Join the Arc and Support our Local Community Today By Van Mitchell The Arc of Washington County, located at 111 West Pike Street in Canonsburg, PA, is an affiliated chapter of the Arc of Pennsylva- nia and the Arc of the United States. Its mission is to promote the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental dis- abilities and actively support their full inclusion and participation in their community throughout their lifetime. The Arc of Washington County consistently strives to meet the changing needs of individuals and their families by providing innovative support through awareness, education, community integration, and social inclusion. They uniquely offer the local community the opportunity to engage through their inclusive art gallery and classes, events, and social/educational programs. We advocate for people with disabilities in their home, communi- ty, and work to ensure they live an everyday life. ADVOCACY "Our goals are simple: to provide advocacy, assurance, assis- tance and accessibility to ensure active involvement for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities," said Darrilyn McCrerey, Advocacy Director for The Arc of Washington. "Throughout the year, we assist numerous individuals with dis- abilities and their families by providing resources, information, and support in navigating the system to ensure they receive their needed services." McCrerey said, "The Arc of Washington County works collabora- tively with local school districts and families to provide special education advocacy to ensure students' needs are met and the families' voices are heard." The Arc of Washington County provides guidance and resourc- es to help families and people with disabilities understand their rights and empower them to use their voice. SELF-ADVOCACY The Arc of Washington County, with the support of Washington County BHDS, has created a program that focuses on develop- ing a local self-advocacy network that includes ongoing edu- cation and resources to assist with connecting and developing skills and relationships. Self-Advocacy is about people speaking up for themselves. The Self-Advocacy movement seeks to reduce the isolation of people with disabilities and give them the tools to take greater control over their own lives. Self-Advocacy refers to an individual's abil- ity to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate, or assert their own interests, desires, needs, and rights. It involves making in- formed decisions and taking responsibility for those decisions. SELF ADVOCATE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM "Our self-advocate leader training program teaches individuals skills in self-awareness and assessment, self-advocacy, prob- lem-solving and decision-making, goal-setting, and teamwork and group development." Darrilyn McCrerey said. The leadership program provides a self-advocate leader who is able to build relationships with each self-advocate and assist them in working through their individual concerns or issues. ART GALLERY The Arc of Washington has an art gallery inside its Canonsburg headquarters called Connecting Through Inspiration Art Gallery and showcases a variety of artists and styles of artwork. "We have a beautiful gallery space within our building." "Our non-traditional art gallery celebrates diversity and inclusive op. portunities in our community by sharing the talents of local artists. Our hopes are to bring the community together through the cre- ative arts and cultivate an inclusive environ- ment. Once a piece of artwork is purchased, a portion of the proceeds will go to The Arc of Washington County for their advocacy pro- gram to support people with disabilities and their families with necessary resources and advocacy support. Our gallery welcomes and hosts art created by people of all abilities." EVENTS AND CLASSES The Arc of Washington County hosts several events and classes throughout the year, offer- ing multiple opportunities for the community to connect to our mission of full inclusion. Enroll- ment is currently open for our community art- ist-led drawing and painting classes, as well as evening yoga taught by Energy Fitness Studio. "We strive to connect with community mem- bers and businesses to raise awareness, bring people into our building, and show people firsthand what we have to offer," said McCre- rey. All events and classes are offered to peo- ple of all abilities. MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM The Arc of Washington County has a member- ship program that helps support its services. By becoming a member, supporters receive up-to-date information regarding services, educational training opportunities, social ac- tivities, discounted events/classes and en- gagement with other families. "Our new membership year starts July 1 and runs through June 30," McCrerey said. Anyone is welcome to join and support our mission! "We are engaged in our schools, busi- nesses, and churches and are a part of the fabric of our community. In that same way, we welcome you to become a mem- ber of the Arc of Washington County and become a part of our community," said Ed Picchiarini, CEO. For more information about The Arc of Wash- ington County or how to become a member, visit us at www.archumanservices.org/ advocacy, call 724-470-9327 or email advocacy@arcofwashpa.org To learn more about our events and class- es, visit our calendar of events on www. archumanservices.org/calender-of-events. We would love to see you there! Sponsored content brought to you by n The Arc Washington County Join the Arc and Support our Local Community Today