If you missed last week's kick off event in the ARC Pavilion you missed a lot. ARC supporters, staff, board members and clients gathered to share stories about how important our programs are... and to officially Kick Off the"Bridge The Gap" annual campaign.

Bonnie Bethel, ILS/Parenting Coordinator, helped entertain the children while Michael McGinnis (ARC Executive Director) and ARC client's spoke of their experiences with different programs, instructors and peers. Many expressed their appreciate of how the ARC has improved their lives. One client, Ted, said he'd be stuck at home watching TV all day if he didn't have the Adult Day Program to come to. A young father, Joey, spoke of the new healthy meals he can now cook for his family thanks to his Independent Living Skills instructor.

 

There are an estimated 240,000 individuals with developmental disabilities in California.  Sadly, there is a growing population of special needs children right here in our community.  The stresses of everyday life greatly increase when a family is faced with the demands and extraordinary challenges of parenting an individual with special needs.
It is widely cited that over 80% of parents of children with Autism divorce and that 63% of family-member caregivers battle sleep deprivation, depression and anxiety.

 

It is our hope that the Bridge the Gap campaign will develop and expand the base of support within the community, not just for one year, but for many years to come.

 

You can see more pictures on our Facebook Page.

 

If you have questions about this campaign or are interested in participating, please, contact Michael McGinnis, Arc Executive Director.

 

 

Hollie Geroy, Adult Day Program Supervisor, was interviewed by Stephen and Susan Tchudi on "Ecotopia", KZFR 90.1fm this week. They discussed ARC's important services for special needs children and adult with developmental disabilities in Butte and Glenn Counties.

 

How the current economy has effected non-profits was also a topic of discussion. "Sadly, we lost State funding last year for many of our early prevention services," explain Geroy, "We actually had to close three popular programs in 2009."

 

Thank you to both Stephen and Susan for having Hollie on their show. Your support is appreciated. KZFR is Chico's local Community Radio station.

 

You can see more pictures on our Facebook Page.

 

Have questions about the Chico Adult Day Program? Please, contact Nelson Corwin or Hollie Geroy

 

 

There are many fun activities planned for April... like field trips to Azad's, Orchard Lanes plus celebrations like a "Sok Hop" in the ARC Pavilion. See the calendar below for dates.

Have questions about our Chico or Orville ADP? Please, contact Nelson Corwin in Chico or Ed Grzanich in Oroville.

 

   

 

 

Easter Parade on the 2nd
Lunch at Home Town Buffet on the 9th
Potato Bar! in the Pavilion on the 16th
Lunch Out Field Trip on the 23rd
Sok Hop Dance! on the 30th

Azad's Dojo on Wed the 7th
Chico Creek Nature Center on the 14th
Orchard Lanes on the 7th and 21st

- Contact Nelson Corwin for Chico events and classes