Empowering Individuals with Disabilities to Enhance Their Quality of Life

Summer is upon us, unemployment is at it's highest since the 1970's, and the "uncertainty with the state budget outcome is a number one concern for everyone in California.

Word is that many non-profits may go away and have to close their doors as these organizations struggle to continue to provide quality services and do more with less (with decreased fees and cutbacks)!

We have a choice: to see and create opportunities in these tough times or worry about where to cut costs and programs. We at MORE are choosing to "step-up" our outreach efforts to appreciate and nurture our current donors and encourage would-be donors.

As this message is being written the staff at MORE are planning for an open house, calling it "Gold Strike Night", an occasion for our donors, potential donors, and leaders of our community to discover the riches of the services offered by MORE. They will learn that their support is enriching the lives of people who at one point and time were shuffled off to institutions and believed to be burdens to society. Those whom we serve are now becoming productive, contributing citizens to our community. They have representation at every level of this organization from the Board, Committees, and now three of the people we serve are successful employees of this organization.

MORE's "Success Stories" of individuals who have achieved their dreams and created new dreams for themselves are plentiful! We value and appreciate the people we serve because every day they are our teachers as we support them in their effort to become better at making decisions and choices for themselves.

These times are the perfect opportunity for transforming the organization to advance and strengthen our business side so when the economic up-turn happens we can be ready and have staff trained to think expansively. We are looking at our organization internally to make changes by providing staff with the motivation to "own" their services and make them the best they can be for our clients, wile increasing revenues in the process.

At MORE we put service at the heart of everything we do! Asking people what thye want, getting feedback, responding to what they say, and providing services that exceed their expectations. At MORE we take every opportunity to create a positive bond with our customers and employees whether it's service to our clients, customers, or the community at large.

We are increasing our marketing and fund development activities while creating new services and planting seeds for future services based on the ever-changing demands and needs of our clients, families, and customers. We are about to embark on a new endeavor with our Independent Living Services, fulfilling the dreams of many adults with developmental disabilities who desire to live in their own homes or apartment and make decisions and choices for themselves.

At MORE we have worked and continue to work at developing a culture of teamwork, caring, and open communications. We are learning to accept all the new life lessons that come our way every day in every way and apply them in an environment that is energized by powerful positive energy. Our staff and clients have created new committees and taskforces initiated by their own motivation to address a need within tthe organization. We now have a Website Committee, Grants Committee, and Penny Pinching Committee, all created at the initiation of staff and clients.

We are vigilant at building relationships, partnerships, and collaborations within and outside the organization. At MORE we have realized the outcomes of successful relationships and partnerships! We dream about involving the community in innovative ways to expand our facilities by partnering with other community non-profits, businesses, or local schools and community college groups. This is an area where opportunities abound and in the last 3 months the creation of alliances, partnerships, and collaborations have been formed and these are opportunities that might not have happened if it weren't for these "tough times".

We have BIG dreams at MORE as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. MORE is fortunate to have strong leadership in our Board and Management Team and a dedicated, passionate, committed staff, with a core group of parents and family members who provide support beyond expectations. We are also fortunate to exist in El Dorado County where the people of the community provide us with support and "miracles" every day.

MORE thrives because of all the stakeholders associated with our organization and we thank you for blessing us with your support.

Susie Davies