Our Vision Statement: Disability Rights California will create individual and family supports, chosen and directed by the person with a disability

Sonoma Valley Sun

September 11, 2009

Remembrance Day ceremony at Sonoma Developmental Center

The California Memorial Project (CMP) presents the Seventh Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony at Sonoma Developmental Center from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Butler Gazebo on Monday, Sept. 21.

The California Memorial Project is the collaboration by the California Network of Mental Health Clients, People First of California, and Disability Rights California to honor people who have lived and died at state institutions. The third Monday in September was established as Remembrance Day by the California Memorial Project, who will host simultaneous events at other developmental centers and state hospitals throughout California.

Each event is open to the public and will feature remembrances, poems, songs, and refreshments. Those in attendance will observe a moment of silence at 1:55 p.m. for people with developmental or mental disabilities who have died.

Speakers at the Sonoma event include James E. Rogers, Executive director of Sonoma Developmental Center; Sharon Schmidt of Disability Rights California; and the facility’s Catholic and Protestant Chaplains, Rev. Patrick Leslie and Rev. Thomas Kugler. Many of the residents at the center have created a colorful array of paper doves that will be on display at the Butler Gazebo during the ceremony in honor of the individuals being remembered.

For information about the California Memorial Project, contact Alicia Mendoza, CMP Representative from Disability Rights California, at 916.488.7787.