The Arc of Fort Bend County Non-Profit Org 123 Brooks Street US Postage Sugar Land, Texas 77478 PAID Phone: 281-494-5959 Sugar Land, TX Fax: 281-494-5960 Permit No 19 The Arc
July 2012 Volume 11, Issue 5 Today Plan to Attend: The Arc Golf Classic Athletic Banquet Add us as your friend and keep in touch with all July 14, 2012 events at The Arc! 11:30 am - 2:30 pm facebook.com/arcoffortbend at Missouri City Parks & Recreation 1522 Texas Parkway Missouri City
Inside this Issue 2012 Golf Classic...... 3
Special Olympics...... 5
Summer Games...... 6
Sugar Land Skeeters...... 8
Thank You to Our Donors...... 11
July 2012 Calendar...... 14
Donate your vehicle today! Pictured (on right) is Jack Krueger manning the Putting Contest to earn volunteer tax deduction and free towing service hours for Clements High School. Go to arcoffortbend.org and click on Golf Classic to see more pictures. (877) ARC-CAR0 (877) 272-2270 OUR MISSION The Arc of Fort Bend County ensures opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to maximize their quality of life within our community.
The Arc of Fort Bend County CORE VALUES OUR GOALS Board of Directors 2011-2012 1. Awareness: greater awareness about The Arc’s goals were chosen to be EXECUTIVE BOARD individuals with disabilities increases Chairman understanding about the abilities of directed toward Mission and Vision and Karen Daly individuals with disabilities, and greater build on our strength and success. understanding increases opportunities Vice Chairman I. The Arc shall advocate for appropriate Himesh Gandhi for individuals with disabilities, so we work to achieve greater awareness individualized educational programs/ Treasurer to achieve greater understanding to opportunities for people with I/DD in Stewart Jacobson expand opportunities. all stages of life. Secretary Mary Stephney Quinby 2. Diversity: we must serve all individuals II. The Arc shall advocate for a variety of with intellectual and related MEMBERS AT LARGE vocational/employment options for Barry Beard developmental disabilities and their people with I/DD. Mike Casey families in this county. Rick Cushenberry III. The Arc shall advocate for public 3. Respect: we must be understanding Becky Geary and private community institutions of and sensitive to the concerns of Avis Goldy to become more responsive to the individuals with disabilities about their Jenny Gortney individual needs of people with I/DD, Greg Hernandez identity and how we describe them. thereby promoting quality of life for Charlie Huber Larryn Lobue 4. Ownership: it is important to have all. Jack Molho community members serve on our Sandra Pierce committees and board, and support our IV. The Arc shall advocate for and promote association, but our association should a variety of appropriate, inclusive, Executive Director remain an “individuals with disabilities social, cultural and fitness/wellness Laura LaVigne and their families” organization. opportunities in the community.
Education Advocate 5. Advocacy: with limited resources, if we V. The Arc shall continue to invest in Cheryl Sewell become primarily or solely a provider properties that are self-sustaining and Employment Specialist organization, our association will never provide facilities for our constituents. Margo Pasko do more than make only a limited Program Director impact on the quality of life of a few VI. The Arc shall provide effective Nancy Dobert individuals with disabilities. leadership and fundraising efforts to accomplish our mission. Administrative Assistant 6. Cooperation: advocacy and programs Ashleigh Jones that benefit individuals with intellectual Account Manager disabilities and their families in many Jenny Schulte cases will also benefit individuals with other disabilities. Committee Assignments and Job Descriptions are available on our website 7. Good Stewardship: as an association, we must be fiduciaries of the talent and resources that our volunteers and community supporters entrust to us. To Send a Special Tribute o In Memory of or o In Honor of Pay tribute to a friend or family member while also supporting services and programs that benefit the Arc of Fort Bend County with your donation. ______Person’s Name Occasion
Send acknowledgement to: ______Name ______Address City, State, Zip Please make checks payable to: The Arc of Fort Bend County 123 Brooks Street, Sugar Land, Texas 77478
Page 2 Volume 11 Issue 5 The Arc’s 2012 Golf Classic
Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers who helped make The Arc’s 2012 Golf Classic a huge success!
