Field Trip to The Arc

As The Arc prepares for its annual Arc Walk the Downey Rotary Club makes its annual visit to the Arc and gets updates on the Arc’s programs and funding. The visit refreshes and enlightens first timers and veteran Rotarians alike. Each Rotarian and guest gets the opportunity to greet and meet the Arc consumers. Pictured below are a few Rotarians getting an up-close view of the Arc in action.

Why I Walk?
By Kevin MacDonald

I walk because I believe every individual should be treated with dignity.

I walk because people with disabilities have traveled a road that I cannot relate to, but yet I appreciate what they have overcome.

I walk because for one morning a year, I can share time with my friends, family and people with disabilities and for this brief moment--they are stars of the day.

I may be one in several thousand, but I want to show others that I care and more importantly to remind myself that we all have special gifts and talents regardless of our circumstances.

I walk for the thousands who spent most of their lives in large institutions, but who can now thrive in a warm and accepting community.

I walk to support that person who receives training, love and care on a daily basis at Arc.

I walk for the person who will get their first real job at the age of 40 through Arc's Employment Center.

I walk for the family in crisis who will receive help from Arc's Center for Human Rights.

I walk for the senior, who can retire and enjoy the later stages of life in Arc's Senior Services.

I walk for people with severe disabilities who celebrate even the smallest successes.

I walk for the children who can now attend after-school programs that were never open to them before.

I walk for the people with disabilities who have been the focus of ridicule, staring eyes, retarded jokes and who never received that warm smile and hello that I receive.

I walk not out of pity, but because I believe that everyone is worthy of dignity and respect.

I will focus this morning on the abilities of all mankind and not on their disabilities.

I believe that God created man in his own image and we may all be a little different, but we are all beautiful in our own way--disability or not.

The Walk toward Independence is a show of support for individuals who are edging closer toward independence--I pledge to support, encourage and cheer them on--every step of the way.

I am excited that my community comes together and puts aside differences for one special morning of hope.

The Arc Walk for Independence--a tradition--of walking arm in arm together. Arc's motto is "When you give help...you give hope." I will make that motto a reality.

A couple of hours on Saturday morning--March 24, 2012 at Stonewood Center--let us come together.

Kevin MacDonald welcomed us to the Arc for luncheon in the classy and efficiently-appointed Reagan Banquet and Conference room; opened in 2011 and named in loving memory of Benny and Ann Reagan, two amazing Downey philanthropists, who dedicated their lives to giving back what they had earned to the community.

Before giving us a tour of the facilities, fellow-member Kevin, who is Director of the Downey Arc, brought us up to date on the Arc’s accomplishments. Founded in 1956, the Downey Arc, now named the Arc of Southeast Los Angeles County, serves over 400 adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities daily with 14 different programs. As Kevin has often said, “Everyone is always capable of learning something.”

 We saw a picture show of the latest Rotary Arc Fishing Derby, where Larry McGrew and Wayne Wilcox were featured with their Arc partners, catching some really big fish. The Rotary Arc Golf Tournament at Rio Hondo Event Center was a special kind of success, as it rained and only two minutes of golf were played before the whole day was rained out. Nevertheless, participants enjoyed the luncheon, goody bags full of prizes, and great comradeship. John Lacy, Larry Garces and Dr. Bob Flynn were pictured inside the tent during the rain, and chair Paul Mathys reported we raised $20,000 for the Arc.

In the Employment Participation Program, we saw the Chevrolet dealership in Culver City where five Arc clients are presently working in the car wash department. When employers ask, “What do we get out of this,” Kevin answers enthusiastically, “You get a whole lot of good workers.” We saw slides of client Gregory employed as a window washer and several other clients in a bakery, Roberto who is deaf and Jean who is disabled. The Downey Arc also works with programs such as the Beverly Hills Supported Employment Program for Individuals with Severe Disabilities.

For sixty years, seven hundred Arc chapters across the United States have been working for understanding, inclusion and respect for their clients, a mission which promotes and protects human rights.

Rotarians are expected to turn out for this year’s Arc Walk on Saturday, March 24, a community event, which Downey Rotary strongly supports. It is a one or three-mile walk, depending on your ability, or you may sponsor a walker or a team. Four thousand walkers are anticipated, along with Supervisor Don Knabe, music and dancing, balloons and face painting, marching bands, walking teams such as our Club’s, and on the outdoor stage, the Laker Girls.

This year’s annual souvenir colorful T-shirt will be for sale, and a free breakfast is supplied by Acapulco Restaurant after each contestant crosses the finish line. Entry fee is $10, no charge for children in your family. The fundraiser, which was started in 1997, is intended, says Kevin, to be a chance to be together, to touch and hold hands and to walk for humanity.