Winter Issue

March 2008

 

¨      Updates and Messages from the Executive Director

¨      39^th annual DiBari Tournament Recap

¨      Sunday Program and Arc-ED After School Program Updates

¨      News from the Family to Family Support Center

·  Vacation Camps

April 21 – 25

June 23 - 27

¨      Upcoming Events

* $10,000 Drawing Event on April 25, 2008!!!

¨      Kudos

¨      Membership Updates

¨      Car Donations

¨      Fond Farewells

¨      Wish List

¨      Two Ways to Help

 

 

 

Updates and Messages from the Executive Director

 

As announced in the November 2007 issue of this newsletter, the Brockton Area Arc is focusing its efforts in 2008 on purchasing the building we currently lease and developing a Day Habilitation program which will be located in the additional space.  All of the transactions for the building purchase are nearing completion.  The actual closing is scheduled for March 21^st!  Preliminary work on the renovations needed for the Day Habilitation Program is underway.   The process of applying to become a Day Habilitation provider has begun. 

Legislation and FY’09 Budget Appropriations. 

State Senators Gale Candaras and Karen Spilka are championing Senate Bill 65.  S.65 would “implement a rate structure in the human service system that allows for fair pricing and purchase of service by the Commonwealth that takes into account inflation.”  More than 15 years of “level funding” has taken a toll on provider agencies, including the Brockton Area Arc, and the staff they employ.  We were pleased when “The Enterprise” supported S.65 in their February 28, 2008 editorial.  Subsequently, “The Enterprise” has printed two letters To The Editor on this matter. 

Here is what our staff member, Diane Pina, wrote: 

To the editor of The Enterprise:

I read, with great interest, your Feb. 25 editorial, “What about the ‘poorer’ state workers?” because it seemed as if you were writing about me and my co-workers.  I have worked in the human services field for 23 years!  When I first started as a direct care worker, we received raises of $.25 per hour, once a year on our anniversary date. 

That only lasted a few years because of budget cuts.    

For the rest of my career, we have had to fight and beg for 2 to 3 percent increases, through the salary reserve appropriation process.  There have been many years with no salary reserve appropriation in the state budget.

Most human service people need to take a second job, and still barely get by.  It is extremely difficult when the average hourly wage for human service workers is between $11 and $12.

The cost of everything, from gasoline to health insurance, continues to rise.  The only thing not going up is our paychecks!

That is why, my co-workers and I, support Senate Bill 65.  To quote your editorial, “Direct service workers need and deserve a raise. But what’s most important is that a system be established for regular review and adjustment of wage rates for agencies operating under state contracts.”

Thank you for explaining our tenuous situation.  We hope that your editorial position will positively impact the passage of Senate Bill 65.

 

On Wednesday, March 19^th, a group from the Brockton Area Arc will travel to the State House to join with the hundreds of others at The Arc of Massachusetts/MDDC Annual Legislative reception.  ALL of our legislators have been invited to the reception.  After the reception , our group will visit the offices of our State Senators and State Representatives.

We will deliver information about S.65.  We will ask them to support this year’s budget priorities:  a Turning 22 appropriation of $10.6 million for 2009 with annualization including adequate support for employment services, a Salary Reserve appropriation of $23 million, and the avoidance of $4 million in cuts in the DMR budget effecting community residential services.  We will seek their support for increased appropriations for Family Support, and Respite and Autism Services.  We will do our best to explain the importance of these priorities to our friends in the Legislature.

 

 A New Brockton Area Arc Collaboration with Brockton High School. 

The Brockton Area Arc and the Special Education Department of the Brockton Public Schools have initiated a new collaboration to provide high school students with exposure to vocational opportunities and paid work.   

·        Beginning the week of March 10, 2008, a group of up to five students will attend the BAARC/Shoe City Contract Company work center on Tuesdays between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.  A second group of up to five students will attend on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

·        At least one Brockton High School staff person will accompany the students to provide support and supervision.

·        We will provide the student workers with paid work and other work related activities.  Work related activities may include visits to community employers, work skills instruction, etc.

·        We will provide additional staff support to the students, as needed.

·        This arrangement will be in effect for 12 weeks, ending June 13, 2008.   

This is an exciting opportunity to introduce young adults to the world of work, giving them an opportunity to learn practical work skills in a community setting and earn money.  It is also an opportunity to introduce the Brockton Area Arc Employment Services to young adults and their families who will be leaving school in the next one to four years and transitioning to adult services. 

