ARC 2024 Valentine’s Day Dance
On Sunday, Feb. 11, we had a wonderful day and great turnout for our Valentine’s Day Dance & Luncheon. Our sincere appreciation goes out to the Rutland Elks Lodge #345 and all its member volunteers for hosting and sponsoring this amazing event each year as well as our Holiday Dances in December. Our members enjoyed a meal of hot dogs, hamburgers, salad, with cake for dessert; followed by dancing to their favorite tunes.
March – Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
ARC’s Self Advocates Becoming Empowered – Rutland (SABE-R) members worked hard preparing their presentations for the Disability Acceptance Clinics they held in March as part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
These clinics aim to educate professionals on how individuals with developmental disabilities have hopes and dreams just like everyone else and how they want to be treated with the same respect and kindness shown to others. Members also explained what accommodations may be needed to help them understand and fully participate in interactions with professionals such as health care workers, court staff, the police, and such.
Clinics were held at Park St. Healthshare, Rutland Superior Court, and Vermont State University Castleton Campus. We hope to schedule clinics with the Rutland City Police Dept. and Project Vision soon. SABE-R members also presented to Maggie O’Brien from the Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRCP) as to what the needs and desires are of those with developmental disabilities so the RRPC can try to address them in the 2026 Regional Plan; as well as to Jamie Bentley from Rutland Regional Medical Center regarding their health planning.
ARC 2024 End O’Winter Dance
A fun time was had by all at our ARC 2024 End O’Winter Dance on Sunday, Apr. 14. Our sincere appreciation goes out to the Castleton American Legion for hosting this dance and to Domino’s for providing a variety of pizzas for our members to enjoy. The meal was followed by cake for dessert, dancing, and visiting with friends.
Voices and Choices Conference
On April 23 & 24 some of our Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered -Rutland members attended the Voices and Choices conference in Burlington. They had a wonderful time attending the dance on the evening of the 23rd; and a variety of workshops on disability advocacy and empowerment, as well as having a nice lunch, on the 24th.
Congratulations to Julie Beebe on receiving the Self-Advocate of the Year Award in our SABE-Rutland group. Congratulations also to Karoline Gillen on receiving the Self-Advocate of the Year Award from GMSA.
ARC 2024 Spring Fling Dance
On Sunday June 9th, ARC held its 2024 Spring Fling Dance at the Castleton American Legion. Members enjoyed a lunch of a variety sandwiches and beans with cake for dessert followed by dancing and socializing with friends. We were happy to see Herman back and well. ARC member Paul Brown Jr. won the 50/50 raffle and generously donated his winnings back to ARC. Thank you, Paul!
ARC Rutland Area extends its sincere gratitude to all who assisted in making this dance a success: The Castleton American Legion for hosting the dance; and event volunteers Nellie and Dmitri Beliakov, Karen Bossi, Jess Corey, Jasper Kingsley, Kelsey McNeil, and Terry Stevens. Photos by Dmitri Beliakov.
2024 Rutland Kiwanis Club “Family Fun Day” for ARC Members
On Saturday July 13, ARC members enjoyed an afternoon at the Pittsford Recreation Center for Family Fun Day – an annual event sponsored and hosted by the Rutland Kiwanis Club for ARC.
ARC members enjoyed hot dogs on the grill, potato chips, along with a variety of sodas and desserts. Additionally, members of the Mission City Church Youth Group attended to help out and provide snow cones. Activities included karaoke, swimming, and socializing with friends. Despite the heat, all had a great time. We will post pictures soon.
Our sincere appreciation goes out to the Rutland Kiwanis Club and the Mission City Church Youth Group. Events like these are so beneficial to our members’ physical and mental/emotional wellbeing. Sponsored events like this one expand on the activities ARC is able to provide.
National Night Out – Tuesday August 6 4 to 7 pm at Meadow St. Park – Rutland
Duffy Family Barn Picnic – Sunday, September 15 Noon to 3 pm at the Duffy home in Poultney
For a complete list of our meetings, events, and activities, please see our Calendar page.