10/09/2008

Contact: Kimberly Tomkiewicz (219) 464-9621 ext. 299

Opportunity Enterprises' Family and Friends Together and the Valparaiso Student Law Republicans Co-Host Discussion on Disability Legislation

On October 20, State Senator Ed Charbonneau and State Representative Ed Soliday will participate in a facilitated discussion on disability legislation. The event, co-hosted by Opportunity Enterprises and the Valparaiso Student Law Republicans, will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Ulbricht Classroom at the VU School of Law; members of the community are welcome. "We are honored to offer our Family and Friends Together Support Group, the VU student body and staff and the community-at-large the opportunity to meet our local legislators and to hear their views on disability legislation," said Shirley Remijan, OE Ambassador. The discussion will be facilitated by Kim Opsahl, Vice President/External Affairs at Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc. (INAR). INARF is a statewide membership organization that provides leadership and support to its constituency in the development of resources and promotion of quality services to effectively serve the comprehensive needs of people with disabilities in Indiana. The Family and Friends Together meetings are part of an Opportunity Enterprises initiative, Family and Consumer Supports. The objective of this program is to better serve families with special needs children and siblings by sharing resources, information and volunteer opportunities. More information about Opportunity Enterprises may be found at www.oppent.org or by calling (219) 464-9621. Since 1967, OE has been a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting self-sufficiency and life choices for individuals with disabilities. OE currently serves over 1,000 individuals in Porter County and throughout Northwest Indiana.