Who is the Arc?
The Arc is the largest national community based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1950, The Arc was comprised of a small group of concerned and passionate parents and community members who would be catalyst for changing the public perception of children with disabilities. For the past 60+ years, The Arc has continued to grow and evolve along with the changing needs and issues that people with disabilities and their families face.
Today there are more than 700 state and local chapters. The Are works to provide more than 7.2 million Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunities and services to reach their greatest level of personal fulfillment and potential. Some of these services include employment, training, education, and independent living. The organization also addresses current legislative issues to maintain the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Our Local Chapter - The Arc of Central Plains:
History:
In the summer of 1966 it was apparent a support group for the parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ellis county needed to be established. Dr. Jack King was instrumental in establishing The Arc of Central Plains' first meeting. At that time the organization was named the Homer B. Reed ARC after the late Homer B. Reed who dreamed of having an organization to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At this first meeting goals were set, including educating the public, establishing more schooling, and setting up a training center.
The Arc of Central Plains' first accomplishment was to open a day care for children with disabilities not yet old enough for public school. In the spring of 1967 the organization became affiliated with both the national and state Arc. Soon after, the goal of establishing a training center became a reality when renovations began on the old barracks building located on the FHSU campus. The Homer B. Reed Training Center was then completed in February of 1968.
As the training center grew, it discovered that it was able to operate on its own and soon separated from the parents group. At this time, the parents organization changed their name to the Association for Retarded Citizens/Central Plains (commonly called the Central Plains ARC), thus not conflicting with the centers name. The name was again changed in 1997 to The Arc of Central Plains to coincide with the state and national organizations. The Homer B. Reed Training Center has continued to grow and today Northwest Kansas has five training centers. These five centers, including the Homer B. Reed Center, operate under the name of Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK). The day care facility first established is also still in existence, now known as The Hays Area Children's Center, and operates today on the site of the first training center.
When the Homer B. Reed Training Center was first established a Ways and Means committee was organized to raise funds to maintain the centers operation. It was at this time that Lula Danielson, Ways and Means Chairperson, decided to hold a three-day basement sale in her home. She advertised for donations on KAYS radio's "party line". The response was so great that her basement was too small to hold all the donations.
At that time, Farmers State Bank owned a vacant building on Main Street. It was agreed to allow the use of the building for the sale, rent free provided The Arc paid half the utilities. Because the sale was such a success and large amounts of merchandise remained, it was decided to hold a sale every Wednesday.
Soon the Thrift Shop was open three days a week. In 1973 it was evident that a much larger building was needed. A building on 11th street owned by Leo Dreiling was discovered. He offered to sell the building at a generous $25,000. He also agreed to personally finance the sale and donate $500.00 at the end of each year back to the Arc. In September 1973, the purchase was made and the Thrift Shop moved to the location, 116 E. 11th• The group also decided to keep the Thrift Shop open six days a week. The Thrift Shop began with four volunteers, Lula Danielson, Bernita Hammerschmidt, Alice Leiker, and Mickey Rupp. Today, many of the volunteers have been donating their time for more than a decade.
In 2015 the store once again relocated to a much needed larger building at 600 Main Street. This allowed for the expansion of the sales floor and donation processing area. As a result sales increased dramatically and donation volume did as well. The new location will also include a brand-new activity room for self-advocates in the Hays community. When complete the room will be used for social activities as well as life skills and other training classes.
Goals:
The main goal and purpose of The Arc of Central Plains is to promote the general welfare of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities wherever they may be. It is our belief that our programs and services increase the quality of life of those we serve. By participating in our activities, individuals with I/DD have a social outlet and an educational environment. They have a peer group, one in which they can share common interests, goals, problems, and daily life events.
