. 564 Main St. Fitchburg MA. 01420
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564 Main St. Fitchburg MA. 01420
October & November 2018
Don’t Forget about these Meetings & Events
Self-Advocacy Support group WILL meet Wednesday October 10th from 4:30pm to 6pm.
This is a support group for people 16 and older who receive supports and are interested in understanding their
Rights and Responsibilities. This group meets from 4:30pm-6PM. Park in rear and use the Reception
entrance – on far left when facing The Arc from the back-parking lot (closest to Espresso Pizza).The
group typically orders take-out for dinner (optional).
Caregivers for people OVER 22: Will meet October 4th from and November 1st 10:00am-11:30. Typically
this is a support group for family members & caregivers of an adult with an intellectual or developmental
disability. This group has lots of history and experience. Adult siblings are also encouraged to attend and share
stories, triumphs, and roadblocks. This group is family driven; at times we have guest speakers come in and
assist with concerns. There will be no Family Support Groups in the month of August.
Monthly Dances:
Halloween Dance Party October 26th Costumes are optional but best costume gets a price!
Country Dance Party November 16th Canned food drive. Bring a canned food item and receive $1 off
admission!
Where: At the Knights of Columbus on 165 Electric Ave. The building is handicap accessible. Dances
are from 7PM- 9:30PM and admission is $7.00. Paid admission includes a drink and snack. Admission for
families/staff/providers/respite workers etc. is complimentary but we do ask those with free admission to pay
$1.00 for a drink and/or snack at break time. Please do not arrive before 6:45PM and please be sure all
pick-up rides arrive by 9:45PM. We would like to remind people that no one under the age of 16 is
permitted to attend or “visit” the dance (including family members). Anyone who needs assistance or
who does not have sufficient “community unsupervised time”, needs to be accompanied by family/staff/provider
for the duration of the evening. Those who are ‘independent’ and unaccompanied should carry
identification with emergency contact information. Thank you!
PLEASE note that you can access each bi-monthly Newsletter on-line at www.arcofopportunity.org through the
Recreation section. This way you get the FULL COLOR, ‘original’ version as soon as it’s posted on the web site. If you need
assistance navigating the web site, give Madeline a call. If you click on ‘Programs’, then ‘Recreation’, then as you scroll to
the bottom of the page you will ‘Downloads’. Under downloads you can find PDF copies of the Newsletter. You can see
all the details herein. For an overview, click on ‘Events’ at the top of the page to see what other things are going on at
The Arc of Opportunity
October 2018 WEEKEND REMINDERS: PLEASE CALL BY 12PM THURSDAYS TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION-
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED - limit is 18 participants per activity
Dues $10.00 per day please pay on the day you are attending. ACTIVITY FEE IS IN ADDITION TO THE DAILY DUES.
Meals are included in activity fees.
HOURS - SATURDAYS: 11:00am – 5:00PM unless otherwise noted LOCATION: The Arc of Opportunity, 564 Main St., Fitchburg. Enter through reception area in rear.
Family Support/Recreation Calendar
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thursday Fri Saturday
30
1
2
3
4 Fam. Sup. meeting
10am-11:30am
3:15-4:30p @ Mason’s
5
6 Dues: $10 Worcester State Football Game
Activity Fee: $20
7
8
Columbus Day
9 10
Self-advocacy Meeting
@The Arc
4:30pm -6pm
11
3:15-4:30p @ Mason’s
12
13 Dues:$10
Accessible Art
Project @ The
Arc
Activity fee: $15
14
15
16 17 18
3:15-4:30p @ Mason’s
19 20 Dues:$10 Lunch and a movie
Activity fee: $25
Getaway weekend in NH
21
Getaway weekend
in NH
22 23 24 25
3:15-4:30p @ Mason’s
26 Halloween
costume Dance @ The Knights of Columbus 7pm to 9:30pm
27 Dues: $10
Trick or Treat
On Main Street Activity Fee: $20
In the event of inclement weather or other unanticipated circumstances, Weekend Recreation Club Staff reserve the right to adjust scheduled activities
November 2018 WEEKEND REMINDERS: PLEASE CALL BY 12PM THURSDAYS TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION-
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED - limit is 18 participants per activity
Dues $10.00 per day please pay on the day you are attending. ACTIVITY FEE IS IN ADDITION TO THE DAILY DUES.
