In This Issue:

  • arc Thrift Lakewood Store Reopening - Tomorrow!
  • New Staff Profile: Veronica Wernsman - Community Engagement & Events Specialist
  • DVR and Employment Support Post College: Free Webinar May 31!
  • Navigating Disability & Employment - Free Training for Youth & Families
  • Mark Your Calendars - Don't Miss Our June Events!
  • This Just In From The Arc U.S.: #SaveMedicaid
  • The Arc is Closed for Memorial Day
  • Support The Arc by Shopping at King Soopers

Lakewood arc Thrift Reopening - Tomorrow!

One of arc Thrift Stores’ most iconic Colorado locations – commonly referred to as the JCRS store and located next to Casa Bonita in the Lamar Station shopping center – is reopening tomorrow.

The community has been anxiously awaiting the ribbon cutting ceremony that will welcome back this Denver favorite to the neighborhood. This store location is a flagship for the organization – it is the largest and most popular arc Thrift Store.

Stop by and say hello to members of The Arc-JCCGC's Community Engagement Team. They'll be staffing an information table at the store from about 9:00-noon.

RIBBON CUTTING: TOMORROW - Thursday, May 25 at 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: 6791 W. Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214

The store’s first Saturday 50% Off Sale will be this Saturday, May 27 from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

arc Thrift Stores operates 34 thrift stores and 15 donation stations throughout Colorado. Store operations provide funding to Arc Chapters, which in turn provide advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. arc Thrift Stores is one of the largest employers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the state of Colorado.

For more information about arc Thrift Stores, click here.



New Staff Profile: Veronica Wernsman - Community Engagement & Events Specialist

Introducing Veronica Wernsman, our new Community Engagement & Events Specialist.

Veronica was born and raised in Colorado. Before joining our team, she was a Make-A-Wish Colorado intern, where she helped organize successful events and supported development efforts. Veronica’s vibrant personality, along with her excellent coordination and communications skills are sure to enable her to shine as a member of our team.

“This work is everything I have always wanted to do. I have a passion for human rights and civil rights and working for an organization that uplifts people is a dream come true,” Veronica shared. “With events in particular, gatherings are such a special and critical component for communities. I am beyond excited about what we have planned this upcoming year!” Check out future editions of The Arc in Motion for more details about our upcoming events.

It takes a highly organized and creative person to plan events. Veronica said the highlight is seeing the community gather and enjoy themselves. Widening The Arc-JCCGC’s reach toward the outward community and expanding our annual events to make memorable and impactful moments are among her goals.

“I could not be more thrilled to join this chapter of The Arc,” Veronica said. “The people at The Arc are some of the best people out there, and I am honored to be among them.”  
In her free time, Veronica enjoys reading, cooking, attending the theater, going to concerts, and spending time with her dog named Meadow.

Welcome to the team, Veronica!

DVR and Employment Support Post College Free Webinar May 31

Learn more about The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) during a free webinar presented by IN! Pathways to Inclusive Higher Education.

DVR provides a wide variety of individualized services to support people with disabilities to reach their employment goals. Topics during this webinar will include an overview of DVR, how to enroll, and how services can be used before, during, and after college.

IN! Pathways to Inclusive Higher Education’s mission is to create inclusive college opportunities in Colorado for students with intellectual disabilities to foster academic growth, social development, and career advancement.

What: DVR & Employment Support At and After College Webinar
When: May 31 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Interested? Register by clicking here.

Navigating Disability and Employment: Free Training for Youth & Families

A Brighter Future: Navigating the World of Disability and Employment is a free virtual training series created to educate and empower youth with IDD and their parents and/or guardians about employment. The trainings will cover the possibilities, processes, potential services, systems navigation, and strategies for securing work.

These interactive trainings are provided by Colorado Office of Employment First and funded by the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council. They are offering training for youth 14 to 21 years old, and a family training. For more information, click here.

Youth training starts on June 5. For more information, training topics, session schedule, and to register, click here.

Family training starts on June 20. Learn more details and register by clicking here.

Questions? Contact Dr. Tiffany Cron at tiffany.cron@cuanschutz.edu.
Mark Your Calendars - Don't Miss Our June Events!

Attend People First on June 7

People First is composed of self-advocates who meet to gain self-advocacy skills and for social events. People First is a local chapter of the national organization Speaking For Ourselves. Monthly meetings are in person and can be joined virtually, too.

Wednesday, June 7: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
In Person at The Arc's Office -- 13949 W. Colfax Ave, #102, Lakewood
Or, to join by Zoom: click here
For more information about People First and/or to join the meeting virtually, click here.

Coffee House is on June 15!
 
Join us at our monthly social gathering. Coffee House is an occasion where everyone is welcome. Come and make new friends, mingle with people of all abilities, and promote inclusion in our community.

Thursday, June 15: 5:30 to 7:00 PM
Panera Bread - 650 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood

Hope to see you there!
The Arc U.S. Logo
This Just In From The Arc U.S.: #SaveMedicaid!

Debt ceiling negotiations could affect people with disabilities and their families. When you hear Congress talking about the debt ceiling, it’s important to know that everyone may struggle if it’s not increased. But for people with disabilities, the impact would be severe if the programs and services they need are cut.
 
Cuts to Medicaid are being proposed in the debt ceiling negotiations that are happening now—and we need to make sure this doesn’t happen!

What is the debt ceiling and why does it matter? The federal government regularly borrows money to pay for things. The debt ceiling is the largest amount of money the government can borrow at one time. It can’t borrow more than the debt ceiling allows.
The United States could hit the debt ceiling as early as June 1. Before then, Congress and the President must decide whether to:

  • Raise the debt ceiling, so the government can borrow more money to pay for things, or
  • Do nothing and fail to pay for the things it promised to pay for.

What’s happening with debt ceiling negotiations? Last month, the House of Representatives passed a bill to raise the debt ceiling. The bill includes radical new work rules for Medicaid recipients ages 19 to 55 and adds red tape that would make it difficult for people to get and keep Medicaid.

Millions of people who rely on Medicaid would likely get kicked off the program.
What can you do to help? Congress and the President can agree to raise the debt ceiling without cutting Medicaid or other essential programs.

Please send an urgent message to Congress and ask them to keep Medicaid out of any deal!

The Arc is Closed for Memorial Day

The Arc – JCCGC observes Memorial Day. Our office will be closed on Monday, May 29.

The Arc in Motion will be published next Thursday. Stay tuned for news about our chapter's annual membership meeting, and details about exciting upcoming events.

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day!



Support The Arc by Shopping at King Soopers

Did you know that The Arc could receive a donation from King Soopers each time you shop there? Simply name us as your King Soopers Community Rewards organization. There’s no added cost to you, and setup is easy:

  1. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards
  2. Log in or create an account using your Shopper’s Card number or alternate ID
  3. Search for The Arc - Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties by name, or use code MY949

That’s it! Then, when you use your King Soopers card as you normally would, The Arc will receive a donation, at no added cost to you!