Donald Campbell is a lifelong resident of Atlantic County, growing up in Egg Harbor Township and attending Egg Harbor Township High School. He graduated Atlantic Cape Community College and Stockton University with his bachelor's degree in Political Science. Donald went on to Widener University Delaware Law School and has his JD.
Donald has cerebral palsy, a congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture. His personal experience of living with a disability, his robust humor and positive outlook make him a perfect fit to lead this new Center in its inaugural journey. He is excited at the prospect of being able to combine his knowledge of special education and disability law with his passion to advocate along with others who live with disabilities.
As a person living with a disability, I joined the CIL to further develop my advocacy skills and to give back to an organization which has given so much to me.
Tatsiana DaGrosa is a Program Director of the Oceanside II Family Success Center in Atlantic City, NJ. Tatsiana is bi-lingual (Russian and English). Born and raised in Minsk, Belarus, Tatsiana moved to the USA in 2002 to continue her education in the restaurant and hotel business. She earned her Master's degree in International Hospitality Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2012.
Tatsiana's advocacy journey began when her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 5. She is a graduate of the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) "Partners in Policymaking" Class of 2013. Today Tatsiana is a member of the NJ State Rehabilitation Council and the NJ Career and Technical Education work group. She also serves on the NJ Department of Education Title 1 Committee of Practitioners (T1COP) and the Atlantic County Disability Committee.
Tatsiana believes in a strong partnership between families and schools to help all children reach high levels of social, emotional, and academic learning. She also believes that all families, schools, and communities have something great to offer and learn from each other. Tatsiana's favorite quote is by Nelson Mandela "It always seems impossible until it's done."
I am interested in the mission of the Center for Independent Living as a person with a disability and as a mother to an adult with complex neurodevelopmental disabilities. I was a junior in high school when the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990. The Olmstead decision supporting the rights of people with intellectual disabilities to live in the community and not institutions was decided in 1999, one year before my son, Alex, was born. Decades later, the rights of people with disabilities to be supported in their communities, make choices about where they live, go to school, and find meaningful work continue to require advocacy.
I was asked to serve on the board of directors of CIL and felt honored to be asked. My oldest daughter has cerebral palsy and is on a kidney wait list. I was on the original board of directors for CIL's predecessor, the Total Living Center, so this is like coming full circle in time.
I served the public with the Social Security Administration for more than 31 years concluding my time with the Administration as its Public Affairs Specialist for the State of New Jersey.
I am currently a United Methodist pastor. For more than 25 years of my life I hosted radio and television programs and I also have written for newspapers as both a columnist and a reporter.
I have 2 young adults with special needs and feel that I can contribute to this organization.
I joined the CIL to tell my story and help others. Also to provide knowledge about my experiences and to improve upon my self advocacy skills because I'm trying to become self advocate certified.
Born and raised in Hammonton. My father, Henry Wise, volunteered his whole life with a dozen different organizations: United Way, Salvation Army, VOAD, etc. Working with him rubbed off, as I have volunteered with many of those same organizations. Also volunteered as an EMT here in Galloway Twp, and currently with the Pomona Vol Fire Co. as Firefighter/Treasurer/Captain. I am the Life Sales Manager with Medi-Solutions, a master brokerage in NJ, and have 10 years in that role. My wife is gorgeous and is an exceptional cook. Three kids: a senior at Absegami, a junior at Stockton, and a father of two living in Fort Myers, FL, all of them know how to treat people and are academic role models. Disney expert, above average coffee maker, below average golfer, terrible dancer.
Bambi is a rescue from Mid-Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue.
She received her Canine Good Citizen Certificate and went on to become a trained comfort dog.
Bambi has participated in a children's reading program at the Brigantine branch of the Atlantic County Library System and is now proving her calming effect with the consumers at Atlantic.
She loves greeting all new comers to the center.