E-News, April 2010

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In this Issue

• Nominate Individuals who Exemplify Advocacy, Leadership, Commitment, Outreach & Awareness
• The Arc of King County Advocates Witness Governor Gregoire Sign Respectful Language Bill
• The Arc Welcomes Marcella Young to its Board of Directors
• Push America: The Journey of Hope
• Thank You to all who Generously Donated to The Arc of King County from July 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010
• Community Living Grant
• Become a Facebook Fan of The Arc's Multicultural Youth Leadership Forum

Upcoming Events

Save the Date!   

The Arc's Annual Living Our Legacy Awards Ceremony and Luncheon will be held at the Seattle Hyatt at Olive 8 on May 27, 2010  

June 6, 2010: Push America Journey of Hope Friendship Visit and Dinner

• Transition from secondary-school education

• Public benefits

• Wills and estate planning

• Special needs trusts 

For more information and to register.  Space is limited.

Deadline June 30, 2010

Applications are currently being considered for the Community Living Grant.  Please send your applications to The Arc of King County, Attention: Community Living Grant Program, 233 Sixth Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109.  The Arc of King County's grant committee will review each application and notify recipients by mail. Click here to read more about this opportunity.

For more information contact Mary Jo Magruder at mjmagruder@arcofkingcounty.org or call 206-829-7010. 

Melissa Jensen

Megan Lewis

Haylee Yepson 

Share Your News

Do you have a story, news article, or photos you'd like to share with The Arc readers?

Please send your information to Patricia McNiff at  pmcniff@arcofkingcounty.org or call 206-829-7001 for more information.  Thank you!

Connect with The Arc and other supporters online! Join us on Twitter and Facebook.

The Arc of King County wants you to nominate individuals whom you believe represent the qualities of advocacy, leadership, commitment, outreach and awareness benefiting individuals with developmental disabilities.  You may nominate any individual, with or without a disability, who exemplifies any or all of these qualities.  We, at The Arc, will recognize the dedication of King County residents or organizations who either personally or professionally demonstrate their commitment to the betterment of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  A selection committee will review the applications that are submitted from the community and honor exceptional individuals who have worked in alignment with The Arc's mission: Advocating the right of children and adults with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work and play in the community - improving the quality of life for us all.

Please send us your award nominations by April 16, 2010.

For questions or comments regarding the nomination process, please contact Patricia McNiff at 206-829-7001, or pmcniff@arcofkingcounty.org

View the status of other Bills of Interest that affect individuals with developmental disabilities as of March 25, 2010. 

The Arc Welcomes Marcella Young to its Board of Directors  

Push America: Journey of Hope  

Be sure and mark your calendars for Sunday, June 6, 2010 to join Push America as they kick-off their Journey of Hope. A Friendship Visit and Dinner with the cyclists will take place at Gasworks Park before they embark on a combined 12,000 mile cycling event across the country, which raises more than $500,000 on behalf of individuals with disabilities.  Throughout the cyclists journey, they will visit and participate in programming with local organizations that support people with disabilities. The Journey of Hope also educates over 2,500 children per year, highlighting the abilities of individuals with disabilities through innovative ways, such as The Kids on the Block Puppet Shows. 

Push America is a philanthropic organization associated with Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and focuses on issues related to individuals with disabilities.  They sponsor numerous events, such as fundraisers, building accessible playgrounds, camps, etc., and several bicycle events.  One of their largest cycling events is the Journey of Hope, an annual cross-country cycling event involving fraternity members from around the country who spread a message of acceptance and understanding for individuals with disabilities.  As part of their trip, the team participates in friendship visits in which they meet individuals with disabilities to better understand disabilities and how those disabilities impact those individuals.

Push America and Pi Kappa Phi have been tremendously supportive of The Arc through friendship and financial gifts.  One of The Arc's board trustees, Josh Brothers, an attorney with Dussault Law Group, participated in this journey while in college.  He believes this experience led him to representing individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Let us together welcome the Journey of Hope cycling team for a friendship visit and complimentary dinner.  Everyone is welcome.  Come and meet these inspiring cyclists.  Let's give them a warm, Seattle welcome!

If you are planning to attend the Friendship Visit and Dinner on June 6th at 6:00 p.m., or the Kick-Off Breakfast on June 9th at 7:00 a.m., please RSVP to Patricia McNiff at 206-829-7001 or pmcniff@arcofkingcounty.org by Friday, April 30th.

Thank You to All who Generously Donated to The Arc of King County from July 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010

Plus thank you to our 2009 A Toast to The Arc Wine Event supporters.