Inclusion Fusion: CAC December ’24 Newsletter

Andreas Reflects on His Internship & Final Term on The Far Northern Coordinating Council

Author, Andreas E.
Contributions by Tre K.

REDDING, Calif. — As Andreas Economopoulos approaches the end of his final term on the board of the Far Northern Regional Center (FNRC), he reflects on his two-year paid internship with Impact Solutions, which concluded on the first of this month. The program, he explained, allowed him to explore his passion for music education, particularly teaching individuals with disabilities.

“My internship was focused on testing my ability to teach piano and music theory to those with disabilities,” said Economopoulos. “It gave me the chance to see what I could do in that space, and it turned out well.”

Economopoulos’s passion for music was reignited during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when he questioned his next steps in life. “God was telling me to get back into music,” he shared. “I’ve always wanted to travel and work with people with disabilities, but COVID put a pause on that. So, I looked at my piano and thought, ‘I can teach this.'”

However, his journey into teaching wasn’t without its challenges. He recounted reading discouraging statements from professionals claiming that individuals with developmental disabilities couldn’t learn to play piano. “I dropped the book on the floor and thought, ‘No way.’ I was told I couldn’t, and I did. So, I knew I could teach others with disabilities to play piano too.”

The success of his internship shifted his career plans, leading him to focus on helping anyone interested in learning piano, regardless of their abilities. “That’s where I see my career now,” said Economopoulos. “I want to teach piano to anyone who wants to learn.”

During his time with Impact Solutions, Economopoulos also had the opportunity to attend the Cotati Music Festival, a highlight of his experience. “Thank you to transportation provided by Impact Solutions, I was able to attend a wonderful weekend at the festival, where one of my long-time friends from Oakland joined me,” he said. Using savings from his Paid Internship Program work, he covered the cost of tickets, meals, lodging, and even purchased new accordion straps, a book on accordion history, and a 60-base, 26-key accordion that suits his playing needs. 

“The trip provided several social and learning opportunities,” he added. “I met many other accordion players and teachers, listened to professional performances, and even had the chance to play with them in front of the stage. I spent hours jamming with fellow accordionists in the festival’s JAM tent.”

Looking ahead, Economopoulos plans to return to the festival annually, with hopes of volunteering in the future.

He emphasized the value of the Impact Solutions internship program, saying it’s an excellent opportunity for participants to either find employment or pursue business ideas. “It helps people find their path,” he said.

As Economopoulos’s time on the FNRC board comes to an end, he envisions continuing his advocacy work through music. He hopes to use platforms like Zoom or YouTube to reach more students in Siskiyou County, where finding clients has been challenging. “It’s been slow, but I plan to set up more opportunities to let people know I’m teaching piano.”

Looking ahead, Economopoulos plans to organize small concerts featuring students he has taught. “I see a ministry coming together, where we can travel and perform gospel songs,” he said.

When asked about his future advocacy efforts, Economopoulos is clear about his mission: “Through my music, I want to show people that individuals with disabilities can achieve great things. That’s the new advocacy.”

Though his self-penned song about overcoming challenges in life isn’t available online yet, Economopoulos hopes to release it once he acquires new equipment to record and upload his work. “I’m looking forward to getting it out there for people to hear,” he said.

As his journey with FNRC comes to a close, Economopoulos remains committed to spreading the message of empowerment through music and self-advocacy.

Celebrating The Holidays With Our People First of California Chapters

Author, William M.

People First chapters celebrate the holiday season in many different ways. Some do charitable things for their communities while others just get together and have fun like playing games or eating meals. There are no rules to how chapters should celebrate the holidays. That’s the great thing about People First advocates. They can voice their opinion on what to do for the holiday season. Members come from different backgrounds with various ideas on how to celebrate the end of the year. Let me share with you a few things on what our region’s chapters do to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s.

One Christmas, the Chico chapter went out to a restaurant and members exchanged gifts. This was a casual gathering and didn’t involve any of our helpers. Every year we turn our December meeting into a Christmas party where we play games, sing songs and exchange gifts. One year a member brought holiday themed arts and crafts projects for us to work on. There were wooden ornaments with paint we could use to color them however we liked. There was also a decorative cookie maker set where a person puts frosting and sprinkles on a blank cookie.