Meals are included in activity fees.
HOURS - SATURDAYS: 11:00am – 5:00PM unless otherwise noted LOCATION: The Arc of Opportunity, 564 Main St., Fitchburg. Enter through reception area in rear.
Family Support/Recreation Calendar
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thursday Fri Saturday
28
29
30
31
Halloween day
1
3:15-4:30p @
Mason’s
2
3 Dues:$10 Food Truck Event @
wachussett Mtn. Activity fee: $25
4
5
6
Election day!
7
8
3:15-4:30p @
Mason’s
9
10 Dues:$10
Basketball Game @FSU Activity fee:
$15
11
12
13 14 15
3:15-4:30p @ Mason’s
16 Country dance
and food drive@ The Knights of
Columbus 7pm to 9:30pm
17 Dues:$10 Lunch And a movie
Activity fee: $25
18 19 20 21 22 Thanksgiving
23 24 No rec due to Holiday
In the event of inclement weather or other unanticipated circumstances, Weekend Recreation Club Staff reserve the right to adjust scheduled activities
The Arc of Opportunity
ADULT BOWLING SEASON REGISTRATION (16+) Starts: Thursday, October 4, 2017 through March 28, 2019
Time: 3:15 – 4:30PM (23 weeks)
Place: Mason’s Recreation Center, 40 North Main Street, Leominster, MA 01453
Cost: $6 per week for members of The Arc; $6.50 per week for non-members. Bowling shoes are available free of charge.
Bowling will be held Thursday except on holidays, school vacations or if cancelled due to inclement weather. Any day that there is no school in Fitchburg or Leominster, bowling will automatically be cancelled. Any day when The Arc Day
Programs are “open with no transportation”, bowling will automatically be cancelled (even if some separate companies continue to provide transportation).
No Bowling on 11/22, 12/27 & 02/21
THE ARC PROVIDES NO TRANSPORTATION. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL TRANSPORTATION TO AND HOME FROM MASON’S (FAMILY, PROVIDER, STAFF, RESPITE
WORKER OR DIAL-A-RIDE IF ELIGIBLE.) YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO SCHEDULE DIAL-A-RIDE EVERY MONTH AND TO NOTIFY
D-A-R AND PROGRAM STAFF OF ANY SCHEDULE CHANGES AND ENSURE THAT TRANSPORTATION IS IN PLACE. PLEASE DON’T ARRIVE AT MASON’S BEFORE 3:00PM.
PLEASE BE SURE ALL RIDES ARE AT MASON’S BY 4:30PM FOR RETURN HOME.
Please complete the bowling registration form below and return it by September 22, 2018 to: Recreation Department, the Arc, 564 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bowling Registration Form
______________________________________ ____________ Name Date of Birth _______________________________________ ____________________ Address Telephone Number _______________________________________ _____________________ Contact Person Telephone Number
______________________________________________ _________________________ Name of Person who can be reached during bowling Telephone Number
**We are in NEED of volunteers to assist with scorekeeping weekly. If you are
Able to assist with this, please complete below. Please HELP if you can!
Name: _____________________________________________ Telephone Number________________________
Save The Date for The Arc’s
Holiday Dance! Sunday, December 09
Time: 3:00pm-7:00pm
Great Wolf Lodge New England
150 Great Wolf Drive
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Please join us for a magical night filled with friends and family.
