Employment is an important part of community inclusion for people with disabilities. Meaningful work fosters personal growth, equal opportunity, self-sufficiency, and independence. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, The Arc is celebrating the many contributions and achievements of employees with disabilities in the local workforce and raising awareness of employment-related advantages unique to hiring people with disabilities.

Meet Andy, he has spent the last two months learning the ropes as a Vending Clerk for The Arc of the Quad Cities Iowa. He spends one day a week, filling the vending machines in the Illinois Goodwill’s in Moline and Rock Island, and the other day filling the machines in the Iowa Goodwill’s in Davenport and Bettendorf. There was a lot to learn as this was a new position, but thanks to his job coach from The Arc of the Quad Cities Area’s Community Employment Services program he was able to navigate any challenges. He is also supported by his support staff from IAG (Individual Advocacy Group) who drives him to each location and assists in loading and unloading the beverages and treats he uses to fill vending machines in each store.

Andy has noticed that each store has their snack preferences, “The demographics of each store is different so the best-selling snacks vary.” Although his favorite snacks are M&M’s and Fruit Gushers, he’s noticed that chips and soda are a favorite across the board, with the least-selling item being bottled water. “No one wants water,” he says.

Andy’s new job would not have been possible if not for the support of the Scott County Regional Authority (SCRA) which provided funding for two vending machines that served as a basis for the social enterprise that supports Andy’s new position. The Arc of the Quad Cities Iowa which was established in 1962 to enhance the lives of people with disabilities has been a volunteer organization until just recently. It took 61 years and a generous donation from the SCRA, to make Andy the first employee. It is significant that in an organization dedicated to people with disabilities, the first employee is someone with disabilities. The Arc is proud of Andy and this new venture.

Andy has advice for anyone with a disability who is thinking about community employment, “I encourage people to get a job.” “Don’t give up, and don’t sit around.” Clearly, Andy has taken this advice and is benefitting from his decision.

During the month of October, we will be showcasing inclusive workplace practices that benefit disabled workers and employers. More and more employers are trying out-of-the-box thinking to address a tight labor market. Opportunities favor creative approaches, find out how The Arc’s Community Employment Services program can benefit your team at www.arcqca.org.

 

Did you know that The Arc’s Community Day Program volunteers log countless hours annually? They do! It’s our way of giving back and stretching the boundaries of what people with disabilities are capable of. Thank you Quad City Botanical Center for recognizing the efforts of people with disabilities with the Volunteer Group of the Year Award!

Respect $10,000 or more

Lyford Estate

17th District State Central Committee

Sheila Murphy Foundation

 

Achievement $5,000 – $9,999

Modern Woodmen of America

Mutual of America

Bryce Campbell

Sharon Esslinger

Charles Deere Wiman Memorial Trust

Janice Nelson Trust

Knights of Columbus- Loras Council 532 Iowa

Vonderhaar Family Foundation

 

Achievement $2,500 – $4,999

John Donald O’Shea

John Deere Foundation

Quad Cities Community Foundation

Francis & Sue Vroman

SENB Bank

Main Street Iowa LLC

 

Community $1,000 – $2,499

Donald & Katherine Healy

Jack Cozad

Doris & Victor Day Foundation, Inc.

Howard & Geraldine Knaack Foundation

Lee Foundation Santa Fund

Joseph & Donna Terfler

Bernice & Abraham Gunaseelan

Thomas & Kathleen Conrad

Laura Swift

Exelon c/o CyberGrants

Lisa Toalson

US Wealth Management & Investment Services

Emery Doonan

Rosemary Costello

Northwest Bank & Trust Company

Travis Cutler

Paul DeWispelaere

Dr. Carrie Montford

Napsky Trust

Mike & Tracy Poelvoorde

Mike & Michele Montford

Knights of Columbus- Allouez Council 658 Rock Island

Janis & Todd Haugen

Tere Huberburrill

John Deere Classic

Wayne Beck

American Bank & Trust

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Arthur J. Gallagher Foundation

The Blackbaud Giving Fund

James Patton

Ralph & Mary Radloff

Varian Medical Systems

Walmart

 

Self-Determination $500 – $999

Barb Goettig

Knights of Columbus- Leo Council 716 East Moline

Nicole Koellner

Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton, & Noe

Catherine & Benjamin Olvera

M. Kathleen Seusy

Estes Construction

Bill Kreps

Paul & Sheila Guse Charitable Trust Fund

Tamara Daily

Heather Feik

Patrick & Char Verschoore

Nicholas Book

City of Silvis

Michael Glanz

Christopher & Stephanie Cramer

Crawford Company

DuTrac

Geneseo Comm Charitable Foundation

John Deere Construction & Forestry Outreach & Volunteerism

MidAmerican Energy Foundation

Jim & Twila Mitchell

Leslie O’melia

Doug & Kyle Rick

Tiny & Judy Rosa-Gastaldo

UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc.

