Share Our Success

Interested in learning more? Call The Arc!

2012-03-09T11:45:00.000-05:00

Not only do Circles classes teach about social relationships, the class has fostered friendships! Over the course of the series, participants find themselves learning first-hand how someone can move from the red “stranger circle” to the green “friendship circle”!

In one Circles series, participants Carol and Jane shared how this happened with them. Though they had never spoken before and identified one another as strangers, Carol and Jane recognized each other, as they both rode the same bus from time to time. With this in common, they began talking at the weekly Circles classes and on the bus, and became friendly acquaintances with one another. Finding that they had even more shared interests, similar personality traits, and trusted each other, the two quickly became friends. On the last day of Circles, Carol and Jane exchanged phone numbers, and still keep in touch to this day.

The Arc wants to encourage everyone to have healthy, loving relationships within every circle of their life! If you or someone you know is interested in taking a Circles class, you can contact The Arc at 301-663-0909 and speak with Linda at ext. 18 or Valerie at ext. 44.

YOU are the most important person in your world!!

2012-03-07T16:02:00.000-05:00

We are all unique individuals with many different kinds of relationships. In Circles class, participants have the chance to explore what kinds of relationships they have with the people in their lives.

We’ll discuss:

What do we talk to them about?

How much do we trust them?

And do we let them touch us?

Circles classes keeps you on your toes - using role playing, games, videos and group discussion, you’ll learn about the Purple “Me” Circle, Blue Hug Circle, Pink Sweetheart Circle, Green Far-Away Hug Circle, Yellow Handshake Circle, Orange Wave Circle and Red Community Helpers and Stranger Circle.

Everybody Loves to Love!

2012-03-05T14:09:00.000-05:00

Love and healthy social relationships are a part of a happy life! The Arc of Frederick County strives to support people in living independent, fulfilling, happy lives. One of the ways we do this is through our Circles classes.

What are Circles classes, you ask? Circles classes are fun, interactive classes based on the curriculum developed by Leslie Walker-Hirsch. The CIRCLES program uses six color coded concentric circles to teach boundaries within social relationships. Participants have the opportunity to explore the various color circles; the people who fit in each circle; and the appropriate levels of touch, talk and trust with their family, friends, acquaintances and strangers.

Wow, that’s a mouthful! In Circles classes…we talk about YOU, your family, your friends, and the people you meet on the street!

After the Wedding is when Marriage Begins...

2012-02-29T08:59:00.000-05:00

Once your heart is made up, the true marriage begins. Following their wedding on April 20, 1979 Nick and Loretta moved in to their own apartment. Both Nick and Loretta have fond memories of their early life together. Nick and Loretta’s core group of friends were an important piece to keeping their social life active and fulfilled. As Nick and Loretta’s friends also chose to start relationships, The Arc of Frederick County began a Couples Group to offer support to young couples who were first dating, getting married, and starting families. The group met on a monthly basis to provide support and share experiences together. As part of Couples Group, the members took part in a yearly retreat to Deep Creek Lake. Nick and Loretta remember the good times and good talks that the Couples Group shared. Going out to dinners, taking a boat ride on Deep Creek, swimming, enjoying a relaxing soak in the hot tub, and late night talks were among their favorite things from their Deep Creek retreats.

"I'd do it all over again..."

2012-02-27T10:17:00.000-05:00

That’s what Nick Pennington says of his nearly 33 years of marriage to his wife, Loretta. Nick and Loretta agree that Nick puts on a tough guy exterior, but beneath lies the heart of a very loving husband. Nick and Loretta met in 1976 and were married on April 20, 1979. Loretta remembers the spring wedding, surrounded by friends and family, with a glow in her eyes and big smile on her face.

“Nick’s mom bought me a bouquet of flowers,” Loretta reminisces.

The couple has resided in Frederick for most of their adult life. Loretta remembers that is was Nick’s good looks that first caught her eye. And Nick says that he soon learned that Loretta was a good cook.

“You can’t tell somebody’s heart how to feel,” Nick explains about his life with Loretta, “When it made up its mind, I knew I wanted to marry Loretta. And nobody could tell me I couldn’t.”

Thank YOU, Kim and Dianne!

2012-02-23T08:32:00.000-05:00

We wanted to share with you two additional photos of Kim and Dianne enjoying their newly built ramp on their home. Thank you for sharing your story.

Next week, we will be introducing you to Nick and Loretta!

Our Home (Her Name is "Joy")

2012-02-22T13:39:00.002-05:00

In 2007, our Arc coordinator, at the time, suggested we look into home ownership as we were outgrowing our one-bedroom apartment. There was a low-income subsidy program that we qualified for. Since moving into our home 4 years ago, The Arc has helped us find ways to make the home safer and more accessible. This fall, a deck/ramp was built off the sliding glass doors from the kitchen. Our church family is there when we have a need such as cutting the grass or shoveling the snow. We are looking forward to having a flower/vegetable garden and deciding how we are going to take care of our home which we named “Joy”. Buying our home and making improvements would not have happened without the help of The Arc. Many thanks to The Arc of Frederick County.

Meet Kim and Dianne!

2012-02-21T10:32:00.000-05:00

Dianne started writing to Kim in 1995 as a result of her grandson having a health issue. We became pen pals through the Epilepsy Newsletter that she read one day at lunch time. We wrote to each other for seven years before meeting. After Dianne moved to Maryland, her brother, Ken, gave Kim red-eye airline tickets to fly from California to Philadelphia Airport. This was their birthday gift from her brother as they share the same birthday month, July. When Dianne met Kim, she knew saying “Goodbye” would be very hard, so they never said “Goodbye”. Dianne flew to California for the first time for a quick vacation. As they flew over the Grand Canyon they decided they had to do things in a proper manner. Their three grandchildren took part in their civil marriage. Dianne’s son and daughter-in-law, attended the wedding day. Her big “little” brother, walked her down the aisle in November, 2002. We were sealed in the Washington, D.C. Temple in 2003 for time and all eternity.

What the Future Holds..

2012-02-17T09:23:00.000-05:00

Just to fill you in on some additional details...the couple has not set a date yet because they both would like to wait to get married until after he is finished with his RN at FCC. At the moment Corey is transferring his records from Pennsylvania to Maryland so that he will be able to finish his 2 and a half years of his bachelor's degree in nursing. Then he will start applying at FCC with the hopes that he will be accepted. After Erin's graduation in May 2012, they will be moving into her parents' basement apartment where they will be paying rent. This will be their best option as they do not have jobs as of now. When they both find jobs, they will continue their searches, along with the Arc, for an apartment in the area.

Stay tuned for next week as we introduce you to Kim and Dianne!

How did Erin and Corey Meet?

2012-02-15T09:53:00.002-05:00

Erin is a graduating senior at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. There, she resides in a dorm with 35 or so other students with physical disabilities. Her residence hall has 24-7 Personal Care from both state workers and student workers. Corey was a student worker in his freshman year and Erin was in her junior year when they first met. Male personal care workers are only allowed to help females with things other than getting dressed or anything involving the bathroom, therefore, after Erin got dressed one Sunday morning, he was called down to help her make a cup of coffee and some cereal that she would be having for breakfast that morning.

They met through personal care services at the university, but they started getting to know each other as he would help her out and just stop by to say hi and hang out. Then, after a rocky road, they started to unofficially date. Soon he asked her father's permission to officially date her.

Love is in the Air!

2012-02-14T09:05:00.000-05:00

The Arc is excited to bring you a new blog series focused on relationships of people we have supported and gotten to know through our various services.

