Keystone Human Services

Just Include Me: Making Good Health a Reality for All of Us
2019-06-13
Side Event to the 12th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

“When I decided to move into the community, I faced a lot of resistance from the staff of the institution,” said Diana Zgherea, an advocate from Moldova. “They scared me that I would not survive in the community. For me, it was very difficult….I was afraid not to lose everything. But I wanted to change my life. That is why it is very important to tell our personal story to our peers and to other people at local, national, and global events.”
On June 13, 2019, Diana represented Keystone Moldova at a side event at the United Nations’ Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The side event Just Include Me: Making Good Health a Reality for All of Us was organized by the New South Wales Council for Intellectual Disability.
Keystone Human Services International was proud to co-sponsor the side event along with the International Disability Alliance, WHO Collaborating Center on Family Medicine and Primary Care, the Australian government. Diana joined panelists Alanna Julian, Project Officer for the Council for Intellectual Disability; Kory Earle, advocate representing People First Canada, and Professor Michael Kidd, Director of the WHO Collaborating Center on Family Medicine and Primary Care.
This side event explored the connection between full participation in the community and health for people with disabilities. According to the WHO, people with disability seek more health care than people without disability and have greater unmet needs, especially people with intellectual disability and psychosocial disability, people from developing countries or remote areas, women and children, and cultural minorities.

“People with intellectual disabilities living in institutions are poorly informed about their health and treatment and are even denied the services they need,” said Diana. “As advocates, we must partner with the government and civil society organizations to promote full participation in the community and good health so people with disabilities receive support according to their rights and will.”

Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Institutions: Lived Experiences and Ways to Achieve Deinstitutionalization
2019-06-12 | United Nations Headquarters, New York City, United States
Side Event to the 12th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

“In the institution, I was humiliated and ignored. In the community, I’m treated with respect and dignity,” said Diana Zgherea, an advocate from Moldova. “People with disabilities must collaborate with civil society organizations to advocate for deinstitutionalization. People with intellectual disabilities have the right to live independently and be included in the community. We are committed to change public attitudes toward people with disabilities.”
On June 12, 2019, Diana represented Keystone Moldova at the United Nations for a side event, “Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Institutions: Lived Experiences and Ways to Achieve Deinstitutionalization,” at the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Advocates from around the world shared their personal stories about living in institutions and talked about their challenges and successes in leaving the institution to live in the community. The panel discussed government partnerships to develop alternatives to segregated, institutional care and how being included in all aspects of society leads to meaningful life in the community.

Keystone Human Services International was proud to co-sponsor this side event, along with the International Disability Alliance, Young Adult Institute, and the permanent missions of the Republic of Moldova and New Zealand. Diana joined panelists Tia Nelis, an advocate and Policy and Advocacy Director for TASH; Krista Carr, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Associate for Community Living; Robert Martin from the CRPD Committee, and Consuelo Senior, Assistant Coordinator Training from YAI.
“I hope my personal story empowers people with intellectual disability around the world to demand their rights,” said Diana.

Who Gets a Seat at the Table?—When “All” Means Only Some Perspectives from the Global South and Global North
2018-06-13 08:15 - 09:30 UTC | United Nations Headquarters, New York City, United States
Side Event to the 12th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
In partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the United Nations
Behind the promise of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) lies the assumption that human societies function best when everyone participates. Nevertheless, some deeply marginalized groups are being left out of efforts to fully implement the commitments of the Convention.
Are there groups of vulnerable people, such as people with psychosocial and developmental disabilities, being systematically left behind in the struggle for voice, space, and place in society? How do the intersecting elements of gender, race, and region affect this exclusion? What strategies and means can be used to increase and strengthen efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals for all?
On June 13, 2018, a panel of change agents shared perspectives from the Global North and Global South and highlighted the work that remains before everyone has a seat the table. Together we must continue to raise our voices to hold fast to the commitment that no one is left behind in the implementation of the CRPD.
For more information about the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, visit the UN’s website.

Organizer
Keystone Human Services International
Charles J. Hooker, III, President and CEO
Sponsors
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the United Nations
The Hans Foundation
International Disability Alliance
YAI
Panelists
Carolina Popovici
Counsellor
Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the United Nations
Dr. Ludmila Malcoci
Executive Director of Keystone Moldova
Regional Director for Keystone Human Services, Central and Eastern Europe
Reginald Redish
Self Advocate
Tom Ott
Social Worker, YAI
Nidhi Goyal
Disability Rights and Gender Justice Activist
Founder and Director of Rising Flame
Moitreyee Sinha
CEO of citiesRISE, a global multi-stakeholder initiative on mental health
Jane Akinyi
Self Advocate
Moderator
Genevieve Fitzgibbon
Deputy Director, Keystone Human Services International

Sign interpretation and CART will be provided.

