The Ocean City Patch today features the fine art of Arc artists on their home page! Click the image below to check out this photo gallery of the beautiful works they’ve been painting. If you’re interested in purchasing art, please call the Ocean City Fine Arts League at 609.814.0308.
Tom's boss Barry presents him with his gold watch for 20 years of employment.
By Gretchen Dann
Through The Arc’s Supported Employment Services, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are able to find meaningful and often lasting employment in our community. Each individual is assigned a job coach, who provides support throughout the hiring process and helps with any on-the-job issues that may arise.
Among our many employment success stories, the story of Tom Keown shines especially bright! Tom recently received his gold watch for 20 years of employment with Boscov’s Department Store, where his role is recycling hangers and garbage.
Tom’s job coach, Christian Smith, has worked with him since July of 2011. Since then, Christian has seen Tom’s appreciation for his work and his role as not only an employee, but a Boscov’s family member, “He can be counted on to give you the latest scoop about the Phillies and have the same passion for his work.”
Maureen Yuhasz, Coordinator of Supported Employment, has worked with Tom for the past 11 years, and has truly seen him blossom in his role at Boscov’s. “Tom is extremely independent and knowledgeable regarding his job duties, and accepts new responsibilities with ease. He is a success story and he makes us proud to be a part of his life.”
Barry Shaak, Boscov’s store manager, has known Tom since he hired him over 20 years ago, and has nothing but great things to say about him. “One thing about Tommy- he is very aware. Sometimes people underestimate his intelligence. He’s a great guy. Everyone likes Tommy.”
Barry believes that when people with I/DD are matched with the right job, it helps them to have a sense of self worth. He would recommend hiring someone from The Arc to any employer. He made sure to remind us that Tommy, as he calls him, is an essential member of the Boscov’s team. His co-workers look after him, and they are also proud to work for a company that would give someone like Tom a chance.
When given the opportunity to be employed in their community, people with disabilities often become very dedicated and loyal long-term employees just like Tom. Not only does this experience provide the business with skilled employees and positive community relations, but it provides an unforgettable and rewarding experience for everyone involved.
The Arc is always looking for new employers who are interested in knowing more about our program and are willing to take a chance employing people with disabilities. Feel free to contact Maureen Yuhasz at: 609-485-0800 x225 or email her at myuhasz@arcatlantic.org.
By Gretchen Dann
Today in Absecon, eighth-grade students at Emma C. Attales Middle School received a real-life lesson on the ‘r-word’ from clients and staff of The Arc. Shereen MacDonald, Sam Bonavita, Ellen Moskowitz and John Franco visited students as part of a disability program coordinated by teacher Barbara Horner. Shereen MacDonald, a supportive living coordinator for The Arc who runs the agency’s Self Advocacy club, said “It was interesting to hear how they use the word ‘retarded’. They used it to describe a phone or a TV when it doesn’t work right. We were able to help them understand the history of the ‘r-word’ and how people with developmental disabilities are affected by the word’s casual use. ” Students were fascinated to learn that we had institutions still in New Jersey. Many were also surprised to learn that The Arc has group homes in their neighborhoods, which is actually a very good thing.
Ellen Moskowitz and John Franco are Arc service recipients and members of the statewide Self Advocacy group. Students had the opportunity to ask them questions about their disabilities and further learn about the importance of not using the R-word. When a teacher from the middle school asked Ellen what people should do when they pass someone with a developmental disability out in public, Ellen replied, “Don’t whisper to your friends about me. Ask me about my disability and I’ll be happy tell you.” This is an important lesson to teach children, as the R-word often finds its way into their daily vocabulary. Based on the conversation and reactions from students, The Arc of Atlantic County’s visit seems to have made a lasting impression!
Ellen, John, and the rest of The Arc self-advocates would love the opportunity to speak at other schools and community groups. If you are interested in having The Arc come visit you, contact Shereen MacDonald at (609) 485-0800 x169.
Below is a link to a video made by The Arc of New Jersey about how the use of the R-word makes people with disabilities feel.
The Arc’s social services director Nicole Terzakis stands amidst piles of presents that will help hundreds of low-income families we serve have a happy holiday! Thanks to all of our Holiday Partners who donated gifts, gift cards, food and cash donations. Volunteers will finish wrapping the remaining gifts on Monday and our day program participants will deliver them next Wednesday to their recipients. If you missed your chance to become a Holiday Partner, please consider making a donation to our general fund which will help us serve even more families in the coming year! For more information on supporting The Arc, contact Deborah Jewell at 609-485-0800 ext 135 or djjewell@arcatlantic.org.
