Word from the President

By Danielle Guindon, President

As I review the first half of the year, it is with great pleasure that I write these few lines to you. And, although I am proud of what we have accomplished, I realize the extent of the work that lies ahead of us in the upcoming months.

The year 2002 has been one of change, movement, and commitment: just think of changes that were made in government policies on support to community organizations and the changes made in AFHM's internal structure.

Think back to the government's lack of commitment to the needs of women and people with disabilities. Thankfully though, it is during those hard times that we see more people get more involved thus creating new alliances and greater solidarity.

Let us not forget our successes, our gains and the joy that we have had in getting to know one another. We are the only organization in Montreal - if not Quebec - working for the rights and needs of women with disabilities - across diverse disabilities - and we have done so for 15 years. In spite of our precarious resources, we are paving our way, writing our history, and the voices of women with disabilities are being heard. I would like to thank and salute these women who, each day, commit themselves to building a more humane world by living their lives to the fullest.

My wish is that in 2003, we will be fully recognized having the financial resources necessary to make our organization a stable and permanent one. And I dream we will be able to offer services to women with disabilities throughout Montreal, its perimeters and even throughout the province of Quebec. We need your commitment, your support, and all of the extraordinary resources that lie within each and every one of us; to pursue our goal of having our organization recognized.

I invite you to submit your comments, suggestions and texts. You can reach Julienne Longtin anytime at 488-1868; she does excellent work and will be more than happy to transmit your comments to us.

We have a lot of work ahead of us if we wish to gain greater public visibility. We can tell our story on video, on text, or via our artistic creations; any one of these means can express the potential and richness of la différence in our society.

In this newsletter, you will see which activities are being planned for the coming year, our ongoing projects, and the struggles that lie ahead. So please come and join us all. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have difficulty participating. We are committed to finding a way to help you.

Solidarity is the essence of real growth.

Translated by Marie Soudre

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