Council Members
John BauerBethesda Lutheran Communities
Watertown, Wisconsin USA Rev. Tom Bruch
Bethphage
Shrewsbury, UK
Ann-Helen Jusnes
Nord-Norges Diakonistiftelse
Norway Michael Seidel
v. Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel
Bielefeld, Germany Linda Timmons
Mosaic
Omaha, Nebraska USA
Message from the Chair of the IMPACT Council
In its founding documents, IMPACT affirms that it will advocate for and serve individuals with disabilities, regardless of the religion, ethnicity, race, or cultural or political backgrounds. The overriding purpose of the international alliance is to affect public policy at the local and national level, including…recognition and respect of human rights and increased support services for people with disabilities.Since its beginning in 2001, IMPACT has worked with local partners in several countries, providing services to adults and children who have learning and other disabilities that are often profound. At present, IMPACT is supporting programs in the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Latvia, Romania, Russia and Tanzania. The projects include schools, residential homes, vocational training and support, parent groups, day centers and other services. IMPACT encourages local or national bodies, including governments, to continue the work in the longer term, and this is already happening in a number of cases.
The Council and Management Committee of IMPACT believe that the organization's work has made a positive difference to the lives of many people. The needs are enormous and, although the resources limited, our commitment to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities remains strong. We look forward to the development of IMPACT projects in the years ahead, including cooperation with partners in additional countries. There is no doubt that the expertise, fresh thinking and earnest dedication contributed by many people associated with IMPACT can make a big difference, improving the well being of some of the most vulnerable people in our societies.
Tom Bruch, Chair