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Include Me Program
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Washington Business District to Partner with ARC Human Services
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Mikayla’s VOICE Assembly
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On Monday, December 4, Mikayla's Voice visited Washington Park Elementary School for multiple assemblies through the "Include Me" program. Mikayla's Voice is a nonprofit organization that travels throughout the state of Pennsylvania during the school year to enlighten and educate students on the importance of inclusion for people of all abilities. When she was in third grade, her friends wrote and illustrated a book about Mikayla, titled "Our Friend Mikayla", which talks about how they felt when a girl with a disability joined their classroom. Mikayla, who is now 22 years old, travels with her Mom, Kim, to various districts talking to students about her disability and how inclusion has helped her throughout her life. While at Washington Park Elementary, Mikayla's Mom encouraged the students to be honest and ask any questions that they had. Kim fielded many amazing, emotional and important questions and the comments made by the students were heartfelt and genuine. It was inspiring to see the students so interested in learning more about Mikayla and her abilities. It was a great day for the students, faculty and administrators to welcome Mikayla into their hearts. Read the Observer-Reporter article at: https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/washington-park-students-faculty-embrace-a-special-woman-with-special/article_27a12976-d9f2-11e7-993a-439ad4bec4b9.html |
Arc Employment Program can be Life-ChangingAlex Graysay, 33, used to keep to himself. The Peters Township resident was quiet and didn’t interact much with the people in his life.
After working for a couple of local businesses, Graysay’s entire demeanor changed. He talks more and has even been known to burst into song and dance. In September, Graysay was confident enough to testify before the state House of Representatives in Harrisburg, where he proudly told those in attendance that he purchased the suit he was wearing with money earned at his job. Read more about our Community Employment Program here. |
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End of Summer Camps Celebrated in Washington Co.Summer is coming to a close, and so are summer camps in Washington County. On Friday, two popular camps celebrated the things their campers did throughout several weeks of activity. Camp Laughalot, a seven week summer camp for special needs children, and Camp Challenge, an eight week summer camp that focuses on encouraging underprivileged youth to set higher goals for themselves, each went out with send-off parties to get the community envolved.
To read more about Camp Laughalot's Annual Carnival, click here. |
Camp Laughalot kicks off another seasonEvery child or young adult deserves an opportunity to attend summer camp, even if that child may require more supervision than usual. That’s the belief behind Washington County Arc Human Services’ annual Camp Laughalot, a summer camp serving children primarily with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Camp started Monday and runs through Aug. 5. Its hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost of the camp is $100 per week, and campers can attend for any number of weeks. There are scholarships available for families who can’t afford camp tuition, thanks to donations from the Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust and United Way of Washington County. |
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AHS finds success with 'Real Talk' programSince Arc Human Services started more than 65 years ago, it has worked to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live fulfilling lives.
But sexuality education wasn’t addressed, though people with intellectual disabilities experience the same range of thoughts, feelings and desires about sexuality as anyone else, and are at an increased risk for sexual abuse. Arc introduced “Me Too! Real Talk about Sexuality for People of All Abilities,” developed by Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski, a sexuality educator and counselor, to arm people with intellectual disabilities with the information and skills they need for sexual health. Read more about it here... |
Arc working with City of Washington to battle blightCity of Washington officials kicked off the first week of the season with a spring cleaning. Crews from Arc Human Services worked Monday to clear a sidewalk on Shaefer Avenue that was overgrown with grass, weeds and debris.
Washington contracted with Arc in January for help in cleaning up blighted properties and abandoned sites. Read more here. |
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North Strabane man commemorates pope's U.S. VisitPope Francis' first official visit to the United States will include the first canonization on American soil, and a Washington County resident designed and put in motion the manufacture of a medal that will be sold to benefit the Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. and the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists.
Read more here. |
Van Presentation by Noble EnergyAs one of the world's leading independent oil and gas companies, Noble Energy operates under the tagline, "Energizing the World, Bettering People's Lives." On Tuesday, September 1, Houston-based Noble Energy, which has its Marcellus Shale exploration and production operations in Southpointe made good on it's slogan, donating a compressed natural gas handicapped accessible van to Arc Human Services, Inc.
Read more here. |
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2015 Camp Laughalot CarnivalArc Human Services' Camp Laughalot celebrated the end of this summer's session with it's annual carnival at Washington Park. The campers, ages 6 and up, got to enjoy food, entertainment and games...
Read more here. |
PhotoVoice Project
Cheryl Parrino beamed as she stood next to the black and white photograph of an abandoned building she snapped last month. When asked about her choice, she quickly responded, "because we need a place where we can go and meet other people with special needs within the community."
Find out more here. |
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