August, 2015
Groundbreaking on a new Multi-Purpose Building
 On July 21, 2015 members of the community joined together to break ground on The Arc's new Multi- Purpose Building. This building will be built thanks to the Mueller Inc. Helping Hand and Texas Country Reporter grant. October 4th thru October 8th Mueller employees will be on site building a 4,000 square foot metal building. Texas Country Reporter will be filming the building process and showcasing The Arc of Greater Beaumont on its 2015 Thanksgiving Episode. "Texas Country Reporter and Muller Inc's support has allowed us to begin making our dream of A Home of Our Own a reality" said The Arc of Greater Beaumont's Executive Director Gary Hidalgo. ~ Learn More ~
SETX Self-Advocate Chapter Awarded 2015 Texas Advocates Chapter of the Year 
July 24- 26 over 400 self-advocates from the state of Texas gathered
 together for a weekend of networking, education, and a whole lot of fun! Every year a self-advocate chapter is awarded chapter of the year for their work in advocacy, leadership, and education.  This year, the Southeast Texas Self-Advocates were awarded this prestigious honor. "I am so proud of this group.  They take the initiative to educate themselves and always love to help in their community" said Self-Advocate adviser Teri Hawthorne. ~Learn More ~
Social Security Disability Benefits in Jeopardy
Congress must act by the end of 2016 to prevent a 20% across-the-board cut in our Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) lifeline. Some in Congress want to set up roadblocks  preventing this devastating cut-and we've had to fight off repeated attacks on SSDI throughout 2015.The need to replenish the Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) fund in 2016 to account for long-term trends, such as an older workforce now in its disability-prone years, has been expected for several decades. Without Congressional action, at the end of 2016 the DI fund's reserves will be depleted. At that point incoming payroll contributions would only be able to pay for about 80% of promised benefits. Their is a bill in the house called the The One Social Security Act (H.R. 3150), it would merge Social Security's Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and DI funds into a single Social Security Trust Fund . The Arc of the United States needs you to take action to help save SSDI benefits!  ~ Learn More & Take Action! ~
Register Today for the Beaumont Buddy Walk

The 4th Annual Beaumont Buddy Walk will be held Saturday, October 24,

 2015. The Beaumont Buddy Walk is one of over 250 walks held throughout the country to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.  Registration is only $10 and includes a T-Shirt. Last year over 2,500 Southeast Texans came out in support of Down syndrome awareness.  "We hope to have over 3,000 participants this year" said Buddy Walk Coordinator Teri Hawthorne. You can register as an individual, create a team, or join a team. The event is sure to be a blast!  ~Register Today!~

Back to School Webinair Series 

Partners Resource Network is offering a series of webinars on various topics that effect children with special needs. Webinars are free of charge. Upcoming Webinar topics include:
Summer Day Camps Provide Children a chance for Socialization & Recreation
The Arc of Greater Beaumont's 2015 Summer Day Camps provided children and teens a week full of socialization and recreation.  Activities at this year's camps included, parachute games, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, scrap-booking, board games, and much more.  "I like this camp, I really want to come back next year" said Timothy, a participant at The Arc's 2015 Teen Summer Day Camp.  ~ Learn More ~ 
The Arc Gives Children a Chance to Succeed 
Continued education during the summer months is an important part of helping a child with special needs succeed.  The Arc of Greater Beaumont is honored to help these children receive the social skills, recreation, and physical therapies they need through the Summer Education Grant program.  Since it's inception in 2013, The Arc has given over 30 children an opportunity for continued summer education through grants of up to $500 per child.  Funding for this project comes from supporters of The Beaumont Buddy Walk. 
Self-Advocate Spotlight 
Shane Henry is the treasurer of the Southeast Texas (SETX) Self-Advocates and a previous Excellence in Self-Advocacy award recipient.  He attends St. Giles Workshop during the day and lives with his friends in a group home.  Shane is always willing to help a friend in need and is a wonderful asset to the SETX Self-Advocates.  Shane has visited the Texas State Capital to meet with legislators on multiple occasions and has attended conferences and seminars to hep him learn how to advocate for himself and others with disabilities. Shane loves singing, hanging out with his girlfriend, and traveling with the SETX Self-Advocates.
Video of the Month 
 
Puzzles Bakery & Cafe Hires Adults With Autism
Puzzles Bakery & Cafe Hires Adults With Autism
The Arc of Greater Beaumont is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization affiliated with The Arc of the United States and The Arc of Texas. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.