There will be dinner, drinks, and plenty of dancing! (Water & tea will be provided, bring additional $ for other drinks)
Cost per person: $ 30.00 For further information please contact:
Madeline Merchant
(978) 343-6662 ext. 1011
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
PLEASE DETACH THIS PORTION AND RETURN TO MADELINE MERCHANT
Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 23rd, 2018 Name of attendees: _____________________________________________ Number of Tickets: ____________ Address: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Phone Number: ___________________________ I will dance if you play ______________________________________________
Tables can be reserved upon request. Must have 8 people to do so. Reserve a Table for
_________________________________________________________________
Getaway weekend in New Hampshire!!
October 20th and 21st 2018 Trip includes:
□ Deposits due by 08/15/2018
□ Drop off Saturday at 9:00am □ Pick Up Sunday at 6:00pm
● Cost of trip will: $300 for a chaperone traveler
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Please detach this portion and pay by Sept 14th, 2018
Trip Registration
Name: ___________________ Contact Person: _______________________
Contact Number: __________________ Deposit Amount: __________
Casual Lunch on Saturday Local Pumpkin Tour
Casual Dinner on Saturday Breakfast at hotel Sunday Pumpkin Judging Contest Casual Lunch on Sunday
Bright nights and basketball hall of fame
December 1st - 2nd, 2018
Cost: $300
Come join us on Saturday the 1st on an exciting and pure magical experience at the Bright Nights in Forest Park. Bright Nights at Forest Park started in the mid 90’s with a flyer from Carpenter Decorating and has grown
to become known as the Northeast’s premier holiday lighting experience. It has been named seven times as one of the Top 100 Attractions in North America!
Sunday the 2nd will be a fun filled day visiting the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday December 2nd. Learn about one of the world’s most distinctive monuments punctuating the Springfield skyline and stirring the spirits of basketball fans. Enjoy hundreds of interactive exhibits, see live clinics, and you might even get a chance at some hoop shooting contests
Cut here and return--------------------------------------------------------- Cut here and return
Please enclose a minimal Deposit of $100 by September 28th 2018 and remaining balance paid by November 16. Spaces are limited and fill up quickly.
I would like to reserve a space for ___________________________________________ @$300 for December 1st to 2nd 2018 Trip.
I enclosed is a deposit of $___________
TRIP INCLUDES:
LUNCH AT ANY FAST-FOOD LOCATION PRIOR TO
CHECK-IN ONE NIGHT STAY AT THE HILTON GARDEN DINNER AT UNO’S SATURDAY VISIT TO BRIGHT NIGHTS AT FOREST PARK SATURDAY
NIGHT COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL VISIT TO THE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME GOLDEN CORRAL AFTER BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
Friendly Reminder: dress accordingly! This is during the winter season and also the trip is subject to change.
The 2018 Arc of Opportunity Food Drive
We are sponsoring a Holiday Food Drive to create baskets of holiday foods for children with
disabilities and their families and/or those experiencing financial difficulties/unusual needs during this holiday season.
We encourage foods such as – canned ham, canned or boxed potatoes, canned sweet potatoes, canned vegetables, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, pie crusts and fillings, juice, etc to be donated. Gift certificates to local grocery stores for turkeys or other needed items are
also much appreciated.
Starting November 26th, drop off your donations at The Arc of Opportunity, 161 Boulder Drive Fitchburg, between 9am and 3pm by December 14th.
Family support and day program staff along with individuals in our community-based day programs will create the baskets and ensure that families receive them in time for the
holidays. Please consider donating an item or two to help another family be able to enjoy a happy,
satisfying holiday! THANK YOU!!
The Arc of Opportunity
Annual Giving Tree Our Family Support & Recreation Program is coordinating a toy campaign!
We are sponsoring a HOLIDAY GIVING TREE to collect gifts for children with disabilities and their siblings and/or those experiencing financial difficulties or unusual needs during this holiday season.
