In This Issue:
- People First: Connect Today!
- Take The Arc-JCCGC's Communications Survey
- IRS Increases Limits for ABLE Accounts
- Share Your Stories with The Arc
- Donate Your Vehicle & Raise Money for The Arc
- Apply to Join The Arc's National Sibling Council
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People First: Connect Today!
The Arc-JCCGC supports People First of Jefferson County - a group a self-advocates actively changing community perceptions about people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
People First members practice strengthening their self-advocacy skills while supporting each other. Engagement, collaboration, and community are among the numerous positive concepts that come to mind when describing People First, a local chapter of Speaking For Ourselves - Colorado.
“All people with IDD in our community are welcome to attend and join People First,” explained Molly Kirkham, People First president. “I believe that everybody has a voice that needs and deserves to be heard. I believe that people are people no matter what their differences are and that is all that matters at the end of the day.”
The organization focuses on learning about and practicing self-advocacy – but that’s not all. Members and participants gain a lot by partaking in monthly meetings and other activities. The group cares about human rights and social justice issues including getting real jobs with real wages, living as independently as possible, being treated with respect, and inclusion in the community.
People First members recently engaged in creative discussions to develop some exciting plans for the upcoming year, which include:
- Community engagement - including volunteering, speaking and sharing information about People First Jeffco.
- Inviting speakers - including law enforcement, the fire department, EMT’s, elected officials, and possible employers - to present educational opportunities and skill building at People First meetings.
- Becoming public speakers - presenting at schools and other disability organizations.
- Participating in some trainings about voting, emergency response, and interactions with law enforcement.
- Enjoying time together and team building through movie night, game nights, flash mobs, karaoke, and dancing.
Jilda Falco, director of Adult Advocacy at The Arc-JCCGC, explained, “I’ve asked People First members what they gain from the group. In addition to self-advocacy, they say that they gain a sense of community, understanding, and that they enjoy conversing with likeminded people. In addition, there is learning that occurs, and people genuinely enjoy spending time together.”
Top Reasons to be Involved with People First
A Collaborative List by Molly Kirkham and Jilda Falco:
- People First is a safe space where you do not need to feel afraid to be your true self - this feels so freeing. It is inclusive and supportive of all people with IDD. The group is welcoming and kind.
- People First is a place where people are truly heard, and ideas are respected.
- The group has some exciting goals for this upcoming year and welcomes new people and members who have not attended in a while to participate.
- People First helps make new friendships and strengthens old friendships. Understanding the challenges individuals might be facing makes strong bonds among the members. People feel supported and not alone even during tough moments and challenges.
- It is a space where people can grow, learn leadership skills, push self-imposed limits, have opportunities to lead, and make things happen.
Help spread the word about People First. If you haven’t been to a meeting, plan to attend. If you go to meetings or are already a member, invite someone new.
Interested? People First meetings are scheduled on the first Wednesday of every month from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Attend in person at The Arc's office in Lakewood or virtually on Zoom.
Upcoming meeting dates are February 1, March 1 and April 5.
Want to learn more or join? For information, click here.
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Take The Arc-JCCGC's Communications Survey
We want The Arc in Motion and our social media platforms to be your go-to resources for information about our chapter and other interesting news. The Arc-JCCGC looks to our community to help lead and guide our work. Your voices are the most important. The strong partnership with the people we serve is critical to our mission. We are committed to keeping you informed about our programs and information that is relevant to our community.
If you read The Arc in Motion and/or follow us on social media, we want to know what interests you.
Please take a few minutes to answer our survey to help us improve how we communicate with you. We want to make sure that you receive quality, timely and relevant information that is valuable to you. Your feedback will help us ensure that you get the information you want.
The survey closes on February 22. All data collected is confidential, and individual names and other information that could be identifiable will not be shared. Feedback from the survey will be used to update our chapter’s communications efforts. Highlights of the survey results will be shared in a future edition of The Arc in Motion.
Those who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift card.
Interested? To participate in the survey, click here.
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IRS Increases Limits for ABLE Accounts
People with disabilities can save more money without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits thanks to a change in tax rules for the new year.
Starting this month, the federal gift tax exclusion increases from $16,000 to $17,000 annually, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The deposit limit for ABLE accounts — a savings vehicle for people with disabilities — is tied to that metric, so it will grow as well.
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Share Your Stories with The Arc
Storytelling enables sharing information that can increase understanding and emotional connections. A powerful story can help change perceptions and lives. At The Arc, telling stories about our lives is an essential advocacy tool to educate and motivate others. When successful, storytelling can motivate people to make positive changes in outdated systems.
Please click here to watch some inspirational videos from a campaign presented by The Arc U.S.: Real Stories and Real People by and scrolling down to watch several inspirational stories.
The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin County is interested in your advocacy story. If you have a great story that you would like to share with the community, our communications team may be able to help you. The most inspirational stories about our community members are told during The Summit of Hope. Check out an example by clicking here.
Your story might help create change. Please contact us if you:
- Have an interesting advocacy experience you would like to share
- Overcome struggles that you would be willing to disclose and describe
- Know something that could be of value to our community
- Would like to share your experience to potentially help inspire others
Our goal is to help people amplify their voices. The Arc-JCCGC practices ethical storytelling, to guarantee that whenever someone generously gives us the privilege of telling their story, we will do it in a fair and respectful manner.
Interested in sharing your advocacy story?
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Donate Your Vehicle & Raise Money for
The Arc!
Is it time to finally let go of your old car? We know, you had a good run. You got far more mileage out of it than you thought you would. It was a good car right up until the end. But now the necessary repairs to get it back on the road just don’t make financial sense and it’s not worth nearly as much as you thought it might be as a trade-in. It’s time.
Don’t worry. Your old car is still valuable. In fact, it’s worth the world to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You see, The Arc can take your old car as a donation and turn it into cash to directly help people with IDD with such needs as employment, education, housing and advocacy to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.
The Arc doesn’t care if your old car has some blemishes, a little rust, a dead battery or worse. Vehicles for Charity can take your clunker and turn it into cash at auction. To ensure your donation benefits our chapter, simply designate The Arc - Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties as the recipient, and the proceeds will come directly to us.
It’s easy to get started. Donate online or call 1-866-628-CARS (1-866-628-2277), arrange your free pickup, and claim your tax deduction.
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Apply to Join The Arc's National Sibling Council
Are you interested in getting more involved in disability rights advocacy?
Siblings of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) are an important part of the disability rights movement, and The Arc is looking for your perspective as we work to promote and protect the rights of individuals with IDD throughout the country.
For siblings to be the best advocates they can be, it is important that they have access to information and resources that can help them make informed decisions, whatever their involvement.
The Arc’s Sibling Council is one way for siblings of people with IDD to get access to resources and take part in The Arc’s grassroots advocacy efforts nationwide, according to an article, Get to Know The Arc’s Sibling Council by Susan Stonecypher-Hawkins. Members of The Arc’s National Sibling Council bring a wide range of expertise and passion, and they volunteer to serve a two-year term.
The National Sibling Council also hosts sessions at The Arc’s annual National Convention for siblings to connect and learn about ways to get involved in advocacy. To read Stonecypher-Hawkins’ article about The Arc’s National Sibling Council, click here.
For more sibling resources, visit The Arc Siblings Scene by clicking here.
Interested in joining The Arc’s National Sibling Council? Click here to apply no later than February 5.
If you need help completing the application form or have questions, contact Robyn Linscott at [email protected].
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