The Arc announces the engagement of Erin Kiernan and Corey Totten. Erin Kiernan is a young adult just out of college who we work with in Frederick county as well as a previous intern at the Arc. On Christmas Eve, her boyfriend (now fiance!) took her into the living room of her home in Mount Airy while her sister's fiance, Cheron, gathered her family and a couple of family friends of theirs. There, he got down on one knee and asked Erin to marry him. Although she was in a huge state of shock, the word "yes" managed to come out of her mouth, twice. At first she said it while she was still in a state of shock in a very low tone. Once she pulled herself together, she said "yes" loud enough for the room to hear her response. As Corey slipped the ring over her finger, she remained motionless and speechless. She finally came to life after a few minutes and the two sealed their love with a kiss.

Thank you, Slava!

2012-02-10T15:42:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Slava was so busy in the kitchen making a delicious salad that he wanted to share with all of you via video. However, we were experiencing technical difficulties and unable to upload the video for you to share in this "hands on" experience! We apologize for that.

The Arc of Frederick County would like to thank Slava for partnering with us on this recent series of the blog.

Stay tuned, because next week we will let you share in the lives of couples we have gotten to know through our various services!

A Safety Message from Chef Slava

2012-02-08T09:22:00.001-05:00

Another tip while cooking is: it is very important to work with sharp knives. In fact, when working with dull knives you have a greater potential of cutting yourself. I recommend that you start out with a potato. Peel a potato and cut it in half and then half again. Try to make little squares like sugar cubes. Then try to make long strips that look like french fries. These two shapes are used in kitchens all over the world. Once you have gotten pretty good at this, peel a carrot and cut little circles. You can move onto celery and onions. By doing all of this you have made the starting of a good soup. Keep practicing all of these different cuts and before too long you will be able to do this with ease!

Kitchen Essentials

2012-02-06T14:24:00.000-05:00

A good starting kitchen has a set of knives, cutting boards, a soup spoon and a spatula. You will also need a frying pan, a sauté pan, a sauce pot and a soup pot. As you get better with your cooking, you can continue collecting more items that will help you prepare different foods easier. Always look out for a great sale on items such as a crockpot, George Foreman grill, a blender, a mixer, cookie sheets and baking pans. You should always have some clean dish towels and an apron. When you plan to spend the whole day in the kitchen is always a good idea to wear very comparable and supportive shoes. Oh! I almost forgot the most important piece of kitchen... The timer…

Have you ever stuffed a shell?

2012-02-03T09:42:00.000-05:00

Have you ever stuffed a shelf? Ever wants to know how? One of my best friends favorite dish is stuffed shells and Italian sausage. For as completely complicated it may seem; it is very fun and easy to do. This can be a very messy dish prepare but the outcome sure is tasty!

While you're sausage is grilling, you can mix your ricotta cheese, prepare your sauce, shave a block of cheese and boil your noodles. Simply taking a teaspoon full of ricotta cheese and place it into the shell. Cover the bottom of a baking pan with your sauce and line your stuffed shells tightly together. Cover the whole pan with pasta sauce and shaved cheese; bake for an hour at 325° and enjoy!

Cleanliness is Key!

2012-02-02T14:36:00.000-05:00

Okay I'm so sorry… I completely jumped ahead of myself. There are a couple of things you will need to do before, during and after when you are working with food. You will need to make sure your work space is completely sanitary. You need to clean and disinfect all countertops, cutting boards, knives and most importantly yourself. Be sure to have a clean dish towel and apron. Always make sure your trashcan is empty and has a new bag in it. Before you start any project; lay out all of your ingredients so you can see if you have everything that you will need to prepare your dish. Now you're ready to have fun!

Fruit and...Pasta?!

2012-02-01T09:36:00.000-05:00

Speaking of side dishes, it is fun to put fruit with pasta. Strawberries and tortellini go great together. A simple poppyseed dressing is the best sauce to combine the two of them. Cook off a bag of tri-color tortellini and thinly sliced fresh strawberries...

A Little Tip from Chef Slava...

2012-01-27T09:46:00.000-05:00

Let me tell you a fun fact, there is nothing better than slow cooking barbecue ribs. The easiest way to do this is to, dry rub your ribs and cover them with liquid smoke. Slow cook your ribs for at least six hours. Set your oven at 150°. While in your ribs are cooking you now have time to make all of the side dishes that you want to serve with your ribs. Use your imagination and have fun. After you pull the ribs out cover them with your favorite barbecue sauce. Trust me, the meat will fall off the bone!

Are you ready for some football??

2012-01-25T14:41:00.000-05:00

Do you plan Super Bowl parties? I like to invite all of my friends to watch the game with me. I will make all kinds of great foods for my party. I love to make beer battered onion rings, spicy chicken wings, grilled quesadillas and a huge vegetable tray. I also have all kinds of sodas and chips. This is usually what I have at my Super Bowl parties, and no one has yet to complain! I would love to hear back from you on your suggestions to make parties even better, or better yet, what makes your parties great?

What is Slava's favorite recipe?

2012-01-23T13:43:00.000-05:00

Okay, so here’s the scoop- each week I work on a new recipe. I try new ones out often, but just to let you in on a little secret, my favorite is “Meatloaf,” Slava style. I enjoy going to the grocery store to gather all of the ingredients I need to prepare my foods. In order to find the perfect ingredients- it can take a long time in the store but the best part comes afterwards…I go home and make a mess of my kitchen! I’m pretty lucky because thankfully my roommates help me clean up after eating all the food! Food just seems to taste so much better when you make a mess!

Get to know Slava...a little more!

2012-01-19T09:42:00.000-05:00

So hey, you know a little about me…let me tell you more. I love to work out at the local Y.M.C.A. and play Basketball. I was on the track team in school. I want to become a “Chef.” I have taken culinary classes in Baltimore, MD. Last year I also attended a Wilton cake class. The Arc offers a Mother’s Support Group and I had the opportunity to cater a luncheon for the group at the library in Downtown Frederick. It was quite the experience sharing my favorite foods with people I barely knew! The picture to the right is from the day that I catered the luncheon. My friend Kurtis was a huge help that day. That continued my inspiration for the cook book I’m working on so I can continue sharing recipes with people that I don’t know and hope that my foods will be enjoyed by families across the country!

Meet, Slava!

2012-01-17T13:34:00.000-05:00

The Arc of Frederick County would like to introduce you to the newest member of the blog community…Chef Slava.

Hi, my name is “Chef Slava”, also known as, Slava Sprow. I am 24 years old. I was born in the Republic of Georgia which is right next to Russia. I was adopted in the year 2000 and now live in my apartment with two roommates in downtown Frederick, Maryland. From the year 2000 until now I have graduated from Tuscarora high school and have gone through the success program. I have a full-time job at Edenton retirement community. I will be sharing my cooking adventures with all of you!

Thank you, Alyssa!

2012-01-13T11:49:00.001-05:00

I am having lunch with my grandma at Ruby Tuesdays. This weekend, I'm going to my aunt's jewelry party, the gym, and a baby shower for one of my mom's friends. I am looking forward to going back to Hood for my spring semester the end of this month. I'll be doing research to see if I will be going to grad school or an art school after my senior year.Thanks for letting me share some of my experiences.

The Arc would like to thank Alyssa for sharing her time and experiences with us over the last month! We wish you the very best! Stay tuned for

next week when we introduce you to Chef Slava and his cooking extravaganzas!

Another Day in the Life of Alyssa!

2012-01-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

Still working on my book, going to the gym and trying to eat healthy everyday . We watched the movie "Are You Afraid of the Dark" on Saturday. We got groceries on Sunday and I went to Baker Park with my mom and did some walking since it was so nice outside. I went to lunch at Applebee's with my Aunt Monica and Grandma today. Looking forward to volunteering at The Arc later this week.

Update from Erin

2012-01-09T10:48:00.000-05:00

We just wanted to bring you an exciting update from Erin, who we were following during the Summer. On Christmas Eve, Erin got engaged and is very eager for her future on the apartment/job quest!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-06T09:41:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a Happy New Year. This week I have spent a lot of time on the computer working on my book. I am trying to eat healthy and pay attention to the serving sizes of food. I have been exercising and going to the gym everyday. Looking forward to the weekend.

Grades Are In!

2012-01-03T10:33:00.000-05:00

Well, my grades finally got posted, I received six A's and two B's this semester. I went to see the new "Chipmunks" movie "Chipwrecked" with my friend Lisa. My mother and I went to Outback to have dinner with my Grandma and my Aunt Monica. Then, we went to the gym and did a little shopping at Kohl's. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!!!

Tis the Season!

2011-12-29T09:34:00.000-05:00

I spent some time making Christmas cookies. I made Chocolate Chip and Sugar cookies and decorated them with colored sugar, sprinkles and peanut M&M's. On Christmas Eve I went to my Aunt Monica's house with our whole family. We had dinner, took pictures and opened gifts. Christmas day I was at home with my family and both my Grandma's came over to visit and for dinner. I enjoyed a relaxing day watching my new Flat Screen TV and Blue Ray player. My mom and I watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", one of our favorites.

The Beauty of Vacation

2011-12-22T09:01:00.000-05:00

I have been home a couple of days from school. I have been helping around the house and going to the gym. I participated in a holiday party at The Arc of Frederick with musical guest; Freddie Long. At the end, he gave everyone his music CD called "Nashville." I also went out to have dinner at TGI FRIDAYS with my mom, Valerie, Jenn, Amber, Lisa and her daughter; Melanie. Then, we went to see the movie; "Breaking Dawn: Part 1." It was a good movie, but I'm not really that interested in the "Twilight" series. Can't believe Christmas is just a few days away.

And Winter Break Begins!

2011-12-19T15:14:00.002-05:00

Well, here is a picture of me outside of my dorm Shriner Hall with the Christmas decorations. On Thursday, I was busy finishing my other three finals in T.V. in America, Screen Craft and Art of Asia. I think that Screen Craft was the hardest, because some of the information I don't remember talking about in class and Art of Asia seemed to be the easiest. I guess I will wait and see what my final grades are after they are posted next week On Friday, I returned by books and packed up most of my belongings for my winter break. I don't come back to Hood until the end of January to start the new semester. On Saturday, I volunteered at the Arc's monthly Parents' Day Out with Bridget and Karen. I got to play with the kids, we watched Toy Story, had lunch, did some puzzles, and went outside for a bit. While I am home this week I will be helping my family get ready for Christmas and probably try to go to the gym almost everyday.

Almost to the home stretch!

2011-12-15T10:57:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone,I participated in the last Best Buddies event of the semester here at Hood the other night, we had pizza and played board games. (The Best Buddies service organization assembles students interested in making a difference in the community. Best Buddies is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships.) I have been studying for my finals. I did take a break and go to Baker Park to walk around with my mom, it was chilly but nice. I have spent some time washing clothes and cleaning my dorm room this week. I got the chance to have dinner with some friends in the dining hall since I have not had to go to class because it is scheduled reading time. I studied a couple of times with my dorm RA (Resident Assistant) since we are in TV in America class together. Thanks Jessica!! I finished my Art History final today now three more to go.

What do you look for in a friend?

2011-12-12T12:12:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone I got to perform with the Hood College Choir over the weekend at our Candlelight Vespers Program. This was my third year participating in this event, the Chapel is so beautiful when everyone is singing by candlelight. This is a picture of me and my grandma Louise after the performance.

I also helped decorate the Christmas tree over the weekend, this year we changed it up and got a new white tree. What do you think? I like it it is different. I went to my social group, (Teachable Moments) this week and we talked about what we wanted in a friend. I think we all want the same thing: someone who is kind, caring, patient and fun to be around, and someone who accepts you for who you are. We also got to do some cooking, the guys made a cake and the girls made cookies...they were good. Well I am off to study and get ready for my finals. Wish me luck!

Meet, Alyssa!

2011-12-07T13:31:00.000-05:00

Hello, my name is Alyssa Raven Fowler. I am 20 years old and a junior at Hood College. I just enjoyed my Thanksgiving break at home with the family. I spent my time visiting with relatives,proofreading some papers due this week, going to the gym and trying to relax at home. I am headed back to school where I live on campus in one of the dorms. I only have two more weeks of classes and then finals before I'm done for the semester.

Key Point Number 10 is...

2011-12-05T10:13:00.000-05:00

My last Key Point is Strive. Strive to be the best that YOU can be. Don't try to be what other people want you to be. Work hard to improve the best parts of yourself. Recognize YOUR own value, what YOU have to offer. Then recognize something of value in every person you meet.

I have enjoyed sharing my blog with you for the month of November. Thank you to the Arc of Frederick County for asking me to share something with you. As you can tell, I have a lot to share and I hope you can take something from my 10 Key Points that motitvate me and use them to motive YOU! Remember to to share a smile and a laugh everyday.

I am starting my own Professional Speaking business. So look for me. I'll be around. "I believe I can and then I do!"

Tis the Season of Giving!

2011-12-02T11:25:00.000-05:00

The holiday season is the perfect time to discuss Key Point #9...Give to others.

So many people give to you in some way or another. They help you every day. Just because you might need some extra help, doesn't mean that you can't make a difference to someone else. Giving to others will make you feel AWESOME. Give your time to your community, an organization, or another person. Give a gift of your artwork if that is your thing. Be creative. You have your own individual gifts. Take the time to share them with others. The best gifts you can give don't cost anything.

Key Point #8 is...

2011-11-30T09:27:00.000-05:00

Support. Establish a support system for yourself. Everyone thinks of family or a guardian or a caregiver. They are your primary support, but look further. Join a group, like Special Olympics, a church where people share your faith, a club that shares the hobby you love. Be daring enough to expand your friend-base. You can never have too many friends. You will need these friends when the difficult times come and go.

Just imagine there is a photo here of me with my family. (I know I must have a photo somewhere!)

The holidays are the perfect time to get out there and expand your support system.

Say "No" to Negativity!

2011-11-29T09:34:00.000-05:00

Say "NO" to negative people, to negative infuences, to poor self-esteem. Be positive and take it as a challenge to do something when others tell you that you can't. You will hear it over and over in your life, "You can't do this. You can't do that. You can't. You can't. You can't." I am telling you to say "NO" to these naysayers and show them what you CAN do. Sometimes you will even surprise yourself!

Here I am with my Boy Scout Venture Crew in 2008 on a trip to the Northern Tier. We flew on a float plane into the remote wilderness of Bissett, Manitoba, Canada to canoe 75 miles. It was spectacular. I BELIEVE I CAN and then I DO!

I Can't Hear You!!!

2011-11-21T12:14:00.000-05:00

Speak Up! is Key Point #6. For some people, like my wonderful job coach, Rosie Marr, speaking up is not a problem. But for some of us, being heard is difficult. Don't let anyone tell you that you don't have a voice. You have an opinion and thoughts that matter. Find your way to express them. Don't be a "yes" person just to keep other people happy. Let others know what you are thinking. Other people can't read your mind, so it is up to you to tell them when you have an opinion. I have struggled with this one myself and I work hard to let people know what I want because I am usually very reserved and quiet. Rosie is the perfect job coach for me because she is helping me learn how to Speak Up!

Change is Inevitiable

2011-11-18T10:44:00.001-05:00

Key Point #5 to keep you motivated is...Change. Like it or not, we live in a world that changes so fast it can make your head spin. Adjust. Be flexible. Change can be a good thing. Find ways to use change to your advantage and work it into your routine. I have had to change when things didn't work out for me. I wanted to be a singer. Since I can't carry a tune...seriously, not at all...public singing is not going to happen for me. I adjusted and changed to dance. I still get to hear music and sing when I'm by myself, and I put all that I wish was in my voice, into my dance.

My biggest change was my high school graduation. That transition from high school to the work-world was scary. But I quickly found out that I liked not going to school every day and this change was a good one. Another good change since this picture was taken in 2005 is my hair!

Think about what is best for YOU!