 

 QUEST

We have been notified that eighteen individuals will be included in the QUEST Survey and Certification process.  The survey will be conducted between April 2^nd and April 28^th.  The team of three surveyors will take an in-depth look at the services that the eighteen individuals are receiving.  Suggestions to improve and enhance those services will be provided to us based on the team’s review and observations.  There is also a licensing component, which will review our safety procedures and our practices for promoting the well being of those services.  We will share our QUEST Report with you in subsequent newsletters.

 

 $10,000.00 Drawing Event. 

There are still tickets available for this April 25^th event.  You have a 1 in 300 chance of winning $10,000.00!  The “$10,000 Drawing Event” will take place at Lombardo’s in Randolph.  A chance to win $10,000, and see Jim Plunkett, and have a great time is not to be missed.  A 1 in 300 chance to win $10,000 for only $100 per ticket are great odds (fully tax deductible too). 

Also, there is a raffle associated with this event.    The raffle tickets are $5.00 each or 6 for $20.00!!  

¨      First Prize: a Summer Weekend Getaway to a 4 bedroom Condo near Loon Mountain in NH!

¨      Second prize: a Summer Midweek Getaway (July 23 – 25) to North Conway, NH with passes for four to StoryLand included.

¨      Third prize:  a Gift Certificate Bundle worth over $300.00!!

 

 The proceeds from the $10,000 Drawing and the associated raffle will be used to help sustain our initiatives for children with special needs in our Sunday Recreation Program and our Arc-ED After School Programs.  We need your help to make this event a success.

 

Car Donations at The Arc are now accepted.

The Arc of Massachusetts and its chapters are pleased to announce a new Vehicles Donation Program.  All chapters of The Arc of Massachusetts can now accept car donations as another method to increase funds to expand our advocacy and support.  This is being done as a collaborative activity through the state chapter.  The process takes minutes and is completely done through our website.

The benefits of using our car donation center are:

·        Tax deduction in compliance with American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

·        Allows the donor to complete the entire automobile donation process, (except for mailing the title), over the Internet.

·        We offer free nationwide pick-up for your car donation.

·        The Arc of Massachusetts and chapters will receive the maximum benefit from your car donation.

To find out if your used vehicle qualified, just go to the car donation page at our website, www.arcmass.org.  It will link you to our national partner.   Please remember to designate The Arc of Massachusetts as our selected charity when you are linked.  Over the next two months, all chapters will be adding this link to their site.

The 39^th Annual DiBari Basketball Tournament

Two volunteers have been involved in all thirty-nine DiBari Tournaments, Mr. Richard Bottary and Mr. George Thomas!  Their remarkable efforts and loyal support have paid dividends for the Brockton Area Arc and those we serve.  We are blessed to have them on our team.  We thank them for all they have done for us. 

The 39^th John J. DiBari Memorial Basketball Tournament was held on March 1^st and 2^nd at Brockton’s West Jr. High School.  The tournament is sponsored by the Brockton Park Department.  Special thanks are extended to Mr. John Dorgan, Superintendent of the Brockton Park Department and Mr. Lester Johnson for their long-standing support of this tournament. 

The tournament proceeds, which include an ad book and the sale of refreshments during the games, go to the Brockton Area Arc.  This year $5,863.00 was raised! 

We thank all those who advertised in or sponsored the tournament ad book, the sixteen teams that participated, all the snack bar patrons, and the basketball fans that turned out to watch some terrific games. 

Task Force of Boston repeated as the tournament champions!  The winner of the Connie Spillane Tournament MVP Trophy was Roger Roberts.   Well done to all for another successful tournament! 

**********  DiBari Kudos **********

·        To Richard Bottary for soliciting so many ad book supporters.

·        To Nancy Isabelle for coordinating, designing and producing another excellent ad book.

·        To Mary Anne McGonagle, Nancy Isabelle, Dorothy Hunter, Gina Brooks, Jean Snow-Haskell, Jay DiBari, Steve Shaw, Joan Daxberger, Joanne Bergeron, Michelle Delcourt, Shirley Skinner, Ginny Lynch, Kathy Kerwin, Jake Lynch, and Albert Milne (who was there both days) for volunteering their time to help at the snack bar during this year’s tournament.  Thank you all very much!