Giving Tuesday
2017-11-28
Share the possibities this #GivingTuesday and support children at the Unitate Community Center in Moldova!
November 28, 2017 is #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving to make the world a better place.
This #GivingTuesday, Keystone Human Services International is raising money to support our Unitate Community Center in Tudora in the Republic of Moldova. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with 19% of people in rural areas living in poverty.

Children in Moldova are especially vulnerable. One or both of their parents often live abroad to work, and without a stable family environment, many children are exposed to abuse and neglect, in addition to poverty. It’s a difficult situation for any child to grow up in.
The Unitate Community Center in the rural village of Tudora offers the most vulnerable of these children a safe and structured place where they can be children and thrive. Children attend the Center every day before and after school, even on weekends. It’s a place where they can get a nutritious meal, have access to safe running water, and have a safe place where they can focus on their schooling. But even more than that, it’s a place where children can build their self-confidence and social skills so they can grow and find success in school and life.
“I started attending the Center when I was twelve. The Center is a home for me,” said Mihaela. “The people who work here welcomed me as if I was their child. I felt safe here, loved and protected. I’ve learned to have patience and to understand and support others. Now I am a volunteer at the Center. I wish that our Center would become bigger and could help more children.”

Galina and Andrei’s Story
When she was 13 years old, Galina gave birth to her son Andrei. She always wanted her children to have a better life than she had, so she enrolled her son in the Unitate Community Center. She wanted him to learn, gain social skills, and learn other new and useful skills.
At first, Andrei was shy, selfish, and reserved, and he lacked confidence. He didn’t have any friends and was not prepared to school.
Since he began attending the Center, Andrei has flourished. He learned to count and write numbers, and he knows half the alphabet. Additionally, he has made lots of friends and communicates well with his friends and teachers.
Galina is very happy with Andrei’s successes.
Cristina and Maxim’s Story
When Cristina and Maxim’s mother passed away a few years ago, their father began drinking and stopped taking care of them.
These two siblings came to the Center as very quiet, anxious children. Through the psychological support at the Center, they have opened up and become more active and confident. They have made many friends.
Life at home has also improved for them. Their father started to get involved in their lives again, becoming more responsible and attentive to their needs. Although he refused to talk with anyone from the Center at first, he now participates in parent meetings and other activities organized by the Center.
Why Should You Give?

By attending the Unitate Community Center, children have discovered that their futures are full of possibilities. One girl said, “I’ve realized that I can do much more than I thought I could.”
All children need a safe place to learn, healthy meals, clean clothes, a place to play, and access to running water.
The Unitate Community Center is entire dependent on private funding and charitable donations. Your donation to support the Center will give children a chance to thrive.
The Unitate Community Center is empowering children and families with a better hope for their future. Donate today and share the possibilities!

Making Deinstitutionalization Real: Moving from the Idea toward the Ideal
2017-06-14 11:45 - 13:00 | United Nations Headquarters, New York City, United States
Side Event at the 10th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Developing real strategies for people with intellectual and psychosocial disability to have the opportunity to live full, rich, meaningful lives remains a daunting task. Governments and private organizations continue to congregate and segregate people in institutions, resulting in oppression, brutalization, and loss of identity and opportunity, as well as robbing our communities of the talents and gifts people with disability have to offer.
Almost everyone agrees that deinstitutionalization is necessary, but how do we make it happen? What does it take to build a community-based service system? What are the building blocks of support within communities?
Join a panel of change agents from India, the Republic of Moldova, and the United States to examine and explore questions that surround this issue. Keystone Human Services and YAI in the US have worked to establish a community system to support people in typical lives, often learning lessons the hard way through pioneering. The Republic of Moldova is in the midst of highly successful partnerships with families, government, NGOs, and people with disability to develop culturally competent models that work. India is laying strong groundwork for action toward this end. The experiences of these countries and organizations illustrate some of the most difficult issues around creating a society where everyone belongs.
For more information about the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, visit the UN’s website.
View Side Event Flyer
Speakers

Charles J. Hooker III, President/CEO
Keystone Human Services
Dr. Ludmila Malcoci
Regional Director of KHSI, Central and Eastern Europe
Executive Director, KHSI Moldova Association
Elizabeth Neuville
Executive Director, Keystone Institute (US)
Director, Keystone Institute India
Anastasia Oceretnii, Deputy Minister
Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family
Government of Moldova
Shweta Rawat, Chairperson
The Hans Foundation
Ravi Dahiya, Chief Program Officer
YAI