2011-11-16T08:56:00.000-05:00

Routine. Set up a daily or weekly routine that works for YOU. Routine keeps me from being flustered each day because I know the plan. Routine gives balance to my day. Sometimes things change the routine but it always feels good when I can get back to my regular routine.

In gymnastics, we learn 'routines' that we do over and over until we know them well and we are comfortable with them. It is the same thing with everyday life. If you have a routine that you know well and are comfortable with, then hopefully your day will go smoothly. This is important when my next Key Point, Change, shows up and surprises you! Check back on Friday to read more about Change!

A New Day. A New Week. A New Key Point!

2011-11-14T09:55:00.000-05:00

Key Point #3 to help motivate you is Desire. No, not like... "I desire chocolate." More like passion. Find your passion. What is YOUR dream? It is different for each one of us. Find what is important to YOU and go for it. Be specific. Write it down. Make a plan so you have something to work towards both short-term and for the future. Set goals for your plan and when you reach them, set new ones. The goals you can reach quickly keep you motivated to keep working on the goals that take longer. It's kind of like a "Life Map." This goal-setting keeps you focused on your passion and where you want to go.

I desire to have a job that pays me, but I also have a passion for dance. Here is my Candace Ovechkin dance photo. (I had my missing tooth replaced unlike Alex Ovechkin!)

Choices...Choices...Choices...

2011-11-11T10:29:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for KEY POINT #2 of my list of what keeps me motivated? You have a choice. You can read on to find out what the next key point is, or you can choose to stop reading.

Have you guessed that my next KEY POINT is Choices?

You have to live with the decisions you make. Say to yourself, "If I choose to do this, can I live with the result?" You have to be responsible for your decisions. Think about who will be affected and what will happen when you make a choice. Will your choice hurt someone else? Will it help someone else? Will it be good for you or will you have to pay a price in one way or another? Making good choices will make you feel good.

As you can see, on this particular day my choice was NOT to cook out!

A Positive Attitude Can Get You Where You Need to Be

2011-11-09T09:49:00.000-05:00

KEY POINT #1 from Candace

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To get to the other side to hang out with other chickens with positive attitudes.

Ok, bad joke. My KEY POINT for today is Attitude. Every single day you have a choice to have a good attitude. No matter what your circumstances, you feel better if you keep a positive attitude. Think to yourself, "I can do it!" You might have to practice and work hard, but eventually you will see some progress. I tell myself everyday to think positive and it works for me. Having challenges make me different, but I have the attitude that these differences makes me unique. Each and every one of us is unique and it can be a good thing. After all, who wants to be just like everyone else? Celebrate your differences and don't try to hide them.

This photo is of me and my dad. He also tells bad jokes, but I learned my positive attitude from him.

Look for my next blog on Choices!

Meet, Candace!

2011-11-07T11:01:00.000-05:00

Hello. My name is Candace Whiting. I am a spunky, determined, 26-year-old resident of Frederick County. I graduated from high school in 2005. I consider myself an athlete and I've been involved in Special Olympics for over 10 years and dance for 15 years. I have been on high adventure trips kayaking in the Florida Keys and canoeing in the middle of Canada with scouts and my family. I like to push myself outside of my comfort zone. Amazing things can happen. I love kayaking so much that I named my own dog Kayak. She is an x-racing greyhound. My passions are dance, music, reading and sports. Oh, and I just happen to have Down syndrome.

The Arc is helping me find a job where I can earn my own money. One of my dreams is to be a motivational speaker so "I can be the voice for those who don't have a strong voice." That is kind of my motto. I'd like to share with you my 10 KEY POINTS that keep me motivated. I'll share one or two at a time over several blogs so you can think about how they might be helpful to you. Check back for my next blog with my first KEY POINT!

Don't Hold the Hot Sauce!

2011-11-02T10:03:00.000-04:00

Slava is a man of many talents. In addition to working at Edenton Retirement Center, hanging out with his many friends, and taking classes at Frederick Community College, Slava is partnering with his Job Coach and Arc Support Coordinator to compile a cookbook of his favorite recipes.

Slava's courses at Frederick Community College have taught him skills from slicing and dicing fresh vegetables to putting the final artistic touches on a cake. Slava is always up for a new culinary challenge. He is definitely not afraid to experiment with new recipes and enjoys flavoring his dishes with an extra helping of liquid smoke.

Slava is a smokin' man with a master plan.

1 Stands Out in a Crowd of Over 6,000

2011-10-31T13:01:00.000-04:00

When Wegmans opened their doors on June 5th, there were 1,800 customers in line. The only line longer than eager customers, were over 6,000 eager job applicants who were hopeful for an interview. Brett, who receives employment services through The Arc dazzled his interviewers and was one of the first people hired by Wegmans. Brett attended a rigorous training schedule with support from his Job Coach and was working at Wegmans on opening day. Brett keeps a busy schedule and enjoys working at Wegmans.

Applause! Applause!

2011-10-25T14:40:00.000-04:00

The Arc would like to thank our many business partners who collaborate with us to support meaningful employment in the community. Trish Menjivar is a volunteer and owner of On Point Resumes. This past August, Trish began volunteering with The Arc to provide professional job development and resume writing services. Trish works one to one with people served to support them with honing their interview skills and networking.

In Common

2011-10-21T14:06:00.000-04:00

Kate is an independent woman and shares an apartment with a friend. Keeping up with finances is tough work in the current economy. The Arc has supported Kate to work at The Common Market for over a year. By partnering with her Arc Support Coordinator and one-to-one Job Coach, Kate has built relationships with her co-workers and supervisors. Working at The Common Market has been a great experience for Kate.

A Public Proclamation

2011-10-19T11:11:00.000-04:00

The Arc of Frederick County is proud to partner with The Frederick County Board of Commissioners to declare October as Disability Employment Awareness Month. The Arc would like to congratulate the following people for their accomplishments:

Curran has been employed with Target since 2007. Curran has received several promotions at work.

Tom started his job at Best Buy as a collaborative effort between The Arc of Frederick County Public School's SUCCESS Program in 2006. Tom was able to move into an apartment with his friends after leaving school.

Kurtis has been employed with Toys R Us since 2009.

Sarah Stup is an accomplished author and business owner. You can visit Sarah at sarahstup.org

Way to Go, Erin!

2011-10-17T11:34:00.001-04:00

We have been receiving lots of updates lately regarding individuals we serve, and some you know. Bradley, last week, and now Erin! Fantastic news: Erin received an A on her internship and is so grateful for the experience that she had here. Words from Erin: “You taught me so much as well as the people I worked with, such as what is right and how to fight for it.”

We are so excited for Erin’s future and the difference she will make in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

We Know You've Been Waiting....

2011-10-13T12:40:00.002-04:00

Remember Bradley? We wanted to give you an update on his life. He has been incredibly busy!

He completed his class at FCC with an A so he has started his college transcript off well. He successfully achieved his driver’s license on his first try at the end of August and it even started raining during his test. He did beautifully!

He is now working fulltime with Head Start at a classroom in Walkersville. He interacts and provides guidance and supervision to a class of 3 and 4 year olds under the direction of 2 other teachers. He helps them with their skills during 2 mealtimes and during learning centers and outside play. He loves how they call him Mr. Bradley but it is hard work!

He still is working Giant and really enjoys it. He really seems to like everyone. Recently, they increased his hours to 3 nights a week and sometimes he works weekend afternoons.

And of course, he is very disappointed about his beloved Red Sox not making the playoffs but did get to see them this summer in Baltimore. He is really looking forward to December when he meets up with friends from the Workforce Center in Baltimore to see professional wrestling at the First Mariner Arena.

We will keep you posted on more events in Bradley’s life in the near future!

Thank You, Sarah!

2011-10-11T14:52:00.000-04:00

As you have been reading, Sarah has been incredibly busy and incredibly involved in her school and community! We will plan on updating you periodically on updates from Sarah’s life – but for now, this will be her last entry. Sarah has been working hard in her Child development class. They have a chapter test every week which requires Sarah to study hard every night. Her big brother Brian has been a huge help to her by making flash cards for her and giving her practice tests. The little preschoolers are supposed to come in a few weeks, and Sarah cannot wait. Sarah's Unified Tennis Team is doing very well. They played Middletown last week, and today the go up against Walkersville. Sarah has made so many friends on the team, and really enjoys playing tennis!

We would like to extend a big thank you to Sarah and her family for participating in The Arc of Frederick County's blog.

Stay tuned for more updates on individuals that The Arc of Frederick County serves.

A weekend in the life of Sarah

2011-10-03T11:04:00.000-04:00

Sarah was happy to have Aerin, her Skills Trainer return this past week from her honeymoon. Aerin and Sarah looked at pictures of the two of them at Aerin's wedding where Sarah even got to be in some of the formal pictures right in between the bride and groom. Sarah enjoyed her first homecoming at Brunswick High over the weekend. Friday, she rode the Buddy Club float through town and then joined her friends at the football game that evening. On Saturday, Sarah got to have lunch with her Grandma for her 84th birthday and had fun giving her pug, Snickers, a bath. Snickers was stinky!

Keeping Busy!

2011-09-26T11:06:00.000-04:00

Sarah participated in the Frederick County Horse show this past Sunday. She placed 4th in her class! The 4H therapeutic horseback riding program has provided Sarah with a wonderful opportunity to take part in this great sport. Monday is Sarah's first Tennis Tournament against Catoctin…stay tuned for the results.

As Days Go By..

2011-09-23T09:20:00.000-04:00

Sarah has been having a great week! Her braces feel much better, and she has adjusted well to them. Sarah has Unified Sports Tennis team on Mondays and Wednesdays and loves it. She has made some really good friends and looks forward to her first match on Oct. 3rd. Her small animal/pre-vet class took a field trip to the Frederick Fair on Tuesday. They got a chance to experience a behind the scene look at all the farm animals. A great learning experience.

It was the best of times..

2011-09-14T13:08:00.001-04:00

Sarah got her braces put of her teeth last Thursday. Her mouth has been pretty sore and she has missed some time of school. She did make it to the Arc's skills trainer appreciation picnic last Friday and had a ball! She enjoyed meeting other skills trainers and sharing all the reasons why she loves hers the best...Horseback riding starts today and Sarah is looking forward to seeing her horse again.

First Week of School = Success!

2011-09-01T15:37:00.000-04:00

Sarah's first few days at school have been great! She has to get up at 5:50 in the morning to get ready for the bus which comes at 6:48. She seems to like all her classes and teachers. Her favorite so far seems to be her Child Development class where she will actually get to work with young kids. Sarah is looking forward to going to the first football game this friday night.

Some Fun in the Sun!

2011-08-24T10:34:00.000-04:00

Sarah is on vacation this week, so we wanted to give you a little snipit of the fun she's having. Yesterday, Sarah climed Cape Hatteras...all 248 steps!

Stay tuned for more next week when Sarah starts high school!

Orientation is Only the Beginning!

2011-08-19T10:38:00.000-04:00

Sarah met with the Vice Principal this morning and took a tour of her high school that she starts in a couple of weeks! She found out where all her classes will be, where she will eat lunch, and where her locker will be. Sarah is super excited to be starting high school! Now it’s off to the beach for some fun in the sun! Stay tuned for an update once next week about her ventures at the beach!

School is Just Around the Corner!

2011-08-17T10:08:00.001-04:00

Sarah is spending her last couple weeks of summer in relaxation. She did go back to school shopping to get her school supplies and some new clothes. On Friday, she will be meeting the Vice Principal at her new school for a 9th grade orientation. We will keep you posted on how Sarah feels entering high school for the first time!

The iPad opens new doors!

2011-08-12T10:34:00.000-04:00

Recently, Sarah went to visit her other Grandmother who lives in Silver Spring. They had a very nice lunch together, and enjoyed walking around Grandma’s complex. Sarah very much enjoys reading and utilizing her iPad. Sarah and her Dad downloaded a new app on her iPad, which allows her to download books from the Frederick County Library free!!

Summer Fun

2011-08-10T09:12:00.000-04:00

On Friday Sarah and her skills trainer went swimming at the local pool. It was especially fun because Sarah ran into some of her friends from school and got to hang out with them for a while. Over the weekend, Sarah and her family took a trip to Philadelphia for for a company picnic. The theme was "Pirates of the Caribbean." The whole family enjoyed a day of food, drinks, and carnival rides. Sarah even got the chance to meet a real live mermaid! (sort of).

Sarah is trying to maximize the last couple of weeks of summer!

Meet, Sarah!!

2011-08-05T11:35:00.000-04:00

The Arc of Frederick County would like to introduce you to Sarah. Sarah is a 14 year old living in Jefferson with her Mother and Father, 16 year old brother Brian, and 10 year old brother Trevor. She and her family also have a little pug named Snickers, and a cat named Lucy. Sarah has a number of interests, including, but not limited to: Girl Scouts, Irish dance, and horseback riding. She loves to spend her down time reading books or playing on her new Ipad. Sarah has been enjoying her summer by going to camp at Mar lu Ridge, and camping with family in the Shenandoah valley. She recently spent a week with her Grandparents down in Churchville, VA. Sarah's favorite singer is Taylor Swift. On August 2nd, Sarah and her good friend Alyson went to see her in concert at the Verizon Center (see photo). Sarah is very excited about starting high school at Brunswick this year, and we are even more excited to let you know how that goes!

Stay tuned for more entries on Sarah!

An end is only a new beginning

2011-08-02T16:03:00.000-04:00

Erin has had a wonderful internship experience at The Arc - and she would like to share her words with you. We really appreciated all of Erin's hard work and efforts this summer and we will miss her. Please check back periodically as we will have some more updates on Erin.

My summer at the Arc was one I will never forget. It started as a hectic mess as I was trying to do so many new things all at once in addition to helping with many new people and projects. Youth in Transition, Independent Community Living, and advocacy were the three main projects that my helped was needed for. Youth in Transition was a project where my creative skills and experiences in school and so forth were utilized. I worked with six clients, all of whom needed and wanted my services as a youth with developmental disability. One boy knew exactly where he wanted to be in life, but he wasn’t sure exactly how to get there or focus on the skills and resources at hand. Another student had absolutely no idea what she wanted her future to look like. The other three knew where they wanted to be, but they were at other stages of their lives. Also, the other girl knew exactly what her future had to hold, but she wasn’t sure about the resources or services that were available to help in her collegiate years. Therefore, these processes were wonderful for me but they took a lot of hard work and new ideas that I am not used to. The Independent Community Living project that I participated in was full of classes and so forth for people with developmental disabilities to live and have a future of their own. I took a Skills for the Job Search class, which was actually very helpful, in my mind, to re-establish those skills. Another class that I took was Leadership, Enrichment, Achievement Program (L.E.A.P.) at FCC. This was a valuable course that taught the “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” and the principles needed to pursue a great future. People with developmental disabilities in groups, such as Working Together, and People on the Go, are changing the laws made in the local government of Frederick County every day. The advocacy projects taught me that there are many people out there with disabilities fighting for the rights of the new and younger generations to come. Again, this is all extremely hard work because I am not used to the change in environment and work on a daily basis. However, I loved my job here, at the Arc of Frederick County, because I was finally asked by others for help to pursue their future goals and dreams.

L.E.A.P. - Great Results!