 

Diversity $250 – $499

DARI

Verne Folkmann

Brian Northrup

John & Kathy Buccifero

Mr. Siva Ganesh

Media Link Inc.

Yen Dao

QCR Holdings Group, Inc

John Gustafson

Patrick & Kathleen Doherty

Sue Gadient

Deno & Barbara Minas

John & Bonnie Leinart

William E. & Julie A. Tanner

Joan & Stephen Conrad

Peggy Love

Kurt & Meg Davis

Blackhawk Bank & Trust

Thomas & Deborah Bracke

John & Susan Crampton

Daniel P. Daly

Miles Davidson

Christi DeWispelaere

Henderson County Democratic Committee

Kathryn Lawhorn

Nestle Purina PetCare

Cynthia Volpe-Price

Western Structural Company

 

Integrity $100 – $249

Annette Doonan

Sarah Bohnsack

Kristine Loy

William Bateman

Frank & Theresa Dewaele

Mike Holmes

Linda Koester

Gina Livingston

Karen Steen

Gene Thomas

Christina E. Harper

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

James & Gina Brunk

Tara Huntley

Janet Johnson

Linda & Gary Johnson

James & Elizabeth Bromley Loveless

James Norris

Brian Ramsay

Dr. Eric & Alex Ritterhoff

Tom Schroeder

Lawrence & Jane Tschappat

Craig Hignight

Melissa Easley

UnitedHeath Group Matching Gift Funds

Michael & Diana Kavanaugh

William Peutz

Brent & Audrey Wyatt

Gilbert Jones

Friendship Manor

Hammar & Associates PC

Happy Joes

Heritage Landscape Design

Flora Lawhorn

Richard & Diane Phillis

James Teros

Timothy & Patricia Tulon

Cindy Crosby

Bruce Noah

Marcia Richard & William Voltz

AmazonSmile.com

Nathan Burress

Crawford Brew Works LLC

The Generations! Band

Beulah Morrow

Mary Ann Timm

Dewayne HaGans

Randall & Peggy Peeters

Keith & Pamela Turner

Joan & Alfred Beck

Ron & Karyn Hanger

S.A. Fenwick

James Ramirez

Stephen & Jane Alexander

Ann D. Bell

Dr. Mark J. & Theresa Bergthold

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Beyer

Richard Bigger

Jeffrey Bisby

John & Clara Caldwell

Chris Elsberg Insurance Agency, Inc.

Charlene Cooper

Anthony Cottrell

Clarence & Lili Darrow

Robert & Anna Debo

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Alpha Chapter

Laura Doonan

First Covenant Church of Moline

Mark & Jennifer Halupnik

John Hoffman

Joan Holcomb

William Keck

Ann Kerscheiter

Jack & Mary Knepp

Clarence Kreiter

John & Melody Loft

Curtis Lundy

Tom Lytton

Brenda Maess

Amy Maxwell

Jane McLean

Darline & Joseph Miljush

Julia A. Nielsen

Charles Peterson

Quality Plus Body Shop

RJS & Associates, Inc.

Jacqueline Schiff

Ron & Becky Smolenski

Pamela Snyder

Linnea Johnson

Van Meter Industrial Foundation Fund

Virdi Eye Clinic

Michael & Elizabeth WIlliams

 

Excellence $1 – $99

John Cooklin

Richard & Alice Dobbeleare

Bonnie J. Brunk

Carpentier Mitchell Goddard & Co.

