110 degrees magazine - Index

110 degrees magazine - magazine - Index

People are ready to jump in and to help; they’ll
donate time and money if only they can find a
project that will channel their resources in directions
that are actually helpful.
We’re not waiting until ribbon cutting to do
some things; we’re providing some services at
the Y long before we get anything built. I recently
fixed some shelves at the Y that hold materials
used for specialized respite care services.
We’ll train daycare personnel to accommodate
special needs clients, providing a safe place for
a child while parents go shopping or to a doctor’s
appointment. Not having to push a wheelchair
along with your grocery cart is a good thing.
At the urging of the Special Kids Secretary, Jude
Byrne, Tracy Walker, the Executive Director of Delta
Family YMCA, is starting a circuit class for special
needs teens, where they can come, socialize, and
work out. The regular clientele enjoy the kids’
presence, which is what the kids need in order to
get along in the real world.
The playground is still in the planning stage.
We’re getting plot measurements, after which
we will fly back to Connecticut and meet with
reps from Boundless Playgrounds, a nonprofit
organization with the rousing slogan:
Our dream —
For every child, a place to play:
Every child! Every ability! Everywhere!
Boundless Playgrounds has done 85 of these, but
only three in California. We need to work out shared
spaces, parking, drainage, and numerous other
details. We’ll apply for a grant to get equipment.
Besides our Friends of Oakley Community
Foundation, we’re raising money from my SMF
Construction, the Special Kids Foundation, Inc., the
First 5 Centers, and from other government and
corporate funding sources.
My fellow Planning Commissioner, David
Huerta, together with Brentwood Director of
Economic Development (and Special Kids Board
Member), Linda Maurer, are helping to research
grant opportunities. The Lions and Kiwanis are
lining up to support us.
The playground is going to happen! Someday
we’ll watch a mixture of joyful children with
varying degrees of abilities playing together.
We’ll have the privilege of watching some children
who, for the first time in their lives, will be
having fun on swings and going down slides.
I can close my eyes and imagine the scene; I
can see the dear children and can just picture
the expressions on their parents’ faces. I’m looking
forward to that happy day!
°
For more information, contact Jim Frazier at
jmfrzr@sbcglobal.net. Send any comments on the
article to editors@110mag.com.
PERSONA I PEEKS
JIM FRAZIER (LEFT)
AGE: 49
OCCUPATION:
GENERAL
CONTRACTOR
PLACE OF BIRTH:
MARTINEZ
LOCAL RESIDENCE:
OAKLEY
LIFE GOAL:
HELPING PEOPLE
September/October 2008 www.110mag.com 19