TRUCKEE, Calif. and#8212; You are cordially invited to a Holiday Dance Party and Dinner by event managers People First, a self-advocacy organization and international, national and statewide movement of people with developmental disabilities.

and#8220;We are pretty excited,and#8221; said Erin Freeman, Choices Transitional client and president of the Truckee People First chapter. and#8220;It took about two months to organize, we made fliers, handed out donation letters, and organized the location and music.and#8221;

The Holiday Dance Party and Dinner will be held at the Truckee Donner Senior Apartments, 10040 Estates Drive, Truckee, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 7-9 p.m. Cost is $10. Please RSVP to 530- 448-1638, Erin Freeman, at your soonest convenience.

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The members of People First chapters work to increase their self-advocacy skills by learning how to speak for themselves and others and build decision making skills about what is important in their own lives and lives of their peers. As a self-advocacy/self-help organization, members help each other with problems, make friends, and reach out to people with severe disabilities. Members of People First work together to advocate for their rights, train others about disabilities, participate in community projects, hold social events, take political stands and/or plan conferences/conventions/events.–

The purpose of People First is to assist members in building self-confidence by providing a safe place to say how they feel and what they think. It is believed a person who is given opportunity, training and support with a peer group can learn to be a strong self-advocate for themselves and others. In People First meetings members are given the opportunity to learn, practice and develop their skills in public speaking, decision making, and problem solving.

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People first educates people in the community to understand people with disabilities have the same citizen rights and responsibilities as others. As well, they help show others individuals are capable of learning, working, living independently, and contributing to the community.

Disability awareness is used by People First to change negative attitudes and build confidence in the abilities of people with disabilities. Working together and building up People First around the world also gives people with developmental disabilities a voice. A voice at the table gives power to help change lives and their world to be a better place for all people with disabilities to have liberty and the pursuit of happiness.