St. Louis Arc

Thank you to our friends at Spire who came to volunteer at the first Day Services Kickball Tournament at the Chesterfield Valley Athletic Association's Catch 22 Miracle Field. Participants from the various program sites braved the heat for a few fun, competitive kickball games. Everyone had a great time and is looking forward to the softball tournament in the fall.

The Community Engagement program aims to connect people through volunteering opportunities. The relationship with the Missouri Botanical Garden has always been a positive experience for everyone, especially for Jason, who was recognized in May by Tiffany Follen, Production Supervisor- Horticulture. The Botanical Gardens presented Jason with a certificate and pin for 10 years of outstanding services through volunteering. #GivingBack

Participants from the Aging With Empowerment program at Maplewood were invited to attend a prom for seniors at the 5 Star Center. Because of a generous donation from Kennedy Capital Management employees, each participant enjoyed shopping for dressy outfits befitting the occasion. Their ensembles were finished off with corsages and boutonnieres. Individuals not only had a nice outfit to attend the prom, but were able to take home their clothing so they'll have nice clothing on hand for any future special occasions. At the event, participants danced the day away with one another and with the community members who attended. Arc participants have enjoyed connecting with the other area seniors and plan to participate in several other events over the summer, including a riverboat cruise, beach volleyball, bingo, and more. #5StarCenter #5starCenterSTL #DisabilityAwareness

GOOD NEWS! A fabulous group of volunteers from Safety National spent last Friday at the Maplewood Hub hosting a BBQ and outdoor activities including water balloons, karaoke, cornhole and more! Thank you to the volunteers for manning the grill and buffet line! This was great start to the summer season. #CommunityConnection

A HUGE (!) shoutout to the team at Kennedy Capital Management for choosing the St. Louis Arc as its Q1 charitable beneficiary. A very special thanks to Maggie Zastrow who nominated the Arc. Thank you, Kennedy Capital Management, for furthering our mission of helping people with disabilities and their families live better, happier lives! Pictured: Maggie Zastrow and Pat Wolcott (back row) from Kennedy Capital with participants and staff from the St. Louis Arc.

https://lnkd.in/gHTmbWXw Check out our YouTube video from when the University of Missouri-Saint Louis Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education (OIPE) celebrated the declaration of May 1, 2024 as "Postsecondary Education for All" Day by Missouri Governor Mike Parson. We'd like to give UMSL College of Education and amazing supporter of the OIPE, Dean Ann Taylor for sharing with us photos of her and the Governor. Thank you to OIPE Sr. Program/Project Support Coordinator Dr. Wen Zeng for contacting the office of the Governor and suggesting May 1, 2024 be #PSE4ALLDay. Thanks to Lindsay S. Athamanah, Ph.D. CCC-SLP and Madeline Siener of UMSL Social Peers for being our co-hosts at today's Chalk Art event. It was held at the Millennium Student Center patio. Our appreciation goes out to MIPSA coordinator, Mary Harden as well. We'd like to give a big shout out to all the UMSL students, faculty, and staff who joined us today! We are #UMSLProud to be part of a university system that supports postsecondary education for the neurodiverse population. Thank you, Governor Parson for this incredible day! #PostsecondaryEducationforAllDay #UMSL #OfficeofInclusivePostsecondaryEducation #OIPE #LiveLearnWorkPlay #EmpowermentthroughEducation Think College April Regester Association of University Centers on Disabilities Ashleah "Bob" Summers, CPRW Britne Bacca-Haupt, M.A. Chelsea VanHorn Stinnett, PhD David Stofer, Ed.S. Dorian Hall Marc Kinnear, Ed.D. Tonya Haynes, DNP, RN Disability Scoop U.S. Department of Education TASH: Equity, Opportunity, and Inclusion for People with Disabilities Since 1975 Olivia Fraioli Valerie Furlong Glee Schmitt Rachel S. Hickey Jonathan Lidgus Kristin Sobolik Kevin Lashley St. Louis Arc Susan Barahia Sharon Spurlock Sarah Mosby Timothy Wombles Tivoli Majors, PhD UMSL Alumni Christopher Worth Wisdom Casey Easterseals

This morning, our national association, ANCOR, announced that Gwendolyn Hamer has received the 2024 Missouri Direct Support Professional of the Year. Gwen's extraordinary dedication to the individuals and families she supports is why we’re so grateful to have them as a family educator at the St. Louis Arc in our Parents Learning Together program, and why we can’t wait to celebrate them at #ANCORConnect24! #RecognizingExcellence https://lnkd.in/gUN5bP-C

Thank you, Big Lots Foundation for supporting The Neighborhood Experiences Project at St. Louis Arc. We are grateful for the generous grant to help strengthen our community! Your support allows us to offer young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to build important life skills, employment skills, and be actively engaged in their community. #BigLotsCares @BigLotsStores

We are pleased to welcome Sherry Ward as the new Board Chair of the St. Louis Arc's Board of Directors. Sherry Ward https://lnkd.in/e5RuSSaP

The holidays were a whirlwind at the Arc – with dances, decorating, cooking, fun activity days, shopping, and gift wrapping. We could not do all of these amazing things, with and for our participants, without the help of these incredible volunteers! Once again, several groups from throughout the community helped to make all of the activities a success and the holidays bright for everyone. Thank you to the following groups: Tau Kappa Epsilon at Washington University for volunteering for Dance Club South in October and November. Washington University Occupational Therapy Program for volunteering at the Cookie Extravaganza World Wide Technology, Talent Acquisition for hosting the November Friday Fun Day at the Maplewood Hub. U.S. Bank volunteers for their annual gift-wrapping for the St. Louis Arc’s Giving Tree. volunteers for their annual gift-wrapping for the St. Louis Arc’s Giving Tree Enterprise Mobility for hosting a holiday shopping event with residents, and their gifting donation. Chaminade College Preparatory School St. Louis Mothers and Sons annual holiday house decorating at Dautel Circle AEG for hosting the December Friday Fun Day at the Maplewood Hub.