Tournament Title Sponsor Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land
Benefactor Weston Lakes Country Club
Silver Medal Underwriter Aviles Engineering Corporation
Bronze Medal Underwriters Hole Sponsors Special Thanks Fox & Bubela, Inc. Aviles Engineering Corporation Ann Smith, Pamela Printing Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc. Donald Leonetti, Leonetti Graphics LJA Engineering, Inc./WJ Interests Century Asphalt Materials Gary Pearson, Political Consultant Property Acquisition Services, Inc. Classic Chevrolet • Sugar Land Geoff Nesossi, Nesossi Photography TKO Unlimited First Southwest Company GlaxoSmithKline, Vaccines Division, South- First Tire & Automotive east Region Elite 9 Fox & Bubela, Inc. Johnny Tedder, Fairway Golf Carts Helfman Ford Gil Saenz, RBC Wealth Management Kevin Kohl, Silver Eagle Distributors Klotz Associates Helfman Ford Lowe’s Levee Management Services LLC JNS Engineers, LLC Mary Jo and James Patterson Pamela Printing Klotz Associates The Parisi Family, Five Star Food Services Riverstone Law Office of Darryl B. Carter The Sprint Companies Levee Management Services LLC Tim Englund, Coca Cola Back 9 Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP Weston Lakes Country Club & Staff Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation LJA Engineering, Inc./WJ Interests Yeah-I-Do cooking team Othon, Inc. Beverage Cart Sponsors Pamela Printing Volunteers Aviles Engineering Corporation Property Acquisition Services, Inc. Tia Baker, Schaumburg & Polk, Inc. Classic Chevrolet • Sugar Land Riverstone Brian Clark Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation Schaumburg & Polk, Inc. Jennifer Donahue, Lostgolfballs.com Dearborn & Creggs The Mathis Group, Inc. Amanda Fuentes, Lostgolfballs.com Fox & Bubela, Inc. TKO Unlimited GlaxoSmithKline, Vaccines Division, South- Helfman Ford east Region Weston Lakes Country Club Klotz Associates Jenny Gortney, Prosperity Bank Levee Management Services LLC Food Provided by Denise Huynh, Lostgolfballs.com Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP Five Star Food Services Larry Lobue, Concord Security Integraters LJA Engineering, Inc./WJ Interests The Sprint Companies/ Nicole Lomers, Lostgolfballs.com Pamela Printing Yeah-I-Do cooking team Todd Thurber, LJA Engineering, Inc. Property Acquisition Services, Inc. Susan Winters Riverstone Goody Bag Contributors TKO Unlimited Bill McCauley, McCauley Consulting Weston Lakes Country Club Classic Chevrolet • Sugar Land Emerus Gary Krueger, Lostgolfballs.com Susan Hargarther, Business Spirit
Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 3 Debbie Eddlemon - Coach of the Year
Margo Pasko
Debbie Eddlemon, one of our Heads of Delegation, was recently honored by Special Olympics Texas, Gulf Coast Area, as Coach of the Year. She was selected from the 6-county Gulf Coast Area, from among 160 Special Olympics coaches who worked with approximately 2000 athletes over the past year. Way to go, Debbie! We always knew you were the best! For the past 15 years, Debbie has played the roles of coach, chaperone, fundraiser, medications administrator, logistics coordinator, team mom, uniforms manager, and anything else that needed to get done for the Special Olympics athletes with The Arc and with Fort Bend ISD Falcons.Debbie coaches softball, volleyball and basketball and volunteers for track and bowling. She also assists with Area and Chapter Games logistics and travel for all of our sports, including aquatics and bocce ball. Debbie is deeply involved in all 7 sports in which our delegation participates. She is the epitome of “ team mom” in all aspects of her life, even for individuals she barely knows. Over the years, she has supported so many athletes with and without disabilities with her energy, time, money and her care, not just on the field, but off the field as well.She and her husband Steve have raised 3 athletic sons, and Debbie has been involved in all of their activities-- from being crowned “Concession Stand Queen” at Elkins high school (her sons Kelly and Kevin are in the Elkins H.S. Baseball Hall of Fame) to being booster club chair, and co-Head of Delegation and certified basketball, softball and volleyball coach for her son Kyle’s Special Olympics delegations. She truly wants to spread the power of sports in building self-esteem, confidence and character. For people with intellectual