Connector. Mission Statement

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1 November-December th Avenue, Suite 204 Kearney, NE 68845; arcofbuffalocounty@frontiernet.net Mission Statement The Arc Buffalo County advocates for the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities and their families. Website: office phone # Board of Directors President Nicole McAuliff Vice President Leah Nelson Secretary Sara Frias Directors: Joy Slaughter Stan Banks Jenn Kotschwar Dustin Henderson Jake Jacobsen Sandy Oltman Kirbie Swanson Michele Clark Executive Director Nicole Rask Adult Services: Joee Beckman Youth Services: Rachel Buss People First Sponsor Sherry Stansberry Greetings and happy holidays from the Arc! With the new year quickly approaching we have some information to share. The Arc has hired a new Executive Director, Nicole Rask. She has several years of experience in human services and is excited to be here with us. Nicole brings a lot of new and fun ideas to our organization. December 11th we are having a holiday baking/movie night! If you would like to participate in making goodies please come at 6:30, the movie will start at 7:30pm. We will be watching the movie Elf, please Come join us!

2 Page 2 The Arc of NE Senatorial Dinner will take place on Feb 3rd in Lincoln! This event provides an opportunity for the Senators to get to know Arc members in their district who can share their personal stories and advocate for changes in Nebraska. KidZone Respite We provide free childcare to children ages 2-12 with disabilities and their siblings on the first Thursday of every month from 6-8 pm. Preregistration is required and there is a maximum registration of 25 children. Reservations are taken on a first come, first serve basis. To register call the Arc office at and we will send you out a form. This sessions dates are Nov. 5 and Dec. 3. Please make sure you are on our KidZone mailing list if you are interested and have not been receiving our registration mu- forms. Reminder Parents must return to the seum by 7:55 to pick up children, as KidZone staff closes the building at 8:00 pm. Support Groups & Arc Partner for Family Christmas Party The Arc of Buffalo County partners with families involved with The Kearney Supporting Parents and the to provide a time for families with disabilities between ages of 0-21 to come together and celebrate Christmas. We will host a FREE party on Saturday, December 5th from 9:30-11:30 am at the Harmon Park Activity Center. The party will include crafts, refreshments, prizes, and a visit from Santa. There will also be door prizes!!! Families MUST RSVP to The Arc Office by Wednesday November 25th. Families who do not RSVP will not be able to participate, so please RSVP ASAP! Arc Annual Christmas Party When: Monday, December 7th, 6:00-8:30 pm Where: Eagles Club at 1st Ave. and 24th St. For: All Arc participants of any age! (However, families with younger children may feel more comfortable at the Family Christmas Party on Dec.5th) What: Cost $5 per person, Meal will be provided by The Arc, Drinks provided by Eagles Club. Santa will be stopping by for a visit and to deliver a stocking. DJ America will be there to help us celebrate with wonderful music!

3 Page 3 Give Where you Live Fundraiser Give Where You Live Kearney Area in the past has been a 24- hour fundraising event created to rally community support for local charitable causes. This year funds will be able to be raised starting November 1st until December 3rd at midnight. This unique fundraiser is being organized by the Kearney Area Community Foundation (KACF) and will be held on Thursday, December 3rd. Every donation made to participating groups, organizations and causes in the Kearney area will receive a proportional share of a challenge match pool of funds given by the KACF and local individuals and businesses. This year our event on December 3rd from 10am-5 pm will be at the Arc office and open to the public, we will be having hot apple cider, coffee, and holiday treats. We will have a jar for cash and check donations and the computer will be available for credit card donations. KACF will also be giving away $200 Golden tickets each hour to random non-profits throughout the day on December 3rd. Stop out to visit with us and show your support to The Arc. This year if a member would like to attend a Storm Hockey game with a Rec. Aide they need to contact Joee at least 3 days prior to the game. The Rec. Aide will then go get the tickets before the game. There are a limited number of tickets we are able to get this year so please plan ahead. Advocating for the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities and their families

4 Page 4 Breakfast with Santa Breakfast with Santa is coming up very quickly! This community event is sponsored by & benefits the Kearney Area Children s Museum, a great partner to The Arc of Buffalo County. Santa will be at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds on Dec. 5th. Santa arrives at 8 am and stays until 11am Come in your pajamas and eat pancakes Holiday crafts, special guests, and more $10 in advance purchased from the museum or $15 at the Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. The following sports opportunities are taking place in Kearney. Please call Kearney s Coach Jenn Behlmann at for information. Swimming, Kearney Family YMCA, Saturdays, 8-9am Regular Bowling - The Big Apple, Saturday am Basketball, team & skills, starts Wed. Dec. 3rd, 6:30-7:30 pm Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers, and integration in the economical, political, social, cultural and educational mainstream of American society Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act

5 Page 5 Aktion Club meetings Meetings are held at the DSN office on the 2nd Monday of the Month at 1:30. Anyone is welcome to attend a meeting and get more information about Aktion club. People First News People First meetings are usually held the 4th Thur. of the month, 4-5pm at Kearney Manor Pavilion. However, due to Thanksgiving & Christmas, there will be no meeting in November or December. The Kearney People First Christmas Caroling outreach at St Luke's Nursing Home will be Tue. Dec. 8th followed by supper at Valentino s. Please note that this is an event for current/active Kearney People First members. We will plan to meet at St. Luke s at 4pm, (off Grand Ave at 2201 E 32nd St) to bring some holiday cheer to residents. People First members will then go to Valentino s at 5pm to enjoy a meal. Cost is $12. or call Sherry Stansberry for registration and more info at ladyess10@hotmail.com NOTE: Transportation is very limited for this event. Caregivers or staff must pick up the participants at Valentino s. Thank you. Play It Forward We would love to see all Arc members at the UNK Volleyball game on November 13th! They are sponsoring the Arc this year and we want to go and show our support! Nebraska s Miss amazing The Arc had 9 participants this year which included; Mardi Cramer, Tatum Meads, Danielle Krotz, Alyssa Mual, Brianna Snyder, Misti Anderson, Jennifer Lamb, Hannah Mercer, and Amber Rasmussen who won her age division. All participants were crowned for being AMAZING in their own way! Everyone had a wonderful time in Omaha and were so happy for the experience.

6 November 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Honey Sunday Buddy Bowling 4-5pm Big Apple Kid Zone 6-8PM the YMCA 6:30-8pm Buddy Bowling 4-5pm Big Apple 12 Arc Board Meeting 13 Play It Forward UNK Volleyball Game NO Y Buddy Bowling 4-5pm Big Apple the YMCA 6:30-8pm 21 MMA fight in North Platte leave Arc office at 5:00pm Happy Thanksgiving Office Closed Office Closed 29 30

7 December 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Give Where you Live at Arc Office 4 the YMCA 6:30-8pm 5 Family Support Groups Christmas party 9:30-11:30 AM Christmas Eagles 6-8:30pm People First Christmas Caroling & Valentino s supper 4pm- Arc Board Meeting Movie 6:30 First Presbyterian Church Merry Christmas! 26 Office Closed Office Closed

8 Page 8 of Buffalo County th Avenue, Suite 204 Kearney, Nebraska Return service requested Advocating for the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities and their families Mark your calendars People First New Year s Party Date: Saturday, Jan. 2nd from 2-4pm Place: Kearney Manor Pavilion Bring your favorite board games & some snacks to share. Enjoy our first get-together in 2015!