E.H. Schroder Insurance Agency

J.L. Brady LLC

Kimberly Brokaw

Neal & Barb Keller

Paul & Sue McDevitt

Susan Mekus

Takesha McNamee

Carollee Baltzer

Richard & Lois Ann Black

Don & Debbie Bloomfield

Paul & Diane Brooks

Emma Carillo-Peters

Carroll County Democrats

Bethann Cetanyan

David Dewaele

Alvin & Bridgett Edgeworth

Debra Else

Arthur & Diana Fanter

Jerry & Mary Foster

Friends for Verschoore

Bradley A. & Linda J. Gill

Sally Gordon

Sue & Jeffrey Grimes

Isabel Gualajara

Emma Hoke

Kinzie Hull

Denny Jacobs & Associates

Jeri Jennings

Cheryl Johnson

David & Christine Kruse

Linda Lambin

Mark & Brianna Lane

Lori Lefstein

Todd & Robin Letney

Mary Maland

Christine Marckese

Erica Molina

Joseph & Beverly Quinn

Tracy Rommel

Donna J. Russell

Herbert Schultz

Jerry & Rose Springer

Angie Verde

Scott & Veronica Verschoore

Sharon Verstraete

Frank & Tammy Weikert

Craig & Cathy Wonderlich

Doug & Mary Elizabeth Klaman

Amy Downing

Ashlee Fuller

Alyssa House

Elisha Rummels

Sarah & Dean Wright

Cathy M. Anderson

Kristina Bell

Dorthea Berry

Darren Collins

Lori & Tony Dixon

Lee Dobereiner

Benita Flores

Joey & Tina Garcia

Samantha Hamor

Sandra Higgins

Kristy Lawson

Suzanne J. Liggitt

Tami M. Peck

Rochelle Plumb

Shirley Rhoads

Daniella Stogdill

Staci Nielsen

Marie Dewispelaere

UnitedHealthcare Employees

Patti Witt

Hyvee Reusable Bag Program

AT&T

Francis Adams

Selah Buccifero

Bill & Judy Carmichael

Dennis Cavanaugh

Mervyn & Carol Collins

Shaun & Vicki Graves

John Grossman

The Arc

Linda Heber

Making Friends Welcome Service Inc.

Kenneth Ohr

Dennis & Lois Pauley

Patricia Veronda

Connie Williams

Amy Baylor

Melissa Enlow

Kaitlyn Sherfey

Rachel Birkhead

James & Helen Bloome

Michael & Tracey Gowdy

Roger & Kathryn Harroun

Mathilda & Jesse Mendoza

Diane Pauly

Retirees Golf Club

Gary & Julie Seaba

Marilyn Siebert

James Waite II

John & Joann Ackerman

Mary Bennett-McClean

Amy Bucciferro

Lisa & Patrick Carroll

Lorna Cox

Danish Sisterhood #3

Albert & Kathleen DeBo

Jeffrey Dennis

Melissa Easley

Joaquin & Rose Marie Espejo

Cindy Ferguson

Ian & Kara Fuller

Mary Fuson

Mary Alice Gremonprez

Al & Denise Hampton

Harriet Schleich

Dorothy E. Hedberg

Donald & Ozma Karch

Linda Kendall

Dick Leivovitz

Liberty Diversified International

Drue Mielke

Connie Mohr-Wright

Mark Mueller

Gary & Kay Roberson

SD Home Team

Lauren & Anothony Showers

Donald W. & Leona Peterson-Spear

Tom Tagtmeier

Amy Verstraete

Michael & Roberta Vidmar

Tessa Wallace

Mary Wells

Sherry Williams

Sharon Young

Holly Rawlings

Sheila McGinnis

Mechelle Simmons

Dorothy Barber

Sally S. Brockway

Wes Carrington

Wade H. Carter III

Jean & Leonard Chard

Cheryl Cole

Keith & Sandra Crawford

Lexi Dawson

Tim & Andrea DeWaele

Mary Glanz

Philip & Rebecca Hare

Pamela Higham

Sandra Morrison

Ken & Donna Musgrove

Jessi Taylor

Kristine Klauer

Adam Bellender

Corey Akers

Sherry & Michael Beardsley

Sheri K. Elliot

Shelley Sheehy

David & Candace Sountris

Greta Wiborg

Clarice Wunderlich

Sheila McGinnis

Hannah Durbin

Greer Martin

Jennifer Bowser

Looking for caring individuals who will actively support and further the mission of the Arc, work well with others, and have a working knowledge of tools, machine repair, building and vehicle maintenance, etc. If this sounds like you or someone you know, then apply online for our open “Maintenance Worker” position!

Apply today or look for more job opportunities on our site: https://arcqca.applicantpool.com/jobs/