Special-needs advocates dominate Coffee awards

<p>Champions and advocates of people with disabilities or special needs dominate the roster of those receiving this year's Rev. James E. Coffee Human Rights Award.</p><p>Organizers of the awards, now in their fifth year, said the apparent focus on disabilities was coincidence, though not without merit. The Rev. James Coffee said he was glad the issue of disabilities was getting attention.</p><p>"There are a lot more people that are developmentally challenged than most people think," Coffee said.</p><p>The challenges facing people with disabilities continue to grow as a result of years of cuts in state and federal funding, and those who decide to help fill a need are a breed apart, he said.</p><p>G&amp;G Market was chosen in the business category because of the employment opportunities the store and its owners, the Gong family, have given to disabled people and people who speak limited English.</p><p>Chris Paige, deputy chief executive of California Human Development, nominated G&amp;G Market, relating how it had sought help from the state after hiring a young man with a disability.</p><p>The state contacted a CHD job coach and that relationship has blossomed over the years, with G&amp;G Market hiring another disabled worker in 2000 and then, in 2007, a group of disabled people through CHD's Old Adobe Developmental Services.</p><p>Teejay Lowe, director of community relations for G&amp;G Market, said his company's concern for people with disabilities can be traced back to one of its founders, Bob Gong.</p><p>Lowe said Gong, an immigrant who overcame limited education and English-speaking skills, worked hard to build a working environment and community where everyone can thrive.</p><p>The other three recipients include:</p><p>Dr. Lorna Catford, professor at Sonoma State University, in the professional category, for her efforts on behalf of families affected by autism.</p><p>Margo Warneke Merck, president of the board of directors of Community Housing Sonoma County, in the volunteer category, for her efforts in getting housing for low-income people with disabilities.</p><p>Committee on the Shelterless (COTS) in Petaluma, in the nonprofit category, for its work on behalf of the homeless.</p><p>This year's recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Redwood Credit Union Sonoma Community Room in Santa Rosa.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat .com.</p>