See Me as Your Neighbor

When Matt and Danielle first moved into their new home in Moline eight months ago, one of the first people who took notice of the new faces in the neighborhood was Joe who lives right next door. He asked, “Do they (previous owners) know you are here?” When Matt and Danielle explained why they were there, Joe relaxed and introductions were made. Says Danielle, “Joe was the first person we met when we moved to Moline.” “It was his way of looking out for his neighbors.”

Both Matt and Danielle are entrepreneurs and run several businesses. As they came to know their new neighborhood and a few of their neighbors, they recognized Joe out front of his house selling his handmade bracelets. They became frequent customers of Joe’s and when Matt wanted a customized bracelet for Danielle, Joe made sure he got upfront payment for his wares. “We appreciate his hustle,” said Matt and happily obliged recognizing one entrepreneur to another.

With a new house to work on, Matt and Danielle spent many hours working on their new house and yard which afforded them more opportunities to get to know their new neighbors. Joe made frequent appearances and kept them up to date on neighborhood happenings and his personal successes. “We are happy that Joe shares his successes with us.”

One day a bus pulled in front of their neighbor’s house with ‘The Arc’ on its display. “We didn’t know that our neighbors were being supported by The Arc until then and it all came into focus,”  said Danielle, “We’ve lived here for eight months but already have made great memories. We feel like part of the neighborhood, Joe and our neighbors made it that way.”

Throughout the month we will be sharing more stories on three themes; see me as your neighbor; see me as your co-worker; and see me as your friend. You can post what inclusion means to you by tagging The Arc of the Quad Cities Area (@ARCQCA) and using hashtags #DDAware, #DDAwareness, and #InclusionMatters.

 

 

Picture Caption: Joe (left) and Danielle (right) take a selfie on Halloween Night where Joe was handing out treats and selling his homemade bracelets to Trick or Treaters. Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month highlights how people with and without disabilities can come together to form strong communities.

2023 Charity Golf Outing

Mark your calendars for Monday, June 12th at Oakwood Country Club for the 2023 Charity Golf Outing benefiting The Arc of the Quad Cities Area.

Thank you for your interest! Click HERE for more information.

Spring Parent Learning Series- May 25th

Parent Learning Series

“Guardianship- All you need to know”

Thursday, May 25th 2023 from 6:00-7:30pm

  • It is easy to overlook or misunderstand when a guardianship or conservatorship is necessary and one of the biggest concerns parents have is who will take over as guardian or conservator of one’s child when both parents are deceased.  This workshop will walk through the guardianship and conservatorship process from when one should be started to the court proceedings involved to how someone will take over when parents or other caretakers are no long able to do so.
  • Presented by Timothy B. Gulbranson from Lane & Waterman LLP
  • Join in-person or virtually

To register, please contact Sue Gadient:
gadients@arcqca.org | (309) 786-6474

 

Spring Parent Learning Series- May 11th

Parent Learning Series

“It’s never too early to start planning and setting up a Special Needs Trust”

Thursday, May 11th 2023 from 6:00-7:30pm 

  • Many times, the questions that arise when considering starting a special needs trust can be overwhelming.  How do I know my child or I need one?  Is it possible to avoid having a special needs trust?  If a special needs trust is necessary what is the proper time to start one?  How do I know what kind of special needs trust is right for my child or me?  How much will one cost?  This workshop will discuss the answers to the these questions as well as discussing the makeup of the different kinds of special needs trusts.
  • Presented by Timothy B. Gulbranson from Lane & Waterman LLP
  • Join in-person or virtually

To register, please contact Sue Gadient:
gadients@arcqca.org | (309) 786-6474

MLK Food Pantry

Our 2023 MLK Day of Service was a success! We held a food pantry for the Quad Cities Community and welcomed all who needed assistance. This event would not have been possible without all of our amazing volunteers, the MLK Center, and Riverbend Food Bank. Thank you to everyone who supported this event!