The Athol Public Library presents Storyteller and Author Tom Kohler: Waddie Welcome and the Beloved Community

Thursday, October 4 at 6:00 p.m.

Join us on Thursday, October 4, at 6:00, as we welcome Georgia storyteller Tom Kohler. Mr. Kohler will share stories of his work with Citizen Advocacy and of Waddie Welcome.

Born on the 4th of July, 1914 in Savannah, GA, with a disability and placed in a nursing home far from his community, Waddie Welcome was an unlikely public figure. His deep desire for freedom drew many friends into his life in ways that not only liberated him from institutionalization but realized Dr King's vision of the Beloved Community.

WADDIE WELCOME & THE BELOVED COMMUNITY tells the story of friendships that transcended divisions of disability, race, and income & created powerful new possibilities in a whole community. The story demonstrates the importance of true inclusion and also talks about social justice for not only people with disabilities, but also for African Americans.

Tom Kohler is a 30-plus year Citizen Advocacy coordinator from Savannah, Georgia. He will offer a presentation on his experience with Mr. Waddie Welcome as it is described in the book Waddie Welcome and The Beloved Community. The story of Mr. Welcome, and the community people who were engaged with him, will serve to invite and hopefully inspire others to create similar stories of neighborly caring here in the North Quabbin area.

For more information, please visit
http://www.waddiewelcome.com/

Free and open to the public.
Co-sponsored by North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy.

Please call 978-249-9515 to reserve your spot!

Posted: to Athol Library News on Mon, Sep 17, 2018
Updated: Mon, Sep 17, 2018