In keeping with these goals, The Arc of Central Plains in September of 1980 sponsored the nation's first rodeo for the people with disabilities. This three-day event brought in over 200 participants with both mental and physical handicaps. In 1981, they initiated the first Cross Country program in Kansas for individuals with disabilities. They sponsored a Boy Scout Troop, were active in the Arc of Kansas performing arts program, creative arts competition, and speech competition. Our past and present Special Olympics programs have included basketball, bocce, bowling, cheerleading, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. We also sponsor daily living skills classes that teach cooking, balancing a checkbook, nutrition and food safety, first aid, etc. All of these programs and activities provide our participants with an opportunity to learn independence, teamwork, dedication, hard work, good sportsmanship, self-affirmation, giving their very best, and how to set and obtain personal and team goals. These are characteristics that we all use throughout our daily lives, not just in a basketball game.
Currently we sponsor a self-advocacy group called People First. Self-advocacy is speaking and acting on the behalf of your own rights. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have always had others speak for them. That is changing, people with disabilities are learning to be self-advocates. The members of our People First organization have learned to stand-up for themselves. They have learned how to hold their own meetings, elect officers, write by-laws, and organize activities. They also operate a monthly bingo night as a fundraiser and contribute to the community by sponsoring an Adopt-A-Mile.
The Arc of Central Plains has received the Bob Fitzgerald Award from the national office in recognition of our recreational activities; the Outstanding Chapter Award for the state of Kansas; the 1997 and 1999 Special Olympics Kansas Local Program Award; the 1997, 1998, and 1999 Arc of Kansas Local Chapter Recognition Award for Program and Services; the 1997 and 1998 Arc of Kansas Local Chapter Recognition Award for Local Newsletter; the 1998 and 1999 Arc of Kansas Local Chapter Recognition Award for Outstanding Self Advocate Chapter. Today, our organization is a strong asset to the community, serving as the primary provider of recreational and social activities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ellis County. Over the last year more than eighty individuals have benefited from our services.
Funding:
The primary funding for The Arc of Central Plains is the Thrift Shop. Donations and memberships along with fundraisers and grant writing are also used as sources of funding.
Membership:
Membership is the strength of our organization and we are always working to increase our membership. Membership fees are $20.00 annually for individuals or families and $25.00 annually for businesses and cover membership to The Arc of Central Plains and The Arc of the United States.
Membership is open to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, relatives, friends, interested citizens, and professionals. Individual and family membership can be purchased.
Supporting the Community:
The Arc of Central Plains works hand in hand with Special Olympics, DSNWK, People First, and Bethesda Place to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities needed programs and services. Donation of time and services, as well as financial support, are given to these organizations as well as USD 489 special education classrooms and The Hays Area Children's Center. Volunteers are often recruited from Fort Hays State University Special Education and Adapted Physical Education departments. A relationship has also been established with the Hays Recreation Commission for community projects and advertisement.
Volunteers:
Volunteers primarily run The Arc of Central Plains. Approximately seventy volunteers work throughout the year to fulfill the organizations goals. These volunteers include board members, coaches, activity organizers, and thrift shop workers.
The Board of Directors consists of 3 elected officers, president, vice-president, secretary/treasurer, the immediate past president, a representative from People First and 5 board members. Officers and the immediate past president serve for a term of two years, beginning January 1 following their election, or until the qualification of their successors. Board members are divided with one half serving a two-year term and the other half serving a one-year term. Board meetings are scheduled for the last Tuesday of every month. All board meetings are open to the general membership and interested parties.
Coaches and activity organizers are responsible for a select program. Coaches volunteer one day a week for practices and selected tournament weekends. Usually a sport lasts three months. Activity organizers volunteer anywhere from one day a week to one day a month, depending on the activity. Both coaches and activity organizers are responsible for the wellbeing of the participants and the program. These volunteers work with the Director on program development and implementation.
Thrift shop workers volunteer one day a week to maintain the Thrift Shop's running and operation. Each day has a lead worker who is in charge of the operations on that day, including supervising volunteers, making the daily deposit, and working with the Director to maintain supplies and to report maintenance concerns. The Thrift Shop is open Monday through Saturday 9am to 4pm.