·        To Shirley Skinner for donating her wonderful ham and chicken salad, Dorothy Hunter for her feisty egg salad, and Richard Bottary for his meatballs, all to make sandwiches again this year for the hungry attendees and players.  To Diane Christensen for the goodies appreciated by all.

Arc-ED and Sunday Program Updates

 We were thrilled to receive a $4,000.00 grant from the Sean McDonough Foundation!  We are anticipating receipt of an $11,200.00 grant from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation!  These grant funds are being used to provide the music, dance and movement, and art therapies in our Sunday Recreation Program and our Arc-ED After School Programs.

Our music teacher on Sundays is Nancy Gallagher.  Kate Higgins, the music teacher at Brockton’s Kennedy Elementary School is providing the music programming for our Arc-ED programs.  We are fortunate that Karen Earley-Rodriguez is available to teach dance and movement on Sundays and for the Arc-ED programs. 

Our arrangements with the Old Colony YMCA in Easton are working out very well.  We use their gym on Barrows Street on Sundays.  From the gym, we shuttle two small groups of swimmers to their pool on Elm Street to access the open swim time between 1:00 and 3:30 p.m.  Everybody at the YMCA has been very accommodating. 

Our collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of Brockton continues.  A group from their Torch Club visits, interacts, and plays with our Downey Arc-ED students once a month.  Our Thursday Arc-ED group, from the High School,  visits the Boys and Girls Club in small groups every other week.  We continue to learn from each other and our friendship is growing. 

Finally, a new Arc-ED program for ten students with autism has been initiated at the Angelo School in March.  It’s exciting when plans come to fruition.  

Our Sunday and Arc-ED staff are great!  Our Sunday Program Coordinator, Diane Pina, and our Arc-ED Coordinator, Linda Stanton are fantastic!!

FOND FAREWELLS

Sadly, we have said good-bye to two dear friends in March.  Penny Petitti and Maureen Kelly both had long histories with the Brockton Area Arc. 

Penny will be remembered as a loyal Bruins fan.  She was most thoughtful and caring of others.  She would speak up if something was not right.  We valued her input.  Penny will be missed. 

Maureen will be remembered for her great smile.  She was a music expert and a super Red Sox fan.  Maureen loved to work.  She had a knack for remembering things about people’s families.  We miss Maureen, already. 

We extend our condolences to the families of Penny and Maureen.  They were well cared for and much loved.

WISH LIST

Are you cleaning out?  If you have any of the following items, in good working condition, we would gladly accept a donation. 

• Picnic table
• Refrigerator
• Microwave
• Lawn mower
• Lawn Equipment (rakes, weed whacker, etc.)
• Hand held vacuum cleaner

NEWS FROM THE FAMILY TO FAMILY 
SUPPORT CENTER

Contact Kathy Kerwin at (508) 583-8030 or kkerwin_baarc@comcast.net for more information. 

Educational Surrogate Parent Program asked us to print the following press release:

Have you ever found yourself saying….

            “I wish I could help other people with the special education process so they don’t have to go through what I went through”?

Or maybe, you wish that you could help to make a difference in another child’s life with the knowledge and skills that you have acquired. 

Our Program would like to offer you that opportunity!

We are the Educational Surrogate Parent Program. We help students with special educational needs who are in the custody of Department of Social Services by finding volunteers to fulfill the parent-role of their special education Team. Volunteers with our program provide a strong voice of advocacy to ensure that these children receive the services they need.

            Interested? You can learn more by calling (508) 792-7679, or by looking us up on the web at www.espprogram.org. We are hosting trainings this spring in the following locations:  

Come, if you are interested in being a volunteer. Come, if information regarding the special education process could benefit you in some way and bring a friend!    Thank you! ESPP, P.O. Box 1184, Westborough, MA  01581 

SUPPORTbrokers:  This is a statewide, fee-for-service program hosted by the Arc of Massachusetts to serve individuals with disabilities and the elderly.  Families and individuals who are looking for assistance in developing a plan for the future will be matched with a support broker certified by the Arc.  Using a person-centered planning approach, SUPPORTbrokers can help individuals:

• Plan where they live, work and play in a community setting;
• Find available resources;
• And navigate a new system of care.

Specific core services are based on individual needs and desires.  They may include: 

• advocacy – including assistance in obtaining government services and public benefits
• brokering – Evaluating and selecting service providers
• planning – Developing a future vision, creating an action plan, and building a support network; and
• referral – For legal guardian, representative payee, trustee, personal care services, etc.

