People in citizen advocacy relationships
Gary N. and Garry K. were introduced to each other by the office 15 years ago. Now friends for life, they have weathered good and bad times. They hang out together, take trips together, and call each other “buddy.” Gary N. used to live in an institution, but Garry K. makes it possible for him to stay in the community. As a citizen advocate, Garry K monitors Gary N’s medical needs and gives him advice when needed. This role became formalized when Garry K. became Gary N’s legal guardian. Both men agreed to this.
Introduced to eac
h other
by the office, Marion helped Adrienne look for a job, move into and maintain her
own apartment. Marion loves Adrienne as if she were her own daughter, but when
Adrienne decided to get married, their relationship had to change. Adrienne has
become a lot more independent and these two women have discovered that their
relationship is mutual. Today, they support each other.
Bruce lives in an
institution. Tom is married with six kids. Both Bruce and Tom share a love of
running and can often be seen out on the street of Syracuse jogging together.
Tom frequently invites Bruce over to his home for supper, holidays, and to share
time with his family. 
Kathy and The
lma share a
common bond in their Irish heritage and their neighborhood, Tipperary Hill. They
are exploring their community together. Picnics, family gatherings, lazing by
the poolside, Kathy is seeing the West side through Thelma’s extensive network
of friends.
Melanie, a mother of four, became interested in eight year old Danny who lives in the city. Danny now rides the hills of Pompey with Melanie’s son on their bikes during his weekly visits. Grass, bikes, sunshine, and garter snakes – these are legacies that can’t be bought, only shared with one another.
Person to Person: Citizen Advocacy Association, Inc.