of Northwest North Carolina
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Who We Are
What We Do
About Us
We were founded in the 1990s as Triad Disability Advocates by Kermit Bailey, an Episcopal deacon. We began as an organization that helped individuals with severe disabilities and those experiencing homelessness obtain disability benefits. Our name changed to Disability Advocates of Northwest North Carolina in 2006, and we continue to serve as a bridge to enable individuals in need obtain the financial means to overcome homelessness and barriers to treatment.
We seek to partner with the Winston-Salem to ensure reduced or no-cost access to Social Security disability advocacy and community resources.
“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity. It is an act of justice.”
— Nelson Mandela
- Minister to severely disabled individuals by assisting them with their application for Social Security disability insurance, supplemental security income, Medicare and Medicaid benefits
- Help overcome homelessness through specific efforts to link disabled and homeless individuals to benefits for which they qualify
- Provide spiritual and pastoral support for severely disabled individuals
- Educate area churches and the general community about the needs and resources related to severely disabled individuals
- Work cooperatively with area churches and community agencies serving disabled populations
- Conduct charitable and educational activities on a non-profit basis
our staff
AYANNA ABRAMS
INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ATTORNEY
Ayanna Abrams began working with Disability Advocates in 2019 as an attorney. She is actively licensed in the State of Georgia and lawfully represents Disability Advocate’s claimants obtain Social Security Disability benefits. She is certified SOAR case manager. Ayanna is a graduate of Auburn University and Samford University, Cumberland School of Law. She was a prosecutor prior to joining DANNC.
FLETCHER HUNTER
SENIOR CASE MANAGER AND CASE REPRESENTATIVE
Fletcher Hunter began working with Disability Advocates in 2000. He began as a volunteer and managed a food pantry and clothing closet available to the clients of Disability Advocates and other members of the Winston-Salem community. In 2001, he began his role as an advocate for Disability Advocate’s claimants. He has now represented hundreds of clients and his success rate is well above both the Triad and national averages.
Board Of Directors
Fleming El Amin
Forsyth County Commissioner for District A
Rev. Johnathan Gaska
Pastor, Trinity Presbyterian Church
Dr. Quiteya Walker,
LPCA, NCC, CRC
Associate Professor, Winston Salem State University
Rev. John Beeg
Pastor, Shiloh Lutheran Church
Rev. John Rights
Pastor, Kernersville Moravian Church
how you can help
Support Advocacy
Your generosity makes our work possible. Whether you contribute financially or as advocate for good.
Fight Homelessness and Barriers to Medical Treatment
Your generosity makes our work possible. Whether you contribute financially or as advocate for good.
Build up our Community
Your generosity makes our work possible. Whether you contribute financially or as advocate for good.
Advocacy
Social Security Disability Advocacy
Disability Advocates has been providing social security disability advocacy in the Winston-Salem, NC community since 1991. We began by serving low income and homeless populations that were unable to work due to disabling conditions. In addition to providing advocacy services, Disability Advocates would provide food, clothing and assist them in accessing medical treatment.
Currently, our Social Security advocacy extends to low income and as a advocacy center of last resort for individuals seeking assistance.
SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery) Advocacy
SOAR is a national program that assists eligible adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to apply for SSI/SSDI disability benefits. North Carolina has been a SOAR state since 2007 and Disability Advocates has had a dedicated SOAR case manager for over ten years. Individuals experiencing homelessness due to a disability that precludes them from working benefit from SOAR because the program can be their way out of homelessness. Federal disability benefits will provide them with a source of income, healthcare and mental health treatment, and access to affordable housing.
Disability Advocates recently partnered with the United Way, City with Dwellings and the Empowerment Team to provide the disability advocacy for the HEARRT project.
We are able, through a grant provided by the United Way, to offer our advocacy services free of charge to homeless individuals through the use of the SOAR model.
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Hope is everything
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