June 14--Celebrating our Community

The Messenger

June 14, 2022

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

~Helen Keller

The Arc-Dane County 2022 Awards Celebration!

Thank you to everyone who showed up to support our award winners and raise some funds for The Arc-Dane County. It was a beautiful evening of reconnecting and saying thank you to all of our wonderful community members who work so hard to improve the lives of those with IDD.

We want to acknowledge those individuals and businesses who donated to the silent auction, Quivey's Grove for their hospitality, Tim Wing for our audio and music support, and Debbie Borth for capturing the memories with her photographs.

Link to the photo album

Please read this update regarding our membership changes

The Arc-Dane County works every day for the respect, dignity, and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Your financial and membership support has always been instrumental in creating opportunities to advocate, learn, and celebrate together in our special and inclusive community. As we plan for the future of our organization, we want to ensure that we are living and delivering our organizational values to everyone we serve. Starting in 2022, we will no longer raise funds through organizational membership. In the spirit of transparency, we believe that our current membership structure and fees create a hierarchy for recognizing & engaging members that is exclusive rather than inclusive. We will continue to raise funds for our important programming and will ask for your support. Stay tuned for the official announcement of our new fundraising program coming this fall. In the meantime, we are grateful for you and all you do so that no person with a disability is left behind.

Dive Into The Arc’s Sibling Resources

Tuesday, June 28 at 1:00 pm CST

The Arc recognizes that the sibling voice plays a critical role in the disability rights movement. Many of us at The Arc know firsthand what it is like to grow up with a family member with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD).

It is crucial that siblings are supported to be the best advocate they can be. To achieve this goal, siblings must have access to information and resources to help them make informed decisions – whatever their involvement.

This webinar will provide an overview about the resources that we offer at The Arc’s national office and ways that you can become a better advocate for your sibling. We will also provide information about what’s coming up for the remainder of the year.

Future Planning: It’s Possible and Necessary

Thursday, June 30 at 1:00 p.m. CST

Planning for the future is important for all families. Thinking about the future can be challenging and emotional. However, experience shows that people with disabilities make a better transition from the family home when a future plan is in place. A future plan can also provide peace of mind for caregivers of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). Learn from staff at The Arc of the United States on how to get these discussions started and the steps your family should take to create a future plan.

Additional support is available through The Arc-Dane County. Contact us at arcdanecounty@gmail.com or 608-833-1199.

Who wants to go fishing with Bob?

Long time advocate and board member Bob Ross loves taking groups out to fish. No experience or equipment necessary. Bob will help you out and provide instruction. He is planning trips to Rushing Waters in Palmyra and also to local fishing holes in the Madison area. If you want to be included in his next event or for more information contact us at arcdanecounty@gmail.com or 608-833-1199.

See our fishing photo album here!

Are you in a relationship? Thinking about getting into a relationship? Want to know more about caring for your health?

The Arc-Dane County has a program in the works with facilitators trained in sexuality and IDD and is designed for our friends and self-advocates, but we need to hear from you. Are you interested in attending a program to learn more about heathy relationships and sexual health education? Would you like to attend virtually or in person? Please click the button below and fill out the survey so we can plan the best programming possible for you. You can read the informational flyer here.

Click Here for the Survey

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are uniquely affected by the war in Ukraine. Donate today to The Arc’s Ukraine Relief Fund and The Arc will distribute 100% of the resources to reputable organizations that are supporting people with IDD on the ground in Europe.

Click Here to Donate

COVID-19 Information--Stay safe. Stay Informed.

“The COVID-19 vaccines and boosters remain one of the best ways to protect yourself from severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “As we see rising cases due to the spread of increasingly infectious variants, it is important that we continue to use all the tools we have available to prevent our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed – that includes getting vaccinated if you have not already done so and staying up to date by getting any recommended additional or booster doses.”