Members of the Mission Self Advocacy Group helped distribute meals to people in their community who are vulnerable and homeless.
Last year, the Mission Self Advocacy Group decided more work was needed to welcome and value people in their community who were vulnerable and homeless.
They partnered with restaurant Copper Hall and the Fraser Valley Union Gospel Mobile Unit in January to prepare and distribute more than 40 nutritious brown bag lunches with the handwritten message “You Matter” in downtown Mission.
Tracy Martin, group President, wasn’t able attend the event herself that day, but she heard feedback. “It was absolutely amazing,” she said. “It touched my heart knowing we were able to help the less fortunate.”
The giving back event was the latest of many the group is doing to become better known, build relationships and change minds about people with disabilities.
Tracy has been with the group for about 28 years and works closely with Vice President Bryce Schaufelberger who has been a member for about 30 years.
“I’ve gotta say we have grown,” says Tracy. “Back in the day, our fundraiser was pop bottles. Now we’re holding a pub night each year, and this year we held a silent auction.”
The funds have helped the group to become independent, renting their own space for monthly meetings of between 13 and 28 people.
The group is now focused on outreach, says Tracy. “Getting out in the community more, but also meeting with our Mission City Council, our mayor, and others. We are getting them to recognize us, our needs and what we are advocating for.”
In addition to meeting annually with their MLA and mayor, the group held a World Café event in January 2023. The entire city council and members of the public attended to learn about topics important to people with disabilities including transportation, housing, mental health, safety and accessibility. The group compiled their findings and presented them to city council, MLAs, their MP and the local rotary group. They followed this with an Accessibility Awareness Day on June 8, 2024.
And the group shows no signs of slowing down. Says Bryce, “Now we are going to help other groups,” including with a document to show others how to organize these kinds of activities.
Bryce says he wants to encourage new people to join self-advocacy groups. “If anyone is interested in starting, we want to help people know what the group is for. Come and join because it opens up things for you, and you will find things you haven’t thought about before.”
| Click here to watch a video created by the Mission Self Advocacy Group to create awareness around community inclusion. |