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Client of the Month Archives

Francis P.

CONGRATULATIONS FRANCIS!
Francis P. has been voted Client of the Month by the Client Advisory Committee (CAC) for his open attitude towards trying new things. Francis has been very adventurous in trying out different opportunities. During the last four months Francis cross-trained at 2 different sites at recycling and at DHS. He did such a great job at both sites that he was offered a part-time job at DHS two days a week!

Liz Elmore

CONGRATULATIONS LIZ!
Liz Elmore has been voted the Client of the Month by the Client Advisory Committee (CAC) for moving into her own new studio apartment. The CAC said that Liz is a role model for living an independent life where she makes her own decisions and determines her own future. Liz loves her new studio which is in a LEED Certified green building. 

Sharon Jones

CONGRATULATIONS SHARON!
Sharon Jones has been voted the Client of the Month by the Client Advisory Committee (CAC) for her dedicated work with the San Francisco Giants baseball team. She recently had to handle an unruly fan at one of the games and was also awarded a bonus. Even though the season has come to a disappointing end for fans of the Giants, Sharon is already thinking about their comeback next year! Let’s Go Giants!

John Coulter

REACHING OUT
John Coulter has been voted Client of the Month by the Client Advocacy Committee (CAC) for his dedication to the Best Buddies program, for which he serves as a Best Buddies Ambassador. In this capacity, he has delivered speeches, like his welcoming speech (see here) at the Best Buddies Friendship walk at USF, as well as helped to bring awareness to the program and to invite new members. Here at The Arc, he studies public speaking. “It’s fun. I’d like to keep making speeches.” As ambassador, he urges people to come to Best Buddies meetings and events. “We need more people to come” and to join the Best Buddies USF Facebook page. “You can press the ‘Like’ button,” he reminded us. Great job, John!

KELLY FRANKLIN

A STRONG VOICE
Kelly Franklin has been voted the Client of the Month by the Client Advocacy Committee (CAC) for advocating to state legislators about budget cuts in Sacramento. “The Arc is my family; the clients are my friends and I have to stick up for us,” says Kelly. “They can’t cut any more from our services; we need them. That’s why I went to Sacramento—to tell people ‘No More Cuts.’” Hats off to Kelly for taking her concerns to the decision-makers who need to hear our message in the capitol.

Jean Wong

NEW INDEPENDENCE
The Client Advisory Committee (CAC) has voted Jean Wong their Client of the Month for her self-determination in getting a new part-time job at Ted’s Deli on Howard Street, plus her move to a new efficiency studio apartment. “At my old place, the other people kept me awake at night,” said Jean. “It was hard to get up in the morning. Now I have a place of my own and a good night’s sleep.” Congratulations on making big moves on the job and home fronts, Jean!

Jamie Wong

INSPIRING HER PEERS
Jamie Wong was elected Client of the Month by the Client Advisory Committee (CAC) for encouraging and inspiring her fellow clients to stand up for themselves. “People try and take advantage or us, like teasing and bullying…But you can tell someone who’s saying mean things to stop because it hurts your feelings.”, says Jamie.  “It’s really important to speak up.”  Way to go, Jamie!

Bonita Abram

ADVOCACY IN ACTION
The Client Advisory Committee (CAC) has voted Bonita Abram Client of The Month for her activism and advocacy in San Francisco and Sacramento recently. Bonita is concerned about budget cuts to services supporting people with developmental disabilities and wants her voice to be heard. Thanks for representing us so well, Bonita!

Tatyana Boyko

NICE WORK, TATYANA!
The client advisory committee (CAC) has voted Tatyana Boyko the new Client of the Month for successful conflict resolution. Tatyana sought a staff’s help to bring she and another client together to work out a problem. Citing examples like “people touching your personal things” or “someone saying something mean,” Tatyana says it’s a good idea to meet and work issues out together. Good advice!

Gina Luna

SAFETY FIRST WITH GENA
The Client Advisory Committee (CAC) has chosen Gena Luna as the new Client of The Month for helping to bring first aid training for clients to The Arc. Gena serves on our Safety Committee and thought it was high time her peers got an expert refresher course. Our friends at UCSF Family and Community Medicine agreed to teach it, and participants say it’s a great workshop. Gena will continue to be the liaison between the CAC and the Safety Committee to make sure client interests have a strong voice. Congratulations, Gena!

Stephen Straus

CONGRATULATIONS, STEPHEN!
The Client Advisory Committee (CAC) has voted Stephen Straus the new Client of the Month for manning an information table at a PG&E Community Open House. Stephen used this opportunity to advocate for The Arc’s mission and clients. Thanks for your hard work, Stephen!

