MetroWest Center For Independent Living Names Sadie L Simone As Executive Director

On Saturday morning, Paul Spooner, longtime executive director of MetroWest Center For Independent Living in Framingham, passed away suddenly. A passionate advocate for people living with disabilities, Paul was instrumental in initiating and expanding the Personal Care Attendant program that allows them to lead more autonomous lives.

The center is now searching for a permanent replacement.

Executive Director

MWCIL, a non-profit organization that supports individuals living as independently as possible and contributing to their communities, announced today that Sadie L Simone will succeed Paul Spooner as its executive director. This decision was unanimously accepted by MWCIL's Board of Directors--made up of people living with disabilities, professionals, and interested individuals from MetroWest Massachusetts--who comprise its Board.

Simone, a former executive director of the Jewish Agency for Israel and current member of MetroWest Center For Independent Living's Board of Directors, brings extensive management expertise to her role. As Executive Director she will continue MWCIL's mission of empowering those with disabilities to live independently outside nursing homes and other institutional settings while working closely with staff and volunteers to achieve these objectives.

Simone has extensive experience as the former CEO of a national disability nonprofit, with expertise in fundraising, community development and program design/implementation. Her dedication and enthusiasm will be invaluable assets as MWCIL grows and expands its programs and services to better meet the needs of more individuals seeking independence from long-term care institutions.

In addition to her professional background, she is an incredibly active and socially engaged individual. She has dedicated much of her life to advocating for equality and social justice in her community; serving as President of the Oregon League of Women Voters and founding member of the Portland Area Coalition for Civil Rights.

She was immensely proud of her Jewish heritage and loved to explore all aspects of culture, from music and theater to opera, dance, art and books. Her desire was always to incorporate Jewish values and traditions into everyday life while connecting her Jewish community with other cultures.

She had a deep commitment to her family, especially her two daughters and four grandchildren. She was an inspiration to many friends, renowned for her kindness, generosity and compassion. Her passing was a great loss not only to her immediate family but also the larger Portland community.

Board of Directors

Following the tragic passing of longtime executive director Paul Spooner in October, MetroWest Center For Independent Living has announced that Sadie L Simone will assume his position on April 3rd. Together with Acting Director Rose Quinn, Simone will work to further develop and enhance programs, services and activities at MWCIL while upholding its mission of empowering those with disabilities.

MWCIL is a consumer-run, community based non-profit organization that strives to empower individuals with disabilities to be self-sufficient and productive members of their society. Through their partnership with Metrowest Aging & Disability Resource Consortium, MWCIL provides Options Counseling program which educates individuals on available services in their local community.

The center, headquartered in Framingham, MA, serves consumers with disabilities from Ashland to Dover and Hudson as well as Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway, Millis Natick Needham Norfolk Plainville Sherborn Southborough Stow. It provides a range of services such as technical assistance, brailling services, ADA consulting and public/consumer education/outreach initiatives.

MWCIL is proud to be a member of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). NCIL is an advocacy organization that works nationwide to increase participation of people with disabilities in society by developing networks of centers for independent living and Statewide Independent Living Councils that offer leadership and resources to communities across America.

MWCIL collaborates with the Massachusetts Office of Special Education to educate educators about the needs and abilities of children with disabilities, particularly those requiring assistive devices or other supports. Furthermore, its Parent Support Program offers assistance to families and caregivers of these children.

After an extensive search, the center's Board of Directors have named Sadie L Simone as its new director. She replaces Paul Spooner who had served at the center for 30 years and was a passionate champion for people living with disabilities.

Simone has extensive experience as a teacher and suffragist in the disability field, serving as an itinerant ombudsman to people with disabilities to resolve complaints and grievances. She holds memberships in both the National Council on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Disability Law Alliance of Massachusetts; additionally, she works as an advocate and policymaker on various disability-related topics like Medicaid reform, disability legislation and long-term care.