GREENFIELD — A Michigan City woman is bringing her background in serving those with disabilities and mental health needs to lead a Greenfield nonprofit organization.
Joanne Tedesco is the new executive director of Families United for Support and Encouragement, which provides information, training and support to individuals and families with disabilities and mental health needs. The organization also sponsors educational events in Hancock and Shelby counties.
“As a mother of a child with a disability, a human rights commissioner who has focused on educating her community about the disability population, a newly elected school board member and a public relations and branding professional, Tedesco brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table,” a FUSE news release states.
Tedesco will take the organization’s helm in mid-August when she relocates with her family to central Indiana.
“It’s just simply my calling to increase awareness of people with disabilities to ensure equality for all people,” Tedesco said. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with families and individuals in Hancock and Shelby counties as well as others across central Indiana.”
Tedesco was one of 34 Indiana residents who was part of the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities — Partners in Policymaking Academy, which she graduated from in 2017. As a human rights commissioner in Michigan City, she worked to educate her community and raise awareness about issues impacting those with disabilities and developed six events that shared that mission this year.
She founded a parents support group in Michigan City and put on events through it to raise awareness of disabilities. Those events focused on special education offerings and services in Michigan City schools, parents’ rights, special education rules in Indiana, autism, applied behavior analysis, Down syndrome and vocational rehabilitation services available locally.
Tedesco also teamed up with a local dance studio to form a creative movement class for children with disabilities.
She’s a board member of the Mental Illness Advisory Council and Special Olympics of LaPorte as well, where she developed a bowling league for youth with disabilities.
Cheryl Blocher, FUSE board president, said that the organization looks forward to Tedesco coming on board.
“The selection of a new executive director is one of the most important duties a board of directors has to perform to ensure the future success of the organization,” Blocher said. “Joanne has just the right combination of skills and passion to lead our organization into the future.”
Tedesco replaces Denise Arland, who co-founded FUSE. Arland is confident she’s leaving the organization in good hands.
“Joanne certainly has a heart for the disability community,” Arland said. “It was obvious when we first met her that her drive and passion for this population sparks a certain energy within her that fuels her to create events, educate families and do all that she can to make an impact.”
