November Executive Director message

Synapses and missing links…….

As I continue to become better acquainted with the detail of the many roles of FACT in service to persons with developmental disabilities and their families, the terms “synapses” and “missing links” come to mind.

The synapses in our brains connect transmitters and receptors, and as an agency, we often fill the role of connecting clients to services, or clients to their own dreams of achievement in their lives. Sometimes our staff connects families to resources that can have a transformational effect on their family member with differing abilities. Sometimes, clients connect us with a better understanding of how to be of better service to the community.  All in all, it’s a beautiful thing to behold, as staff can inspire clients and vice versa.

When I think about “missing links,” I think about the many places in our lives, whether we have a visible disability or not, where that hand up, or two hands clapping, or a hand nudging us along can make all the difference. We all need that and have benefited from it over the course of our lives. At FACT we seek to provide that hand of help, praise, or encouragement to be our best selves.

Our recent “FACTx” conference was a wonderful demonstration of the convergence of disciplines that can be aligned to be of benefit to our service population.  Whether it’s medical interventions, nutrition, artistic endeavor, inspiration or vocation, all the “links” were on display and some wonderful connections were inspired and encouraged.

As you may know, in a small nonprofit like FACT we have the flexibility of trying different things in response to perceived need, and those services may or may not be reimbursed by some funding source. The” glue” that holds it all together and allows us to try different things is our base of private support, whether it’s from generous individuals, foundations, companies or community/fraternal/religious organizations.

As we enter the Thanksgiving holiday season and on to the Christmas/Hanukkah season, we will be reaching out to our generous supporters to renew their support of FACT. And hopefully our supporters can link us to others who have a passion for serving our diverse client population.  In fact, as you’re reading this, how about clicking on the “giving” tab and you’ll find out about all the ways you can support FACT (and not just by writing a check—there are ways to help that don’t cost you anything)?

Now more than ever, with all the changes in funding streams and service designs, along with the increasing diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders and other mental and developmental disabilities among people of all ages, we must be able to step up to the changing needs.  Our ability to grow and serve is dependent on our ability to create one more “synapse”—between a generous donor and a deserving client, and to increase our capacity to fill the “missing links” our families deserve.

Thanks to you and your families and friends, we are confident we can do it.

With thanks and wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday,

Marc