PWDF News

A Holiday Greeting and Message from People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF)

Who would you turn to for help if you were mentally and/or developmentally impaired and one day were on the verge of becoming homeless and not able to work?

Dear PWDF family, friends, colleagues and supporters:

It is that time of year again when we give thanks for all that we have in our lives—including our loved ones, our health, our jobs, and our homes. For many people, this time of year is harder than any other because they simply do not have the bare necessities that we all take for granted—nor are they able to effectively find the help they need to improve their situations.

According to a recent statistic by Disabled World, 42.8% of homeless adults in the U.S. experience some form of a disability, particularly a mental health disability, preventing them from being able to work, and in many cases, even afford housing. PWDF is one of the few organizations in the Bay Area aimed at helping this population; i.e., individuals with a psychiatric and/or developmental disability, through legal representation and educating the public. We promote social change to guarantee these individuals can achieve equal opportunities in all aspects of life.

As a 501(c)(3) public operating nonprofit organization, PWDF can only continue to do its important work with the help and support of individuals such as you. With the help of your tax-deductible contributions, PWDF can continue to provide legal assistance and public education to help individuals such as Chris…

Courtesy of Stock Free Images

Chris had a hard and troubled life. At a young age, he was a victim of physical and sexual abuse and was forced into prostitution by his own brother. Several years later, Chris was diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder. He was also a poly-substance abuser for many years. Chris was unable to maintain regular employment because of his disabilities. He was on the verge of becoming homeless unless he got some help. PWDF was successful in representing Chris in front of the Social Security Administration so that he could obtain much needed disability benefits in order for him to afford the bare essentials he needed to help get himself back on track.

PWDF invites you to join us in our mission to ensure that individuals with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities are not forgotten; that they receive the assistance that they so desperately need; and that no one experiences the fear and stress of becoming homeless because of their disabilities.

PWDF relies on the tax-deductible contributions of kind-hearted individuals and organizations such as you, and accepts donations in the form of cash, credit card, checks or securities. We invite you to become a part of PWDF's good will journey by making a donation today via mail or online here.

On behalf of all of us at PWDF and our clients for whom your kind donations have helped in the past, we thank you for your continued support and wish you and yours a very pleasant Holiday Season.

Sincerely,

Steven Bruce

Interim Executive Director

People With Disabilities Foundation

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PWDF Profile

Who We Are

People With Disabilities Foundation is an operating 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, which focuses on the rights of the mentally and developmentally disabled.

Services

Advocacy: PWDF advocates for Social Security claimant's disability benefits in eight Bay Area counties. We also provide services in disability rights, on issues regarding returning to work, and in ADA consultations, including areas of employment, health care, and education, among others. There is representation before all levels of federal court and Administrative Law Judges. No one is declined due to their inability to pay, and we offer a sliding scale for attorney's fees.

Education/Public Awareness: To help eliminate the stigma against people with mental disabilities in society, PWDF's educational program organizes workshops and public seminars, provides guest speakers with backgrounds in mental health, and produces educational materials such as videos.

Continuing Education Provider: State Bar of California MCLE, California Board of Behavioral Sciences Continuing Education, and Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.