Field Trip to the Arc

  All Rotarians are invited to buy tickets and come and support Wendy, and enjoy the glorious music of Brahms’s Fourth Symphony.  Nothing but the best for our retiring Superintendant.

   Kevin then began the program by showing us pictures of Arc clients at work at jobs in the community.  They are employed in such places as a bakery and a grocery store.  As Kevin said, “they are the best workers you will ever have.”

   The Arc has purchased a “Just a Buck” franchise store in Long Beach, at the Wrigly Marketplace at 251 E Willow St.  All the items are – just a buck.  Arc purchased the franchise in order to give a chance for employment to its graduating clients.

  Just a Buck is large enough to qualify to buy at discounted prices, but small enough to buy small lots which is where sometimes fabulous items can be found.  Take it from a dedicated shopper, there are treasures here if you know how to look.  And this store is kept neat and the merchandise is in order, not like some 99 Cent stores you might name.

  This is the first time in our community that a non-profit organization such as Arc has purchased a for-profit retail franchise.  This business model is known as social enterprise, in which a non-profit leverages the power of business for community benefit.

  With unemployment for disabled at 85% and the economic times making people hunt for bargains, it’s a win-win situation.  The Arc can use the store as training ground for its clients, and already employs 5 clients with developmental and physical disabilities in all different operations of the store.

    And Just a Buck offers great buys to people who live close to Long Beach, as we in Downey do.  Kevin invited us to drop in and check out the great merchandise, that all sells for the single price of one dollar.  Best of luck, Kevin.

  Then Kevin showed us pictures of the activities that clients at the Arc enjoy, such as a Hallowe’en Dance, the Ibbetson Picture Day, the Downey Rotary Fishing Derby, a Special Olympics, a New Year’s Eve Party and a consumer-staff banquet, so big it was held in the huge assembly line building.

  The next event is their big fundraiser, the eagerly awaited Arc Walk for Independence, which will take place Saturday March 23.  It traditionally starts and ends at the Stonewood Center Mall, and Charlie Hallums was thanked for his participation and making that possible.

  The first walk was held in 1956, back in the days when most special education programs were held in the back room of a store.  At first 250 people gathered for the Walk.  Now thousands of supporters participate in the Downey event every year.   The Walk not only raises money for operations, but it enables Arc to give that greatest gift to its clients, the value of being esteemed as a fellow human being.

   Kids under 10 and school groups can walk for free. All others pay a $15 entry fee-donation, or are sponsored by an organization, as Rotary sponsors our own members-walkers.  Many businesses have been contributing teams for years, such as Century 21 My Real Estate, Tredway Lumsdaine Doyle and Soroptimists.  There are marching bands at 8 am before the Walk start and a fire truck parked near the starting line, entertainment such as the Laker Girls performing, clowns, face-painting and lots of high fives for old friends.

 Every year there is a new color for the walker’s tee shirt, so you can build a rainbow for your closet.  Come out and make yourself happy, on March 23,  at the Arc Walk for Independence.  Actual walking starts out at 8:30 am.

  For every paid walker who crosses the finish line, Acapulco restaurant presents a free burrito breakfast, and there are chairs, umbrellas and a tent for resting.

   One special tradition of the Downey Arc walk is that the Arc clients walk hand in hand with those without disabilities, many of whom have never met a disabled person before.  That idea began with the New Jersey Arc where Kevin got his start.  He brought it here, and it is a heart-warming experience. Try it for yourself on March 23.