The Disability Outreach Committee (DOC) is thankful to the press for the newspaper articles that help us to help the disabled in our community. Here is one of those articles:
Neighbors pitch in after center is robbed
By Lori Buttars
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated:02/15/2007 04:12:49 PM MST
Residents of a Magna center for people with disabilities have their link to the outside world back after a string of burglaries left them without TV or computer service.
Pleasant Green Villa residents recently hosted a party to show their gratitude to businesses and community members who donated goods or money to install a security system and three computers in the complex's clubhouse.
Since 2005, the center's recreation room has been burglarized in three separate late-night incidents. First, the thieves took a 32-inch television set and the center's stereo system; second, they stole several bicycles the residents stored there; and finally, they swiped a list of Social Security numbers and a list of all the medications residents of the center were taking.
"We had people coming out of the woodwork to help us," said resident Mark Miller, who hosted the pizza party.
Miller said residents of the complex, many of whom, like himself, are in wheelchairs, were traumatized when the center was burglarized.
"We don't get out much, and the center was our contact with the outside world," he said. "We were scared - scared to go over there, even in the middle of the day."
Miller said the residents haven't tried to replace the TV set since the daily gathering for movies and other activities at the center had stopped after the robberies.
After word about the break-ins spread, the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Deputies Association purchased three used computers from Computers for Kids, a Midvale-based computer-restoration company. A security company called, offering to install a security system.
"We think their last burglary will be the last," said Bill LaRochelle, spokesman for the HSM security firm who attended the party.
Salt Lake County Housing Authority administrators say the experience has changed the way residents use the center. Officials no longer open the center on a daily basis, unless there is a request from one of the residents. Residents are now reliant on one person who keeps the key.
"The most important thing to come out of this is that we have changed our policies about how this center is used," said Andrea Mower, property manager. "At the same time, that has limited the use of the center for our residents."
The thefts and the community response also has brought about positive changes. Miller and others, for example, are starting a nonprofit group, doconthemove.org, to help start a transportation system for people with disabilities.
"In many ways, this has brought us together and made us more aware of needs in the community," Miller said.
He describes meeting a woman who mentioned wanting to attend church on Sundays but felt she couldn't because transportation options for wheelchairs are limited on weekends.
"We want to get a van, a wheelchair lift and a driver," said Amanda Owens, Miller's niece who is helping to coordinate the movement.
She said her uncle, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is ambitious and unafraid of his disability.
"He has accomplished a lot of things no one thought he would, including getting a college degree and serving an LDS mission," she said. "He is always saying he wants to show people how to help themselves."
DOC IN 2006
DOC has worked with other non-profits to help the residents of Pleasant Green Villa feel safe by equipping their clubhouse with a new alarm system and computers. This apartment building for the disabled was broken into and the thieves took three computers and personal resident files. We appreciate the help that the community gave to the disabled residents of the Pleasant Green Villa (seen below).
Because of DOC's work in the community, local businesses stepped forward and not only replaced what was stolen, but also installed a security system in the clubhouse. Now the residents can feel safe as they enjoy the new computers.
Late in 2006, HSM Security installed a FREE alarm system in our clubhouse, and we all had a party. HSM WE LOVE YOU!! We hope you enjoy some of the pictures of ths event:
DOC in 2007
On February 8, 2007, The Disability Outreach Committee (DOC) had its “First Annual Friends of DOC Celebration.” This celebration honored members of the business community, and the Salt Lake County Housing Authority who united to protect disabled residents of the Pleasant Green Villa from further burglaries.
Over the past two years, the Pleasant Green Villa's Clubhouse was broken into three times. Because of DOC’s efforts, “HSM Security,” a National Security Company, installed a free alarm system. In addition, “Computers for Kids,” a local non-profit organization, provided three computers for the clubhouse.
This could not take place without cooperation from the Salt Lake County Housing Authority that owns and operates the apartment complex for the disabled. DOC said “thank you” to all those organizations with this celebration. We hope you enjoy the pictures that follow:
Meet Shane Thompson (sitting)
& William LaRochelle (standing).
After they heard about the burg-
laries, they came looking for us!
This is Charlie Saba, from "Computers for Kids,"
who replaced our stolen computers. Charlie we
This is Sherrie Rico (right), and Andrea Mower (left).
They're members of The Housing Authority. And, we
are so grateful to them, as well as everyone else at
that organization, who helped us succeed.
We are so happy the press was there.
Thanksgiving Dinner 2007
On November 22, 2007, Thanksgiving Day, DOC was very grateful to the neighbors and friends of the disabled residents of the Pleasant Green VIlla. They supplied us with a wonderful meal! We had turkey with all the trimmings.
Many of the residents would have been alone without
this dinner. So, again we say thank you!
Flag Ceremony 2007
On Saturday November 10th 2007 DOC celebrated Veterans Day by hosting a Flag Ceremony at it's Magna apartment complex. The Pleasant Green Villa is a complex made up of mostly disabled Veterans, and because of DOC's efforts the complex finally recived a flagpole.
DOC is very grateful to Shane Thompson and Bill LaRochelle of HSM Security for supplying and installing the flagpole; and Lowell Taylor of CobbleCreek Electric for installing the spotlight. The flag was generously donated by the Salt Lake County Deputy Sheriff Association.
DOC also wishes to give a special thank you to the Salt Lake County Housing Authority for allowing the flag to be installed on community grounds, and allowing us to hold the ceremony.
Shane Thompson (sitting) and
William LaRochelle (standing)
from HSM Sercurity who donated
and installed the flagpole.
Local VFW president, Barry Christensen,
(left) and VFW member, John Hutchins,
preformed the flag raising at the ceremony.
DOC Chairman Mark Miller is
Proud of the new flagpole.