disabilities, like her son, Kyle and his friends, Debbie works with Special Olympics to provide the opportunity to make them feel like champions! Debbie is the glue that holds our delegation of approximately 150 athletes and 80 volunteers together! There is no other member of the Fort Bend County community who does what Debbie does for our delegation. Her efforts and attitude exemplify the mission of Special Olympics Texas: to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. She makes sure that every athlete, even those with challenging behaviors and low sports skills, has the opportunity to participate. She feeds them and drives them to practices when their own families can’t or won’t do it. She washes their uniforms and researches restaurants and hotels when they travel. She spends countless hours planning room assignments for compatible athletes and making sure there is the right chaperone-athlete match in terms of personalities, behaviors and level of need. No task is too big or small for her attention! Although, she does admit to sleeping late on the Mondays after Chapter competitions! When our aquatics team didn’t have money it its budget for a celebratory dinner after a competition, she fed the whole team-- and her son doesn’t participate in aquatics, and Debbie doesn’t coach aquatics. She just wanted those athletes to have the quality experience of teamwork. When our team’s new warm up suit pants didn’t fit many of our athletes, she recruited her mom to make the alterations. When she sees an athlete’s need she quietly takes care of it. She truly lives by the tenets of the Special Olympics volunteer oath:
“I promise to give of the time in my life so that Special Olympics athletes can have the time of their lives. I promise to support Special Olympics not just as an expression of charity, but as a form of respect for my fellow human beings. I promise to spread the word of volunteerism because, in giving, I receive so much more in return.”
We are so proud of Debbie and grateful that she does all that she does for our athletes! Thank you, Debbie!
Page 4 Volume 11 Issue 5 Special Olympics Track Team News
Margo Pasko
Bang! Went the starter pistol, and they were off! The Arc of Fort Bend County track and field athletes finished their season with a bang! The athletes practiced for several weeks at the Dulles High School track and then participated in 2 track meets. The first meet was the 31st (!) Annual Lamar Consolidated Independent School District Invitation Track Meet on Saturday, April 21 at Mustang Stadium in Rosenberg. We fielded 33 athletes in a variety of track and field events. Our new athlete, Derek “Tank” Schottle, an alumnus of LCISD, was the torch bearer for The Arc delegation. The Arc also co-sponsored Olympic Town, the recreational waiting area for athletes to go to for fun in between their events. They closed out their season by participating in the Gulf Coast Area Special Olympics Track Meet at Clear Creek High School on May 4 and May 5. Larry Lobue, head of delegation, was also the head coach. He was assisted by Reed Beck, Don Duyka, Allan Harris, Sr., Jamie Huffman, Terry Moore, Deborah Patton, Gary Schottle, Erin Siaotong, Jenny Webb, and Cathy Zepeda. Many thanks to the chaperones and coaches who made the track season possible for our athletes!
Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 5 Summer Games 2012
Margo Pasko
On Thursday, May 24, The Arc’s delegation of 19 athletes and 12 coaches and volunteers boarded minivans and drove their private vehicles for the annual Summer Games trek to Arlington. Two of our basketball teams participated in the competition at Summer Games. By all accounts, it was a great trip! The weather was as hot as ever in Arlington, but our group had a lot of fun.
The Wolverines were coached by Hal Marshall, and his son Matt Marshall. In fact, the Marshalls made it a family affair: Desi Marshall administered team meds, teen daughter, Haley, helped out, and Chuck Atwood, Desi’s dad (and athlete Mike Marshall’s “Opa”), was one of the all-important male chaperones that made the trip possible. The other all-important male chaperones for this team were Bobby Caruthers and Glenn Cheeks. Willie Cheeks, a new volunteer with our delegation also helped out. We appreciate the willingness of Glenn and Willie to support the team—they had their 40th wedding anniversary at Summer Games!
