The year that was...the year ahead

1947. Harry S. Truman is President. Minimum wage is 40¢ per hour. A new Ford or Chevrolet sedan sells for less than $2,000. Milk sells for 20¢ a quart. Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to play Major League Baseball. Howdy Doody begins his run on television. NASCAR races officially for the first time. "The Best Years of Our Lives" wins the Academy Award. Gompers Center opens its doors!

As Gompers Center embarks on its 60th year of service, 2007 is ushered in with uncertainty, but also the possibility for a momentous year. Before looking ahead, though, we must look back on what a tremendous year 2006 was for Gompers Center. Highlights include:

• The Dental Clinic now has an active caseload of nearly 500 people. In addition, the staff worked tirelessly with advocacy groups and Legislators to provide basic dental services to all individuals with disabilities.

• Our School Program worked closely with area districts and is increasing the presence of Assistive Technology in the classrooms in order to provide even greater opportunities for our students.

• Our DTA Program continues to give back to the community by working at a variety of volunteer sites including Beatitudes Center D.O.A.R., St. Mary's Food Bank, and they even received a special commendation from the Governor's office for their work with the Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library.

• Our Vocational Program expanded opportunities by procuring more community job sites such as Ben Avery Shooting Range and Safeway. During the past year nearly 25% of our vocational clients transferred into some sort of community work experience.

• Our Therapy Department introduced new technologies and state-of-the-art equipment in order to meet the needs of our clients and students.

• Our community partners generously gave our programs nearly $450,000 worth of grants and donations.

• Our Special Olympics teams continued experiencing competition at the highest levels while learning the true meaning of sportsmanship.

As prosperous as 2006 was, and as hopeful as we are for 2007, challenges lay ahead. Already we have had to stand up to the threat that was Proposition 202. The potentially devastating effects of the Arizona Minimum Wage Initiative could have shattered the dreams of the 102 clients we serve in our Vocational Department. Gompers Center's mission has always been to empower our clients to gain the skills which will assist them in reaching their maximum potential, including that of gaining competitive employment. By partnering with other agencies across the state, as well as rallying the amazing support of our parents, guardians, group homes and vendors, we were able to educate people and in doing so raised the level of discourse on what we have known all along - that the potential of individuals with disabilities is limitless!

Collaborating with our community partners is what 2007 will be all about. As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary we will be looking to thank those who have been integral in our growth and prosperity, but we will also actively be seeking out additional partners who share our vision of empowerment and dreams without limits. We will do this because the clients and students we serve deserve nothing less than the best each of us has to offer. Just imagine what we will be able to do together!

For 60 years Gompers Center has provided the best services for adults and children with disabilities in the metro Phoenix area. If you have not visited in a while, why not stop in and see first hand the excitement that is building for 2007? Join us in making this year Gompers Center's best year yet by helping us to provide the programs and services our clients and students so richly deserve. It is for them that Gompers Center exists and it is for them that we must strive to be at our best each and every day.

By: Mark A. Jacoby, Executive Director