This spring the St. Louis Arc’s Community Engagement (CE) program held an eight-week art class for participants. Spearheaded by the Far West CE site, the program enrolled 25 individuals in the class, representing all six of the CE and AWE sites. Each class began with a review of the materials being used: brushes, canvas, and…
The Disability May Be Invisible, But the Person Is Not Autism is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Over the last 10-15 years, awareness and understanding of autism has grown significantly. However, in my role as Vice President of Autism and Clinical Services at the St. Louis Arc, I…
Finding a place to call home can be a challenging process. We can help. The St. Louis Arc is currently looking for adults who are seeking a unique residential opportunity. We offer experiences that maximize an individual’s independence, while providing 24-hour support to ensure a safe and healthy environment. Residential options with the St. Louis…
The St. Louis Arc is the provider of choice for many individuals with disabilities when it comes to employment. The Arc’s Supported Employment team works with individuals through pre-employment, job discovery, exploration, development, coaching, and retention. The goal of our work is to help an individual not just find a job, but begin and excel…
A newly released study states that “people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have poorer health outcomes and are more at risk for a number of secondary health conditions compared to nondisabled people.” (Friedman, 2019) This year the St. Louis Arc has set a goal of implementing a broad Nutrition Initiative focused on promoting healthy eating…
The 2019 Spring and Summer Leisure Times is now available! Registration is due by March 15. The Arc’s Leisure team offers many opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities to stay active and engaged. New this season is the Arc’s Ukulele Club! This new program allows participants to learn a new instrument while promoting social…
St. Louis Arc helps people with disabilities, through various supports, live their best lives and to be part of their community. Many of us consider a number of factors when determining what our best lives will look like. Jobs, friends, family, hobbies, significant others – all contribute to what we consider meaningful and what we…
It is difficult to begin thinking about summer when we’ve spent most of January battling cold, snow, and ice. For families of teens and young adults, however, summer is right around the corner. Summer programs are often hard to find, registrations are due early, and they tend to fill-up extremely fast. The St. Louis Arc…
In July of 2017, the St. Louis Arc embarked on a new adventure. Arc Escapes was created to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities an affordable and safe option to explore the Midwest. Since the summer of 2017, the Arc has taken six weekend getaway trips with 34 individuals traveling to new cities. Trips…
Transitions can bring feelings of joy, fear, nervousness, or uncertainty. As we transition to a new year, the Arc would like to highlight the ways we support individuals and families during transitional periods of their lives. Children This past fall, the Family Support team welcomed Julie Thompkins in the new role of Family Navigator. In…