For more information, visit SUPPORTbrokers website:  www.supportbrokers.org. You can also call 781-891-6270 or email:  info@supportbrokers.org. 

Sibling Support:  Sibshops has been very busy since the first of the year.  On January 30, Sibshops sponsored a meeting for parents and young adult siblings.  More than 30 people attended the presentation by Carrie Landa, a researcher and clinician who shared valuable information gleaned from her research and personal experience as a sister of a man with PDD.  Carrie discussed sibling issues that parents need to be aware of, such as guilt, frustration, questions and concerns about the future, and needs for support.  She also provided a lot of good advice for parents:

• Have similar expectations for all kids and recognize when your “well” child may be overcompensating
• Involve your child in planning, but don’t force it
• Have 1:1 time with all your kids
• Acknowledge the difficulties that your child is having and praise your child for expressing feelings

Carrie’s “take home” message was this:  The more you can foster this relationship when your children are young, the healthier and better the relation will be as adults. 

17 children attended the February Sibshops, our biggest crowd yet!  In April, we are planning to hold Sibshops on Wednesday, April 23, at the North River School in Rockland.  North River Collaborative is our newest Sibshops partner.  If you know a child, ages 8 to 12, who has a sibling with special needs, please tell the parents about Sibshops.  For more information, contact Kathy Kerwin at kkerwin_baarc@comcast.net or call (508) 583-8030. 

Vacation Camps for Children Served by DMR:  Thanks to a grant from the Department of Mental Retardation, the Brockton Area Arc is sponsoring two weeks of vacation activities for children who are eligible for DMR services, and their siblings.  The BAARC Vacation Camps will meet:

April 21 - April 25

June 23 – June 27

The Vacation Camp will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the East Bridgewater YMCA. Children ages 8 – 16 that get Family Support services from the Dept. of Mental Retardation (and siblings) are invited to attend.

We are planning a variety of activities that will entertain the campers, as well as provide opportunities to make friends, practice social skills, and explore recreational opportunities in the community.  We will offer a variety of activities such as sports, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games, music, etc.  Activities are chosen to meet the abilities and the needs of the participants.  There will be a 1:3 staff to camper ratio. With our experience supporting school-age brothers and sisters through our collaboration in “Sibshops of Greater Brockton,” we are also planning some special activities during the week for siblings who participate in the vacation camp. 

Enrollment is limited.  If your children would like to participate, please call Kathy Kerwin at (508) 583-8030 or email:  kkerwin_baarc@comcast.net as soon as possible. 

Future Planning Group:  Betsey Schmidt from Growthways and Kathy Kerwin from BAARC are interested in meeting with families who have adult children to discuss future planning issues.  We are looking for families to participate in information sharing, brainstorming, and creative thinking sessions to come up with ways to help people move into their own apartments, even without DMR funding.  Perhaps locating a roommate, sharing a living situation, or building an in-law apartment would be the solution for some people.  Maybe you have a different idea, one that could also help another family.  Let’s put our heads together and see what we can come up with!  If you would like more information, please contact Kathy Kerwin at (508) 583-8030 or email:  kkerwin_baarc@comcast.net. 

Guardianship Workshop:  The Brockton Area Arc is sponsoring a panel discussion for students, ages 14-21, and their parents on guardianship.  The workshop will take place on Wednesday, May 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Arnone School in Brockton. 

All individuals eighteen years of age and older, regardless of their capacity to make informed decisions, are presumed competent. The parent is not the legal guardian unless he or she is appointed to serve as guardian by the court.  Guardianship is the result of a legal process, not a medical determination, and is based on an individual’s ability to make informed decisions about the matters that affect him.  The panel members, including a psychologist, an attorney, and a representative from DMR, will discuss various aspects of the guardianship process, such as the Clinical Team Report and the Guardian Petition. 

Please RSVP to Kathy Kerwin at: kkerwin_baarc@comcast.net  or phone (508) 583-8030. 

New!  Down Syndrome Support Group for Parents, Children and Siblings:  All members of the family are welcome.  Parents will be able to discuss the special needs of children with Down syndrome with other families in similar situations, while children have some social time with peers.  The group will meet on the following Saturdays April 19, May 10 and June 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at South Bay Early Childhood Learning Center, 1115 West Chestnut St., Brockton.  Snacks and juice will be provided.  Please let Rachel Thomas know if you will be attending:  (508) 559-0473, X732. 

