© 2024 Georgia State University, All Rights Reserved
What is GWI?
The Georgia Winter Institute is far more than a conference – it is a chance for renewed commitment to social justice, a prolonged conversation about values and beliefs, a series of strategy sessions on building more inclusive communities, and more. GWI attracts between 100 and 200 people from all walks of life to learn more about building communities that include and engage all citizens – but with a specific emphasis on people with disabilities. This year’s conference will be held from January 24-28, 2015 in Columbus, GA.
The goal of this crowd-funding project is to provide scholarships for 10 (or more) GSU students to attend GWI. They will have the chance to interact closely with GWI faculty and other participants, gaining valuable tools and strategies to build caring communities that include all citizens. A previous participant described it as a “life changing experience that will change forever how I work with people with disabilities – understanding that they have historically been left out, yet have much to offer.”
ABOUT US
GWI is organized by the staff of the Center for Leadership in Disability in the GSU School of Public Health. GWI connects citizens with and without disabilities to educate, empower, and include every person in strengthening community bonds. GWI 2014 brought together more than 150 people who attended sessions on housing, post-secondary education, community supports, and employment for people with disabilities. Now entering our fifth year, we look forward to welcoming over 175 participants to GWI 2015, where we will continue to focus on community building with workshops that build capacity to create better jobs for people with disabilities, offering hospitable faith communities, promoting financial literacy, increasing options for health and well being, and building skills to promote person-centered planning which promotes the development of a plan that turns dreams into reality.
WHY CONTRIBUTE
Your contribution will provide the opportunity of a lifetime to the future leaders of the statewide disability movement. This is an “optional” activity for students that they are unlikely to have budgeted for. Yet, they have so much to gain from it. GSU students will meet state leaders, policy makers, and advocates in their fields of study. They will learn new ways of thinking about their future professions and how they might work in coalitions to accomplish change. GSU alumni who have participated in past years have moved on to careers with the Georgia Department of Public Health, the CDC, the Marcus Autism Center, and Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine. Participation in community engagement events like GWI has been integral to their success in their chosen fields.
With your help, we will reach our campaign goal of $5,000 to pay for conference registration, hotel and meal costs for ten (10) GSU students to attend GWI. Additional funds raised will allow us to support more students, either this year or next.
For more information, visit our GWI website. GWI is a program of the Center for Leadership in Disability which is located within the Center for Healthy Development and the School of Public Health at Georgia State University.
Your contribution will support the dissemination of printed materials that will allow a GSU student to leave GWI 2015 with new resources, connections and ideas. All contributors gain access to the GSU at GWI Blog penned by student attendees chronicling their time at GWI.
Your contribution will support for one days worth of meals for one GSU student at the GWI Conference.
Your contribution will support for two days worth of meals for one GSU student at the GWI Conference. You will be recognized in our social media and GWI program.
Your contribution will support for GWI registration for one GSU student. You will be recognized in our social media and GWI program.
Your contribution will support for registration fees for two GSU students at the GWI 2015 Conference. You will be recognized in our social media and GWI program.
Your contribution will support for a registration fees and housing for two GSU students at the GWI 2015 Conference. You will be recognized in our social media and GWI program.