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2005 Adult Community Service Award

This award recognizes an individual who possesses the characteristics of unwavering advocacy, enthusiasm, vision, broad knowledge, compassion, and leadership in the field. This person is recognized as someone who will go “above and beyond” expectations. This is a “results” oriented person who is able to form or direct effective networks to better the lives of adults with developmental disabilities.

This year the Council is proud to present the 2005 Adult Community Service Award to:

Lynn Breedlove

Lynn Breedlove has a long history of fostering excellence in Wisconsin’s advocacy and protection services for adults with disabilities. He has led the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy (WCA) since 1980, starting with just one federal grant and a handful of staff. Under his 25 years of leadership, the scope of WCA has grown to include three offices, a staff of 35, 10 federal grants, numerous state and private grants, and a budget of 2.7 million. Today, thousands of Wisconsin’s citizens with disabilities are assisted each year through the work of WCA under Lynn’s leadership.

Lynn’s local and national leadership roles are many. He is the President Elect of the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems, President of the Madison Christian Community; Co-chair of the Wisconsin Survival Coalition, Member of the Wisconsin Council on Long Term Care Reform -- and the list goes on.

Lynn has played an integral role in the impending closure of Northern Center, relocation of hundreds of residents of Jackson Center and Hearthside into successful community life, and the growth (though we always wish it were more) of the CIP and COP programs.

In his formal and informal leadership roles, through good times and bad, Lynn has worked tirelessly to support and strengthen the voice of people with disabilities and their families. With passion, heart and spirit he has worked quietly and effectively behind the scenes to enable and promote their connections to Governors, Legislators, County Board members, and public administrators of our schools and human services.
We thank Lynn Breedlove for his many years of service and look forward to many more. He is a true servant-leader, extremely deserving of this award.