This year the Red Bluff chapter is having a Christmas party. They will have a gift exchange with the limit being 5 dollars as well as have cookies and juice. The Sierras Chapter has a spaghetti dinner, followed by an overnight trip to Reno for a white elephant gift exchange at their program. Christmas is a time for family for the Corning chapter members, who like to go see their family and friends. The Chapter celebrates by having food, playing games and having other fun activities like singing holiday songs. These fun activities help bring chapter members closer together and are a fun way to strengthen our bond as advocates.

Chapters can also do things to support their communities during the holiday season. Chapters choose to ring the Salvation Army Bell and collect donations to help support programs that provide food, toys and other necessities families need during the holiday season. People First chapters have many ways to ring in the new year by setting goals for themselves as well as discuss where they’re at as a group. They turn their eyes moving forward to see how they can get new members or guest speakers to come and provide information to their chapter members. The Shasta chapter had a membership drive where the member who brought in the most new members won a 15 dollar gift card. Chapters also make sure business is taken care of, like making sure officers know when their terms end and how much money they have in their funds. The first meeting of the year is a great way for advocates to voice their opinions on how they want to help their community. Chapters are required to find ways to give back to their communities. They can give money or volunteer to help charities. There is no shortage of ways chapters can choose to give back to their communities. Every member has their own ideas on what to do. All they need to do is share their ideas with their fellow members.

Serving the Community During the Holidays: My First Season as a Volunteer Firefighter

Author, Adrian H.
Contributions by Tre K.

As the holiday season approaches, it’s an exciting time for the fire department and the community we serve. This year marks my first holiday season as a volunteer firefighter, and while I’m still learning the ropes, I’m proud to be part of the team that brings both joy and safety to our local neighborhoods.

One of the big events we participate in every year is the Christmas Light Parade. It’s a tradition here, and though I’m not sure how long the fire department has been involved, it’s always something the community looks forward to. This year, the parade is happening on the last weekend of November, and we’ll be there, as always, to help kick off the holiday season.

While we don’t have any other specific holiday traditions at the fire department, I can say that we stay actively engaged with the community year-round. Unfortunately, we’re not running charity drives or toy collections this year, mainly because we’ve been focused on rebuilding our fire station. The process has been moving along well, and we recently secured $1.5 million from the board of directors to help with the project. We’re currently waiting on final approvals for road access, but everything’s on track.

For those in the community who want to get involved with our holiday efforts, I’d say the best way to support us is just by showing up and being part of these local events. Whether it’s cheering us on at the parade or simply stopping by to say hello, community support goes a long way.

Of course, with the holidays also comes the need for extra caution, especially when it comes to fire safety. We always encourage people to double-check their decorations and heating equipment before using them. Make sure you’re not using faulty wiring, and check your connections to avoid any accidents. One of the biggest risks during the holidays is Christmas trees. They can dry out and catch fire quickly, so it’s important to keep them well-watered and away from heat sources.

While I’m still new to the fire department, I’ve already seen how things ramp up during the holidays. We respond to more calls, and the department stays busy. I’m still getting used to the increased demand, but our team is ready to handle whatever comes our way.

Balancing my role as a firefighter with my responsibilities as a board member for Far Northern Regional Center has been easier than I expected. Being a first responder is all about being ready when people need help, and that sense of service applies to both roles. I’ve found that the two roles complement each other, and I’m able to give my all to both.

What keeps me going, especially during the holiday season when most people are focused on family and celebrations, is the simple fact that I get to help others. Knowing that I’m making a difference in someone’s life, even in a small way, is what drives me to continue serving as a volunteer firefighter.

As we head into the holiday season, I encourage everyone to stay safe, be mindful of fire risks, and most importantly, enjoy this time with family and friends. On behalf of the fire department, I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

How To Manage Self-Care During The Winter

Author, Kim L.

As the winter months approach, it is extremely hard to remember to do some self-care for your own self. We all can get a little bit caught up with other stuff in our lives.
There are so many ways to help with self-care:

1. One way is to do some coloring to calm your mind and get rid of stress.
2. Another way is to go for small walks when the weather is nice so you can keep your body moving and stay healthy. You can even go to the mall to walk when it is raining. If you have a dog, you may not realize that you are probably already doing some self-care by taking your dog out on small walks!
3. A third way is to drink plenty of water in the winter so you do not get dehydrated. Did you know wintertime people get more dehydrated than summertime people, because they do not think to drink water in winter since it is not hot.
4. Look through some cookbooks to try and find a new recipe to cook.
5. Make some gifts for friends and family since the holidays are coming up. Doing some crafts is also a way to do self-care and you are making gifts for your loved ones as well.
6. Do some journaling about your day, moods, places etc.

