People On the Go

People On The Go is a self advocacy group started in 1991 and is one the first groups of its kind in South Carolina. The membership is made up of more than 60 people living in Richland and Lexington counties. Meetings are held the second Monday of each month to discuss issues affecting people with special needs. Guest speakers are also invited to make presentations that provide information about opportunities available for those with special needs and to offer instructions on how POGO members can get actively involved. If you would like additional information on the People on the Go program, please contact The Arc of South Carolina at 803-748-5020.

Mission Statement

People On the Go helps self advocates

Become leaders.
Stand up for our rights.
Make choices about where we live and work.
Support one another.
Get real jobs with real pay.
With choices in where to live.
With transportation.

For more information about People On the Go please call The Arc of SC office at 748-5020

People On the Go Officers for 2007

Theresa Sullivan, President
Cindy Lossman, Vice President
Cynthia Roberts, Secretary
Tyrone Allen, Treasurer
Tony Watts, Sergeant-at-Arms

People On the Go Activities

Self Advocacy Conferences

People On the Go representatives traveled to three conferences in the past seven months: the NC Self Advocacy Convention in Winston-Salem, NC on March 23-25, 2007; the Pathways to Independence Conference held on October 24-25, 2006 in Myrtle Beach, SC and The Arc of NC and SC joint convention on September 8-9, 2006 in Charlotte, NC. Plans are underway to attend three conferences between September 2007 and June 2008. Attending the conferences was made possible through support provided by a grant from the SC Developmental Disabilities Council. The grant helps with expenses for conference registration, hotel and travel. People On the Go members who attend plan ahead to save money to pay as much of the cost as their budget allows. Self-advocacy conferences provide opportunities for members to learn important information that they can bring back to the group. Members are inspired when meeting and interacting with leaders in the national self-advocacy movement who serve as speakers at the conferences and role models for leadership.

Donations

The annual fundraiser conducted by People On the Go is the Bowlathon held each July. With the proceeds, donations are made to causes in the community that help people in need. People On the Go made a donation of $150.00 in December of 2006 to help make Christmas brighter for a needy family that has a child with special needs. The group also made donations to People First of Louisiana to aid people with disabilities affected by Hurricane Katrina and to The Cooperative Ministry to provide school supplies for children in need.

Self Advocacy is…

Knowing rights and responsibilities.
Speaking for ourselves.
Solving problems and making decisions.
Contributing to the community.
Becoming aware of the principles of Self Determination and Empowerment to gain choice and control over our lives.
Promoting language that empowers by putting the person first, rather than
their disability.

Self Advocacy Group members…

Learn about rights and responsibilities.
Develop skills in how to speak up and be a leader.
Meet people and make new friends.
Support each other.
Try to make life better for themselves and others.
Become actively involved in the community.

The Self Advocacy Movement…

Is local, statewide, national and international, beginning more than 30 years ago.
Has local organizations in South Carolina, including groups affiliated with The Arc of Horry,
The Arc of Pickens, and Disability and Special Needs boards.
Has a statewide organization in South Carolina, called Individuals Motivating People To Achieve Change Together in South Carolina (IMPACT-SC). Leadership forums are held across the state to provide leadership training for local groups.
Has a national and international organization, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE).