Posted by Roberta Holmes on May 23, 2019
 
 
May 1
 
 
 After suffering a massive stroke, Dan Zimmerman was told by doctors that he would never walk or talk. Through the use of a tricycle, exercise brought back his ability to speak by providing oxygen to his brain. To help others in the same situation, Dan started Spokes Fighting Strokes, and teaches other stroke victims how to ride. He uses a 1982 Ford Ambulance to pull 20 trikes in a trailer and conducts adaptive cycling clinics in Phoenix and Denver. Dan doesn't like to charge people for the trikes he provides for them, since many of them have lost income as a result of their strokes. The organization's immediate needs are funding and reorganization assistance from someone with business experience. For more information, see www.spokesfightingstrokes.org. You can also email Dan at dan@spokesfightingstrokes.org.
 
 
May 8
 
Ray Villa, Executive Director of the Community Alliance Against Family Abuse (CAAFA), gave an inspiring talk about CAAFA's efforts to help those who are struggling with abusive relationships. One in three women and one in four men suffer from domestic abuse. This year, CAAFA committed 1300 hours of work for sexual violence victims and 1500 hours of legal advocacy. They have a 16 bed shelter that serves as a safe place, and when that is full, they house victims in motels. You can find more information about CAAFA at www.caafaaz.org.
 
 
May 22
 
Mid Carlossi talked about the Genesis Project and the progress it has made. The Project, located at 564 N. Idaho Road, started as a cooling station in 2006, and has progressed to the point where they are on track to serve 80,000 meals in 2019.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lisa Jones from DIRECTV/Empire Communications updated us on the work they are doing in 55+ communities. They spend full days in the communities, helping residents with their connectivity issues.