MESSAGE FROM MARY YODER, AADD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

When I accepted the position as Executive Director of AADD five years ago, I embarked on an unmet career goal.  Accepting this responsibility was at the same time easy and challenging: I felt so strongly about the mission and vision of AADD.

I knew the power and potential of this dynamic organization and her volunteers and employees firsthand.  For the past 5 years, I have appreciated the opportunity to support staff members in providing services, developing leadership, and expanding the building blocks of our financial foundation. 

Being a part of AADD has provided me with many opportunities to meet and work “along-side-of” truly remarkable people and to help develop and build strategies to strengthen our community.  Words can never express my appreciation for the ways people have shared and included me in their stories of struggle and success; I will cherish these relationships forever.

Now it is time for me to step back, slow down, and move to a new stage in life, and so I am announcing my retirement effective the end of June.  I am eager to have more time for family and things I enjoy away from the office.  While my relationship with AADD is changing, my dedication to the mission and vision remain firm.  I look forward to supporting new leadership and the work of AADD. 

As I anticipate my retirement, I do so with confidence; I know there is a capable team of volunteers and staff who remain.  I have a sense of calm because I know the search committee is comprised of people who have demonstrated commitment to the core values of AADD, understand the strengths of AADD, and know her challenges.

Over the past 53 years, many people have come together to build an organization of integrity, purpose, and vision. The people I have had the privilege to work with at AADD rise to every challenge with commitment and perseverance. I – and I hope you – will continue to support this life-changing and life-affirming work.

OUR MISSION
Our mission is to build communities of support, acceptance, and opportunity for children, adults, and families living with developmental disabilities. We believe people with developmental disabilities, and their families, are among the most challenged, excluded and vulnerable people in society. In response, AADD works to build strong communities that encourage and support all individuals to:

• Make informed choices
• Participate in sporting, social, and recreational activities
• Live in safe and positive environments
• Grow, develop, and access and utilize resources
• Achieve health and wellness throughout their lives.
  

For many of the people we support, AADD means the difference between stability and homelessness, sickness and health, isolation and inclusion, discrimination and dignity.

As we celebrate more than 50 years of service, AADD continues to develop its legacy of leadership and history of creating hope for people living with developmental disabilities.

We invite you to join us - whether it's signing up for our services, donating your time, services or monetary contributions, or simply helping spread the word about all the good work we do.

AADD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and an Equal Opportunity provider.

1. attributable to a mental or physical impairment,
2. manifested prior to age 22,
3. likely to continue indefinitely,
4. resulting in substantial limitations in at least three
   of seven major life functions, and
5. requiring services for an extended period of time.