Dream Catchers

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Self-Advocacy Advisors Andrea Paquin, Jim Eccleston and Elise Arseneau
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 and Elise Arseneau, they serve as the self-advocacy advisors to support and help guide the group to focus on identifying their goals and objectives. They also help the group see the importance of their decisions, and provide administrative support.

View the Dream Catchers brochure (pdf).

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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 2011 elected officers:

    President: Kathy Benton

    Vice President: Claudette Duchesneau

    Secretary: Linda Bentley

    Treasurer: Jim Meyer


    Dream Catchers News & Events

    The Dream Catchers stay busy advocating for themselves and others with intellectual and developmental disabilities. View the latest news and event updates.

    Join the Dream Catchers as a First Responder

    Become a Mosaic Allied Voices (MAV) First Responder! MAV First Responders inform elected officials at local, state, and national levels of the needs and rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. MAV First Responders receive action alerts from Mosaic asking them to call, write, or e-mail legislative representatives regarding their votes.

They include parents, self-advocates, donors, advocates for people with disabilities, elected officials and others who want to have a voice in affecting public policy.


    Help become a voice and advocate for and with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sign up to become a MAV volunteer today.