Experiences to Build Skills for the Future! As a teenager with a disability, the goal of post-high school employment can seem huge. The St. Louis Arc provides a summer project, Neighborhood Experiences, which supports teens in identifying their post-graduation goals and in building the skills needed to achieve them. What Makes This Different Than Summer…
The Neighborhood Experiences summer project is a steppingstone for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 16-21, on their way to employment. Arc participants serve as volunteers with organizations or businesses they are interested in and practice hard and soft employment skills while making meaningful community connections. Through this experience, 14-year-old Arc participant ALeah discovered…
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…
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….
The St. Louis Arcs new assistive technology program, LifeTech, provides a unique opportunity for adults with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) to find and use new technology. The type of technology is tailored to each individual and is used to work towards a personal or professional goal. For many individuals coming into the program,…
Henry is a young and engaging young man who loves the St. Louis Arcs R&R Camp program. For eight years, Henry spent several weekends a year participating in a variety of recreational and outdoor camp activities. He participated in arts and crafts, made friends, and enjoyed joking around with the camp counselors. This year, however,…
The St. Louis Arc employs more than 500 full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees. These employees make a difference in the lives of more than 4,500 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. At the St. Louis Arc, we empower people to live their best life. That is our mission not only to those…
St. Louis Arcs Aging With Empowerment (AWE) day program now proudly offers three unique sites in St. Louis County, including Creve Coeur, Hazelwood, and Maplewood. The AWE program focuses on community involvement and personal goal achievement just as our flagship Community Engagement programs do, but with a focus on supporting seniors, retirees, and those who…