Buffalo nonprofit receives Minn. Life Enrichment Award

Functional Industries, Inc., a nonprofit serving people with disabilities based in Buffalo, received a Life Enrichment Award from the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation (MOHR) for its self-advocacy education efforts in partnership with Self-Advocates of Minnesota.

"Community-based providers are at the center of Minnesota's effort to help people with disabilities to live fuller lives," said MOHR President Julie Johnson. "Excellent programs give people options to engage and thrive in their communities." The MOHR organization represents more than 100 such day programs across the state.

The Functional Industries program is designed to build personal power for people with disabilities, connect them with disability rights laws and history and build community, explains Lisa Parteh, vice president of client services. Bev Kaler, the regional SAM organizer for Self-Advocates of Minnesota, trained one staff member and two participants with disabilities to serve as trainers.

“Participants practiced the skills they were learning and developed a comfort level for advocating for themselves and for others,” Parteh said. An initial group of eight participants and four staff were part of the ACT Disability Equality Series, the first class, in May of 2018. Of the client participants, seven have developmental disabilities and one has a mental health disability.

Functional Industries then approached the CommUnity Adult Mental Health Initiative to come in as an additional partner. Parteh said all participants have enhanced their leadership skills and experienced self-transformation. “It is a structural change in the way individuals see themselves and their relationships,” she said. “Individuals who have developed self-advocacy skills gain a comfort level in leading the conversations regarding their services rather than being a passive participant.” MOHR members are noted for a “person-centered” approach that emphasizes informed choices made by those receiving services.

Johnson said Minnesota has always been a leader in the provision of services for people with disabilities, and MOHR members like Functional Industries play a crucial role. “We are connected as a community, and service providers are mission-driven by staff members who care deeply for the people they serve. That’s how individual lives are enriched.”

A grant provided funds for a second and third round of classes and people with severe and persistent mental illness were also targeted for the training. Functional Industries is seeking new venues and partners to expand the self-advocacy training using a “train the trainer” approach. The ultimate result is greater empowerment for youth and adults with disabilities.

The award was presented by MOHR Board Member John Wayne Barker at Functional Industries in Buffalo.

The nonprofit’s state association and award organizer, MOHR, has a mission to advocate and support its nonprofit members in providing meaningful services to persons with disabilities and communities served. Members are committed to respect for each individual