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Clients' "Dream Wall" at the Self-Advocacy Conference in San Francisco, CA.
Our Stories
Jean's Handmade Knits
Jean’s longtime love of knitting has turned into a successful business. After graduating from The Arc’s Microenterprise Class, she worked with her instructor to write a full business plan, from developing the name of her business to deciding product inventory and pricing. Jean’s Handmade Knits sells it all. Colorful scarves, hats, cell phone covers—you name it, Jean can knit it. Jean sells her knitwear at many of The Arc’s special events, including fundraisers and art shows, and sales are brisk. “I like bright colors and it’s fun to see people wearing the things I make,” says Jean.
Jerry, Your Favorite Deli Clerk
With his positive outlook and determination to succeed, it’s not surprising that Jerry got a promotion at the Marina Safeway when he asked for it. He started as a courtesy clerk, but now he can be spotted preparing lunch meats behind the deli counter four days a week. “I like having more hours and I make more money now,” says Jerry. He eventually wants to be a cashier. “To do that, you have to know at least half the produce numbers,” he says. “That’s a lot of numbers. But I’ll get there.”
The initiative Jerry showed to get his promotion can also be seen in his volunteer work with the San Francisco Fire Department’s Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT). He helps educate citizens about disaster preparedness. Jerry is an inspiring self-starter who is committed to meeting the needs of the community.
Meet Jennifer
“I always wanted to work in an office,” says Jennifer, a client of The Arc, “and now I’m really here!” Every Monday and Wednesday, Jennifer is part of the team at Blanc & Otus, a high-profile San Francisco public relations firm with clients like Oracle, Sony and Facebook. “I keep the conference rooms tidy and the kitchens clean. I also keep the library organized,” she says. Jennifer and her Job Coach came up with an adaptive strategy for her to determine which magazines are out-of-date and ready for the recycling bin. Jennifer is proving that, with the right support, people with developmental disabilities can step right up to the demands of today’s fast-paced workplace.
Say Hello to Nana
An outgoing woman with a hearty laugh, Nana is a very capable person with a developmental disability, but she did not begin her life in the most ideal of circumstances. Living in the projects with her family, she felt like she was constantly in danger, and when her son was born with autism years later, she and her family feared for his safety as well. Today, things look a lot better for Nana. She lives in a new building in a safer area downtown, and works part-time helping seniors at the Adult Day Health Center south of Market Street. “I really like helping people,” says Nana, “It makes me feel good.”
A Free Woman
Anne is finally able to make decisions for herself after a year-long effort to win her independence. Now that her conservatorship has been legally dissolved in a court ruling, Anne is excited about her new rights and responsibilities and likes being in charge of her own life. “I want other clients to see what I’ve done,” says Anne, “and maybe I’ll be a good example of self-advocacy for people.”
Thomas Perez
Thomas is an energetic man who has been working at Noah’s Bagels for over 14 years. His first language is Tagalog, but he’s working with his Arc instructor on improving his English and literacy skills. In fact, most afternoons you’ll see him at the computer at City College studying programs tailored to his comprehension level. “This isn’t easy for him,” says his instructor, “but he is determined to learn.”
Helen Yu
With her slight frame and pixie features, you don’t think of Helen as tough. But she’s a fighter. Diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago, she continues to fight her health battles every day. Just like her challenges with cerebral palsy, she refuses to let any limitations hold her back. With help from The Arc, she lives independently, paying her own bills, managing her household, and whenever there’s time, cooking. “I can handle anything—even the hard recipes,” she says.