Happy New Year from The Arc Lane County!
The Arc Lane County is excited to usher in a New Year, and we hope you are enjoying a wonderful start to 2022!
With the COVID pandemic continuing to rear its ugly head, The Arc Lane County had to continually pivot, adjust and adapt. We were required to think creatively in how we could safely support more than 600 people with disabilities and their families to live full lives within our community.
We are proud of our 2021 accomplishments, and we wish to thank our board of directors, employees, community partners, volunteers and donors for their support in our important work.
We invite you to celebrate with us in all that we were able to accomplish in 2021.
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THE ARC LANE COUNTY 2021 SUCCESSES |
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The Arc Breaks Ground on Arc Park, First Phase to Open in 2022 |
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In February 2021, The Arc broke ground on the first phase of the Arc Park, a state-of-the-art play space that will welcome children of all abilities. The Comcast Amphitheater and community gathering space is scheduled for completion in early 2022, with other phases of the park scheduled to follow.
The Arc also launched the Arc Park Commercial in October to help generate greater awareness about this destination play space within the community.
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Stepping Out Reconnects Adults with Their Community |
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Thanks to the rollout of COVID vaccines, the Stepping Out team reconnected with our friends who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities, and we helped them safely reengage in fun community activities, which helped reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Being able to reconnect was pure bliss ̶ both for The Arc staff and the people we support. Cheers to coffee with friends and a boost to everyone's mental health!
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Employment PATH Participants Gain Valuable Skills for Future Employment |
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The Arc's Employment PATH team helped more than 30 adults with disabilities learn new skills to help them realize their employment dreams.
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The Lift Zone Provides Hi Tech Coaching to Adults with Disabilities |
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With help from Comcast, The Arc's EmployAbility team launched a new, 1:1 technology coaching program, called The Lift Zone, which helps people with disabilities access and use technology for both personal and professional growth.
The Lift Zone has proven successful, with one adult accessing The Lift Zone to practice and prepare for the GED test, and another adult receiving coaching on the Zoom videoconferencing platform to meet with her Vocational Rehabilitation counselor.
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More Adults with Disabilities Working in Community, with Positive Community Impact |
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The Arc's EmployAbility team continued to support people with disabilities who wanted to work at their jobs within the community during the pandemic.
In addition, the team supported new individuals in their goal of finding a job within the community.
The Arc helped secure jobs at Safeway, Holiday Inn and Taco Bell, with great outcomes for the individuals we support and a more diversified and accepting workforce in Lane County.
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The Arc Hosts COVID Vaccine Clinics to Meet Unique Needs of Disability Community |
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The Arc helped vaccinate more than 2,420 Lane County residents against COVID in 2021. Part of this work included hosting five drive-through clinics that addressed the unique needs of the disability community, including no fluorescent lights, less sound and allowing people to be vaccinated in the safety of their car without having to exit the vehicle.
Additionally, The Arc distributed hundreds of free sensory bags to children at the vaccine clinics to address their sensory needs, and it continually streamlined operations to address issues that could negatively impact the experience of those getting vaccinated, such as wait times.
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CARES Center Takes Bite Out of Food Insecurity in Lane County |
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Now in its second year of operation, the CARES Center helped combat food insecurity by providing 4,741 food boxes from its food pantry location in Springfield and delivered food boxes to 376 households through its emergency delivery program.
In addition, The CARES Center's Ride United program, a weekly food box delivery service, provided an additional 2,592 food boxes to people in need.
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JumpStart Opens New, Inclusive Preschool |
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The Arc opened its new JumpStart Preschool in August, serving children ̶ both with and without disabilities ̶ in a fun, nurturing and welcoming environment.
Thanks to skilled teachers and a fun learning space, children are learning together, playing together and growing together both physically and social emotionally, just as they should.
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Creation of Outdoor Classroom Allows Students to Learn STEM During Summer Months |
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The COVID pandemic didn't stop ESTEAM from pressing forward with its summer plans.
The ESTEAM team pitched tents and created an outdoor classroom to ensure students of all abilities could learn about science, technology, engineering, art and math together.
During the summer months, 35 students, learned about engaging topics, such as robotics, computer programming and sculpture.
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The Arc's Direct Support Professionals Provide Lifeline to Families |
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In addition, The Arc helped advocate to increase wages for the critical direct support professional workforce, which was passed by the Oregon State Legislature in June 2021.
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Familias en Conexión Purchases iPads to Reconnect, Empower Parents |
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Familias en Conexión provides culturally responsive support to more than 40 parents who are Spanish-speaking and raising a child with a disability in Lane County, which helps reduce isolation, connect families and empower parents.
Familias en Conexión and Families Connected, also successfully advocated to have the statewide family networks reinstated at the Oregon State Legislature.
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Parent Trainings, Family Events Keep Families Engaged Throughout Pandemic |
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Despite limited in-person engagements due to COVID, Families Connected continued to support more than 400 parents raising children with disabiliities through oniline trainings and the creation of a Parent Toolbox, which was chock full of tips, tricks and resources to help parents. Learn more about the Parenl Toolbox.
Families Connected also partnered with Free Bikes 4 Kids to give away 35 free bikes to children with disabilities, which helped improve physical and mental well being.
Families Connected also hosted its Sensory Zone at a number of community events, giving children a calm and safe place to self-regulate with a variety of sensory tools.
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The Arc Uplifts Community with Fun, Drive-Through Events |
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Who knew a drive-through window would come in handy? While the pandemic may have limited in-person gatherings, The Arc still spread cheer throughout the community with fun, drive-through events.
In October, The Arc hosted a drive through Halloween Costume Parade, with more than 350 people visiting our drive-through window to show off their costumes and receive a treat.
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