Talk with 77-year-old Betty Stoffel about her past and you will soon see that her whole life has been a continuum of caring.
Betty Stoffel and We ‘R’ Able go together well. Stoffel has been at the helm of the program since its beginning 20 years ago.
That’s why it’s so easy to imagine her in the leadership position for the successful 20-year-old We ‘R’ Able program.
“Attitude is Everything” is the program’s slogan and the concept of people first, abilities next and disabilities last is strongly promoted. It’s a place where life-long learning is encouraged regardless of abilities.
If the truth be told, Stoffel’s “attitude” is that the word abilities should come without the “d-i-s” prefix.
In 1987, Stoffel was a member of the Adults with Disabilities (AWD) Advisory Committee. She was working at Chisago County Public Health.
In 1986 the Minnesota Legislature authorized and funded the Disabilities Grant. The AWD committee helped enable the local consortium grant received in 1987.
During the 1988-1989 school-year the Community Education directors of Pine City, Rush City, North Branch, Chisago and Taylors Falls advertised for a six-hour per week coordinator. Stoffel was hired and she still holds that position today.
Stoffel attributes much of her success in life and with the program to her years of involvement in 4-H and the mentoring of North Branch resident Esther Schmidt.
A teacher in many aspects all her life, Stoffel lights up when she talks about the We ‘R’ Able program.
“It’s been a gift for me,” she said, adding that it provided her with a purposeful life.
The one thing Stoffel always stresses about the program is that it’s not just for those with “disabilities” it’s a support group for all ages and abilities.
Stoffel noted that one focus of We ‘R’ Able is to provide appropriate and accessible offerings, classes and activities for persons with disabilities.
The definition of disabilities is any impairment that significantly inhibits a person’s ability to do one or more of life’s activities or the person is regarded as having any type of disability.
The target age for these participants is 14 and older. The duplicated census of participants in We ‘R’ Able programs for the school year 2007-2008 was 5,156 which included 3,730 persons with disabilities.
In that same year, there were 143 events from bowling to international cooking to movies and workshops, pizza and music nights, softball and more.
The inclusion of persons with disabilities in school and community events is another program goal. Other program purposes, Stoffel noted, are advocacy, outreach, education, support groups, socialization, information and referral, all regarding persons with different abilities.
The key to the successful program has been the volunteers. Stoffel noted that the program’s oldest volunteer is 94 and the youngest is four. “We encourage persons with disabilities to volunteer for We ‘R’ Able,” she said.
Ninety-four-year-old volunteer and participant Esther Schmidt, a retired college professor and local historian, told Stoffel, “The We ‘R’ Able support group that I attend is my most favorite activity that I have ever belonged to.”
Last fall, Schmidt prepared and presented a program on the 150th anniversary of the state of Minnesota, lest the celebration go unnoticed in this area.
Last year’s classes also included International Cooking classes. Cameroon native, Jerome Djam, along with his son, taught a class on African heritage and cultures.
Rose Marie Otterson and her two daughters-in-law, Lisa and Sha, both born in China, presented a Chinese cooking class.
Stoffel has even had professional health-care workers volunteer to lead classes on keeping fit, physically and mentally. Last year one program centered on Lyme disease, an appropriate topic for our rural communities.
It’s obvious Stoffel feels the volunteers are very valuable to the program. The donation of time, talents, money, assistance at events all help to make this an “awesome program.” she said.
“‘Able-bodied’ persons are welcome to attend events and volunteer regularly at program events. We call this reverse inclusion. Many of these individuals are amazed at the abilities and positive attitudes of persons with disabilities. It is really a rewarding group to work with.”
Limited funding is always an issue. Donations from individuals along with the time-consuming task of securing additional funds from the community have enabled staff to enrich program activities.
Use of facilities at senior centers, local service groups and community clubs help reduce the cost of running the program, along with volunteers who offer their time and talents.
Stoffel finds value in networking and collaboration with community resources such as schools, Extension Service, county public health, law enforcement, Family Pathways, and businesses such as a local cinema where the monthly Popcorn, Pop and a Picture Show is hosted.
The program is partially funded by the Minnesota Department of Education, (Community Education). The Consortium of Chisago Lakes, North Branch, Rush City and Pine City school districts help sponsor/fund the program, the budget is very small.
There are 38 Community Education grants for programs in Minnesota. The St. Croix River Education District (SCRED) is responsible for hosting and the management of the We ‘R’ Able grant. Fourteen other grants are also with consortiums. Individual and community donations, use of community facilities, volunteer performers and instructors, support from the media and radio stations and networking/cooperation with public, private and non-profit groups and local businesses are some of the many means to enable the program to achieve so much.
Stoffel never waivers on her belief that all people have abilities. She believes that community awareness is key to people first, ability second and disability last.