2011-07-21T11:23:00.001-04:00

This morning I arrived at our last session of L.E.A.P. We were further discussing the fourth highly effective habit, which is “Think Win-Win.” The professor taught us that we need to compromise in a fashion that allows everyone to win. This was a very good way to end the course. This was continued by a very quick overview of the “7 Habits.” At first, this book looks like a typical self-help book, and it is. This self-help book was turned into an exciting class that teaches some very valuable things, such as how to prioritize and how to understand/ be understood by others. I was very happy with the outcome of this course because it made many of the individuals taking this course understand their leadership roles for themselves. Some of the kids, such as Matthew, seemed to take away resources and friends in addition to the principles of the concept of this course. Afterward, I wrote a couple of emails. They were conversations between me and people that I have upcoming meetings with. Also, I did extra work on my research paper.

Taking the Lead

2011-07-13T13:28:00.002-04:00

Erin is attending the LEAP course at FCC this week. She is currently studying the “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.” She has learned how some habits are effective in leadership for their own living because people have to become first in leadership. Erin then traveled back to The Arc for a meeting about her future plans with her Support Coordinator, Service Coordinator, and her parents.

The Art of Problem Solving

2011-07-08T15:12:00.000-04:00

Erin had a busy week! She has consistently checked her emails to maintain correspondence with the people she is working with in addition to Arc staff members. She was able to brainstorm with some Arc coordinators, Karen and David regarding some struggles she was having with people she was working with. Karen serves as Erin’s mentor, and they were able to come out with various ideas together that neither one had necessarily heard of before. She feels a lot better with the direction things are heading now, and it’s always great to have people supporting you through difficult decisions.

On the Job Front (and Hunt)

2011-07-05T16:49:00.001-04:00

Erin has really been focused on jobs and interview processes with clients she is working with. She has made paper job applications to give to people she is working with, so they will be better prepared to apply for jobs in the future. Erin is also attending a class at Frederick Community College, that teaches students about job interviews and the application process. The course even has guest speakers that can further expand on this knowledge. These tools are very resourceful because Erin can share them with people she is working with.

Progress Happens One Day at a Time

2011-06-29T16:26:00.000-04:00

Erin started her day as she typically does by corresponding with people she is working with. She was incredibly enthused as one of her students answered her email right away, and because of his prompt reply, she was able to schedule a meeting with him. She has been able develop lesson plans throughout the course of the summer for one of her clients. This week, Erin has been attending a class at Frederick Community College entitled, “Skills for the Job Search.” She has found that this class is becoming quite useful. At tonight’s session, there will be guest speakers that will provide insight on resume/interview skill building.

Ready, Set, Goal!

2011-06-27T15:18:00.000-04:00

Erin is becoming very organized in familiarizing herself with her clients and planning sessions. She has developed portfolios on each client and their session plans. Erin went and purchased a planner for everyone she is working with in order to teach about importance of dates and scheduling, so she went through and highlighted important dates. Erin teaches each person she works with that scheduling along with your portfolio is critical to completing your future goals because it allows to create a “to do” list which you can show your employer.

Keeping Busy!

2011-06-23T12:24:00.000-04:00

Erin started her day out similar to how she typically does, sending a lot of email correspondence between transitioning youth and Support Coordinators at The Arc. She has decided to interview an advocacy group called, “People on the Go,” for her final internship paper. She sent interview questionnaires to Ms. Carol Debow (Arc Board President) and Ms. Valerie Todd (Arc Support Coordinator) to learn more about The Arc and other advocacy groups. Be on the lookout for more information pertaining to the interview!

Advocacy Efforts at Large!

2011-06-21T16:52:00.000-04:00

As a part of her advocacy program, Erin’s site supervisor, Aaron Stephens, thought it would be a good idea for her to attend the MDA Citgo Petroleum/ Atlantic Welders Golf Tournament. MDA is the Muscular Dystrophy Association. They are a non-profit organization that collects donations from Citgo and Atlantic Welders, in this case. Aaron Stephens thought of this as advocacy because she would be participating in a Frederick County non-profit organization and promoting the help of others for people with developmental disabilities and furthering the cause. Also, she is a MDA Goodwill Ambassador, which is like a poster-child for MDA. She has been doing this for a little over half of her life. At golf tournaments, she hangs out around the MDA hole-in-one golf area, and talk to the guys about herself as well as MDA’s great part in my life. Then, at the dinner, she speaks to everyone about the great influence MDA has over making her life as productive as she wishes it to be.

A Day in the Life..

2011-06-16T11:06:00.000-04:00

Erin had an incredibly busy day yesterday. She started very early to attend a training session that unfortunately ended up getting cancelled. It worked to her benefit that it got cancelled because she was then able to answer and write emails that were necessary to be sent, in addition to completing research. She needs to complete a lot of research because she has to write a 15-20 page paper due by the end of her internship. She researched a lot of information about developmental disabilities, which will allow her to advocate better for others. She even researched in depth on Autism, which allow for a better understanding of the transitioning youth she is working with.

Always a Learning Curve

2011-06-14T13:15:00.000-04:00

Erin began her day, like usual, by answering emails and then starting preparation work for her meetings. She honestly realized that she needed to take some more time in preparation for her meetings. She started her day with one meeting and ended the day with another with the youth in transition, so in total, four different students. She learned a lot in getting to know people, but still thinks there could have been more effort put forth in their visits. Meeting with students and their families is not an easy task because it is very nerve-racking. She is certain that the students and their families are just as nervous as she is. Everything in life is a learning experience, so she now knows what she needs to do in the future to produce more effective meetings. It will be a great summer getting to know all of the students better and learning from each other to produce a much greater comfort zone.

Meet, Erin...Again!

2011-06-08T14:46:00.000-04:00

Erin wanted to share with our readers the information template she uses with youth in transition. This will allow you to get to know even more about Erin!

Name/Nickname: Erin Kiernan

Age: 22

Hometown: Mt. Airy ( Frederick Co.)

Contact Info:

Name and Type of Disability: Friedreich’s Ataxia, which is a progressive, neuromuscular disorder or a physical disability

Relationship Status: June 10^th is my anniversary dating Corey, a guy who loves me as much as I do him and has his goals/aspirations prioritized in an appropriate manner.

Last School Attended: Urbana High School (Frederick County)

Thoughts on College: Currently, I am finishing my last year of college at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. I am graduating this spring with a Political Science Major with a concentration in American Government. Also, I am graduating with a minor in communication studies.

Activities/Hobbies/Interests: I did a lot in high school, and when I went to college I filled my time with the Highland Ambassadors, which is like the group of students that define the university and the president. Presently, I am a young adult Good Will Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and a poster child for Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance. Also, I am an intern with The Arc of Frederick County. I like to be busy, but when I am not I like: reading, listening to music, hanging out with friends, playing games, watching movies, being on the computer, talking, etc.

Social Networks: Facebook, email, Skype, cell phone and texting, activities, friends, boyfriend, family, co-workers, and my prestige at school to help me gain further friends and contacts to better my world.

Likes and Dislikes: I like to be at work, to be busy, to talk, hang out, to cook, work out/walk, to be outside, to be on the computer, music. I dislike impoliteness and rude people, when people do not try/put effort into things, or haters. I’m usually willing to try or to understand most everything. So I have very few dislikes

Future Plans: I am like most girls. I have that American dream of working then coming home to children and a husband. Although, I do not want this dream to occur right off the bat. I want a good and steady job in a human services position that will allow me to fulfill my need to help others and advocate.

Taking action? I currently am in a college as a fifth year senior with a major that will allow me to understand and pursue my dream.

Top Priorities: For now my priority is to finish college with a good GPA and QPA. Another priority that I must proceed in doing early this school year is finding a job.

48 Hours to Meet the Need

2011-06-06T14:20:00.000-04:00

Erin attended the Frederick 48 Fasting Kick Off on Thursday morning in downtown Frederick. Erin met a lot of members from Working Together Self Advocacy Group who were also going to attend the Kick Off on Carroll Creek. Once she arrived at the creek, she met up with more individuals from other businesses and non-profit organizations to speak out about the local government and about a fast we are having on June 16^th and 17^th to raise money and awareness of their budget cuts of the non-profit organization programs. A pastor as well as a local Chamber of Commerce representative spoke about the budget cuts. It was nice to know that there are other community members concerned about these budget cuts. Afterwards, she traveled back home so she could write important emails to people discussing our schedules to meet. It never ceases to be a busy and productive day!

