Gather all your smiles in one frame and get a photo to remember at

Best in the West!

Dear Members and Friends of The Arc,

I’m reaching out to you in hopes that you might consider an easy way to support The Arc!  

We need baked/homemade desserts ~ to fill The Arc's Dessert Corral at the “Best in the West” on November 19, 2022! Cakes, pies, brownies, kolaches, cookies, cobblers, candy ~ whatever you decide! 

You choose the best way to deliver your goodies:

1.    Bring them to The Arc office on Friday, November 18 between 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, and we will transport them to the event.

2.    Bring them to the George Ranch Arena Saturday, November 19, between 9:00 am – 11:00 am.

3.    Bring them to the George Ranch Arena Saturday evening when you arrive to attend the event.

Please let Pam Hollaway know you will be donating a dessert by emailing her at: 

phollaway@arcoffortbend.org or if you have any questions: Call The Arc 281-494-5959. 

And also, consider attending our biggest fundraiser – the one that helps fund all of the programs and activities we offer- Special Olympics, Bowling, Social Rec, Education Advocacy, Teen/Tween Social, Information & Referral. You can purchase tickets at the door, or click:  

https://BestInTheWest.givesmart.com 

Thank you, so much for your support! 

Laura LaVigne, CEO

The 44th Annual Best in the West is only a few weeks away! Are you ready? There will be dancing, music, auctions, food, raffles, desserts and so much more- all supporting The Arc of Fort Bend!

If you'd like to reserve a sponsorship or table,

please contact The Arc at 281/494-5959.

Interested in winning this awesome golf cart while supporting The Arc of Fort Bend? 

Purchase your tickets now before they are all  gone! The lucky winner will be announced at Best in the West on November 19th! 

$20 each or 6 for $100

Scan our QR Code from your phone to go directly to our Raffle page or to purchase your raffle tickets online click below:

Moms of Kids with Autism 

A Support Group for Parents of Kids with Autism

and other IDD's

Next Meeting November 14!

Moms of Kids with Autism and Other IDD's (M.O.K.A.) meets once a month year-round. For more information on dates and location, please contact Ashley Bennett at 832-660-5931 or mokasugarland@gmail.com or join the

Facebook group: “MOKA sugar land”

Missouri City Parks and Recreation

is offering "Adapted Recreation". Pictured below is Ethan Brown learning archery. 

Click the link to learn more and register: https://www.missouricitytx.gov/1050/Adapted-Recreation

Missouri City Parks and Recreation is also a great partner for our Special Olympics Tennis program.  

Thank you for letting us practice at your facility!

Siblings Connect for Fun & Support

By Karri Axtell

Teen Sibling Connection Group:

Wanna chat? What’s the low-down? These teen siblings really know how to have a great time while building each other up!  

Pictured above from left to right: Suhani Goswami, Riya Bhalesha, Zaima Chowdhury, Rachel Lee and Brooklyn Scott.

When 16 year old Riyah Bhalesha attended the April, 2022 Adult Sibling Connection get-together, I knew we needed to expand the sibling support group to meet the needs of teens! In June, 2022 a group of three teens gathered on Zoom to discuss connecting with others who get what it’s like to have a brother or sister with an intellectual or developmental disability.  Having a sibling with a disability can be tough and it’s nice to know others who can relate to the joys and challenges. The teens wanted a time and place just for them to have fun and de-stress. And so, the Teen Sibling Connection group was born!  

Teen Sibling Connection offers peer support to Fort Bend County neuro-typical high school teens age 13 – 19 in a fun, recreational environment. On September 16, 2022, the group had their very first in-person social at the youth lounge at Christ Church Sugar Land. * The group of five hit it off right away & spent the next two hours getting to know each other. The teen sibling group is busy planning its next event, so stay tuned!

* Christ Church Sugar Land and its special needs ministry has been a huge supporter of The Arc’s Teen/Tween Social and Parent Night Out since 2018, and now the Teen Sibling Connection group. Christ Church Sugar Land’s special needs ministry "iBelong Ministry – Exceptional Love for Exceptional People". www.christchurchsl.org/iBelong or Pastor Michelle Hall at michelleh@christchurchsl.org

Adult Sibling Connection Group

The Adult Sibling Connection group blasted off with an out-of-this-world trip to see the Space Cowboys on Saturday September 24^th!  These siblings and their supportive spouses enjoyed watching the game, getting to know each other and sharing some helpful information. The guys also bonded over the college football games playing on TV! 

Pictured left to right are Jordan & Katy DeBeer, Stephen Danielson & Candace Cowdery, Megan Boler, Space Cowboy mascot Orbit, Mike & Megan Neely and Program Director, Karri Axtell. 

The Arc’s Adult Sibling Connection group has come a long way since it was formed in late 2019. It’s first bi-annual social event was scheduled for April, 2020. But, the COVID-19 pandemic would not deter this group! The Adult Sibling Connection held all of its first social events on Zoom - so all could still connect, share their stories and offer each other support. 

Since 2021, the group has meet in-person each spring and fall at different restaurants and venues around Fort Bend County. Thanks to EE Reed Construction’s* generous donation of suite tickets to see the Space Cowboys, the Adult Sibling Connection’s fall 2022 meet-up was a Grand-Slam! (* EE Reed Construction LP has been a long-time supporter of The Arc of Fort Bend and our programs. For more information about EE Reed visit www.eereed.com/construction)

The Adult Sibling Connection group is eager to meet more fellow sibling caregivers around Fort Bend County. We invite you to join us in April, 2023 for the next in-person meet-up! (More details coming early next year.)

Adult Sibling Connection is a group of neuro-typical adults (18+) who have a brother or sister with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD) seeking support and connection with other sibling caregivers. 

The group meets in-person twice a year (spring & fall) and shares resources throughout the year on a Facebook Group Page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2674487816146423 https://www.facebook.com/groups/2674487816146423

Peer Support for Siblings of People

With IDD

Teen siblings grow up with the expectation that they are the "mature" one, taking on increased responsibilities and at times, disappointments as their parents struggle to meet the needs of their child with a disability. 

Adult siblings are the next generation of caregivers who juggle caregiving responsibilities for their own children, their aging parents, and their sibling with a disability. That’s why they are known as the "Club Sandwich" generation.  There is a steep learning curve to navigate the system of support and services for people with IDD, BUT, The Arc is here to help! 

Join fellow siblings who understand the joy and challenge of having a brother or sister with IDD. Talk with others going through similar situations and share frustrations without judgment. 

We welcome you to join us at the next Teen or Adult Sibling Connection meet-up. For more information contact Program Director, Karri Axtell at: 281-494-5924  kaxtell@arcoffortbend.org

Nine Bocce players attended Fall Classics. The Arc extends a very special thank you to our head coach, Debbie Patton, for all her hard work in getting them ready.

Visit The Arc of Fort Bend County

Facebook Page

for the latest tips, resources, community events, helpful videos and MORE.