Several years ago, residents and staff from our Supportive Living Program made the noble decision to trade in their holiday party in favor of an annual day of helping others in need, known as “Make a Difference Day” (inspired by USA Weekend’s national day of helping others). Over the years, they’ve served food to the homeless at shelters and soup kitchens in Atlantic City; made crafts and sang carols to nursing home residents; cleaned cages and spent time with abandoned pets at an animal shelter; groomed horses at a therapeutic riding center; and so much more. Some of these experiences lead to long-term volunteer opportunities, like the monthly volunteer project Arc clients now host at The Heritage Assisted Living center in Hammonton. For a group of people who are more familiar with being on the receiving end of assistance, this day of giving is immensely powerful, as you’ll see in this video from this year’s Make a Difference Day, held on December 7. We hope you enjoy, and please leave a comment below if you’re inspired! To view our Facebook album featuring photos from some of the locations, click here. If you’d like to learn more about this event, please contact Beth Ann Spiegel at 609-485-0800 ext. 136.
Watch this great video from NBC10 taken during a visit with EHT High School’s Homecoming Queen, Sarah Hendrixson! Sarah, who has Down syndrome, is the daughter of Arc board member and dear friend Tom Hendrixson. She came to our walk-a-thon the day after she was nominated and was beaming as she shared the story with everyone. We were thrilled to find out a week later that she was elected Queen, and after one viewing of this video, it’s no surprise Sarah was chosen – she’s truly a beautiful, charming and thoughtful young lady! Click the photo below to link to a story by Laura Stester of Shore News Today.
Sarah and her mom Janet (Photo from Shore News Today)
By Debbie Davies, The Arc CEO
Brave walkers and top fundraisers Lisa and Annie Damiano
Saturday, as you’ll recall, was the worst weather day of the season- on the Ventnor boardwalk it was very rainy, very windy, and sleeting. And yet, not surprisingly the Step Up for The Arc walk was great fun! Yes, we at The Arc know how to have a good time under ANY condition. I want to thank just some of the people who helped make our 9th annual walk-a-thon such a fantastic – and fruitful – event. First and foremost, I’d like to thank our sponsors and the more than 200 walkers who raised money, bringing in almost $22,000 to benefit our recreation, family support and case management services that are vital to hundreds of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families right here in Atlantic County.
Next, I want to thank Beth Ann for her enthusiastic emails the days before the walk assuring us that if the weather was bad we’d just have a dance party all morning. And to Kathy, Father Joe, Fred and Richie of Holy Trinity Parish for letting us use the St. James Hall that made the dance party possible and for setting it all up for us.
Team Dina raised more than $5,500 alone! - Photo by Peter Mokover
Team Dina was a big highlight of the day. Not only did they raise more than $5600, but all of them were wearing pink t-shirts with Dina’s picture on them- and if the wearer had a photo with Dina that was the photo on the shirt! The Scoppas and their friends did an awesome job to keep Dina’s memory alive and raise money to help more people have the great Arc experiences that she had.
We got some great pictures thanks to our new friend Peter,a Ventnor resident who volunteered his time and talent to create a whole album of photos for us, which you can see here.
Other thank yous go to Lite Rock 96.9 WFPG and Katie, Marissa and Erin from Tilton Fitness who got us off to a good start, DJ Howard Minnichbach who kept everyone moving all morning and Ginny, our face painter, who accommodated all of the children’s wishes with beautiful designs. (Watch a video of Tilton Fitness’s warm-up to “Electric Avenue” right here)
Our volunteers were great as always and pitched in to make the whole thing look easy by seeing what needed to be done and just doing it. We appreciate Lynn, Sue, Laura, Carol, Jen, Rose and Annette for helping with registration, and Sheldon Bank for bringing and preparing much of the food, and Mike Thomas of the Galloway Elks Lodge for donating bagels, fruit and juice.
Arc CEO Debbie Davies and Donna Buzby of Capaldi Reynolds walked the entire 3.4 mile walk
And a special thanks to Donna Buzby with team Capaldi Reynolds who peeled off from her team to walk with me, motivating me to walk the whole route!
The energy and the number of people in the room on Saturday despite the bad weather just goes to show how dedicated our friends, staff, volunteers, service recipients and others are to our mission. But this event is about more than The Arc. It’s about celebrating the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and helping to create more opportunities for them to live full lives, with opportunity, dignity and respect. Whether you are affiliated with The Arc or just a proud friend or family member of someone with special needs, or simply a community member who believes in our mission – we hope you will join us at next year’s walk, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 27, 2012 at St. James Hall in Ventnor. To be sure you’re on our list, please click the link below to subscribe to our emails (we send approximately 3 to 4 emails per month). We hope to see you next year!!