For more information regarding the fast, please see: http://www.frederick48.org/

And so it begins

2011-05-31T10:33:00.001-04:00

Last week, Erin met with the teacher of the LEAP class at FCC. After that, she went into my “intern office” and received contact information for two of seven supposed people who are waiting to meet with her to discuss being a youth in transition. She tried to contact one of these people, but they did not answer after two calls. Aaron Stephens, Assistant Director for The Arc, explained how the blog entries are supposed to work, and she began brainstorming on her entries. Later in the afternoon, she took a training session with two Support Coordinators for The Arc, Colette and Chris. This training session taught her the general, background information of the Arc, the characteristics of developmental disabilities, and the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities. The information she was taught in this training session will help her to teach the youth in transition that she will help throughout the summer in addition to teaching others with disabilities to advocate for themselves.

Meet Erin!

2011-05-27T12:55:00.001-04:00

Hello all!

I am so excited to be here at The Arc of Frederick County as an intern in addition to working with all of you. I am here for an internship with Edinboro University, my four-year college. The internship is needed to complete my graduation requirement. My graduation is coming up in 2012. After college, a job search will be well underway. My future job may be furthering my work at The Arc of Frederick County that has been done during this internship. This would be a great possibility, but, for now, this is a great opportunity to intern at The Arc for the summer. After a long week of work, I am thrilled to meet all of you throughout the summer, if I haven't already. It would be wonderful to speak to all of you while I am here. A way to get a hold of me is by email: Ekiernan4@gmail.com. Also, for any facebook users, I am on facebook as well under my real name, Erin Kiernan. As part of my orientation at The Arc of Frederick County, I met with the Board president, Carol Debow (see photo).

Once again, I'm very excited for my internship and to begin interacting with the Frederick community!

Ready, Set, Register!!

2011-05-25T09:31:00.000-04:00

We have received information on the upcoming summer classes at Frederick Community College. These are academic and enrichment classes for students with developmental disabilities.

LEAP (Leadership, Enrichment, Achievement Program):

This course will help students ages 18-21 develop positive habits and a proactive approach to life as they design a personal mission statement, explore individual talents and gifts, and learn to apply their strengths to the workforce and adult world.

Skills for the Job Search

An enrichment class to support students as they enhance their job search and interview skills. The course will focus on: resume writing and revision; job hunting skills; meeting with employers to learn what they look for in a future employee; completing mock interviews; and follow-up tasks after an interview. Students will work in small groups to practice, develop and enhance teamwork, collabroative and consultative skills.

Everyone Can Paint and Draw

Learn to draw and paint with pencil, acrylic paint and watercolors. We will draw and paint landscapes, portraits, wildlife and abstracts. Color mixing, drawing techniques, and brush strokes will be discussed. Learn a new hobby that will help you express youtself beyond words.

You may be eligible for the Social Security Disability Waiver which would save the price of tuition.

If interested, please contact Aaron Stephens (astephens@arcfc.org/ 301-663-0909 x 26) for any questions or for registration details.

Giving Back to the Frederick Community

2011-05-23T11:25:00.000-04:00

In addition to attending college, Grant is very active in giving back to the Frederick community. Grant is a volunteer Board Member of The Arc of Frederick County. As a board member, Grant supports staff from The Arc to host School Inclusion Trainings for Frederick County Public Schools.

Grant eloquently shares his stories about his own successes and struggles. Using both his personal experiences and his communication skills he has honed at Frederick Community College, Grant is able to develop an instantaneous rapport with his audience. As a result of The Arc’s School Inclusion Trainings, Frederick County Public Schools and The Arc have the opportunity to build a more inclusive community.

Grant is also a member of Working Together Advocacy Group. Working Together has a mission of enhancing the quality of life for people through self-advocacy, education, and by building reciprocating relationships within the Frederick community. Grant currently serves as Vice President of Working Together.

As an active officer, Grant participated in advocacy efforts that lead to the passing of Senate Bill 994 during the 2011 Legislative Session. This bill increases revenue for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) to provide funding for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the DDA Waiting List. Approximately $15 million of revenue will be raised, matched by an addition $13 million from Federal funds. Working Together was part of a state-wide coalition of advocacy efforts that will provide funding to more than 500 people on the DDA Waiting List.

Way to go!

Dedication and Technology

2011-05-18T10:23:00.000-04:00

As Grant reflects on his college experiences so far, he notes that hanging out with his friends and working in the production studio are among his favorite things to do on the Frederick Community College campus. He is interested in all aspects of television production. He enjoys directing, operating the camera, and performing.

Grant attributes his success at Frederick Community College to his willingness to work hard. His dedication to the principles of hard work and dedication were instilled in him by his parents.

Grant also suggests that getting involved in school activities and taking advantage of all a college campus has to offer is key to success. Grant has participated in school events sponsored by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Grant also develops relationships with his teachers and seeks out assistance in person and through email. A trick that he has learned to be very helpful is to tape record his classroom instruction. This way, Grant can download course sessions and replay them on his home computer. Grant finds this a helpful way to make the most of his teachers’ instructions.

Lights, Camera, Vacation!

2011-05-16T13:50:00.000-04:00

As the 2011 Frederick Community College spring semester comes to an end, Grant is looking forward to a little rest and relaxation. Grant has one more class to go this fall before he earns his Certificate in Television Production from FCC. Last week, Grant finished his written final for his Communications Graphics level 1 course. As part of this course, Grant used Adobe illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign to complete a variety of communication projects.

Grant is most proud of designing an outreach tool to attack audiences to the attention of funding needed for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration.

Grant’s next stop…….a vacation in Orlando, Florida with his dad. His destination……Universal Studios! The perfect vacation for a man with entertainment production in his future!

Attention Transitioning Youth Students!

2011-05-04T12:04:00.001-04:00

This summer The Arc of Frederick County will be hosting an internship for Erin Kiernan. Erin is a graduate of Urbana High School and is currently a student at Edinboro University. Erin is majoring in Political Science with a concentration in American Government and a minor in Communications. At Edinboro, Erin is a member of Highland Ambassadors, a prestigious organization dedicated to improving the community through service projects.

Erin is interested in working one-on-one with students to map out what comes next in their lives. Through weekly discussions and work sessions, Erin will support students to develop a creative, comprehensive plan that incorporates their passions and talents into their transition from school to the adult world.

Erin will be available to meet with students from the end of MAy through Mid-August. To set up a series of work sessions with Erin, please contact Aaron Stephens at The Arc of Frederick County at 301-663-0909 x 26 or astephens@arcfc.org.

Space is limited so contact Aaron Soon!

Sometimes the End is Just the Beginning

2011-05-02T15:17:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Lauren Vignola and Melissa Lopez as they prepare to graduate from Frederick Community College in May. Lauren is a past participant in LEAP at FCC. She has recently selected The Arc to support her to put her Associates Degree in General Studies and Certificate in Gerontology to good use. Lauren is volunteering at Homewood; incorporating her strong passion for her faith into her job search, Lauren will lead prayers with the residents. She is also volunteering with Sunrise Assisted Living, in which she spends quality time with residents thus enriching their lives.

Melissa will also be graduating with an Associate Degree in General Studies. The next stop on Melissa’s path will be Hood College. This fall, Melissa will be pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. The Arc has been privileged to be a part of Melissa’s studies at Frederick Community College.

What at one time was a goal for these two women is now a major accomplishment . What at one times seemed like an end is only just a new beginning...

Begin With the End In Mind!

