by MAKE IT SOAR | Apr 20, 2015 | What's Happening
Leonardo da Vinci once said, “The noblest joy is the pleasure of understanding.” SOAR Fox Cities, Inc. has been working hard to create more understanding about disabilities in local businesses and adult groups. SOAR’s Community Education Program is intended to provide information and education to people of all ages about disabilities. Even though SOAR has been effective in educating youth about disabilities, SOAR is now putting extra effort into making sure businesses and all adult community members have a strong understanding of disabilities.
By educating more adults about disability awareness, SOAR hopes to develop empathy in stakeholders, business owners and employees in the community. This would hopefully help move to businesses creating more welcoming environments, and possibly opening doors to employment for those who live with disabilities. SOAR’s Adult Community Education Presentations consist of a 30 minute PowerPoint discussion. During this presentation, many different disability related topics are discussed. For example, attendees will learn details about Developmental Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, respectful language, and helpful statistics. Focus is also put on attendees learning to understand the life of a parent or caregiver of someone who has a disability. Not many realize that it roughly costs an additional $17,000 per year to raise someone with Autism (cdc.gov). Businesses will also leave with an understanding of how they could benefit from focusing more on disabilities. For example, most do not know that the turnover rate for individuals with disabilities is 8%, compared to 45% for other workers (Employment First WI). Also, 87% of customers say they prefer shopping at stores and companies that employ people with disabilities (Siperstein). With more focus than ever before being put on people with disabilities being involved in the community, it is very important for community members to understand the life of someone who has a disability.
If you, your employer, or someone you know is interested in hosting a Disability Awareness Presentation, please contact Mitch Cornils, CSW at (920) 731-9831 x111 or [email protected]
by MAKE IT SOAR | Apr 8, 2015 | What's Happening
Please take a minute to help out the Fox Valley Advocacy Coalition. They are looking to gather information about the “experiences and needs of individuals serving as guardians in Outagamie County.” A work-group interested in improving the training and support of local guardians will be analyzing the surveys. Please access the survey via the online link below, or hard copy attached below. You can then mail the hard copy to (Fox Valley Advocacy Coalition, 820 W. College Ave, Appleton, WI 54914)
Let your voice be heard.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Outagamie_Guardianship
Hard copy:
Guardianship Survey_Outagamie County
by MAKE IT SOAR | Mar 25, 2015 | What's Happening
There is still plenty of time for your voice to be heard on the topic of of the proposed state budget. If the proposed state budget passes as it is now, there would be a great impact on the disability community. In this proposed state budget, IRIS would be included in with Family Care, and individuals in the IRIS program may lose their right to choose who they want to hire for services.
Representative Amanda Stuck (D-Appleton) is holding a listening session on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 5:30-7:00 PM. This will take place at the Menasha Public Library – Company Room E – 44 First St. Menasha, WI 54952.
Attendees can feel free to voice all concerns, comments and questions regarding the 2015-2017 Biennial Budget Proposal from the Governor. Please take a look at the attached document to learn more about what is in the proposed budget.
Disability Rights Wisconsin – Budget Summary
by MAKE IT SOAR | Mar 6, 2015 | What's Happening
SOAR Fox Cities Launches a New Logo to Match the New Name!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2015 – Appleton, WI – SOAR Fox Cities launched a new logo to match its new name during the SOAR to the Stars Event at Fox Cities Stadium last evening. The event marked the organization’s new brand taking flight for the first time. WBAY TV Action 2
News Anchor, Kathryn Bracho was the event emcee. STARS attending the event were Appleton City Mayor Tim Hanna, SOAR Fox Cities Executive Director Sonia Barham, event sponsors and a enthusiastic crowd of nearly 300 people. The event was also a time to celebrate and recognize SOAR Fox Cities program participants and their families and the employers who empower the participants through jobs in the Fox Valley Community.
Among the distinguished guests, 32 companies were recognized for their support and job placement of SOAR Fox Cities program participants. Those companies recognized were:
ACE Hardware, Appleton
Affinity Health System A to Z Machine Bergstrom
Bethesda Retail Shop Appleton
Chances Animal Rescue Chuck E. Cheese Culver’s, Darboy
Discover Little Miracles Daycare
Donaldson’s Cleaners. Dunkin’ Donuts Famous Dave’s
Festival Foods, Neenah
Gardan, Inc. Goodwill Industries Home Depot
Lakeside Packaging Plus Lawrence University Manderfield’s
Marcus Theaters Orion Labels Pick n’ Save Piggly Wiggly Pizza Ranch Rogan’s Shoes RR Donnelley Sam’s Club Scheels
Shopko, Neenah. Touchmark
Valley Packaging Industries
Wal-Mart, Neenah
SOAR Fox Cities also launched a brand new website to match their new name and look: www.soarfoxcities.com. Check out the new website to learn more about the meaning of the new name and logo, and for more information about the organization and how you can help.