Gordon Shepard

CONGRATULATIONS, GORDON!
Gordon Shepard was voted Client of the Month by the Client Advisory Committee (CAC) for his help organizing the client talent show. Gordon is a superstar artist and performed a clown act that brought down the house. He encouraged other clients to express their creativity on stage and made the show a huge success.

Rhea Cundangan

CONGRATULATIONS, RHEA!
The Client Advisory Committee (CAC) voted Rhea Cundangan Client of the Month for taking initiative and renewing her California ID card. Rhea is a great example for other clients because she knows how important it is to always have a current identification card with her and that safety comes first.

Jennifer Villatore

HATS OFF TO JENNIFER!
The Client Advisory Committee (CAC) has voted Jennifer Villatore as the new Client of the Month for her promotion from bus-person to hostess at Denny’s in Pacifica. Her co-workers say diligent Jennifer always makes sure the customers come first.

Jean Wong

CONGRATULATIONS, JEAN!
The Client Advisory Committee (CAC) voted Jean Wong as the new Client of the Month for the successful launch of her microenterprise. Jean’s handmade scarves sold out in under an hour during a recent sale at The Arc. Now she’s busy building inventory for her next sale scheduled for late June. “I’m going to have 15 new pieces in lots of different colors,” she says. “The yarn is beautiful and my scarves are too!”

Connie Chu and Rob Repke

Connie Chu and Rob Repke were voted Clients of the Month for making their big moves to more independent living situations. Connie moved out of her family home to a mentor-based home. Rob moved into his own apartment where he has more room to call his own. “I really like the Brazilian-style food we share at my new place. Plus, I have a room with a view of the backyard,” says Connie. Nice! Well done Connie and Rob.

Liz Elmore

The CAC (Client Advisory Committee) has voted Liz Elmore as the new Client of the Month. Members wish to thank Liz for lending a hand at our ”We Gotta Dance!” event.
Liz heard about an urgent need for help at the concessions table. She called her boss and rearranged her schedule at work to help with the customers and sales.
“I like helping people,” says Liz. “Plus the dances are fun!”

Curtis Dillard

CONGRATULATIONS TO CURTIS!
The CAC (Client Advisory Committee) has voted Curtis Dillard as the new Client of the Month. Members wish to recognize Curtis for his outstanding achievement on the job at Trader Joe’s in San Carlos where he was chosen as Employee of the Month—this just after his promotion from part-time to full-time employment after only eight months.
Curtis tells us he does it all as a Courtesy Clerk at TJ’s: stocking, bagging and helping customers in whatever way he can. “It’s a busy day, but I’m used to it,” he says.
Curtis says he’s happy that he’s made his family and friends so proud.

Linda Lee

CONGRATULATIONS TO LINDA!
The CAC (Client Advisory Committee) has voted Linda Lee as the January 2010 Client of the Month. Members wish to recognize Linda for her initiative in starting a popular knitting class for clients of The Arc. She has four students who meet weekly to create scarves, shawls, blankets and other items. “I started knitting when I was young and I think everyone can enjoy it,” says Linda. She wants to start selling her work plus donate scarves to help children in Afghanistan. Stop by Linda’s class Tuesday or Friday mornings upstairs at The Arc.

Joe Flanagan

CONGRATULATIONS TO JOE! 
The CAC (Client Advisory Committee) has voted Joe Flanagan as the new Client of the Month for December 2009. Members wish to recognize Joe for winning the James Latin Memorial Award for self-advocacy, honoring his outstanding efforts on behalf of people with developmental disabilities.
“I support clients in many areas….housing, transportation and health care,” says Joe.
“For example, I tell clients that when people don’t make room for a wheelchair on the bus, they need to report it. Get the bus number, the driver badge and so on, so it can be investigated,” he advises.
“This is federal law and it needs to be understood and respected on MUNI and all transportation. My goal is to help clients and the public speak out.”

Anne Fu

CONGRATULATIONS TO ANNE! 
The CAC (Client Advisory Committee) has voted Anne Fu as the November 2009 Client of the Month. Anne had her conservatorship legally dissolved recently ending a year-long effort to win her independence. “I’m in charge of my life now,” says Anne.
Advocates applaud her success: “She deserves it!” (Dorothy W.) “I hope she is happy.” (Tatyana B.) “Congratulations on your accomplishment.” (Joseph F.)
Well done, Anne!

Rob Repke

CONGRATULATIONS TO ROB!
The Client Advisory Committee (CAC) has voted Rob Repke as their October 2009 Client of the Month for his outstanding advocacy during an interview with Britain’s Sky News, as well as his commitment to making sure self-advocates’ voices are heard in film and videos.
“I think people with disabilities are looked down on, and this is a chance to get the word out that we are normal,” says Rob. “What is ‘normal’ anyway?”
Check out Rob’s Sky News interview as well as his role in the client-created film “Independence.”