Green Mountain Self Advocates Staff

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    Governor Douglas, Agency of Human Services Secretary Hofmann, Secretary of Administration Launderville, Policymakers and Citizens of Vermont
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We, the undersigned individuals, families, friends, community members, policymakers -- are writing in support of continued staffing for Green Mountain Self Advocates (GMSA). GMSA is a nationally recognized organization that has helped Vermont earn a reputation as a role model for serving citizens with developmental disabilities in the community. GMSA is a state-wide network of more than 600 youth and adults with developmental disabilities. This grassroots organization provides technical assistance to 18 thriving local groups in every corner of Vermont, from Bennington and Brattleboro to Newport, and more groups are added every year. GMSA goes to the heart of the quality of life for Vermonters with developmental disabilities. Anyone who attends the annual conference can see and feel the power and devotion of this wonderful network. GMSA trains people with developmental disabilities to protect themselves from abuse and understand their rights and responsibilities as community members. It also educates community members to welcome people with developmental disabilities in communities throughout Vermont. Education directly from people with developmental disabilities supports Vermont to achieve the promise it made when Brandon Training School was closed. GMSA needs to continue to have a Consumer Development Coordinator position for it to survive, and Vermont needs GMSA to grow and thrive for us to keep our promise to our citizens with developmental disabilities.

494 Signatures

  • Lindsey Hescock
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Middlebury, VT, 05753
  • Gabe DeAngelis
    • Comments
    • I grew up in Montpelier and know several people from around the community who participate in Green Mountain Self Advocates. I support the program and know it needs to continue.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Montpelier, VT 05602
  • Susan Yuan
    • Comments
    • Please reconsider the decision to eliminate the position.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Jericho, VT 05465
  • Giovanna Peebles
    • Comments
    • GMSA and Karen Topper are of ultmost importance to Vermont's vulnerable disabled community. This is one part of government that cannot be cut. Thank you.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • 05602
  • Michael Giangreco
    • Comments
    • Restoring the position for GMSA is vital to many people wih developmental disabilities
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Richmond, VT 05477
  • Greg Mairs
    • Comments
    • Community Associates, CSAC
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Middlebury, VT
  • Karen Noone
    • Comments
    • As a special educator of student with significant needs, I believe the most beneficial teaching I have done is to teach self-advocacy skills. I would not have become involved in this movement if it hadn't been for Karen Topper.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Moretown
  • Beth Davis
    • Comments
    • I have an adult son with a disability who benefits greatly by his local self-advocy group. It is more important to his quality of life than any other service that he receives. GMSA is the glue that holds the local chapters together. Please do not cut this essential position that is a critical support system for Vermont's most vulnerable citizens!
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Middlebury, VT 05753
  • Christina Karl
    • Comments
    • we nned these people to help us!!!!
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • north Montpelier vt 05666
  • Michael Davis
    • Comments
    • this is a vital service to an underserved population, please reinstate funding
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Middlebury
  • melinda hammann
    • Comments
    • Community Associates - CSAC
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Middlebury, VT 05753
  • Anne Bakeman
  • Karen Price
    • Comments
    • Please please stop taking away supports to our citizens with developmental disabilities, our most vulnerable population. Stop whittling away at the promise made when the Brandon Training School was closed.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Essex, VT 05452
  • Susan Ciappara
    • Comments
    • do not let this happen .
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • barre, vermont,05641
  • finbar ciappara
    • Comments
    • ilike to go gmsa
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • barre vermont 05641
  • Lance Mead
    • Comments
    • help
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Brandon, VT 05733
  • Deborah Lisi-Baker
  • Robert Price
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Essex, VT 05452
  • Lisa Maynes
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Colchester, VT 05446
  • David Horton
    • Comments
    • The foundation of good services is organized advocacy and GMSA has kept Vermont informed and up to date on the rights of persons with disabilities.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
  • Bryan Dague
    • Comments
    • This position in essential for people with developmental disabilities to be active members of society. Please reinstate this position.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Burlington, VT 05401
  • Chris Nicholas
  • Dr. Philip Smith
    • Comments
    • As the former director of the VT Self-Determination Project, I know that GMSA had a key role in placing VT in the forefront for making self-determination an important issue in developmental services across the country. Cutting their only support person's job will eliminate VT as a key player on the national stage in self-advocacy and self-determination. I urge you to reconsider this move.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Farmington, MI 48336
  • Ed Paquin
    • Comments
    • Karen Topper's assistance has made ALL the difference for GMSA!!
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Fairfax, VT 05454
  • Kimberly Carroll
    • Comments
    • This makes a very negative statement to people with developmental disabilities about the importance of their self advocacy movement.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Windsor, Vt
  • David Andrews
    • Comments
    • The self-advocate program has been of tremendous value to at least 20 of our consumers at the Counseling Service of Addison County, and the loss of staff support at the state level would be a major blow.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Middlebury VT 05753
  • Sarah Launderville
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Montpelier, Vermont 05602
  • Mickey Bonges
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Essex Jct., VT 05452
  • Patty Grassette
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • eden, vt,05652,
  • Nancy Breiden
  • Sherrie Brunelle
  • Michael Sabourin
    • Comments
    • individuals need the support of this position
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Marshfield, VT 05658
  • Lisa Lynch, ARC Rutland Area
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Rutland, VT 05701
  • Kaitlin Miller
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Burlington, VT 05401
  • Melissa Marden
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Middlesex, Vermont 05602
  • Megan Morrisey
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Burlington, VT 05401
  • Morgan W. Brown
    • Comments
    • instead of viciously cutting either positions or salaries like these it is time to begin cutting the positions within the upper and middle echelons of the administration more than may have already been the case thus far, positions which are full of political hacks and not ones like these of persons whose role it is to help those across the state providing crucial services or supports to people most in need.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Montpelier, VT, 05602
  • Eileen Sullivan
    • Comments
    • I attended a GMSA forum facilitated by Karen Topper & the self-empowerment & confidence of the participants was awesome - just as it should be for all of us. The organization obviously serves an important & much needed purpose in affording an oft-neglected group of citizens full participation in their society, & the same full lives we all desire.
  • Janet Hancock
    • Comments
    • We must keep this organization vibrant and visible with the leadership of Topper. I completely concur with the petition statement as to the importance and necessity of this organization to the citizens of Vermont.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Burlington 05401
  • Hilary Melton
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Richmond, VT 05477
  • Anthony Knox
  • laura a shail
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Colchester, Vermont 05446
  • James Pontbriand
    • Comments
    • This is the most cost effective way to provide theses services.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • 05602
  • Susan Ryan
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • 05486
  • Charles Martin Crocker, Jr.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • 05446
  • Joanne Wechsler
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Jericho, VT 05465
  • Sharon Alderman
    • Comments
    • Ms. Topper has had a significant impact in VT, nationally and internationally toward equalization of human rights. Please reconsider the need for this position.
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • Northfield, VT 05663
  • Marsha J. Bancroft
  • Mark A. Kennedy
    • Comments
    • Please support GMSA! Isn't the ability to function to the best of one's ability a goal we, as a State, support for all citizens?
    • Town, State, Zip Code
    • South Hero, VT, 05486
  • Arlene Averill