Contact: Lori Allman – Director of Development, [email protected] 920.731.9831 ext.114
SOAR Fox Cities, Inc. is a local non-profit organization that provides programs and services to individuals with developmental disabilities. We serve close to 1,200 participants and touch over 19,000 family and community members. Our variety of services range from Youth, Adult & Family Programs, Advocacy, Camp, Community Education and the third largest Special Olympics in the state!
SOAR Fox Cities, Inc. 211 E. Franklin Street, Suite A, Appleton, WI 54911
#WatchUsSOAR
#DDAwarenessMonth
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by MAKE IT SOAR | Mar 6, 2015 | What's Happening
Article originally posted on WHBY on 03/06/2015.
A group that helps people with developmental disabilities, and their families, is going through the final stages of a rebranding process.
ARC Fox Cities changed its name to SOAR last summer, and the nonprofit unveiled its new logo last night. Executive director Sonia Barham says the group was named ARC when it was founded 59 years ago. She says the “R” stood for a derogatory term, and people took offense.
The group provides activities for people with developmental disabilities, and respite services for their families. Barham says they serve over 1,200 people.
To listen to the audio clip, click here. It begins at 2:11.
by MAKE IT SOAR | Mar 6, 2015 | What's Happening
Article originally posted on www.postcrescent.com on 3/6/2015.
By Jim Collar
APPLETON – The Arc Fox Cities, which has improved the lives of those with developmental disabilities for decades, has changed its name to match its mission.
The organization is now known as SOAR Fox Cities.
“This is what family members want for their loved ones,” said Executive Director Sonia Barham. “They want them to soar in life.”
SOAR Fox Cities will use March — Developmental Disabilities Month — as a springboard to acclimate the community to its new name and brand.
The name change became official in July, but leaders took a slow, patient approach to making the transition. They wanted to ensure that participants were comfortable with the name change.
The new logo will be unveiled at a Thursday banquet dubbed “SOAR to the Stars” at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.
SOAR Fox Cities accommodates roughly 1,200 participants and has 19,000 client contacts each year. Its Special Olympics program includes nearly 230 athletes.
The organization serves as an advocate and as a resource for families, and it helps people of all ages.
Adult programming includes health and safety, conflict resolution and independent living. SOAR offers camps and a variety of structured activities such as dances and trips to events.
It provides assistance to families as well as participants. As participants learn, socialize and enjoy the community, parents can shop, recreate or simply relax while knowing their loved ones are in good hands.
Terry Wadel of Appleton said her son Brett, who has Down syndrome, has established lifelong friendships. It has given him access to the world that some take for granted. The 27-year-old, unlike his siblings, can’t simply hop in the car and head to the mall.
“Without all of these activities, his world would be very small,” Terry Wadel said.
SOAR isn’t an acronym. Capital letters were chosen to make a bold expression.
Barham said the typical response of families to the name change is: “It’s about time.”
The organization began as the Association of Retarded Children. It later became the Association of Retarded Citizens. While the acronym was removed from the name in the early 1990s, the awareness of what Arc stands for hasn’t faded away.
SOAR Fox Cities will bring its message to the community in several ways this month. On the week of March 9, officials will head to Fox Valley schools to raise awareness about developmental disabilities. On March 26, “positive picket” will be held in downtown Appleton to spread the word.
The name change is the latest of several milestones in the last decade.
The current nonprofit began in 2006 with the merger of Neenah-Menasha and Outagamie County Arcs. In 2013, the Arc joined with NAMI Fox Valley to purchase the office building at 211 E. Franklin St. in Appleton. The move brought higher participation due to the close proximity of the building to the Valley Transit Center.
Fox Valley Arc organizations were developed by families in the 1950s who were dissatisfied with the services and wanted more for their children. It was a time when people with developmental disabilities were either institutionalized or kept in the home. An effort was undertaken to make them true members of the community.
Times have changed, but there’s still room for progress and the name change is another step, Barham said.
Wadel said the name is more than a description; it sets a direction.
“For me, it simply means we’re rising to new heights,” Wadel said.
— Jim Collar: 920-993-1000, ext. 216, or [email protected]; on Twitter @JimCollar
If you go
What: SOAR to the Stars. The event will include hors d’oeuvres, musicians from the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, awards and a fireworks display.
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Fox Cities Stadium, club level
Tickets: $35. They are available at www.arcfoxcities.com.
Donations: Those who can’t attend the event can make a financial donation. There is a matching gift grant from a donor within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. The grant will match donations up to $7,500.
Arc Fox Cities aims to ‘SOAR’