The Arc is the largest national community based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1950, The Arc was comprised of a small group of concerned and passionate parents and community members who would be catalyst for changing the public perception of children with disabilities. For the past 60+ years, The Arc has continued to grow and evolve along with the changing needs and issues that people with disabilities and their families face.
Today there are more than 700 state and local chapters. The Are works to provide more than 7.2 million Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunities and services to reach their greatest level of personal fulfillment and potential. Some of these services include employment, training, education, and independent living. The organization also addresses current legislative issues to maintain the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Our Local Chapter - The Arc of Central Plains:
History:
In the summer of 1966 it was apparent a support group for the parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ellis county needed to be established. Dr. Jack King was instrumental in establishing The Arc of Central Plains' first meeting. At that time the organization was named the Homer B. Reed ARC after the late Homer B. Reed who dreamed of having an organization to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At this first meeting goals were set, including educating the public, establishing more schooling, and setting up a training center.
The Arc of Central Plains' first accomplishment was to open a day care for children with disabilities not yet old enough for public school. In the spring of 1967 the organization became affiliated with both the national and state Arc. Soon after, the goal of establishing a training center became a reality when renovations began on the old barracks building located on the FHSU campus. The Homer B. Reed Training Center was then completed in February of 1968.
As the training center grew, it discovered that it was able to operate on its own and soon separated from the parents group. At this time, the parents organization changed their name to the Association for Retarded Citizens/Central Plains (commonly called the Central Plains ARC), thus not conflicting with the centers name. The name was again changed in 1997 to The Arc of Central Plains to coincide with the state and national organizations. The Homer B. Reed Training Center has continued to grow and today Northwest Kansas has five training centers. These five centers, including the Homer B. Reed Center, operate under the name of Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK). The day care facility first established is also still in existence, now known as The Hays Area Children's Center, and operates today on the site of the first training center.
When the Homer B. Reed Training Center was first established a Ways and Means committee was organized to raise funds to maintain the centers operation. It was at this time that Lula Danielson, Ways and Means Chairperson, decided to hold a three-day basement sale in her home. She advertised for donations on KAYS radio's "party line". The response was so great that her basement was too small to hold all the donations.
At that time, Farmers State Bank owned a vacant building on Main Street. It was agreed to allow the use of the building for the sale, rent free provided The Arc paid half the utilities. Because the sale was such a success and large amounts of merchandise remained, it was decided to hold a sale every Wednesday.
Soon the Thrift Shop was open three days a week. In 1973 it was evident that a much larger building was needed. A building on 11th street owned by Leo Dreiling was discovered. He offered to sell the building at a generous $25,000. He also agreed to personally finance the sale and donate $500.00 at the end of each year back to the Arc. In September 1973, the purchase was made and the Thrift Shop moved to the location, 116 E. 11th• The group also decided to keep the Thrift Shop open six days a week. The Thrift Shop began with four volunteers, Lula Danielson, Bernita Hammerschmidt, Alice Leiker, and Mickey Rupp. Today, many of the volunteers have been donating their time for more than a decade.
In 2015 the store once again relocated to a much needed larger building at 600 Main Street. This allowed for the expansion of the sales floor and donation processing area. As a result sales increased dramatically and donation volume did as well. The new location will also include a brand-new activity room for self-advocates in the Hays community. When complete the room will be used for social activities as well as life skills and other training classes.
Goals:
The main goal and purpose of The Arc of Central Plains is to promote the general welfare of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities wherever they may be. It is our belief that our programs and services increase the quality of life of those we serve. By participating in our activities, individuals with I/DD have a social outlet and an educational environment. They have a peer group, one in which they can share common interests, goals, problems, and daily life events.
