
When the glue is dry, glue the top of the strings to the bottom of the cloud. Keep it random for best results. Set aside to dry.
When the glue is completely dry, hang the raining hearts cloud mobile from a window, door knob, doorway, or anywhere else you like.
Upcoming Events & Advocacy
2021 DD Advocacy Days, Go! Project
Source: Oregon DD Coalition
Join the Oregon DD Coalition for their GO! Online Advocacy Workshops! Workshops take place the 2nd Wednesday of every month starting in February. During these meetings, you will learn how to connect with your legislators and practice your messaging before visits with them, as well as learn about the Coalition’s Advocacy Priority Topics. Make sure to wear something yellow to show your support!
Dates: February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9
Time: 10:00AM – 1:00PM PST
For more information, visit the coalition’s website or their Facebook page (@orddcoalition).
OHSU University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities is now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Advocacy and Building Community Program!
Source: OHSU
Are you between 18-25 years old and interested in learning more about yourself, working with others, and exploring the outdoors? Do you want to develop your independence, self-determination and leadership skills? If so, this UCEDD program may be a great fit for you!
Application Deadline: February 12, 2021
Program Cost: $250 per year / *Families with financial barriers are encouraged to contact the UCEDD to discuss options
To find out more, visit www.ohsu.edu/abcprogram for more information and application details!
Housing Independence – DSA Virtual Events
Source: Housing Independence
Housing Independence is offering one free event to anyone who is interested in trying out their DSA program! They have many different types of events in February including: Bingo, Movie Nights, Cooking Club, Yoga and Arts and Crafts! They will be introducing Workouts, Harry Potter Read Along, Makeup Tutorial, Pet Care and more! The cost of all supplies are covered.
To sign up for your free event, or if you have any questions, email Rene Alton at renea@housingindepndence.org.
If you are interested in joining the DSA Program after your free event, contact their Program Director, Jessie Roberts, at jessier@housingindependence.org.
The Grateful Moth Collective – Healthy Lifestyles Program
Source: via e-mail
The Grateful Moth Collective is offering a virtual Healthy Lifestyles program starting Thursday, February 4! The Grateful Moth Collective is passionate about supporting the Oregon disability community, and focuses on holistic health, wellness and disability justice.
Healthy Lifestyles will run for 10 classes, and was designed for and by folks who experience disabilities. The program focuses on emotional, social and physical health.
When: Thursdays, 1-3pm PST, beginning February 4th for 10 weeks
Where: Zoom!
To register, or for more info, email Kate kwilliamspaul@gmail.com.
Tax Planning Webinar for I/DD Families
As a parent or caregiver supporting an individual experiencing disability, understanding tax planning can be difficult!
Palladio Consulting is hosting a zoom webinar with guest speaker John Kuder, CPA. The webinar will focus on the tax deductions, exemptions, and credits available to you as a family experiencing disability.
When: Wednesday, February 17th at 12:00PM / Via Zoom
Cost: $30.00
Fighting COVID: Understanding the COVID-19 Vaccine
Source: abicommunity
Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine? Join NW Disability Support’s Social Justice Youth Group with Dr. Joe Sullivan MD for a virtual event specifically designed for youth and adults who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you need Spanish interpretation, please register and make a note that you need translation services by Thursday, February 11th.
Details: Thursday, February 18, 3-5pm (PST) / Via Zoom
Webinar: Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
Join OHSU UCEDD for an informative webinar with emergency preparedness experts Wesley Witherspoon and Donna Harris. Learn about how to prepare for an emergency so you can Feel Safe and Be Safe and how to create a Power Outage Plan if the electricity goes out.
When: Monday, March 1, 5-6:30PM PST
Questions? Contact Angie at stapleta@ohsu.edu.
Office Closure: President’s Day
CPI’s offices will be closed on Monday, February 15th in observance of Presidents’ Day. We will re-open Tuesday, February 16th at 9:00AM.
