I am the Summit DD - Dana
The Summit DD relies on the support of the community including the involvement of hundreds of volunteers who help us out with community awareness and special events. While assistance with a variety of tasks is always appreciated, the agency benefits from community involvement in ways that many might not initially realize. The programs are richer when people with disabilities interact with our staff and the community.
The Summit DD Board thrives when we improve the attitudes awareness of Summit County residents relative to what people with developmental disabilities can do. The agency uses an aggressive campaign of positive media exposure through PSA’s, engaging the community at public events, and encouraging people with disabilities to openly advocate for community-based supports. One such advocate for the equality and 2009, consistent with previous years, there is an effective advocate for the equality and acceptance of people with disabilities, Dana Meissner, gains valuable work experience through volunteering.
Dana lives in the Ellet area and receives agency services from follow along, service and support and community travel. Currently, Dana is employed with Weaver Industries as a sales associate in the Ellet location Gift Gallery.
Dana joined the Summit DD volunteer team in 2003. She had previous volunteer experience with Akron General Medical Center in their Specialty Care Clinic filing, copying and running errands within the hospital. Dana said," The experience came in handy!" When the opportunity came to secure an office job, it helped when the employer found out she had experience which landed her a position at North Star Orthopedic working for six doctors
Dana has done many volunteer duties, everything from bag assembly for the All Agency Inservice to filing in the Human Resources and Staff Development Departments. She feels this experience helped her secure the position as a sales associate in the Gift Gallery by Weaver Industries retail locations now. Dana also can be counted on bythe Public Relations Department when help is needed with community awareness and agency events. Her favorite event is Yankee Peddler that is held in September every year.
Dana also likes helping out at the annual People First at the Movies event held in March and at Project Understanding where high school students explore careers in the field of disabilities. Dana remembers the first time she volunteered for Project Understanding. She spoke to students about how her life was growing up with a disability. This year, she participated at an Ability Awareness Station where she taught students about products made at Weaver Indutries. Dana is proud that “when I am not working at the store and you need help, you can count on me!” Dana has a message for everyone, especially people who receive services from the agency: “get some volunteer experience, especially if you are looking for employment. The more experience you have, the better the chance of getting a job. It worked for me. It can work for you.” When Dana is not working or volunteering, she enjoys bowling, shopping, and fulfilling her duties as the secretary of the Kiwanis Aktion Club of Summit County.
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