Coach Hal summed it all up with these comments: “The Wolverines Basketball team had another great year at the State tournament. This year we brought home the Bronze medal. First year player Davis Caruthers made a great contribution to our team, along with veterans Aaron Lindsay, Darius Tenas, Desney Cheeks, Corey Cobb, Mike Marshall, Russell Smith and Stevie Meyer. We also had Sharks team members Daryl Childs and Wayne Heitman fill out the roster, and we really needed them! The group had three great days in Arlington, topped off with a big Mexican dinner on Saturday night and a great time at the dance. We also had fun cheering on The Arc Angels in their Gold Medal Win. It was a great game. Many thanks to The Arc for all of the arrangements, and to our chaperones/drivers Chuck Atwood, Bobby Caruthers, Glenn Cheeks and Matt Marshall.”
Larry Lobue did double duty as head of delegation and as head coach for The Angels. What a workaholic! His players were: new member Cesar Castro, Michael Cushenberry, Ryan Darnell, Mohammed Earls, Kyle Eddlemon, Tyrone Frederick, Derek Schottle, Bridget Stephny and Timmy Trachier. His assistant coaches were Gary Schottle and Debbie Eddlemon. As usual, Debbie was instrumental in the details of the room and transportation assignments. Mary Stephny also chaperoned—thank you, Mary! Larry said that this was the best state level basketball competition that he has ever seen. The final match was close and well played with good sportsmanship. He said it drew many on-lookers from other teams as well as from Special Olympics staff members because of the high level of play. In the end, The Angels won the gold medal! Way to go, Angels!
Page 6 Volume 11 Issue 5 Bocce Ball Demonstration
Margo Pasko
The Arc of Fort Bend County’s gold medal winning Special Olympics athletes demonstrated the sport of bocce ball at the First Colony Community Association (FFCA) Grand Opening of new park facilities on May 5th. Athletes Katherine Nelson, Nicki Moynihan, Carrie Wantuch and Chanta Burton showed visitors to the new community bocce courts how the game is played. Coaches Janet and Robert Pourciau, Kelly Wheeler, Janet Wantuch, Jeff Hoffman and Margo Pasko threw in their two cents, as well. Doug Earle, Executive Director of FCCA, displayed his much admired “ENTHUSIASM” as he joined in the fun. First Colony Community Association has agreed to allow The Arc’s Special Olympics bocce athletes to hold weekly practices on the brand new courts when the bocce season starts in July, 2012. The team members and coaches appreciate the support! If you’re interested in learning how to play bocce ball, check out this link: http://www. howcast.com/videos/120224-How-To-Play-Bocce
Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On!
The East Fort Bend County Jaycees, founded in 1994, is part of an international non-profit community service organization. They have donated hundreds (if not thousands) of free tickets to The Arc of Fort Bend so that families with children with special needs can attend movies, magic shows, circuses, and other local events.
Brenda Crapnell and Cynthia Monroe drove to our offices to hand-deliver 200+ tickets to “Banjos on Parade” at the Stafford Centre. “Banjos on Parade” featured much more than just strumming Banjos. The Nationally Renowned “All Stars Youth Band” is comprised of 60 “kids” ages 5 to 18 years old. They sing. They dance. They play instruments. They do it all to the classics, rock, country and gospel. Everyone enjoyed their sing-a-longs and had lots of fun with the entire family. THANK YOU, East Fort Bend County Jaycees!
Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 7 Sugar Land Skeeters
Margo Pasko
Let’s play ball! Sugar Land entered the annals of baseball history on Thursday, April 26, when its brand new team, the Sugar Land Skeeters, played their first game at Constellation Field before a sold out crowd. Mike Garcia and Jack Krueger, members of The Arc, had ringside seats for the historic event as 2 of the 4 original bat boys for the Skeeters.
