April 26 Bogey Bash Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Arc of Alameda County

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

In no small measure, the Arc of Alameda County is responsible for having significantly improved the quality of life for thousands of area residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities over the past 60 years. Originally founded in 1950 by parents of developmentally delayed children, the nonprofit has expanded its scope to include an array of programs that offer vocational training, employment development, skills for independent living, and even recreation to a client population that today encompasses approximately 600 individuals. The Arc facility in Livermore serves some 45 clients from the Tri-Valley.

Arc stands for Advocacy, Respect, and Commitment, the core principles of the organization. "With five program sites and dozens of community placements, we have a presence in every city and town in Alameda County," notes Richard Fitzmaurice, Director, Development and Public Information. "Our mission is to empower every person we serve with the knowledge, tools, and support to achieve their chosen potential in life."

The organization's long experience confirms how important functioning in the real world can be for its clients' sense of dignity and self-confidence. The lives "of those we serve improve when they have the support to move away from classroom settings and participate in community activities," Fitzmaurice points out.

A variety of programs provide meaningful opportunities for Arc clients to grow and learn. Four Vocational Development Centers teach adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to perform income-producing subcontract work. They can also prepare to transition into community-based employment services, if desired. The Arc identifies and develops these opportunities for individual and group placements, providing extensive one-on-one training and ongoing follow-up to ensure continued success.

An Alternative Ventures Program accommodates those who wish to divide their time between work and a "creative social-recreational" environment that includes offsite outings into the community. SCOPE, the adult development program, teaches basic skills such as personal safety, community access, grooming, and hygiene to those with severe to profound disabilities. This kind of attention helps clients have the experience of being a valued member of the community in which they live.

The Independent Living Services program, as its name implies, provides the training and support links for Arc clients to live on their own. Among the skills taught are socialization, money management, menu planning, grocery shopping, cooking, apartment maintenance, safety, and community awareness.

The First Step Children's Center provides a stimulating, nurturing and safe environment for children from 6 weeks old through kindergarten.

For the first time, the Arc is holding a golf tournament, awards dinner, and fund-raising auction, the Bogey Bash, on Monday, April 26, at Las Positas Golf Course in Livermore, to help finance its efforts. Proceeds from this fun-filled event will go directly to the building of a "support infrastructure" to transport clients to jobs, volunteer assignments, and shopping. The funding will also expand recreational opportunities for clients to include events farther from home or those that charge admission fees.

Individuals and businesses can express their support for the Arc through various levels of tournament sponsorship and participation. For more details, visit www.arcalameda.org.

Also in this issue...