12,844 steps. Thats how many steps Chakeeta Thomas has taken today. And its a light day, laughs Chakeeta. If I work a banquet, its always more. Chakeeta is determined, resilient, with indefatigable energy. And, as her friends will say: she steps up. A caseworker connected Chakeeta with St. Louis Arc when she was still…
Each year families who participate in our Capable Kids and Family (CKF) and Parents Learning Together (PLT) programs receive holiday gifts as part of the annual St. Louis Arc Giving Tree. As we approach the holiday season, the Arc partners with businesses and individuals in the St. Louis community who buy gifts off a childs…
Aging with Empowerment (AWE) participant Retha has a special love of all things Disney. In addition to enjoying Disney movies, shes visited Disney World and longs to travel there again. Retha would love to go back to Disney someday, but it wasnt something she could do right now, says Stephen Turner, coordinator of AWE North…
Kele says he loves cooking, so making lunch for himself and other participants in the NextED Challenge program this past summer was easy. But other learning activities have proven useful in helping the 19-year-old community college student tackle new challenges. I learned about using the public bus system, for one thing, he says. And managing…
They call her Itsy, after the Itsy Bitsy Spider. She does hard things every dayŠŠsometimes exhausting therapiesŠŠbut Itsy is determined and smiling. When Itsy started with therapy, she couldnt hold her head up or track things with her eyes, recalls Shamecka, Itsys mom. She needed all this equipment and toys that we were trying to…
Pre-employment training goes beyond teaching job-specific skills. It aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are confident, joyful, and equipped with a range of employment skills. At the St. Louis Arc, the Pre-Employment Training program is a one-year program that helps individuals grow and refine their skills to work toward successful employment. Building Skills The program…
Dubbed our ambassadors of fun, St. Louis Arcs volunteers are the backbone of many of our programs. In addition to having fun, Arc volunteers are shining examples of our core values Respect, Collaboration, and Empowerment. As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month, Kim H., a longtime volunteer, shared her story of volunteering with the Arc. Volunteers…
At the St. Louis Arc, the programs and services offered are designed to maximize choice and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in building quality lives within the community. For Frank, who receives Arc residential support in his home, this focus on choice has provided an opportunity to build a connection within his community….
St. Louis Arcs ARCH Respite Program can give family members caring for a child or adult with an intellectual or developmental disability extra support and a much needed break. ARCH (Assistance with Residential¯Care in the Home), also referred to as respite, reimburses primary caregivers at a standard rate for short-term relief services. These services can…
The St. Louis Arc is now partnering with the Arc of the U.S. to promote virtual programs for people with IDD through their New Virtual Program Library. The Library includes programs and resources throughout the United States for individuals, families, and service providers to access virtually. St. Louis Arc Virtual Programs Transition to Adulthood Bounce…