Michael Garcia, a 2011 Clements High School graduate, is the son of Elizabeth Garcia and stepdad Raoul Martinez and brother to college students Sarah, Amanda and Stephanie. He has been known as “Big Mike” since middle school and says that he has always loved sports. When he was at Clements, he was the baseball and football team manager. He says that experience helps him with his work and was a big factor in his interview with Skeeters. Mike’s mom, Elizabeth says “Mike has been truly blessed to have had the support and training (The Arc) gave him. You and all the others from The Arc, Special Olympics, and Clements High School made this dream come true for him.” Big Mike says working as a bat boy for the Skeeters is really fun. “I’m liking the players – they treat me really good! This is my dream job!” Mike and his mom say the players have embraced him as a team mate. Mike plays several sports with The Arc’s Special Olympics delegation and his mom has been an active volunteer with the program. Check out Mike Garcia, “Bat Boy” for The Sugar Land Skeeter’s at the games and watch him on http://www.kube57.com/content/sportzone/default.aspx.
Jack Krueger will be a senior at Clements High School. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Krueger, and has a sister, Kyle, who is a student at Harvard. Jack was recently featured on The Arc’s website and on YouTube for being a star of the “Clements Idol” performing to One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful”. He loves music, especially dancing! He has been seen on the Skeeter’s Big Screen rocking out to the music during the seventh inning. As a former bat boy, Jack enjoyed his stint with the players in the dugout. In his spare time, Jack likes to play basketball, baseball, and golf and swim for Clements. Another Clements achievement for Jack was getting inducted into the National Honor Society. In addition to his musical, athletic and academic talents, Jack is known far and wide for his outgoing personality. He has also participated in the Dream League with First Colony Little League, an experience that helped him with his Skeeters job interview. Jack’s father, Gary, reports that Jack took great joy from the requests for his autograph as a batboy for the team. What’s next for Jack—maybe TV or movies?
So what do bat boys do? On a typical day, they arrive at Constellation Field a couple of hours before the game. They stock the dugout and bullpen coolers with ice and make sure there is plenty of bubble gum and other staples available for the players. During the game, they get the bats from the field and take more balls to the umpires. After the game, they clean up the dugout, take the ice out of the chests in the bullpens and dugouts and return the coolers to the training room. They wash the coolers so they are clean for the next game. Mike says his favorite things about being a bat boy are helping the team, watching the game, and hanging out with the players because they are all so nice to him! Jack also has gotten close to some of the players who will all be missed as they move up to The Show.
The Arc of Fort Bend County says “Welcome!” to the Sugar Land Skeeters!
Page 8 Volume 11 Issue 5 Kid’s & Youth Group Activities
Cheryl Sewell
Our Kids and Youth Groups have done a LOT this year. We’ve had dance lessons, played at the Stomping Grounds, exercised with Athletic Revolution and M/C Parks & Recreation, had a cooking class with M/C Parks & Rec, enjoyed the Fort Bend County Fair. We loved going ice skating and to Gatti’s Town (twice), watched the movie “Arthur Christmas,” had fun at Clements H.S.’s Winter Carnival, attended the Houston Farm & Ranch Special Children’s day event, sung our hearts out at karaoke, ate pizza at Russo’s, made kites that wouldn’t fly, and enjoyed the performances at Celebrating Abilities! We have enjoyed over 18 separate activities this year!
One of our final two activities was a picnic hosted by the Fulshear Ranch Academy (FRA). The women from FRA were our primary volunteers this year and they really enjoyed meeting everyone and being buddies. I won’t say that the women had favorites but they would ask me if “so-and-so” was coming and be excited when they were.
Lauren was the big organizer for the FRA picnic. She got all the women involved with planning and making the activities. There were many good artists in the face painting (and arm & hand painting) area.
We enjoyed tests of skill including bean bag and ring tosses and a treasure hunt. The women also cooked lunch for us – hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings. Yum! The women were great friends and we hope they will join us next year, as well!
We had a record number of families turn out for bowling at Stafford Lanes on Easter Saturday.
Lauren, the FRA organizer, with Michael, the happy camper!
Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 9 Introducing: Ann Fowler, Art Volunteer Extraordinaire
Cheryl Sewell
Ann Fowler had been a volunteer with The Arc of the Capital Area in Austin for several years helping with “The Arc of the Arts Studio and Gallery.” Working with children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities has been an interest of Ann’s since she was 10, and it became a passion after just a few months working at The Arc in Austin. She was organized and participated in arts & crafts activities and loved sharing her creative genius.
