Transition Network sponsors series on Building Bridge to Future

Three organizations are hosting a three-part series on subjects ranging from transition services to person-centered planning.

Sponsors for the initial training session, which runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Oakland Public School System headquarters at 2111 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford, include the Regional Inclusive Community Coalition, Oakland Schools, and the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority.

At the first session, Annie Lubliner-Lehmann, will speak about what she has learned in raising a son with autism.

Lubliner-Lehmann, who published “The Accidental Teacher: Life Lessons from My Silent Son?” will speak about her personal experiences with transition and person centered planning.

She has been a freelance writer for more than 25 years, has published articles in many newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times and Detroit Free Press.

The second session will be held Nov. 5 at the same location and is entitled: “Community Mental Health: Eligibility to Services” while the final session on Dec. 3 is on “Person Centered Planning: The Plan for Adult Life.”

The Oakland County Transition Network, a collaboration of committee members from OCCHMA, Oakland Schools, and the Oakland County Regional Interagency Consumer Committee, put together the series. To register, visit www.oakland.k12.mi.us or call (248) 209-2500 or (888) 263-3867.

If you have questions about the presentation content, call Cathy Schmidt at (248) 209-2504 or Lynda at (248) 975-9835. There is no cost to attend the training which is aimed at parents, young adults and those who support transition, said Lynn Maginity, executive director of Imaginity@newgateways.org.

The series will take a closer look at transition for students with an Individual Education Plan as they move from school to adult community agency supports. Learn planning tools, the process, and resources at the training sessions. Each session will feature a parent and/or a young adult sharing their tips and lessons learned.

Lubliner-Lehmann lives in Michigan with her husband and two of her three children. Her eldest son, 24, has severe autism. All proceeds from the book will be donated to the research arm of Autism Speaks. Lubliner-Lehmann says she lives by John Ruskin’s words: “The primary reward for human toil is not what you get for it, but what you become by it?”

Ilitch Charities donates $50,000 to MORC

In front of 41,000 fans in Comerica Park, the Ilitch Charities gave $50,000 to the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center that will go to the Futures Foundations to provide money for items and services that government funding does not cover for those with disabilities that MORC serves in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

“It was a spectacular evening,” said Gerald Provencal, the executive director of MORC. “It was the greatest rainy night in my life,” he said. “Holding a check for $50,000 from the Ilitch family was an exciting, gratifying, and humbling experience.”

In addition to the donation, MORC received “tremendous recognition for the work we have been doing for the last 41 years and it will pay dividends to us well into the future,” said Provencal. “It’s a testament to the integrity and the passion of MORC and all of us who contribute to its success.”

Another exciting moment Friday Sept. 20 was when Mark Stillwell, who formerly lived in the state institution in Lapeer, rolled out onto the field in his wheelchair and watched the check-presentation ceremony. Tiger Manager Jim Leyland walked over and shook Mark’s hand and wished him all the best.

“The Ilitch companies are proud to be part of the fabric of our community, and giving back to the communities where we do business is very important to us,” said Christopher Ilitch. The $150,000 that went to MORC and two other nonprofits was raised in late August at the Sixth Annual Ilitch Charities Celebrity Golf Classic, the organization’s annual signature fundraising event.

“Among many other initiatives, our annual Ilitch Charities Celebrity Golf Classic is a great way for us to raise funds each and every year that go directly back into making our community a better place for all,” Ilitch said.

MORC was nominated for the award by Executive Programs Director Larry Hudas of Aon Risk Solutions of Southfield, who has been a long-time supporter and admirer of MORC’s humanitarian work.

Ilitch, the son of Tiger owners Mike and Marian Ilitch, presided over the event and presented MORC the check.

A picture of the check presentations was posted on the Tigers’ Facebook page after the Tiger-Chicago White Sox game which Detroit won 12-5.

Each of us walked out separately to receive the check and had our picture taken, Provencal said. Other recipients of $50,000 each were the Michigan Humane Society and Detroit Historical Society.

“It was a wonderful, wonderful night for MORC staff and consumers at the game. It will be long remembered by those who love MORC and love baseball.

Jerry Wolffe is the Writer-in-Residence/Advocate-at-Large at the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center. He can be reached at 586 263-8950.