INCLUSION CONFERENCE PROVES INCLUSION IS NOT CANCELLED

For the 5th year in a row, MERGE was honored to take part in this year's Power Of Play Virtual Conference, sharing three different presentations touching upon topics such as inclusion strategies and friendships between children with and without disabilities. This conference, hosted by National Inclusion Project (NIP), brings together recreation, camp and community program professionals from across the country to learn best practices on inclusion, adaptation and play.
"I certainly missed being in Raleigh and meeting back up with friends and colleagues" shared presenter Lisa Drennan, "but NIP did a fantastic job in creating a fun and engaging virtual learning and social opportunity". 
(As part of the fun daily challenges, attendees were asked to show their pets taking part in the virtual conference. Below Lucy takes over as a presenter for MERGE.) 

INCLUSIVE HIRING A PRIORITY FOR  "RAISE THE BAR HIRE"

There's still time to sign up for Work Without Limits 8th Annual Raise the Bar HIRE! Conference on October 21st - THIS WEDNESDAY! This conference features prominent national keynote speakers, educational sessions, networking opportunities and sharing of best practices on advancing the employment of people with disabilities. Join in for not ONE but TWO opportunities to hear MERGE's founder, Lisa Drennan present.

• 11am -  Inclusive Strategies for Supervisors or Peers to Engage and Support Employees with Diverse Abilities
• 1pm - The Challenge for Accessibility and Inclusion Amidst a
  Landscape of Pandemic Forces and Racial Unrest (with co-presenters from BBSquared, Steinberg HR & Pillar Search) 

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: MAX COLSON

We are so very excited for our friend Max Colson who is changing the world one heart at a time. A quarantine prayer has turned into a nationwide movement of spreading love! His mother, Emily Colson shares: 

"It all began with a quarantine prayer: How can we be a blessing to someone else every day? Life is far too difficult to spend it focused on oneself. As I prayed, we began to paint. Or rather, Max began to paint. I became paint-squirter, brush-washer, and gentle guide. And here is where it gets fun…as a blessing and encouragement to others in this hard season, Max has been painting on yard signs and delivering his joy-filled hearts to people all across our community. Beauty is multiplied when it’s given away."

These Heart Masterpieces are now available in note card sets. To learn more about Max's journey and order your note card set, visit emilycolson.com.