Self Advocacy Group "People First" to Hold Auction
Self-determination, and the ability to choose what is best for oneself is a right most of us may take for granted.
One organization in Auglaize County is trying to help a vulnerable group achieve this for themselves. To help them along their way, they’re planning on holding a quarter auction.
People First of Auglaize County is a self-advocacy group for people with learning difficulties, intellectual, or physical disabilities, and/or people with disabilities who speak up for themselves.
“One of our goals is to get people to see the person, not the disability,” said Drema Myers, an advisor for People First.
“Its so people can realize how much they’re capable of doing. Having a job, self advocates, they’re just like us with supports,” Renee Goodwin, another advisor chimed in.
People First is a national organization with chapters throughout the country. Its board of directors, just like its membership, are people with disabilities. From the national organization to the local, self determination is at the center of what they hope to achieve.
For Auglaize County, People First came to be twelve years ago.
“A few of our folks went to a conference to check out People First of Ohio because we didn’t have a self-advocate group in Auglaize County,” said Goodwin, who also works with Myers at Benchmark Human Services in
St. Marys. Both Goodwin and Myers volunteer their time to be advisors for People First. “They came back and decided to start a chapter.”
Myers noted that because there aren’t any other People First organizations close to Auglaize County, that they have members from Shelby, Allen, and Mercer Counties that are members.
“The really cool thing is that we’ve seen it grow. We’re currently at thirty-two members that attend our meetings on a regular basis,” said Goodwin.
“We have meetings each month, we attend these meetings and we’re there as their advocates and support,” said Myers.
She also noted that as advisors, they’re available more than just the meetings. “We’re natural supports for them, they call us when something happens, and we help them make decisions.”
Goodwin wanted to make something clear; “They run People First, we’re just here to advise them.” Goodwin also said that they vote to choose who becomes an advisor, and they can also vote on myriad other topics, down to the menu choices for the meetings.
Laura Boice and Marilyn Poeppelman are both members of People First of Auglaize county, and they had a lot to say about the organization. “I like it, they’re good to me. It helps me out. I like to help people out,” said Boice.
Boice is soon to be eighty-four, and shared some of her life experiences with me from when she was a child.
“When I was was 15 I got sent way. I was treated mean. I slept on the floor. I had to eat meals on the floor,” Boice said. That was until her sister Bernice came to save her from the terrible conditions when she was old enough to do so. She said her biggest fear is that, “I’m afraid of going back to an institution. It was bad.”
Its hard to imagine someone treating an artist ,who runs a painting business on Facebook called ‘Abstract Views By Laura Boice’, terribly because she’s isn’t like everyone else.
Marilyn said of People First; “I like coming to meetings. I learn a lot of different things.” I asked her how she got into the organization, and she pointed directly at Boice and said “some girl asked me to join”, which made
Boice chuckle. until they run out of items. Goodwin noted that the event has historically gone until around 9:00 p.m., but it varies year to year. “What our People First members do is hold an auction with all the money going to help fund training, and conferences for their local chapter,” said Myers. “It also helps them to get to know the community. We’ve seen a lot of familiar faces from year to year, and they really support us,” said Goodwin. When it comes to the auction itself, Goodwin was clear; “We don’t help them set up the auction, they do it all themselves.” Myers then weighed in as well; “They run it, we’re just there to help them with whatever they need. Down to the money, they do everything themselves.”
When asked what people might find at the auction, both of the advisors jokingly said ‘everything’.
“We have everything. Tools, kitchen gadgets, gift cards, a grills, foosball table, massagers, all kinds of things. We have themed baskets, and big ticket items,” said Myers. They also said that they’re still accepting donations, and will do so even the day of the event.
For more information about People First of Auglaize County you can call 419-300-8771 and ask for People First. You can also visit their Facebook page by searching Auglaize County People First.