|
 A Family Affair
My
experience with the ARC of Summit and Portage Counties is one I share with
my sister Carol who is a person with a disability. When my father became
involved with the ARC, which provides advocacy services such as crisis
interventions, public and student awareness, services monitoring, and
support services for people with developmental disabilities, I took his
example, and the very special bond I share with my sister, and became a
volunteer myself.
Fifteen
years later, I am more involved than ever. In addition to serving as a
board member for the past two years, I also help the fundraising committee
procure donations, and plan special events such as their annual golf
outing and reverse raffle. My family and I also helped the ARC clean up
after a major fire destroyed their offices a few years ago, and we reach
out to other individuals with disabilities, by inviting them to our home
for Christmas and other holidays.
The ARC has
also been a huge supporter of Carol. They helped her to find a group home,
where she lives with other people with disabilities, and developed new
friendships. The ARC also helped Carol get the testing necessary for her
to work at Weaver Workshop.
The ARC
staff is composed of really caring and devoted individuals who always give
one hundred percent. Their dedication has helped Carol and others with
disabilities by developing the Summit County Board of MRDD and being an
advocate for whoever needs one.
With a
constant increase in the number of people with disabilities, volunteers
have become so important. Volunteering at the ARC is my way of repaying
what has been done for Carol and so many others. I really enjoy it and
have a lot of fun.
The ARC of
Summit and Portage Counties has really created a community of family and
friends that would not be possible without volunteers, and generous
donations to organizations like United Way of Summit County. Just because
someone has a disability, they still have the same hopes and dreams as
others. Thank you for keeping their dreams alive. |