Fortunately for us, Ann and her husband Jerry, their two golden retrievers, a cat, two parakeets and some fish recently relocated to Sugar Land. Ann still wants to “give back” and start a similar program by partnering with The Arc of Fort Bend.
Ann earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from the University of Texas in Austin and, although employed full time as an electrical designer, Ann has continued to practice and study her lifelong passion for art through pottery, sculpture, painting, drawing and photography in her home studio. Ann’s two passions will now benefit The Arc of Fort Bend County and our families.
The Arc of Fort Bend is looking for families and individuals with developmental disabilities to participate in our new “The Arc4Arts program”! We are searching for a location to host monthly arts & crafts activities and hope to have everything in place to begin the program by September.
In the meantime, we are seeking donations of art supplies that Ann will need when we get The Arc4Arts up and running.
• water based (acrylic) paint & brushes • palette knives • paper plates (the cheap kind for mixing paint) • canvas boards • colored pencils, crayons, drawing pencils, charcoal (for drawing) • pencil sharpeners & erasers • paper (newsprint/manila paper for drawing/colored construction paper) • glue, spray fixative • stickers • cigar boxes (wooden and cardboard) • hand-held hair dryer • Rolls of butcher paper or newsprint for covering tables. (newspaper publishers may donate the ends of rolls if asked) • Masking & scotch tape • Glue gun & glue
Page 10 Volume 11 Issue 5 Thank You to Our Donors!
Special Olympics General Donations Arturo and Silvia Romo Ben Bono Brenda Ellis Christina and Lowell Stanton Stacey and Craig Ward The Lion’s Club Darla Martin and Family Katherine Wilcox’s 4th grade class Dave Van Buskirk - Campbell Elementary School Debbie and Kyle Eddlemon Donna Dunning Water Donations Donna Schaffner Sue Hardikar Gloria and Bobby Touchet Indo-American Forum Jan Lester and Robert Buford Jed Dunigan Lea and David Desormeaux Donations Made “In Honor” of Friends Leonor Castro Jamey Ray Marilyn Ward Miranda Holzhauer Connie and Mike Young Paul and Lynda Bower Donations Made “In Memory” of Friends Peggy and Preston Cates Frank Jensen Janet and Raymond Quebedeaux Donna and Jack Molho Russell Smith Mary Jo and James Patterson Terri and John Dempsey Tish and Jerry Cox In-Kind Donations Tyson Stittleburg Deborah Twigg with Smart HR Dolores and William Lackey First Tire & Automotive Rosie and Willie Nunez Water Donation
The Arc of Fort Bend County uses lots of bottled water for Special Olympics athletes and special events; and so, cases of water are always at the top of our wish list for donations. Rick Pal, president of The Indo American Forum, recently contacted Laura LaVigne, Executive Director of The Arc, to say they had over 300 bottles of water to donate! Harish Jajoo, Ric Pal and KC Mehta, members of the Indo American Forum, met LaVigne at The Arc’s storage unit and delivered the cases of water. Pictured are the three happily delivering the water!
“The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.” ~ Charles Dudley Warner
Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 11 Thank You Letter Received
May 23, 2012
Laura LaVigne, Executive Director and Board of Directors
Dear Laura, As a grandmother raising my grandchildren, one who is autistic, I wanted to thank you, your staff and the Board of Directors for your wonderful services. Most recently I am very grateful for the advocate services Ms. Cheryl Sewell provided us for our grandson, Dylan. We have been working with Ms. Sewell for about 3 years now and she continually works above and beyond to represent us at the many ARDs we face to make sure Dylan has all he deserves for an appropriate education in a public school setting. I have learned so much from her, as well as the parents groups I attend.
