Call to Prevent Harm to Children

We need your support in calling your representative today to support a bill protecting children with developmental disabilities. HR 4247, S 2860 is the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act that will establish minimum safety standards in schools.

A disproportionate number of children with autism, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities are victims of these harmful methods used in classrooms.

Call your representative today to ensure their support for this important piece of legislation.

Take Action Here.

Thank you for your support,

Tim

Tim Hornbecker, CEO The Arc of San Francisco

Job Services get a Critical Lift from Wells Fargo

I am pleased to announce that The Arc of San Francisco has been awarded a total of $30,000 from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The funds will be put toward our Employment Services and couldn't come at a better time.
With unemployment at over 10% nationwide, people with developmental disabilities are struggling with a 70% unemployment rate. Our clients have suffered job losses and cutbacks that severely impact their ability to live independently.
Most of our clients are living on the edge of poverty, and a part-time job provides the critical supplemental funds needed to rent a room in a shared house or apartment.
Losing that income is the tipping point that forces a person to either move back in to a restrictive group home, or become homeless.
Our job developers are working doubly hard to find employment for over 150 Arc clients seeking work. We are grateful to the Wells Fargo Foundation for providing the vital resources we need to keep our clients solvent.
--Tim Hornbecker, CEO
(Photo: Joseph Mah and Ron Atwal from the Wells Fargo Foundation with The Arc's Timothy Hornbecker.)

Awful Gifts from Nice People: 10 Ways to say "Thank You"

We asked our clients how they handle thanking someone very nice for a gift that is pretty awful.

Here are their suggestions:

Pat: It's beautiful. But I don't think it will fit me.

Jason: Thank you for surprising me!

Donald: It's nice. I'd like to give it back to you, please.

Connie: I have other gifts to open so I'll try it on later.

Melvin: This is a nice present.

Sharon: Your gift is precious to me.

Vernae: I've never seen anything like this before!

John: I don't want to try it on, but thanks.

Vadim: Thank you. Maybe you can give this to someone else?

Beth: Everything is nice. Everything is a gift.

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Arc of San Francisco!

Our recent holiday celebration was a blast, beginning with a pizza party for 200, moving on to the client Talent Show and then out on to the dance floor. (Didn't know Santa could move like that.)

The party was the culmination of a busy week for staff, volunteers and wish list donors who really stepped up this year to support our clients needing not only a little cheer, but also some basic clothing and household items.

Thank you to everyone who made a tough year a little warmer and brighter for the people with developmental disabilities we are proud to serve.

Check out these photos.
Meredith

Meredith Manning
Community Outreach

International Day of People with Disabilities

Today, the United Nations and people all over the world are celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Events, forums, performances and advocacy activities will be taking place all day at the UN in New York and across the globe to promote awareness of disabilities issues and advances. From landmine victims in Bosnia-Herzegovenia to students with autism here in San Francisco, we all have much in common.
One of the key messages from the UN this year is "Difference is Natural."

I think this short video with stories of young people thousands of miles away says alot about the world of disability today.
WATCH VIDEO
Even though President Obama signed the UN Proclamation on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, we still have a long way to go before we have full inclusion for people with disabilities into all aspects of political, social, economic and cultural life.
Our agency is only a small part of the UN's effort to change the world, but we are waging equality for our clients every day in our community--as Arc job coaches, health advocates and skills instructors. With the passion and dedication of our staff, and the determination and will of our clients, we are all helping to make possible the UN's goal of dignity and justice for all the world's citizens.

Tim Hornbecker

CEO, The Arc of San Francisco

Stuffed and Grateful

There's nothing like an intimate dinner for 200.

On Tuesday, I shared in all the fun and frenzy of serving a healthy Thanksgiving dinner to our clients. We pulled our round tables from storage, square tables from our conference rooms and assorted chairs from everywhere else, and managed to get everyone seated and served with no complaints.

In fact, clients told me the food this year was better than ever. "I'm stuffed!" said Clinton, giving kudos to the menu of roast pork, roast beef, stuffing, veggies and pumpkin pie.

I can't say enough about the Rotary Club of San Francisco who organized this event, purchased the food and prepared it all in our small kitchen.

Past President Eric Schmautz from Wells Fargo said he was fortunate to have over 40 Rotary volunteers to help him this year--The Arc is a popular destination!

Current President Scott Plakun of The Plakun Group told me how much it meant for his team to lend a hand in celebrating this traditional holiday.

For many clients, this will be their only special meal of the year and it means a great deal to be able to sit down with peers and be served in a dignified setting with a wonderful plate of well-prepared food.

As we all look forward to sharing Thanksgiving with family and friends, I am especially grateful to our volunteers and our dedicated staff at The Arc who made this day possible.

Tim

Tim Hornbecker, CEO

Meeting Your Goals

Hi, I'm Tatyana, and today I want to talk about meeting your goals.
A goal is something you want to acheive. It's really fun to meet your goals. They can help you learn new things and make you feel good. Some examples of goals are being more responsible, being like an adult, saving money, treating people well, and helping others.

Here are some tips to help you meet your goals:

• As your staff for help
• Go over your goals before you go to bed
• Show up to program
• Do what your IPP says

Having goals helps you to be more independent and happy.
Good luck meeting your goals!

*Individual Program Plan