Volunteering is a great way to be a part of something truly meaningful. You can help further the mission of The Arc of Spokane by participating in the following programs:
ADVOCACY
The strength of The Arc's advocacy effort lies in its volunteers--people with developmental disabilities, family members, professional educators and caregivers, or anyone who has a passion for our mission. Advocacy volunteers can participate in:
• Advocacy Days - During the state legislative session from January through May, constituent volunteers travel to Olympia to discuss how proposed legislation might affect people with development disabilities and their familes in Spokane.
• Disability Policy Seminar - Each year in February or March, The Arc invites a small group of constituent volunteers to Washington, D.C. to discuss federal legislation affecting people with developmental disabilities and to meet with Washington's legislative delegation.
• Inclusion Network - This group encourages greater inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in our community by promoting inclusive activities in which people with and without disabilities can participate. Through the Lance Morehouse, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, individuals and families can receive financial help to participate in inclusive events in the community. The annual Community Fun Run brings people with and without disabilities together in an atmosphere of cooperation and respect.
• Legislative Response Network - When laws are being considered that affect people with developmental disabilities and their families, policy makers want to know how we feel about them. This network stands ready to call or e-mail legislators in Olympia about pending legislation affecting our constituents.
To be an advocacy volunteer, contact Gregg Osborne at (509) 328-6326 or gosborne@arc-spokane.org.
THE ARC COMMUNITY CENTER
The Community Center is a social and recreational activity center for adults with developmental disabilities. Volunteers provide positive social interaction by simply being a friend. Games, puzzles, crafts and other activities provide ample opportunity to brighten somone's day. Community Center volunteers should be prepared to:
• Volunteer a total of at least 20 hours
• Pass a criminal background check
• Work closely and positively with adults with developmental disabilites
To be a Community Center volunteer contact Ron Kurtz at (509) 328-6326 or rkurtz@arc-spokane.org.
COMMUNITY ACCESS & PERSON TO PERSON
Community Access helps senior citizens with developmental disabilities enjoy social activities in the community. Person to Person helps people develop employment skills by working or volunteering in the community. Volunteers help employees of The Arc oversee these activities.
To be a Community Access or Person to Person volunteer, contact Les Nipp at (509) 328-6326 or lnipp@arc-spokane.org.
SUCCESS STORIES
Advocacy
Greg is an adult man with a developmental disability who traveled to Washington, D.C. with The Arc in 2008. Asked to help lawmakers understand the benefit of employment programs for people with developmental disablities, Greg explained how having a job gave him greater independence, money to spend and helped him make friends. After his presentation, Senator Patty Murray's aide, wanting to learn more about Greg's career ambitions, asked, "Greg, what do you think you would like to become?"
After a moment of thought, Greg replied enthusiastically, "A taxpayer!"
Nobody could have said it better. For Greg, paying taxes wasn't a burden, it was a privilege. It meant being counted. It meant he had a voice in the way things worked. For people with developmental disabilities nothing is more important.
The Arc Community Center
The following was written by a Gonzaga Prep student who volunteered at the Community Center as part of her Community Service requirement:
I feel our society is incredibly insensitive to the physically and mentally handicapped. They don't take the time to get to know them and aren't around them enough to realize how amazing they are. If I hadn't [volunteered at] The Arc, I would never have known that Mark could put together a 1,000 piece puzzle in two hours. I would never have known that Darren could sing like Anthoy Kiedis (lead singer of Red Hot Chili Peppers) or that Susan's favorite color is blue or that Denise can dance better than me and most of the people I currently know! It's unbelievable how talented and beautiful these people are, and our society and community around us has no idea.
