Alyssa, who is always a regular attendee at CIF’s advocacy group, Freedom Riders, is very passionate about advocacy and always willing to volunteer for various types of projects. In summer of 2011, with the help of her tutor Tara Wickey and fellow CIF participant Matt Palmore, the “three amigos” (which they call themselves) created a power-point presentation on advocacy and the ever-changing disability rights movement. Alyssa and Matt were elected to represent Freedom Riders at CIF’s Life Tools Camp.

During the presentation planning process, Alyssa and Matt learned critical presentation skills. They focused on developing public speaking and computer skills. They used research skills as they sifted through nearly 60 years of print and media content to create their 30-minute presentation complete with text, pictures and audio-visual clips of some of the most poignant civil rights speeches that changed the way we look at minority populations today. The campers loved Alyssa and Matt’s presentation! Alyssa says she enjoyed the experience and did it to help teach the campers about their civil rights.

Fall 2011 brought Alyssa another public speaking opportunity! She was asked to speak at CIF’s fall Story Pirates event about her experiences with Center for Independent Futures. She was able to talk to young parents of children with and without special needs about the importance of providing unwavering support and love for your child, no matter their abilities or disabilities.

CIF is excited to support Alyssa as she reaches for and accomplishes her dreams to share her story with others. We can’t wait to see what cool new opportunities 2012 will bring for Alyssa!