different people

"Wow, people are really white around here!" exclaimed my friend. She'd driven all the way down from the cities to join Lilly and I at the City pool, the idea being our three-year-old kids could play in the water while we got a chance to catch up. I realize I can be a bit slow at times but my first thought was, "they're tanner in the cities?"

We actually have a sizable Latino/a population in our small college town but you won't see many of them at the pool. Perhaps partly due to the obscene cost of the pool passes. But I think it has more to do with our town's segregation of "different people" to the outskirts of town. The heaviest Latino/a inhabited neighborhood is a mobile-park located on the northeast side of town. Our City pool, on the other hand, is situated smack in the middle of the well-kept houses and gardens of white upper middle class families who also happen to live close by the golf course. Sadly, I can't think of one child of color among Lilly's friends.

Laura Baker Services Association, the school and home of many children and adults with developmental disabilities is located close to one of the colleges in a very nice residential neighborhood of historic houses, but while efforts are made to integrate with the community, this population remains on the outskirts too. Originally a school for people with developmental disabilities, it now also offers services to families in the community, including respite care services.

Laura Baker Summer Fun Day

To ensure that Lilly has at least some exposure to people who aren't so like us, Leighton has at times taken her along to his work or events there. I really admire him for doing this. Integrating our lives with different people is really a bonus to all involved.
 

As the new director of family support services and the volunteer coordinator, Leighton is organizing various programs to support families who have children with disabilities and special needs. Most recently, he succeeded in getting Laura Baker a $1000 grant for respite services and on a select list of charities competing for a $25,000 grant that could fund many valuable family support programs.

Actually, public votes determine which charities receive a grant. Visit this profile page and cast your vote by simply clicking on the "Vote For This Organization" button. And to improve the chances, consider bookmarking the page and voting once a day through October 8th. Bringing different people together can make a real difference in the lives of many.