2nd Annual All Aboard The Arc!

My friend Lisa over at Anali's First Amendment recently gave me permission to copy her post about the 2nd Annual All Aboard The Arc! which takes place all over Massachusetts on Sunday, April 29, 2012.

This is a pledge fund and awareness-raising event. There will be several small local send offs, then a caravan of buses will travel to the main celebration event at the John Hancock building in Boston, uniting local communities across Massachusetts in celebration of our shared goal.

The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and acquired brain injury. With more than 700 national and local chapters, The Arc is on the front lines to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families have the support they need to be members of the community.

The Arc has gone through a series of name changes over its 60 year history. April is Autism Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to learn more about how The Arc helps individuals and families.

The Arc includes 17 chapters in Massachusetts and believes that every individual with an intellectual or developmental disability deserves to have an education, equal rights and access to the information, advocacy and skills they need to participate as active citizens of our democracy and active members of their community.

The Brockton Area Arc knows that children with disabilities grow up. As adults, they continue to need services, so they can work, participate in community events, vote, socialize, and lead happy productive lives.

In order to help the fundraising effort, I’ve started my own team and hope to raise as much money as I can for the Brockton Area Arc. This local chapter has helped my family and it's where I serve on the Board of Directors. If you like, you can click here to make a donation to my team.

Like last year, my parents, my brother, and I will be riding on one of the buses. I just found out about a likely and unfortunate overlapping of events, so my family will be going to see my brother in the Special Olympics instead of riding the bus this year.

After the event last year, I was so inspired that I wrote a blog post about the experience. Please take a look here.

Even more importantly, please help me raise awareness about The Arc. Many families need help for a family member or friend with intellectual or developmental disabilities and don't know where to turn. Send them this link and tell them about The Arc. If you have questions, please feel free to send me an email: analisfirstamendment@hotmail.com.

Updated 4/18/2012* I've met my fundraising goal! Thank you so much for the support, encouragement, and donations! Now, let's see if I can exceed it. There's still time to raise more money, so donations are welcome and encouraged. Also, as before, I'm still trying to raise awareness about all the good work done by The Arc and especially The Brockton Area Arc.

Thank you!
Lisa Johnson

Thank you Lisa for letting me know about this worthwhile foundation. Thank you also for permission to publish your wonderful post.

Namaste
Chris