‘Inclusion is for everyone,’ was the message delivered by members of the Self Advocacy Group, Make A Mark, from The Resource Center in Dunkirk, in collaboration with the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) at Silver Creek Central School. On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, individuals presented to the middle school, the high school students, and fourth- and fifth-grade students at Silver Creek Central.
In March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to lead Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), an annual campaign highlighting how people with and without disabilities form strong communities together. In line with this movement, Special Olympics also promotes the Global Choose to Include Movement on the first Wednesday in March. In the past, Make A Mark has worked with the City of Dunkirk to declare March as Choose to Include Month in the city. This year, the Town of Hanover joined in this endeavor when students from Silver Creek and Forestville, requested a similar declaration. The article written in the Dunkirk Observer led to Make A Mark reaching out to the Silver Creek YAC to speak with the students about what inclusion means to them and how being included has affected them.
Three members of the group created statements to present to the students. Mike Ostrye and Jen Meyers each read a statement, while Mary Hayes was unable to attend, Mike read her statement at each assembly. Each statement involved details about their childhood experiences and how they felt being excluded or bullied.
Meyers said, “This bullying made me feel like the stupidest person alive. Can you imagine feeling like that every day?”
Hayes commented that when she took an interest in the field of food service, other students told her, “That it was stupid to do it and that I couldn’t do it,” but she completed the program and received her certificate.
Ostrye’s statements took a different approach, asking the students to “think twice about treating someone with a disability differently or excluding them. And maybe even take the extra time to encourage people that may need a little extra help.”
Each person’s story talked about how successful they were now as adults - working, making friends, and being a part of the community. The advocacy group advisor spoke as well, stating, “They are all success stories. They have jobs and homes, they vote just like everyone else, and they are valued members of the communities where they live and work.”
Silver Creek recently completed its 6th Annual Choose to Include Spirit Week, sponsored by YAC and the Unified Sports teams. Each day the students and staff wore colors to raise awareness regarding Autism, Bullying, Mental Health, and Pride in who you are. On Wednesday, March 5, the entire district took part in the Global Choose to Include: Take the Pledge Day, signing pledge cards demonstrating their willingness to make their school an inclusive and accepting environment for everyone. This presentation was a wonderful way to build community relationships and grow the Inclusion Movement.
At the end of each presentation, Ostrye challenged the students to be kind to others, get to know their peers, and help others in need. For his closing words, he stated, “I always like to say, ‘Hey, get to know us before you judge us.’” Words everyone can live by!
