Chakeeta Thomas grew up in north St. Louis County. She loved to learn new things, however she recognized early on that learning was a challenge. She struggled at home, sharing a small space with her grandmother and two brothers. In spite of her obstacles, Chakeeta made it a goal to live independently. Through hard work…
When first meeting the Seger family, most people will be immediately drawn to the energetic, smiling young brothers. These boys are typical brothers they argue, are competitive, they play fight, and they watch out for each other. The Seger family has been part of the St. Louis Arc since 2013. Both Tanner and Dominic have…
St. Louis Arcs Annual Giving Tree For over 20 years, the St. Louis Arc has partnered with businesses and individuals in the St. Louis community for the St. Louis Arc Giving Tree. This year, 220 children were identified from our Capable Kids and Family, Parents Learning Together, and Belle Children Services programs for the Giving…
Congratulations to Shanae J. on being named the November Employee of the Month at SSM Health St. Marys Hospital. Shanae has been working in Environmental Services for the past eight months, providing SSMs exceptional level of customer service while cleaning and sanitizing patient rooms. Shanae was able to obtain this role with the assistance of…
At 22, Alex Ott is a confident, well-spoken and thoughtful young man. Just like anyone in their twenties, he loves to spend time with his family and friends and is often found at the swimming pool. He currently volunteers at SSM Health St. Marys Hospital and is working with St. Louis Arc staff to land…
Since 1983, the St. Louis Arc has been continuously accredited byThe Council on Quality & Leadership(CQL), an international non-for-profit organization. We consider this distinction a badge of honor because CQL standards are recognized by federal and state government as benchmarks for excellence. Additionally, few organizations who specialize in taking care of people with disabilities ever…
Around the halls of the St. Louis Arc Family Center, Grace Mehan is something of a celebrity. It is not because of her infamous Facebook page, Graces Glendale Bus Stop, which has close to 900 likes, or even that she was selected by the Huffington Post in April 2012 as their Greatest Person of the…
Talk to any parent whose child has been diagnosed with a disability and you will hear many of the same emotional descriptions: shock, denial, grief, rage. When their youngest son, Liam, was born in 2011 with Down syndrome, Dan and Rebecca Fields described it as being dropped off in a foreign country where you dont…
Since moving into the St. Louis Arcs assisted living community in late 2013, Mary Beth Reese has built an exciting and busy life for herself. At 48-years-young she shares a home with five other ladies, and has immersed herself in many St. Louis Arc programs. Mary Beth takes partinthe St. Louis Arcs Community Integration program,…
Dillon Ohlemiller is your typical 23-year-old. He attends college, enjoys spending time with friends, and is rarely without his iPod or iPhone. When he finishes school in 2016 he has a big plan: to live independently. This is a goal that neither he, nor his parents, could have envisioned two decades ago. When the Ohlemiller…