Dear Esther,
Happy Disability Pride Month everyone!
As summer kicks off we are excited to welcome more participants to all of our campuses and launch our new strategic plan! After an extended time apart, coming together in community is a gift and we can't wait to share all that we have been up to. From advocacy for increased state funding, new and expanded campuses in San Mateo and Marin Counties to new employer partners and hybrid programming, The Arc SF is thriving and looking forward.
We hope to see you on campus, on zoom, or in the community soon!
Be well,
Kristen Pedersen
Executive Director
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The Arc San Francisco is hiring! | |
Join our team and have a career with impact!
As a person-centered organization, The Arc SF collaborates with, supports, and amplifies the voices of people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
We are creative, flexible, and welcoming to all, promoting equity and infusing all our work with a disability justice perspective.
Bringing this work to life requires passion, skills, and perspectives from a wide variety of backgrounds. Do you have what it takes? Join us and make a difference in the fight for inclusion!
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We completed our first Peer Mentoring Program! | |
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The Arc SF's first Peer Mentoring Program was a success! We enjoyed connecting community volunteers with Arc participants. Ten pairs of mentors and mentees met weekly for ten weeks to work on personal goals and practice social connection.
We are looking forward to resuming the Peer Mentor Program in the fall with a new group of mentors and mentees. If you are interested in participating, please contact Barbara Streett, Volunteer Manager, at bstreett@thearcsf.org.
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Mentee Tommy and volunteer Olivia worked consistently every week on various topics, such as public speaking. Olvia guided Tommy toward a topic of interest, and he used his newly acquired public speaking skills to deliver a passionate, confident, and insightful speech about Spider-Man. | |
Congrats Friends of The Urban Forest Interns | |
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Congratulations to the 2021-2022 Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF) Interns, Marie, and Gabriel, and Senior Intern Daniel who graduated on June 3rd.
As part of their graduation, interns presented projects created and completed in the last three months of the internship. Marie created a tool maintenance schedule and list to ensure all department equipment and tools are cleaned and maintained monthly. Gabriel made a flyer that advertised both Sidewalk Garden requests and volunteer recruitment.
Daniel presented what he learned as a Senior intern mentoring Marie and Gabriel, highlighting the value of mentorship and showing how his assistance helped FUF supervisors throughout. Both projects helped FUF in many ways and are still being used.
|  | Interns Marie and Gabriel and Senior Intern Daniel spent nine months learning and working in the Tree Care, Community Engagement, Planting, and Side Walk Garden Departments and volunteering with Mission Verde, gaining enough experience to obtain an entry-level career of their choice. | |
Disability, Identity, and Language: A Conversation | |
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Thank you to Waymo for sponsoring our three-part- speaker series that kicked off earlier this year.
Last month, we hosted a discussion of language and identity, particularly in the context of disability. In discussing their disabilities, our panelists - Self Advocate Sara Desumala, Inclusion Specialist Kelly Bron Johnson, Glamputee Alex Locust, and Self Advocate Angel Ng - expressed different opinions on whether Person First or Identity First should be used.
For example, Arc Participant and panelist Angel prefers that people recognize him as an individual before his disability.
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We encourage you to watch our past panel linked here and please join us for our third speaker event on August 11, which will focus on self-driving vehicles and the disability community.
Stay tuned for the link to this free and virtual event.
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Crafting our Community:
An Art Exhibit & Sale
We invite you to join us at 180 11th Street (The Arc SF side entrance) on July 21st, for an art exhibit and sale by artists participating in The Arc San Francisco, ArtReach Studios, and Helpers Artisan Boutique.
Discover The Arc's art programs, see art from the Helpers Artisan Boutique, enjoy music, refreshmentsa cash bar benefiting Pulse's Empowerfund, a raffle, and find amazing deals on artwork!
The event starts at 5:30 pm, and registration is free, but proof of vaccinations and one booster is required to attend.
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The Arc San Francisco I San Francisco I Marin County I San Mateo County
Main Campus: 1500 Howard St. SF, CA 94103 | 415.255.7200 | www.thearcsf.org
OUR MISSION To transform the lives of adults with developmental disabilities by advancing lifelong learning, personal achievement and independence.
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