Holidays Are for Caring: A Tradition of Giving Continues

Author, Tre K.

Redding, Calif. — Joe Cullis, Vice President and Regional Manager at Tri Counties Bank and Chair of the Far Northern Coordinating Council is a key supporter of the program. In a recent interview, Joe spoke about the personal and deep-rooted connection his family has to the program.

“My mom, Kay Cullis, was instrumental in helping to launch the program. She secured some of the original donors and sponsorships and helped ensure that the program got off the ground,” Joe said. “At her time at Far Northern, before she passed away, she continued to be a go-to person for Holidays Are for Caring, helping to make sure that it happens every year. I remember even when I was young, hearing her talk about the program and how important it was to her.”

Since 2004, the Holidays Are For Caring program has brought joy and gifts to persons supported of the Far Northern Regional Center (FNRC). Individuals, businesses, service providers, families and community members donate money to the charity fund which is then used to provide gifts to individuals with developmental disabilities who may not otherwise receive a gift during the holiday season.

Joe is proud of his company’s continued support of the program, emphasizing Tri Counties Bank’s dedication to ensuring the program remains well-funded.

“I’m really happy to share and excited about my company, Tri Counties Bank, and their commitment to the program. Since I started serving on the board of directors, Tri Counties has made an annual generous donation directly to the program to help ensure that it continues to stay funded for the year and for many years to come,” he said. Tri Counties Bank shows its commitment to the program. “We have done it every year. $3,000 this year for Holidays Are for Caring 2024, and we’re planning to continue to donate in years to come,” Joe shared.

Joe also shared a cherished memory from his childhood that involved the program’s efforts to raise awareness. “The thing that I remember the most about Holidays Are for Caring from when I was a kid is my mom with the giant teddy bear. She had a teddy bear that was probably the size of two full-grown people that she would try to stuff in the back of her car and take to places to help raise awareness about the program,” he said.

He explained how the giant teddy bear became a symbol for the program and drew attention, helping to garner donations and promote the cause. “I think she used that as something to get people’s attention, to help spur donations. I do remember that being a symbol of Holidays Are for Caring and something that really brought a lot of joy to people.”

“It started out to provide people in out-of-home placement with a Christmas gift, the ones who didn’t have family,” said Cindy Presidio former Far Northern Regional Center Executive Assistant, reflecting on its origins.

The fundraiser was first started by a local weather person before Kay Cullis took over and expanded its reach. Following Kay’s passing, the responsibility was handed down to Cindy Presidio and other FNRC staff members, who have continued her work.

The process begins every year on Nov. 1, when letters requesting donations are sent out, and service coordinators are notified. These coordinators then nominate two to three individuals from their caseloads, focusing on individuals who may not receive gifts from other sources. Once the nominations are collected, volunteers, including FNRC staff, step in to assist with shopping, wrapping, and delivering the gifts. The program is person-centered and gifts are meant to be something meaningful that the individuals want, with requests ranging from bicycles to smart TVs. “The first year I took it, this entire room (gestures to executive break room) was filled with presents and wrapping paper,” said Cindy.

This year, FNRC is placing a special emphasis on employee engagement. New activities, such as holiday card-making and gift-wrapping days, have been introduced to involve more staff in the process. Employees will also have the opportunity to pick gift tags from a Christmas tree, allowing them to purchase gifts for individuals directly instead of simply donating cash.

Over the years, the Holidays Are for Caring program has grown significantly, with donations sometimes totaling between $13,000 and $15,000 annually. One year, after the devastating Camp Fire, the program received additional support from other regional centers, with $150 gift cards sent from as far as Southern California.

As the 2024 holiday season approaches, FNRC staff are preparing to carry on the legacy of Holidays Are for Caring, ensuring that each person supported experiences the joy of the season, no matter their circumstances.

For more information about how to participate or donate, visit FNRC’s website or follow them on social media for updates.

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