Disability Network Southwest Michigan

05/08/2026

Reminder of Coffee with the CEO coming up on Wednesday! Please join us in the Disability Network Community Building for community and time with President & CEO, Kelley Kellis!

🔗RSVP here: https://loom.ly/z4kVZqs

Every Wednesday, we want to share some good news happening here at DN and in our community.

We're only a few days away from May! As we get ready to flip the calendar, we’re also getting ready to celebrate something pretty special: one year of leadership from our President & CEO, Kelley Kellis. 🙌🏼🙌🏿✨

Over the past year, Kelley has helped guide meaningful progress, strengthen partnerships, and keep our mission moving forward. She holds us accountable in our decision-making and brings a fresh perspective that has made DNSWM a stronger organization.

Join us for our open-house style Coffee with the CEO event on May 13 to celebrate this milestone! Whether you stop by for a few minutes or the full time, this will be a casual and relaxed opportunity to connect and visit with Kelley. Whether you’ve been part of our community for years or you’re just getting to know us, please stop by.

Join us for Coffee with the CEO. All are welcome!
🗓 May 13 | 9:00–10:30 AM
📍 517 E. Crosstown Pkwy, Kalamazoo

Stop in for coffee, conversation, and a chance to connect as we celebrate Kelley Kellis’ first year of leadership.

RSVP and/or submit any accommodation requests here: https://loom.ly/z4kVZqs

ID: A promotional graphic featuring a coffee cup with repeated text "Coffee with the CEO" in blue over an orange circle. Additionally, a photograph of President & CEO Kelley Kellis sitting in her office.

05/07/2026

: On Thursdays we highlight something or someone we're thankful for.

Today we're expressing our gratitude for our President & CEO, Kelley Kellis. Technically, her work anniversary was a few days ago, but we're still celebrating! 🎉

Sasha Boersma, Board Chair, put it this way: "The Board of Directors congratulates Kelley Kellis on her one year anniversary with Disability Network Southwest Michigan! I am personally excited to see the positive effects of her collaboration with staff towards achieving our strategic goals. We are particularly proud of her ability to connect with our community partners and with how she has gracefully navigated significant budget cuts in her first year. We look forward to working alongside her for many years to come!"

ID: DNSWM President & CEO, Kelley Kellis. DNSWM logo. A large quotation mark. Text: "The Board of Directors congratulates Kelley Kellis on her one year anniversary with Disability Network Southwest Michigan!" -Sasha Boersma, Board Chair.

05/06/2026

Plot twist: Yesterday’s monthly email may have sent you on a bit of a detour. The registration link for hosting a booth or informational table at July's ADA Celebration was incorrect.

Follow this updated link for more:
🔗 https://loom.ly/6MVXlGk

Link preview ID: Circular logo celebrating 45 years of Disability Network Southwest Michigan from 1981 to 2026. Design features bold orange "45" in center, surrounded by blue ring with white text that reads "Disability Network Southwest Michigan."

Hold a Booth at Disability Network’s Annual ADA Event Disability Network Southwest Michigan believes all people deserve full access and inclusion in our programs and…

05/06/2026

Every Wednesday, we share good things happening here at DN and in our community.

After celebrating Cinco de Mayo yesterday, we’re reflecting on the importance of celebrating culture and community, and continuing the work of building a place where everyone belongs.

Here are photos of our booth from Voces' Cinco de Mayo festival this past weekend. Shoutout to our dedicated staff members, Lauren and Jalen, who braved the cold in the name of showing up for our community!

ID 1: DNSWM staff members Lauren and Jalen standing outside at an agency booth. They're wearing winter hats and warm clothing.
ID 2: The DNSWM booth at Voces' Cinco de Mayo celebration. A table covered by a white tablecloth displays the DNSWM logo and various informational materials.

05/05/2026

: On Tuesdays we share a tip or fact about the to give better insight into who we are and what we stand for.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and today is Day. It can be incredibly hard, but talking about is a really important part of normalizing real experiences and combatting shame.

Did you know that 1 in 5 adults in the US experiences a mental health condition?

How can you support ? Here are a few ideas:
- Check in with at least one person you love today about how they're doing.
- When you feel comfortable, talk openly about mental health to help reduce stigma and shame.
- Request an assessment at your next checkup if you feel you may be struggling with your mental health.
- Share this post with the following: Today I will Silence the Shame and not be afraid to talk about mental wellness!

The National Su***de Prevention Lifeline is a 24/7 free su***de hotline (1-800-273-8255) for anyone to receive help. You can also text the word "silence" to 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor from Crisis Text Line.

ID: Silence the Shame logo. DNSWM logo. Graphic of 5 silhouettes, four are solid black and one is grey; text: One in five adults has a mental health disability.

05/04/2026

May the 4th be with you! ✨

We checked. Accessibility matters in every galaxy.



ID: DNSWM logo. A dark sky with constellations in the shape of various mobility devices; text: Accessibility matters in every galaxy.

05/04/2026

! Every first Monday of the month we'll introduce you to someone on our team. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on someone who has spent the past year helping guide our mission forward with purpose and heart: our President & CEO, Kelley Kellis.