Source: ECM Post Review
May 6, 2009
USA: 77-Year-Old Betty's Whole Life Has Been a Continuum of Caring
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NORTH BRANCH, Minnesota / East Central Minnesota Post Review / May 6, 2009
We ‘R’ Able celebrates 20 years
By MaryHelen Swanson
Talk with 77-year-old Betty Stoffel about her past and you will soon see that her whole life has been a continuum of caring.
Betty Stoffel and We ‘R’ Able go together well. Stoffel has been at the helm of the program since its beginning 20 years ago.
That’s why it’s so easy to imagine her in the leadership position for the successful 20-year-old We ‘R’ Able program.
“Attitude is Everything” is the program’s slogan and the concept of people first, abilities next and disabilities last is strongly promoted. It’s a place where life-long learning is encouraged regardless of abilities.
If the truth be told, Stoffel’s “attitude” is that the word abilities should come without the “d-i-s” prefix.
In 1987, Stoffel was a member of the Adults with Disabilities (AWD) Advisory Committee. She was working at Chisago County Public Health.
In 1986 the Minnesota Legislature authorized and funded the Disabilities Grant. The AWD committee helped enable the local consortium grant received in 1987.
During the 1988-1989 school-year the Community Education directors of Pine City, Rush City, North Branch, Chisago and Taylors Falls advertised for a six-hour per week coordinator. Stoffel was hired and she still holds that position today.
Stoffel attributes much of her success in life and with the program to her years of involvement in 4-H and the mentoring of North Branch resident Esther Schmidt.
A teacher in many aspects all her life, Stoffel lights up when she talks about the We ‘R’ Able program.
“It’s been a gift for me,” she said, adding that it provided her with a purposeful life.
The one thing Stoffel always stresses about the program is that it’s not just for those with “disabilities” it’s a support group for all ages and abilities.
Stoffel noted that one focus of We ‘R’ Able is to provide appropriate and accessible offerings, classes and activities for persons with disabilities.
The definition of disabilities is any impairment that significantly inhibits a person’s ability to do one or more of life’s activities or the person is regarded as having any type of disability.
The target age for these participants is 14 and older. The duplicated census of participants in We ‘R’ Able programs for the school year 2007-2008 was 5,156 which included 3,730 persons with disabilities.
In that same year, there were 143 events from bowling to international cooking to movies and workshops, pizza and music nights, softball and more.
The inclusion of persons with disabilities in school and community events is another program goal. Other program purposes, Stoffel noted, are advocacy, outreach, education, support groups, socialization, information and referral, all regarding persons with different abilities.
The key to the successful program has been the volunteers. Stoffel noted that the program’s oldest volunteer is 94 and the youngest is four. “We encourage persons with disabilities to volunteer for We ‘R’ Able,” she said.
Ninety-four-year-old volunteer and participant Esther Schmidt, a retired college professor and local historian, told Stoffel, “The We ‘R’ Able support group that I attend is my most favorite activity that I have ever belonged to.”
Last fall, Schmidt prepared and presented a program on the 150th anniversary of the state of Minnesota, lest the celebration go unnoticed in this area.
Last year’s classes also included International Cooking classes. Cameroon native, Jerome Djam, along with his son, taught a class on African heritage and cultures.
Rose Marie Otterson and her two daughters-in-law, Lisa and Sha, both born in China, presented a Chinese cooking class.
Stoffel has even had professional health-care workers volunteer to lead classes on keeping fit, physically and mentally. Last year one program centered on Lyme disease, an appropriate topic for our rural communities.
It’s obvious Stoffel feels the volunteers are very valuable to the program. The donation of time, talents, money, assistance at events all help to make this an “awesome program.” she said.
“‘Able-bodied’ persons are welcome to attend events and volunteer regularly at program events. We call this reverse inclusion. Many of these individuals are amazed at the abilities and positive attitudes of persons with disabilities. It is really a rewarding group to work with.”
Limited funding is always an issue. Donations from individuals along with the time-consuming task of securing additional funds from the community have enabled staff to enrich program activities.
Use of facilities at senior centers, local service groups and community clubs help reduce the cost of running the program, along with volunteers who offer their time and talents.
Stoffel finds value in networking and collaboration with community resources such as schools, Extension Service, county public health, law enforcement, Family Pathways, and businesses such as a local cinema where the monthly Popcorn, Pop and a Picture Show is hosted.
The program is partially funded by the Minnesota Department of Education, (Community Education). The Consortium of Chisago Lakes, North Branch, Rush City and Pine City school districts help sponsor/fund the program, the budget is very small.
There are 38 Community Education grants for programs in Minnesota. The St. Croix River Education District (SCRED) is responsible for hosting and the management of the We ‘R’ Able grant. Fourteen other grants are also with consortiums. Individual and community donations, use of community facilities, volunteer performers and instructors, support from the media and radio stations and networking/cooperation with public, private and non-profit groups and local businesses are some of the many means to enable the program to achieve so much.
