Dream Catchers

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Andrea Paquin and Jim Eccleston, Self-Advocacy Advisors
About Mosaic in Connecticut's Self-Advocacy Group

The Dream Catchers began in June 2008 with the vision of Jim Eccleston who is employed by Mosaic as a Program Coordinator. He has previous experience in this area serving as an adviser on a self-advocacy group in Rhode Island for over two years and also a six-year career as a Human Rights Officer for the State of Massachusetts.


Together with Andrea Paquin, also a Program Coordinator, they both serve as the self-advocacy advisors to support and help guide the group to focus on identifying their goals and objectives. Eccleston and Paquin also help the group see the importance of their decisions, and provide administrative support.


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Mission Statement

The members of the Dream Catchers believe that self advocacy is the way to empower individuals with developmental disabilities. The mission of the Dream Catchers is to educate and support people with developmental disabilities within Mosaic in Connecticut.

The Dream Catchers encourage individuals to be self-reliant through education, support of peers, sharing resources and tools, presentations, and the development of leadership skills. Members serve as role models by becoming involved in community projects and being productive members of the community. As an independent self-advocacy group the members make the decisions, set their goals, and run their meetings.

Purpose

    • To stand up for the rights of individuals with disabilities

    • Help pass laws that help people with disabilities

    • Learn about individual rights

    • Stop discrimination against people with disabilities

    • Educate people about disabilities


    Officers

    Congratulations to the 2010 elected officers:

    President: Kathy Benton

    Vice President: Nicole Stevens

    Secretary: David Newth

    Treasurer: Claudette Duschesneau


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    At CCPA on July 15 (left to right) Jim Eccleston, Mosaic Direct Support Coordinator and Dream Catchers Adviser, Andrea Ferrucci, Mosaic Executive Director, David Newth, Dream Catcher Treasurer and Ned Lamont
    Mosaic Dream Catchers Self Advocacy Group Asks Connecticut Gubernatorial Candidates Tough Questions

    The Connecticut Community Providers Association (CCPA) is hosting non-partisan question and answer sessions with each of the candidates for Governor at their offices in Rocky Hill. Two of the three sessions have already taken place. The first session was held on June 17 was with the Democratic Party's endorsed candidate Dan Malloy and the second event on July 15 with Lt. Governor Michael Fedele, Republican Candidate, Tom Foley and Democratic Candidate, Ned Lamont.


    The audience at the sessions was comprised of executive directors from the social service agencies in the state, members of the CCPA and the officers of Mosaic's Dream Catchers Self Advocacy Group. These individuals were on hand with their advisers to bring their concerns and questions to each of the candidates.

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    At CCPA on July 15, Nicole Stevens, Dream Catchers Vice President and Jim Eccleston. Mosaic Direct Support Coordinator and Dream Catchers Adviser

    "The Dream Catcher Officers, on behalf of the entire advocacy group, asked the candidates to address their concerns. It was a wonderful opportunity for the members of the Dream Catchers to advocate for themselves. They are concerned about inadequate state funding. All members of the self advocacy group representing all individuals in service want to know that their services and support of their staff are not going to be jeopardized due to the lack of funding," said Mosaic executive director, Andrea Ferrucci.


    It was a dream come true for David Newth, Dream Catcher Secretary, to be able to represent the self-advocacy group and meet and ask his favorite politician and choice for Governor, Ned Lamont his questions. Newth has followed Lamont's political career since he was a candidate for Senator, and is his strongest supporter.


    "It brought me such joy to see David so happy, and proud of himself to not only have the courage to meet his idol, but to ask a serious question of him. Icing on the cake he was able to have his photo taken with him as a very special memento," said Jim Eccleston, Mosaic direct support coordinator and adviser to the Dream Catchers. "After 2 years of hard work with monthly meetings, writing bylaws, holding elections for officers, and public speaking classes, this was proud moment and culmination for the officers, members, and all people in service with Mosaic for their voice to be heard."


    On July 27 at 11:00 am. Dream Catchers representatives will be on hand for the final session of CCPA's candidate forum with Republican Candidate Oz Griebel.