Our most important and recent ARD was over 7 hours and spread over two different days. We were desperate to remove Dylan from a program in a self-contained autism classroom that has been detrimental to him over the past several years causing regression in academics and behavior. We were prepared to do whatever it took, but didn’t have a clue as to what that meant. Ms. Sewell helped us in every area, informing us of every option, helping us prepare data and facts from the schools information and all that we needed to present our case. She was present and a powerful advocate at both days of the ARD. The result was that the district and school removed him from the program and placed him in a more appropriate program of Resource and General Education with an aide beginning the next school year.
Ms. Sewell’s preparation, professionalism and incredible representation achieved the favorable results we were seeking for Dylan and more. This was not an easy feat and we frankly were amazed but relieved that we would not have to take the next step of filing a formal complaint. She gave her heart to us, as well as her wisdom and knowledge of the rights Dylan deserved.
I am proud to be a member of The Arc of Fort Bend and can’t thank you enough for what you do for us, as well as our community. I have referred many other families living with autism to The Arc and they all have had equally wonderful experiences. God bless each of you.
Sincerely, Holly Garrett grandmother to Dylan
The Arc Family Matters
Viletta Benner, member of The Arc, passed away on May 1, 2012. Viletta was involved in all of the programs and activities here at The Arc. She will be greatly missed by everyone.
Jack Bell Tenas, brother of The Arc’s Special Olympics athlete Darius Tenas, passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2012. Please keep Darius in your thoughts and prayers.
Lillie “Marty” Carney, 78, passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2012. Marty was Pauletta Gori’s mother and Danny Stubblefield’s grandmother. She volunteered with The Arc of Fort Bend’s swim team for many years. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Page 12 Volume 11 Issue 5 The Farmers Market at Imperial
Margo Pasko
Members of The Arc—are you a budding entrepreneur? Do you have a special product that you’d like to sell? Maybe The Farmers Market at Imperial (FMI) is just what you need to promote your business! If so, The Arc would like to talk to you about your microenterprise!
In an effort to promote self-employment as an option for our constituents, The Arc is exploring the possibility of sponsoring a booth at The Farmers Market at Imperial, to be staffed and supplied by members of The Arc who have something to sell. This is all subject, of course, to FMI approval of the vendors and products to be sold. The Farmers Market at Imperial is located at 198 Kempner, in Sugar Land. At this time, we are seeking information about the interest level for such a project and the possible variety and type of items to be sold.
If you are interested in this, contact Margo at The Arc, mapasko@ arcoffortbend.org, 281-494-5928 with your product proposal. We are looking for members of The Arc with intellectual or developmental disabilities (and their family members) who have a product/business/ service that is primarily made/operated/performed by the member with the intellectual or developmental disability. We look forward to hearing from you!
Giving Back
Margo Pasko
Members of The Arc, Russell Smith and his aunt, Marilyn Ward, were featured guests at the May meeting of The Arc’s board of directors. In their words, they came to “give back to The Arc” for the support and services that Russell has received over the past 7 years since moving to Fort Bend County at the invitation of “Aunt Marilyn” and her late husband Bob “Pops” Ward. How did they “give back”? Marilyn hosted a fundraiser honoring Russell, benefiting The Arc. She created and circulated a flyer asking family, friends and co-workers to forego Mothers Day and other presents and, instead, make a contribution to The Arc. Through her efforts, they raised approximately $1,000, and also presented The Arc with 9 complete first aid kits and other expensive first aid supplies. In case you don’t know Russell, be advised that he’s a busy guy! He participates in nearly every program that The Arc offers, enabling him to live and work independently in the community. He is an officer in Nancy’s Self-Advocates program and is an active member of her Adult Social Recreation group. Russell was Margo’s first Employment Services client and is still working at Quail Valley Golf Course - more than 3 years later. Margo also attends his annual individual service plan meeting with Marilyn. He participates in 6 of the 7 Special Olympics sports that our delegation sponsors. Finally, he lives in a townhome which is owned and operated by The Arc. Russell and Marilyn told the board they have been blessed to have had The Arc in their lives. The feeling is mutual! The Arc thanks Russell, Marilyn and their friends and family for their contributions. Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 13 July 2012
