It is with great honor that the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) presents John King with the 2017 Gene Fiorentino Self-Advocacy Award. Each year RCIL presents the Gene Fiorentino Self-Advocacy Award in memory of Gene Fiorentino, one of RCIL’s most committed Board members who full heartedly believed in independent living and was a true self-advocate.
The award was established to honor another person who, like Gene, is committed to self-advocacy; who knows about disability issues and the barriers people face; and is publicly willing to take a stand without regard to consequences and fearlessly address the changes needed for equality.
On Saturday, Dec. 9, RCIL presented the 2017 award to John King. For more than 30 years, John King has spoken out in the community on behalf of individuals with mental illness. John has worked tirelessly in the Rome area to bring about much needed services for individuals with mental illness.
John’s tireless efforts to help make the community a better place for all is why he is being honored with the 2017 Gene Fiorentino Self-Advocacy Award. Congratulations John!