Archived News & Events - July 2018

Fun Day 2018

On Friday July 13, Merakey Children’s Services at 265 E. Lehigh in Philadelphia hosted its annual Fun Day event. The Disney themed event was open to consumers and members of the public. More than 200 people attended the free event that featured food, music, and interactive activities including face-painting, balloon animals, photo booths, and slime making. Physical and mental health screenings were also available to interested families from Temple Pediatrics. Fun Day was an opportunity for Merakey to support the local community by offering family-friendly activities, health services and educational resources for youth and family.

ADA Awareness Day

July 26 is the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act becoming law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The law made sure that those with disabilities maintain the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The act opened the door for equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications.

The history of the law dates back to the 1960s when the Civil Rights Movement inspired other movements such as the Women’s Rights Movement and the Disability Rights Movement. Activism among various disability groups can be traced back to the 1800s, however it was a multiple day sit-in that created enough impact for legal change.

In 1977, the disability rights community demanded President Carter sign new regulations for those with disabilities. Instead of signing the regulations, a task force was assigned to review them. The American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities insisted that the regulations be enacted by April 5, 1977 or they would take action. When the date arrived and the regulations still had not been signed, people from across the county protested by sitting-in at federal offices of Health, Education, and Welfare. In San Francisco the sit-in at the Federal Building lasted until April 28, when the regulations were finally signed, unchanged. The regulations provided the ground work for future legislations such as the ADA and others to become law.

Merakey honors and thanks those who inspired change that provided equal opportunity for everyone.

Merakey Receives Certificate of Appreciation for Diversity and Inclusion

The Hilton Philadelphia Hotel-Awards Scholarship Luncheon was held on June 10. Fifteen college bound students from schools in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties received scholarships.

Mary Robinson, Merakey Recruiter-University Relations, received a Certificate of Appreciation for the Continentals Spring Fling and a $1,000 sponsorship for student scholarships as part of the diversity and inclusion initiative.

The Continental Societies, INC. Metropolitan Philadelphia Area Chapter, is an international philanthropic and public service organization founded in 1956 and incorporated nationally in 1972. The mission of Continentals Societies, INC is to create environments within communities that empower children to have access to qualify and opportunities to reach their optimal potential. This organization is composed of 46 chapters in 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Bermuda, and serves over one quarter of a million children annually.

Merakey Wellness Recovery Team in Delaware County Featured by Magellan Healthcare

Click here to learn how Merakey’s Wellness Recovery Team is making a difference in the lives of individuals that reside in Delaware County, PA.