Self-Advocacy Leadership Series:  This 10 Week program is a training that provides education and training support to people with disabilities.  It seeks to help people improve their skills in the areas of decision-making and leadership.  The Brockton Area Arc is proud to announce that Corey Fencer, who works at Shoe City Contract Company and is a member of Advocates Being Strong, has been selected to attend the Leadership Series starting March 25 in Southeastern Massachusetts.  Congratulations Corey! 

Upcoming Resource Fairs:

·        Thursday, April 3, 2008.  6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. “Family Resource Fair: Opening Doors for People with Disabilities” at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community center, 333 Nahanton St., Newton, MA.  Free!

·        Tuesday, April 15, 2008.  10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Elder Care Expo at Brockton Council on Aging, 10 Father Kenney Way, Brockton, MA.  Free!  Resource exhibits, health screenings, educational seminars.

·        Wednesday, April 30, 2008.  6:30 p.m.  Brockton Special Education Parent Advisory Council Resource Fair, Brockton High School, Green cafeteria.  Free!

KUDOS

¶     To the Eastside Improvement Association.  Everybody that came had a great time at your annual Christmas Party on December 3^rd!  Thank you all very much!

¶     To Tony Cabral, Leon Morin, Tom Travers, and Bob Wisgirda.  Your extra efforts to make this year’s Lions Club Christmas Party another success are appreciated.  Congratulations on a terrific job!

¶     To the Easton and Brockton Lions Clubs for providing us with a wonderful Christmas Party on December 8^th.  The food, the music, the dancing, the fun, and the gifts were all great!  You make the party better every year.  Sincere thanks.

¶     To ALL those who made generous donations to the Brockton Area Arc during the holiday season.  We appreciate your kindness.  We have used your gifts to benefit those we serve.  We are grateful to Linda Spiegel, John Houde, Richard and Joanne Finnegan, Ed and Mary Medeiros, the Bleiler Family, Laura Brooks, Richard Brooks, and Louis Pedrotti’s family.  Sincere thanks one and ALL!

¶     To the Sean McDonough Foundation.  We were thrilled that you saw merit in our application.  Your $4,000.00 grant is being used to provide music, movement and dance in our Sunday Program and our Arc-ED programs.  The children involved thoroughly enjoy the activities you provide.  Many thanks.

¶     To Bernie and Cathy Poudrier.  Thank you very much for your December donation of many quality items.  We found homes for everything.  Your generosity made a number of people very happy.

¶     To George Moore who designated the Brockton Area Arc as the recipients of his very generous United Way contribution.  Thank you so much for thinking of the Brockton Area Arc.  We are fortunate to have your continued support.

¶     To Linda Resca, Teresa Mascarenhas, and the Pereira Family.  Thank you all very much for choosing the Brockton Area Arc to receive your donations as gifts to each other, this year.  Your family has established a wonderful tradition that is worthy of emulation.  A gift is a reflection of the giver.  We appreciate the kindness of the Pereira Family.

¶     To State Representative Tom Kennedy and his staff Mallory Cole and Gerry Cassidy for accepting our invitation to meet and visit at the Brockton Area Arc on February 5^th. The time and interest you took to listen to and discuss our issues is most appreciated.  Our dialogue, with a variety of questions and answers, was productive.  Making time to meet and speak with the people we serve and our staff members was also very nice of you.  Sincere thanks.

¶     To Mary Anne McGonagle, a member of our Board of Directors, who is also an attorney.  Mary Anne has guided the Brockton Area Arc through the real estate process, which will culminate when all the documents are signed at the closing.  Mary Anne has put a great deal of time and energy into this project on our behalf.  She has been there for us when we needed her the most.  Well done, Mary Anne!  Thank you very much!

April 28, 2008 $10,000 Drawing 
Fundraising Event! 

The Charles River Arc is kindly allowing us to use their “$10,000.00 Drawing Event” idea in our area.  We are grateful to our Charles River Arc friends.  We hope to mirror their success for the Brockton Area Arc.

Here’s how it works.  We will sell only 300 tickets at $100.00 each.  Your ticket makes you eligible to win the $10,000.00 prize!  The drawing will be the climax of an evening of fun with entertainer Jim Plunkett.  Each $100.00 ticket purchased includes admission for two at the evening of fun with Jim Plunkett.