In keeping with these goals, The Arc of Central Plains in September of 1980 sponsored the nation's first rodeo for the people with disabilities. This three-day event brought in over 200 participants with both mental and physical handicaps. In 1981, they initiated the first Cross Country program in Kansas for individuals with disabilities. They sponsored a Boy Scout Troop, were active in the Arc of Kansas performing arts program, creative arts competition, and speech competition. Our past and present Special Olympics programs have included basketball, bocce, bowling, cheerleading, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. We also sponsor daily living skills classes that teach cooking, balancing a checkbook, nutrition and food safety, first aid, etc. All of these programs and activities provide our participants with an opportunity to learn independence, teamwork, dedication, hard work, good sportsmanship, self-affirmation, giving their very best, and how to set and obtain personal and team goals. These are characteristics that we all use throughout our daily lives, not just in a basketball game.
Currently we sponsor a self-advocacy group called People First. Self-advocacy is speaking and acting on the behalf of your own rights. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have always had others speak for them. That is changing, people with disabilities are learning to be self-advocates. The members of our People First organization have learned to stand-up for themselves. They have learned how to hold their own meetings, elect officers, write by-laws, and organize activities. They also operate a monthly bingo night as a fundraiser and contribute to the community by sponsoring an Adopt-A-Mile.
The Arc of Central Plains has received the Bob Fitzgerald Award from the national office in recognition of our recreational activities; the Outstanding Chapter Award for the state of Kansas; the 1997 and 1999 Special Olympics Kansas Local Program Award; the 1997, 1998, and 1999 Arc of Kansas Local Chapter Recognition Award for Program and Services; the 1997 and 1998 Arc of Kansas Local Chapter Recognition Award for Local Newsletter; the 1998 and 1999 Arc of Kansas Local Chapter Recognition Award for Outstanding Self Advocate Chapter. Today, our organization is a strong asset to the community, serving as the primary provider of recreational and social activities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ellis County. Over the last year more than eighty individuals have benefited from our services.
Funding:
The primary funding for The Arc of Central Plains is the Thrift Shop. Donations and memberships along with fundraisers and grant writing are also used as sources of funding.
Membership:
Membership is the strength of our organization and we are always working to increase our membership. Membership fees are $20.00 annually for individuals or families and $25.00 annually for businesses and cover membership to The Arc of Central Plains and The Arc of the United States.
Membership is open to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, relatives, friends, interested citizens, and professionals. Individual and family membership can be purchased.
Supporting the Community:
The Arc of Central Plains works hand in hand with Special Olympics, DSNWK, People First, and Bethesda Place to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities needed programs and services. Donation of time and services, as well as financial support, are given to these organizations as well as USD 489 special education classrooms and The Hays Area Children's Center. Volunteers are often recruited from Fort Hays State University Special Education and Adapted Physical Education departments. A relationship has also been established with the Hays Recreation Commission for community projects and advertisement.
Volunteers:
Volunteers primarily run The Arc of Central Plains. Approximately seventy volunteers work throughout the year to fulfill the organizations goals. These volunteers include board members, coaches, activity organizers, and thrift shop workers.
The Board of Directors consists of 3 elected officers, president, vice-president, secretary/treasurer, the immediate past president, a representative from People First and 5 board members. Officers and the immediate past president serve for a term of two years, beginning January 1 following their election, or until the qualification of their successors. Board members are divided with one half serving a two-year term and the other half serving a one-year term. Board meetings are scheduled for the last Tuesday of every month. All board meetings are open to the general membership and interested parties.
Coaches and activity organizers are responsible for a select program. Coaches volunteer one day a week for practices and selected tournament weekends. Usually a sport lasts three months. Activity organizers volunteer anywhere from one day a week to one day a month, depending on the activity. Both coaches and activity organizers are responsible for the wellbeing of the participants and the program. These volunteers work with the Director on program development and implementation.
Thrift shop workers volunteer one day a week to maintain the Thrift Shop's running and operation. Each day has a lead worker who is in charge of the operations on that day, including supervising volunteers, making the daily deposit, and working with the Director to maintain supplies and to report maintenance concerns. The Thrift Shop is open Monday through Saturday 9am to 4pm.