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Self Advocates Meeting
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
SO - Aquatics Children’s Fun Fair Practice & Grand Opening Athletic Banquet SR - Bay City Dance
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
SO - Bocce SO - Softball SR - Barnum & Practice Team Meeting Bailey
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The Arc Board SO - Bocce SO - Aquatics Texas Texas of Directors Practice Practice Advocates Advocates Meeting Conference Conference
29 30 31
Texas SO - Bocce Advocates Practice Conference
Special Olympics information line 281-494-5941 Social Recreation information line 281-494-5939
2 Self Advocate Meeting 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sugar Land Branch Library 11 SO – Aquatics practice 7:20 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. LCISD Natatorium, Rosenberg 14 Children’s Fun Fair & Grand Opening 10 am – 1 pm Missouri City’s new Parks & Recreation Facility Athletic Banquet 11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Missouri City Community Center SR – Bay City Dance 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. V.F.W. Hall # 2438 – Bay City 17 SO – Bocce practice 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. FCCA, Austin Parkway 18 SO – Aquatics practice 7:20 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. LCISD Natatorium, Rosenberg 19 SO – Softball team meeting 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. TBD 21 SR – Barnum & Bailey Circus 7:30 p.m. Reliant Stadium 23 The Arc Board of Directors Meeting 6:00 p.m. The Arc Office 24 SO – Bocce practice 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. FCCA, Austin Parkway 25 SO – Aquatics practice 7:20 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. LCISD Natatorium, Rosenberg 27 – 29 Texas Advocates Conference TBA Grapevine 31 SO - Bocce practice 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. FCCA, Austin Parkway
Page 14 Volume 11 Issue 5 The Arc of Fort Bend County ensures opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to maximize their quality of life within our community.
Membership Form Date: ______
Please indicate o New Member o Renewing Member
Member Name:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Home Phone: ( ) - Cell Phone: ( ) -
E-mail Address: I am a: o Family Member o Person with Disability o Interested Citizen o Professional who works in the Disability Field
Indicate the age of person with a disability: o 0-12 o 13-22 o 23-54 o 55+
Optional: * Solely to help us know if we are serving our entire community, please check below: o American Indian/ Alaskan Native o Asian/ Pacific Islander o Black/ African American o Caucasian o Hispanic o Other ______Preference for Volunteer Opportunities: o Committee Member o Fund Raising o Office Support o Special Olympics & Bowling Membership Levels: Individual with Disability Membership $10.00 Individual Membership $25.00 Family Membership 2nd Member Name $40.00 Corporate Membership $100.00 Additional Tax Deductible Donation $ If you wish, you may donate to a specific program: o Bowling o Education/Employment o Self-Advocacy o Social Recreation o Special Olympics o Transportation
Total Amount Enclosed $
Mail form and payment to: The Arc of Fort Bend County 123 Brooks Street OR Join Online at www.arcoffortbend.org. Sugar Land, Texas 77478 The Arc of Fort Bend County is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization.
Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 15 The Arc of Fort Bend County Non-Profit Org 123 Brooks Street US Postage Sugar Land, Texas 77478 PAID Phone: 281-494-5959 Sugar Land, TX Fax: 281-494-5960 Permit No 19 The Arc Today
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Dionysus Theatre
Margo Pasko
The Arc of Fort Bend County was well represented at Dionysus Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, the story of an alien plant, Audrey Two, seeking world domination and Seymour Krelborn who keeps a terrifying secret for fame, fortune and love. Nearly 100 members of The Arc’s social recreation group attended the June 23rd performance, while another 25 members of the TwentySomethings group saw the June 24th performance. In addition, The Arc’s own members worked in the production. Larryn Lobue was the assistant stage manager and Shaun Linsey performed in the chorus, as a customer and as one of the plants. Finally, Andrew George Barrett played the part of Orin, the sadistic dentist. Andrew is the brother of Davre Barrett.
Dionysis Theatre is a nonprofit organization that brings together actors with and without disabilities. Founder and Inside this Issue: executive director, Deborah Nowinski, says that Dionysus “Changes lives…one act at a time”. It is the only inclusive theater in Texas. This summer, Dionysus is partnering with the University of Houston Clear Lake to help educate future special education teachers through a summer theater camp.
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