Every year The Arc of Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties holds their annual Summit of Hope luncheon, an event that I never miss. In fact, I am usually a table captain, and fill one or two tables with my family, friends and acquaintances. It’s a FREE one-hour lunch where people are educated about what The Arc does. That might sound boring, but it’s not. It is actually a very emotionally powerful hour. You can see for yourself – here are some clips from last year’s event. This non-profit means a lot to me, so I do my best to support them, and spread the word about them in any way I can.
For those of you that think I am talking about Arc Thrift, I am not. They are two different organizations. Here is a link to get an explanation on how the two are connected – Arc Thrift connection
This year, because of the timing of the event and when baby is due, I am not sure that I will be able to attend. If she is healthy, and doing well, then I can probably swing it, (that’s what we are all hoping for, right?). But, sadly, I am not able to put nearly as much into it as I normally do, which is why I have decided to write about it. This is an organization that is not well known in our Jeffco community, unless you have a child with special needs, and I want MORE people to know just what they do. So, this is my open invitation to anyone and everyone reading this. If you would like to attend this event, that is sure to make you laugh, cry, and feel inspired, please contact me, (or RSVP to Genni at genni@arcjc.org, and let her know that you are part of my group). I will have a table or two of “my people” that are representing me in my (possible) absence. This is a charity event, so you will be asked to give money at the end of the lunch, but there is no minimum, maximum, or expected amount. If you are a local business owner, this is also an opportunity to become a sponsor – get your name out there and support a great cause. If that is something you would like more information about, let me know and I can email you a sponsorship packet.
I don’t normally go around asking people to give money – it’s very much out of my comfort zone – but this is my one exception. That is how much The Arc means to me.
Here is the invitation (front and back) with event information.
You’ll learn all you need to know at the luncheon, but here is some info from The Arc’s website about what they do:
The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to achieve full and satisfying lives through awareness of their rights, responsibility, and opportunities. The advocacy team provides empowerment through:
Individual Advocacy for individuals and families who need individual support and information.
Classes and Training to provide group educational opportunities.
Legislative and Systemic Advocacy to help shape or change policies and procedures that affect people with I/DD.
They truly do empower people. I first went to The Arc for a training called Mobilizing Families. It’s a series of classes for parents/caregivers that have a child with a disability, and it changed my life. I met some really great parents, some that I am still close with, and I learned SO much about how to advocate for Eli. It can be scary and intimidating when you have a child in a special school program, on an IEP, (Individualized Education Program), but I feel confident about it now. Part of that confidence comes from knowing that I can go to them ANY time, and get help with whatever I need. I have already had to do this several times over the last few years, and that’s with a GOOD school team working with Eli. Advocating for school-aged kids is only part of what they do – as you saw above – but that is where we are now. I am comforted by the fact that they will be there to help us in the future, as well. Knowing that we will be having another child with a disability makes my love and appreciation for The Arc even stronger. We NEED them.
I hope you will consider attending, to help ensure that The Arc will be here for us, and families like ours, forever and always.
What Are The Odds 