By Van Mitchell The Arc of Washington County , located at 111 West Pike Street in Canonsburg , PA , is an affiliated chapter of the Arc of Pennsylva nia and the Arc of the United States . Its mission is to promote the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental dis abilities and actively support their full inclusion and participation in their community throughout their lifetime . The Arc of Washington County consistently strives to meet the changing needs of individuals and their families by providing innovative support through awareness , education , community integration , and social inclusion . They uniquely offer the local community the opportunity to engage through their inclusive art gallery and classes , events , and social / educational programs . We advocate for people with disabilities in their home , communi ty , and work to ensure they live an everyday life . ADVOCACY " Our goals are simple : to provide advocacy , assurance , assis tance and accessibility to ensure active involvement for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities , " said Darrilyn McCrerey , Advocacy Director for The Arc of Washington . " Throughout the year , we assist numerous individuals with dis abilities and their families by providing resources , information , and support in navigating the system to ensure they receive their needed services . " McCrerey said , " The Arc of Washington County works collabora tively with local school districts and families to provide special education advocacy to ensure students ' needs are met and the families ' voices are heard . " The Arc of Washington County provides guidance and resourc es to help families and people with disabilities understand their rights and empower them to use their voice . SELF - ADVOCACY The Arc of Washington County , with the support of Washington County BHDS , has created a program that focuses on develop ing a local self - advocacy network that includes ongoing edu cation and resources to assist with connecting and developing skills and relationships . Self - Advocacy is about people speaking up for themselves . The Self - Advocacy movement seeks to reduce the isolation of people with disabilities and give them the tools to take greater control over their own lives . Self - Advocacy refers to an individual's abil ity to effectively communicate , convey , negotiate , or assert their own interests , desires , needs , and rights . It involves making in formed decisions and taking responsibility for those decisions . SELF ADVOCATE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM " Our self - advocate leader training program teaches individuals skills in self - awareness and assessment , self - advocacy , prob lem - solving and decision - making , goal - setting , and teamwork and group development . " Darrilyn McCrerey said . The leadership program provides a self - advocate leader who is able to build relationships with each self - advocate and assist them in working through their individual concerns or issues . ART GALLERY The Arc of Washington has an art gallery inside its Canonsburg headquarters called Connecting Through Inspiration Art Gallery and showcases a variety of artists and styles of artwork . " We have a beautiful gallery space within our building . " " Our non - traditional art gallery celebrates diversity and inclusive op . portunities in our community by sharing the talents of local artists . Our hopes are to bring the community together through the cre ative arts and cultivate an inclusive environ ment . Once a piece of artwork is purchased , a portion of the proceeds will go to The Arc of Washington County for their advocacy pro gram to support people with disabilities and their families with necessary resources and advocacy support . Our gallery welcomes and hosts art created by people of all abilities . " EVENTS AND CLASSES The Arc of Washington County hosts several events and classes throughout the year , offer ing multiple opportunities for the community to connect to our mission of full inclusion . Enroll ment is currently open for our community art ist - led drawing and painting classes , as well as evening yoga taught by Energy Fitness Studio . " We strive to connect with community mem bers and businesses to raise awareness , bring people into our building , and show people firsthand what we have to offer , " said McCre rey . All events and classes are offered to peo ple of all abilities . MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM The Arc of Washington County has a member ship program that helps support its services . By becoming a member , supporters receive up - to - date information regarding services , educational training opportunities , social ac tivities , discounted events / classes and en gagement with other families . " Our new membership year starts July 1 and runs through June 30 , " McCrerey said . Anyone is welcome to join and support our mission ! " We are engaged in our schools , busi nesses , and churches and are a part of the fabric of our community . In that same way , we welcome you to become a mem ber of the Arc of Washington County and become a part of our community , " said Ed Picchiarini , CEO . For more information about The Arc of Wash ington County or how to become a member , visit us at www.archumanservices.org/ advocacy , call 724-470-9327 or email advocacy@arcofwashpa.org To learn more about our events and class es , visit our calendar of events on www . archumanservices.org/calender-of-events . We would love to see you there ! Sponsored content brought to you by n The Arc Washington County