Stoffel never waivers on her belief that all people have abilities. She believes that community awareness is key to people first, ability second and disability last.
Source: ECM Post Review
Talk with 77-year-old Betty Stoffel about her past and you will soon see that her whole life has been a continuum of caring.
Betty Stoffel and We ‘R’ Able go together well. Stoffel has been at the helm of the program since its beginning 20 years ago.
That’s why it’s so easy to imagine her in the leadership position for the successful 20-year-old We ‘R’ Able program.
“Attitude is Everything” is the program’s slogan and the concept of people first, abilities next and disabilities last is strongly promoted. It’s a place where life-long learning is encouraged regardless of abilities.
If the truth be told, Stoffel’s “attitude” is that the word abilities should come without the “d-i-s” prefix.
In 1987, Stoffel was a member of the Adults with Disabilities (AWD) Advisory Committee. She was working at Chisago County Public Health.
In 1986 the Minnesota Legislature authorized and funded the Disabilities Grant. The AWD committee helped enable the local consortium grant received in 1987.
During the 1988-1989 school-year the Community Education directors of Pine City, Rush City, North Branch, Chisago and Taylors Falls advertised for a six-hour per week coordinator. Stoffel was hired and she still holds that position today.
Stoffel attributes much of her success in life and with the program to her years of involvement in 4-H and the mentoring of North Branch resident Esther Schmidt.
A teacher in many aspects all her life, Stoffel lights up when she talks about the We ‘R’ Able program.
“It’s been a gift for me,” she said, adding that it provided her with a purposeful life.
The one thing Stoffel always stresses about the program is that it’s not just for those with “disabilities” it’s a support group for all ages and abilities.
Stoffel noted that one focus of We ‘R’ Able is to provide appropriate and accessible offerings, classes and activities for persons with disabilities.
The definition of disabilities is any impairment that significantly inhibits a person’s ability to do one or more of life’s activities or the person is regarded as having any type of disability.
The target age for these participants is 14 and older. The duplicated census of participants in We ‘R’ Able programs for the school year 2007-2008 was 5,156 which included 3,730 persons with disabilities.
In that same year, there were 143 events from bowling to international cooking to movies and workshops, pizza and music nights, softball and more.
The inclusion of persons with disabilities in school and community events is another program goal. Other program purposes, Stoffel noted, are advocacy, outreach, education, support groups, socialization, information and referral, all regarding persons with different abilities.
The key to the successful program has been the volunteers. Stoffel noted that the program’s oldest volunteer is 94 and the youngest is four. “We encourage persons with disabilities to volunteer for We ‘R’ Able,” she said.
Ninety-four-year-old volunteer and participant Esther Schmidt, a retired college professor and local historian, told Stoffel, “The We ‘R’ Able support group that I attend is my most favorite activity that I have ever belonged to.”
Last fall, Schmidt prepared and presented a program on the 150th anniversary of the state of Minnesota, lest the celebration go unnoticed in this area.
Last year’s classes also included International Cooking classes. Cameroon native, Jerome Djam, along with his son, taught a class on African heritage and cultures.
Rose Marie Otterson and her two daughters-in-law, Lisa and Sha, both born in China, presented a Chinese cooking class.
Stoffel has even had professional health-care workers volunteer to lead classes on keeping fit, physically and mentally. Last year one program centered on Lyme disease, an appropriate topic for our rural communities.
It’s obvious Stoffel feels the volunteers are very valuable to the program. The donation of time, talents, money, assistance at events all help to make this an “awesome program.” she said.
“‘Able-bodied’ persons are welcome to attend events and volunteer regularly at program events. We call this reverse inclusion. Many of these individuals are amazed at the abilities and positive attitudes of persons with disabilities. It is really a rewarding group to work with.”
Limited funding is always an issue. Donations from individuals along with the time-consuming task of securing additional funds from the community have enabled staff to enrich program activities.
Use of facilities at senior centers, local service groups and community clubs help reduce the cost of running the program, along with volunteers who offer their time and talents.
Stoffel finds value in networking and collaboration with community resources such as schools, Extension Service, county public health, law enforcement, Family Pathways, and businesses such as a local cinema where the monthly Popcorn, Pop and a Picture Show is hosted.
The program is partially funded by the Minnesota Department of Education, (Community Education). The Consortium of Chisago Lakes, North Branch, Rush City and Pine City school districts help sponsor/fund the program, the budget is very small.
There are 38 Community Education grants for programs in Minnesota. The St. Croix River Education District (SCRED) is responsible for hosting and the management of the We ‘R’ Able grant. Fourteen other grants are also with consortiums. Individual and community donations, use of community facilities, volunteer performers and instructors, support from the media and radio stations and networking/cooperation with public, private and non-profit groups and local businesses are some of the many means to enable the program to achieve so much.
Stoffel never waivers on her belief that all people have abilities. She believes that community awareness is key to people first, ability second and disability last.
Source: ECM Post Review