Kelley celebrated one year with Disability Network Southwest Michigan yesterday. 🎉 Over the past 12 months, she has brought thoughtful leadership and a deep commitment to community.

Whether she’s connecting with partners, listening to community members, or championing the work of our team, Kelley leads with intention and a strong belief that everyone belongs.

A fun fact about Kelley is that she's a retired Division I athlete. 👀🏅 As a former member of the Women’s Track and Field Team at Michigan State University (Go Green!), Kelley had the opportunity to compete, study, and train alongside some exceptional athletes.

Join us in celebrating Kelley’s first year and the impact she’s already made, with many more milestones ahead!

Drop a 👏 or a 🎉 in the comments to help us celebrate!

ID: President & CEO, Kelley Kellis, seated in her office. She's a Black woman with short hair, wearing a green top and a green and white striped skirt. Text: Spotlight on Our Dedicated Team. Kelley Kellis, President & CEO. Celebrating 1 year at DNSWM! "What I love most about being at DNSWM is working alongside an incredibly talented, caring, and passionate team. The combination of professional expertise and lived experience among staff truly enhances the experiences of the individuals we serve. I value that our team centers each person and recognizes them as the expert in their own life. It’s also meaningful to be part of an environment where we can learn, grow, and teach one another. The level of collaboration across the team is something truly special."

05/01/2026

Stop by and see us at our booth tomorrow at Voces' annual Cinco de Mayo festival in Battle Creek! This event is genuinely amazing every single year, with music, performances, shopping, incredible (!!!) food, and more. What an example of community!

ID: Colorful promotional flyer for Voces' Cinco de Mayo event featuring decorative icons of a chili pepper, guitar, and a taco. Text: Live music, food, and free entry. Saturday, May 2nd, from 3-8 PM at Festival Market Square, Downtown Battle Creek.

04/30/2026

"My money is more important if I help people." 💙🧡

We're loving this story of Ledger, a 9-year-old Autistic kiddo, who used his own money to create emergency bags to support and calm Autistic children during stressful encounters with first responders. His clear bags hold comforting items like fidget toys, headphones, and stuffed animals. What a creative and selfless idea! Way to go, Ledger!

🔗 Check out the full story here: https://bit.ly/4tL8pZX

04/30/2026

: On Thursdays we highlight something or someone we're thankful for. Today we’re celebrating someone who reminds us what resilience and advocacy looks like.

Please join us in congratulating Jennifer Gougeon-Catarino, a member of DNSWM's Brain Injury Survivor Peer Support Group, who was recently honored as a survivor and brain injury advocate at the 2026 Legacy Dinner hosted by the Brain Injury Association of Michigan.

Jennifer’s voice, leadership, and willingness to share her story continue to create space for connection and understanding in our community. We’re grateful to have her as part of the DN family and for all she does to advocate for brain injury survivors. We're so happy to see her advocacy recognized at the state level. You're amazing, Jennifer! You go, girl! 👊🏽🌟

Please help us celebrate Jennifer in the comments! 👇🏽

ID 1: Brain Injury (BI) Peer Support Group member and Legacy Dinner honoree, Jennifer G. with BI Group facilitator, Anne K. They are dressed in formal attire.
ID 2: Brain Injury (BI) Peer Support Group member and Legacy Dinner honoree, Jennifer G.; Jennifer's son; BI Group President, Tim S.; and BI Group facilitator, Anne K. stand next to the State of Michigan flag, dressed in formal attire.
ID 3: An electronic image of Jennifer and two other survivors, projected on a screen in a dark room at the 2026 Legacy Dinner.
ID 4: A printed write-up featuring an image of Jennifer and her survivor story.

04/29/2026

Every Wednesday, we want to share some good news happening here at DN and in our community.

We're only a few days away from May! As we get ready to flip the calendar, we’re also getting ready to celebrate something pretty special: one year of leadership from our President & CEO, Kelley Kellis. 🙌🏼🙌🏿✨

Over the past year, Kelley has helped guide meaningful progress, strengthen partnerships, and keep our mission moving forward. She holds us accountable in our decision-making and brings a fresh perspective that has made DNSWM a stronger organization.

Join us for our open-house style Coffee with the CEO event on May 13 to celebrate this milestone! Whether you stop by for a few minutes or the full time, this will be a casual and relaxed opportunity to connect and visit with Kelley. Whether you’ve been part of our community for years or you’re just getting to know us, please stop by.

Join us for Coffee with the CEO. All are welcome!
🗓 May 13 | 9:00–10:30 AM
📍 517 E. Crosstown Pkwy, Kalamazoo

Stop in for coffee, conversation, and a chance to connect as we celebrate Kelley Kellis’ first year of leadership.

RSVP and/or submit any accommodation requests here: https://loom.ly/z4kVZqs

ID: A promotional graphic featuring a coffee cup with repeated text "Coffee with the CEO" in blue over an orange circle. Additionally, a photograph of President & CEO Kelley Kellis sitting in her office.