I have worked with Individuals with disabilities for over 13 years and the ARC has played a major role in their lives. My first experience with ARC was at Bowling. To see these Individuals use both competitiveness and team work is very heartwarming. They look forward each week to get together to bowl and socialize with their friends. Then there is the dances. I really enjoy seeing them get on the dance floor and let loose. The ARC has at least 3 dances a year, Valentines, Halloween and Christmas. Other activities include fishing derby, walk, swim party, Karaoke, movie night and potlucks. At the facility itself they have cooking and art classes, computer lab and an activity room. In the activity room t hey have a TV to watch DVDs , puzzles and board games and books to read. They also have another TV for WII and X Box. There is also a Foosball table, a ping pong table and an air hockey table that converts to a pool table. They recently added a garden to grow vegetables. Enough about the activities, the people there are the ones that make a difference. They make you feel right at home, weather it is your first time there or you are there everyday. You are always greeted with a smile and positive attitude. I cannot say enough about the ARC. It is a fun and AWESOME place to be.
I am the office director at The Arc for the River Valley, but I volunteered for 3 years before becoming an employee. We have fun at The Arc. You can't help but love these members, because you receive unconditional love back from a lot of them. We have 20-25 that come in 5 days a week. They always have fun playing xbox, Wii, pool, ping pong, foosball or just socializing with there friends in a place that they are judged and a place where they feel safe. We also have computers for them to play games on or sing to their favorite music. We have concerts daily of members that love to sing along to their favorite songs. I have a child with special needs, and although he is unable to participate in alot of our activities, he loves to come here and be with others where he can be noisy and laugh a lot just being with them and watching them participate. Thank you for this opportunity to talk about my favorite place to come. I have an awesome job just being able to see and talk to our members with all kinds of special needs each day.
I first got involved with the ark for the river valley during a dance they were having for their members. When I saw the smiles on all the faces and their attitudes shine up when seeing their friends, I knew that this nonprofit was where I wanted to spend the majority of my time helping them. We provide education, recreation and advocacy for those with intellectual disabilities.
This is a great place for our local folks with intellectual/developmental disabilities. They offer a recreation room daily, and several different activities like art, cooking, gardening, and exercise. They also do events in the community like dances, fishing derby, and walks. Don't sit at home! Come out and enjoy the Arc!