2011-04-28T09:36:00.000-04:00

As The Arc of Frederick County partners with each person we serve, Support Coordinators serve as an ally to assist each person with developing an individual plan. As young adults transition from school to the adult word, planning is particularly important. The Arc wants people we serve to be the driver’s seat, directing what comes next in their lives. This week at LEAP at FCC, Erick Williams incorporated lessons from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens into his instruction. Students learned that planning a life can be similar to building a house. You need to start with a vision and blue prints so you know where you are going. You need to share your ideas with others so they can work with you to design your goals. You need to start with a strong foundation so your life is supported by people who want you to achieve your goals. Like blue prints to a house or a map to a vacation destination, begin with the end in mind so you know where you are going.

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us"

2011-04-22T09:18:00.001-04:00

The Arc of Frederick County hopes that you’ve enjoyed following Bradley on his endeavors as student and employee. We will be checking in with Bradley to see how the end of his semester turns out and how he balances his new job at Head Start in addition to Giant!

Much of Bradley’s success is due to his determination to reach new heights for himself. The Arc of Frederick County supports people we serve to build upon their natural supports to assist them with making their dreams come true.

As you have learned from following Bradley, attending college is an important piece to increase skills and make yourself more marketable in today’s workforce. As The Arc continues our blog we will take you on a journey to show you how The Arc, Frederick Community College, and Frederick County Public Schools partner to offer the Leadership Enrichment Achievement Program at Frederick Community College (LEAP at FCC) to serve as an entry point to the world of higher education. Enjoy!

When It Rains, It Pours!!

2011-04-20T15:10:00.001-04:00

After getting his part-time job at Giant, Bradley had other areas of skill he still wanted to explore and develop. One involved his interest in making films, which he currently pursues through attendance at FCC. Another was his interest in working with children as a result of his earlier volunteer experience at Head Start. Continuing to volunteer his time at Head Start, Bradley was recently offered a full time job. Although thrilled with this new opportunity, he did not want to leave his position at Giant since he has made friends and established himself there. As a result, he took the initiative to approach Giant management to see whether he could work different hours in order to accommodate both jobs. Due to his steady, diligent work performance, Giant agreed to his request for a change in hours, so starting April 25^th, Bradley will begin working 2 jobs rather than only one, while also attending college classes and taking driving lessons. Let’s just hope he can still find time to get some sleep….

Down The Road, We Go!

2011-04-07T14:22:00.000-04:00

It's been quite the journey with Bradley so far! When asked what he feels he has accomplished over the past 3 months, Bradley flashes a big smile before answering: “Well, I got a job at Giant; I made some new friends; I’ve got money to spend so I can do more of the things I like; I’m learning how to use a camera and make videos for my class, plus making some new friends there too. I’m also learning to drive a car – I just wish I had more “road time” to really practice my driving with an instructor because some day, I want to be driving myself to work!”

From One Milestone to the Next

2011-04-05T10:42:00.001-04:00

Bradley is completing his Driver’s Education training with Rehabilitation of Frederick. The independence gained from driving his own car and providing his own transportation will be a major milestone in his personal development.

You Can Do It!

2011-03-31T12:01:00.000-04:00

So, where is it that other students can learn how to transition from public school to college and the workforce with success like Bradley? At The 15^thAnnual Life-After-School Transition Fair: You Can Do It! This year’s transition fair will be held on April 1 at Frederick Community College from 8:00am to 1:00pm. The day’s events will be kicked off in the JBK Theater at 8:30 am. Following a welcome, students and their families can attend a variety of break out sessions to learn how the Frederick community partners to support students to access adult resources, attend college, and locate employment.

Among the variety of informative sessions, highlights include: a panel discuss presented by students with disabilities who attend FCC, parent-to-parent sessions, completing the paperwork process, and post secondary training programs. You can also stop by the Exhibitors and Providers Fair to speak individually with representatives from Frederick County agencies.

The 15^th Annual Life-After-School Transition Fair is a collaborative effort coordinated by Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick Community College, The Division of Rehabilitative Services, Service Coordination, Frederick County Workforce Services, and The Arc of Frederick County.

Don’t be a fool this April 1……….Attend the Frederick County Transition Fair and prepare for your future!

15^th Annual Frederick County Transition Fair

You Can Do It!

Frederick Community College

7932 Oposumtown Pike

Frederick, MD 21702

April 1, 2011

A Change of Pace

2011-03-29T15:40:00.000-04:00

Bradley had a change of pace this week, as he worked as a receptionist. He was asked to fill in for an employee on leave. Bradley was responsible for answering phones, greeting visitors, routing calls to the appropriate staff, and taking messages. Bradley gave amazing first impressions to those who were unfamiliar with the program.

Dare to be Great

2011-03-25T15:13:00.000-04:00

For the past two weeks, Bradley has been working alongside his colleagues without the support of a job coach! Management notes that he doing "GREAT" and his skills in customer service continue to shine. We are so proud and excited with Bradley's accomplishments!

Time Marches On

2011-03-22T09:22:00.000-04:00

Bradley has been incredibly busy over the last couple days! He has recently been offered the opportunity to train as a front desk receptionist. He will work around his class and work schedule in order to learn new skills as a receptionist. Ah, the beauty of a bustling lifestyle! He's very excited about this future endeavor...stay tuned for more details!

Preparing for Birthday Festivities

2011-03-17T17:11:00.000-04:00

Even though he has been keeping very busy, Bradley has been in touch with several friends he made while attending the Workforce center in Baltimore. He graduated last June and has not seen any of them since then, so he is planning an event for them to all get together and meet at the Inner Harbor since most of them are from Balt. It will make for a very exciting birthday weekend in April!

Movin' on Up!

2011-03-15T15:27:00.000-04:00

Bradley will now be working without an on-site job coach as Giant feels he has the skills to work in tandem with the register operator. Management has been so pleased with Bradley’s work ethic they also trained him to empty the garbage cans in the front of the store. This is a big deal since they tend to assign only workers who can get the job done quickly and efficiently, without wasting time talking to others. Bradley is recognized as someone who applies himself in whatever he does, which will be an incredible asset in all endeavors of life.

The best part about the future: it comes one day at a time

2011-03-11T09:52:00.000-05:00

Bradley has been making huge strides these past few months in class and at work. These of course are only the building blocks to a bigger goal; to live on his own. Bradley’s future, in his eyes, holds a time where he will be living independently and working full time at a career of his choosing. While this may be several years in the making, we can look at today and see the progress he makes on this incredible journey.

Lights, Camera, Action!

2011-03-09T10:46:00.000-05:00

Bradley had his chance on the silver screen this week! For his Digital Media class, Bradley has been working on a fake infomercial for the “Robair” (half Snuggie half recliner chair) and Bradley acted as one of the testimonials for the product (hint: “You might be a redneck if…”). Today Bradley and his classmates edited the video and will be done shortly. Stay tuned for Bradley’s inaugural film!

The Art of Driving

2011-03-07T16:58:00.000-05:00

Outside of class, Bradley is a very busy guy. He keeps a part time job and is very active socially. There is one goal, however, that Bradley wishes to achieve: providing his own transportation. Recently, Bradley has been meeting with a driving instructor every week to practice his driving skills. Bradley looks forward to being able to drive to work on his own, see his friends on his own time and being able to go to the mall whenever he wants!

Carpe Diem!

2011-03-03T14:25:00.000-05:00

In an attempt to supplement his salary from the grocery store and further his overall skill level, Bradley applied for part time work at last week’s job fair held at Keys Stadium. This was a great opportunity to closely assess his current job talents for presentation to others while also honing his interviewing skills.

Knowledge is Gained by Learning

2011-02-28T10:32:00.000-05:00

When asked what he most likes about his job, Bradley is quick to answer, “Making new friends and learning new skills, like bagging”. Each week finds Bradley forging stronger ties with his co-workers as he has discovered that many of his colleagues also take classes at Frederick Community College. This mutual educational experience prompts interesting discussions and opens the door for on campus exchanges as well.