Purpose and History of Fund
The Joe Wykowski Advocacy Fund will increase Community Vision’s work in advocacy around affordable housing. We want to connect people with disabilities to accessible, affordable, sustainable places to call their own.
Since our inception in 1989, Community Vision (CV) has been guided by the vision of our founder, Joe Wykowski, that people with disabilities should have a place to call their own. Because of CV’s work, many people with disabilities are home owners, receive customized support, or are thriving in affordable housing. We launched this fund in October 2022 to honor Joe and continue his legacy far into the future.
Challenges to be Addressed
- People with disabilities often say that having a safe and affordable place of their own is their number one desire. Unfortunately, so many go without.
- Systems and policies set up to support people with disabilities are antiquated and cause their own barriers. This means people are forced to stay with family and friends, or live on the street, while sitting on long waitlists to find a place that meets their needs.
- There are not enough rental units. There is minimal awareness of buildings and resources available.
Why Community Vision
Community Vision is uniquely suited to address these challenges. We have been directly serving individuals with disabilities and developing housing options for over 33 years. We understand that people with disabilities have specific. housing needs. We know what services are available. We have strong connections with the community.
How We Are Addressing the Challenges
The Joe Wykowski Advocacy Fund will expand the ability for people with disabilities to live on their own by supporting our efforts to challenge the mindsets of decision makers (in Salem as well as Portland). We will work to change the rules that limit people’s housing options. And we will create more affordable housing and individualized supports in our communities.
Here are a few key issues we are planning to tackle:
- Statewide Housing: Partnering with Disability Rights Oregon and others to increase the number of accessible, affordable housing units funded by the state
- Local Housing: Educate regional and city decision makers on the benefits of including people with disabilities in integrated, affordable housing complexes
- Services: Lead efforts to bolster individualized supports offered to people with disabilities who are living in their own places
We realize this is hard, often complicated work. Community Vision is well poised to make change happen. People with disabilities can and want to live independently. We have the experience and will share our knowledge with our peers and decision makers in Oregon. Now is the time to act. We invite you to join us.
For more information, ways to get involved, or to support our work, reach out to Executive Director Jennifer Knapp at jknapp@cvision.org.
