COMMUNITY LIVING AMBASSADORS SPEAKER BUREAU
Who are the Community Living Ambassadors?
Community Living Ambassadors speak to people around Iowa about moving into the community of their choice from a state resource center, ICF, or other facility. They share their lives, successes, barriers, and personal journeys in transitioning into community living as individuals with disabilities. This program helps legislators and community members to learn more about these issues.
Community Living Ambassador Presenters
Learn more about the Community Living Ambassadors and the stories they can share! They are each available to present to an audience on a variety of topics.
If you are interested in booking any of the ambassadors, email CLA.Speaker@gmail.com.
My name is Ashly Siebels. As a member of the Community Living Ambassadors, I have been able to share my story about transitioning into the community to live. And with that move, I have been able to be active in my community. I am involved with a Bible Study called “Shine,” and I also volunteer for Vacation Bible School.
I am training to be a volunteer at the Humane Society and I want to work with the animals. I attend concerts with my friends, as well as grow flowers in my garden at my house. I play baseball with the Miracle League, and I make personal goals, like learning to shop and make healthy meals for myself.
My name is Brady Werger. I was born in 1992 and I live in a Goodwill Group Home in Waverley, Iowa. I am currently employed by the city of Waverly and work at the city golf course. I am involved in Special Olympics and I serve on the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, where I am currently the chair. I’m very involved in my church, where I am a worship leader in the Praise Band.
I understand that people who live with disabilities are not alone and not forgotten as a Community Living Ambassador. I want to encourage others who want to move into the community, that they have supports to help that do that, and I am one of those supports. I am learning skills to become more independent so I can move into my own apartment.
My name is Eric Mullins. I have a mild intellectual disability. I have been a part of Community Living Ambassadors for 3 years. I have had many challenges throughout my life but I continue to put my best foot forward. At the age of 18, I moved to Woodward Resource Center in Woodward, Iowa, and remained there until October 2019, when I transitioned into Community Living with REM Iowa.
I strive at being an advocate and a voice for people with disabilities. I want to continue being an advocate for inclusion and respect for people with disabilities. From transitioning from a locked facility to being able to live in the community has been a great accomplishment for me. I have worked hard to make sure I am safe in the community and I have worked to acquire meaningful employment. In the future, I plan to attend events that help benefit and empower people with disabilities. I have been volunteering in my community at Hartman Reserve, Meals on Wheels, Food Bank, and more.
My name is Mari Brannaman. I want to be able to tell people with disabilities that the Community Living Ambassadors are here to help connect to people about living in the community. I want people to know that they can help themselves by advocating.
I like to make future goals. I wanted to move into the community and I did. I want to do more activities in the community, like to go to the swimming pool, so I am working on making this goal come true.
My name is Michael Gillette. I live in my own apartment, and telling my story of moving into the community has been a big piece of my membership with the Community Living Ambassadors. Since becoming an ambassador, I am now a father of a beautiful girl. This was a transition that taught me much and helped me learn more ways to live successfully in my community as a father.
I have learned about “hidden secrets” like food stamps in connection with Amazon Prime and also free transportation to the grocery store through the BI Waiver. There are so many services available and I recommend that you learn what they are and to utilize as many of the services that you can.
My name is Michael Martin and I am a member of the Community Living Ambassadors. I am also on the Olmstead Task Force. Through these organizations, I have been able to make a difference because I can share ideas and experiences that have happened to me personally with moving and living in a community setting.
Through the Olmstead Task Force, I have been able to be a part of working on policies and gathering data about important differences for people with disabilities. A very important topic that I advocate for is handicapped accessible housing. I continue to talk about and research ways to make housing accessible for all people.
My name is Michelle Ahrenholtz. I am a parent of a son with autism. His name is Jonah and he is currently living at home with his family in a community setting. With the Community Living Ambassadors, I have been able to share his story of transitioning from an ICF to his home. His dad, Dean, and I have 5 children, and Jonah is the middle child. With the support of his family, Jonah has been able to successfully live at home and receive services in a place that makes him feel loved and content.
My name is Monnie Hall. I am a member of the Community Living Ambassadors. I moved to and live in the community. Because I live in the community, I am able to advocate for myself. I can work through personal decisions and make the choices that I want for myself. Being my own person makes me very happy.
700 2nd Avenue Suite 101
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
P (800) 452-1936
This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $774,176 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.