Trees will be set up at starting after Thanksgiving: Fuzzy’s Place, 100 Main St., Fitchburg Workers Credit Union, 815 Main St., Fitchburg Rollstone Bank & Trust, 721 Central Street, Leominster 486 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg The Arc of Opportunity, 564 Main St., Fitchburg
To participate, all you have to do is select an ornament tag from the tree. Ornaments can be selected by individuals, families, work groups, programs, etc. Each tag will have the sex and age of a child needing gifts along with some suggestions for gifts that child might enjoy.
Once you have shopped for the child whose tag you selected, please attach the tag to your UNWRAPPED gift(s) and place them in the toy box near the Giving Tree.
Our Family Support staff will match the gifts and children and distribute them in time for Christmas. We ask that all gifts be returned no later than Friday, December 14, 2018.
Please consider stopping by at one of the above locations, selecting an ornament, and making a child’s Christmas brighter!
It is that time of the year again for our ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIVING TREE! Our Annual Giving Tree supports families who
are experiencing financial difficulty during the holiday.
If you and your family are in need this holiday season, fill out the form below. The more details, the better we can try
to meet your requests. Families are also welcome to make a donation of a canned good or toy if you wish to do so. Any
questions call Madeline 978-343-6662 ext. 1011. Please return back no later than November 16 to:
The Arc’s Family Support Department 564 Main St. Fitchburg, MA
Giving Tree Form for Families (use back of form if more space needed)
Parent/Guardian Name(s): _______________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________ City/State/Zip Code: ______________________________
Phone #: ___________________________________ # of Children: ___________________________________
1.) Child’s Name: _________________________________________ Gender: M F Race: ________ Age: ____
Gift Suggestions: __________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Special Needs? (Circle One): Yes No Age Range of Gifts (if different from actual age): ________
Clothing Size: (ex. 14 boys, 3T): Pants: _______ Shirts:________ Coat: ________ Shoe Size: ______
2.) Child’s Name: _________________________________________ Gender: M F Race: ________ Age: ____
Gift Suggestions: __________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Special Needs? (Circle One): Yes No Age Range of Gifts (if different from actual age): ________
Clothing Size: (ex. 14 boys, 3T): Pants: _______ Shirts:________ Coat: ________ Shoe Size: ______
3.) Child’s Name: _________________________________________ Gender: M F Race: ________ Age: ____
Gift Suggestions: __________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Special Needs? (Circle One): Yes No Age Range of Gifts (if different from actual age): ________
Clothing Size: (ex. 14 boys, 3T): Pants: _______ Shirts:________ Coat: ________ Shoe Size: ______
The Arc of Opportunity How Are We Doing?
Here at the Recreation club we are committed to
providing you with the best and most exciting
experiences possible, so we welcome your
comments.
Please fill out this questionnaire return to either
Madeline or Glizelia. Thank you.
Which of the following would you enjoy -
Botanical Gardens (things like it) • Yes | • No
Museums • Yes | • No
Apple/pumpkin picking • Yes | • No
Seasonal festivals • Yes | • No
Zoo’s, aquariums, and farms • Yes | • No
Whale watching • Yes | • No
State parks w/ Historic Landmarks • Yes | • No
Food events • Yes | • No
Shows and musicals • Yes | • No
Movies • Yes | • No
Sporting Events • Yes | • No
Pottery/Canvas painting party • Yes | • No
How frequently do you attend the weekend rec
trips?
• 3-4 times per month • 1-2 times per month
• Once every 2 months • Other
Please rate your experience with signing up for
weekend recreational trips and events.
• 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5
Disappointing Exceptional
Please rate the quality of the recreational trips or
events.
• 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5
Disappointing Exceptional
Please rate the variety of recreational options
provided.
• 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5
Disappointing Exceptional
Was the experience with past trips and events fun?
• 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5
Disappointing Exceptional
Please rate your overall experience with The Rec
club and its coordinators.
• 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5
Disappointing Exceptional
Do you plan on staying as part of the recreation
club?
• Yes | • No
Why, or why not?
Please share any additional comments or
suggestions.