The event is scheduled for Friday, April 25^th, 2008, at Lombardo’s, 6 Billings Street in Randolph.  The festivities will run from 7 a.m. to midnight.  The evening will include a buffet of hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, a raffle of other prizes, a “Heads or Tails” contest, and music for dancing.  To reserve your ticket, with a 1 in 300 chance of winning $10,000.00, call the Brockton Area Arc at 508-583-8030 today!

TWO WAYS TO HELP!

Shaw’s Supermarket “Receipt Rewards” Program

With your help, we have received $300.00 from Shaw’s and have submitted another $150.00 worth of receipts.  

We continue to ask you, our members, friends, neighbors, and supporters to save your Shaw’s and Star Market receipts to help us turn this opportunity into another ongoing fundraiser.   Send them in with someone who works here,  drop them off with your redeemable cans, or mail them to us.  ANYONE can donate.  The Brockton Area Arc collects your receipts and sends them to Shaw’s who makes a donation of 1 percent of the total of eligible register receipts received.

Food shopping is something we all must do.  With everything costing more, the Brockton Area Arc needs to be really creative to raise money.  Every receipt helps, no matter how small.  ONLY ORIGINAL RECEIPTS ARE ACCEPTED BY SHAW’S as an eligible receipt. 

This fundraising costs you nothing as you’ve already spent the money.  How many fundraisers can claim that??

CAR WASH CARDS

We continue to sell the $10.00 Car Wash Cards (a $20.00 value) for the Suds Plus Car Wash on Center Street on the east side of Brockton.  For each $10.00 Car Wash Card sold, Suds Plus owner, Anthony Ruscito, will donate $5.00 to the Brockton Area Arc. 

WHAT A GREAT DEAL!! 

We need the help of our entire membership and friends to make this an ongoing fundraiser.  To obtain this great value, drop by (with your redeemable cans) and purchase one card or more.

Upcoming Events    

Friday, April 25, 2008 

The “$10,000 Drawing Event” will take place at Lombardo’s in Randolph.  A chance to win $10,000, and see Jim Plunkett, and have a great time is not to be missed.  A 1 in 300 chance to win $10,000 for ONLY $100 per chance are great odds (fully tax deductible too). 

You also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets offering three great prizes.  Want to go away this summer for a few days?  1^st prize is a weekend near Loon Mountain in NH.  2^nd prize is three-day getaway to North Conway, NH.  Both locations are beautiful in the summer with lots to do.  3^rd prize is a miscellaneous bundle of gift certificates worth over $300!!  Six tickets for $20.00 or one ticket for $5.00 (getting one for free from the single price of $5.00 each) – What a deal!  Contact the the Brockton Area Arc to get your raffle tickets BEFORE April 25^th so as not to miss the drawing.

Friday, June 6, 2008

 The 53^rd Annual Meeting and Banquet for the Brockton Area Arc will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Abington.  The BAARC banquet is our social event of the year.  Please, plan on joining us.

Monday, July 21, 2008 

Golfers, SAVE THE DATE!!  The 15^th Annual OE+ Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Brockton Area Arc will be held at the beautiful Fall River Country Club.  Registration is from 12 to 1 p.m. with a shotgun start at 1:15 p.m.  The $150 entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, golf cart, the post-golf buffet dinner, and a contribution to the Brockton Area Arc.  For all the details and the chance to participate in our largest fundraising event, call  508-583-8030.  We will send you a tournament brochure immediately upon request.  

MEMBER RECOGNITION

Thank you to our Renewing Members. Our success is due to your continued support!

Why Your Membership is Important!!

1.      Members provide clout!  A large membership base means a louder voice to legislators and national policy makers.

2.      We need many more of the nation’s citizens with intellectual, cognitive, and developmental disabilities to have access to our services, a say in our advocacy efforts, and an awareness of The Arc’s presence.

3.      As more volunteers are attracted to The Arc’s work, our leadership base for the future can develop and grow.

4.      We need a better-informed public.  Awareness is an outgrowth of membership and the first step to creating society-wide acceptance of people with disabilities.

Brockton Area Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc.

1250 West Chestnut Street, Brockton, Massachusetts 02301
(508) 583-8030        Fax (508) 583-1739
BAARC@comcast.net