Overview
Our clients love to be a part of the larger community through volunteering.
If you are associated with a non-profit which could benefit from enthusiastic volunteers, let us know!
Example activities include:
- Sorting donations (food bank, clothes, etc.)
- Delivering food
- Visiting nursing homes
- Greeting people
- Handing out items at events
Why It Matters
Sometimes, people with I/DD do not have as many opportunities to volunteer in the community as they would like. This may happen for several reasons:
- Some people think that people with disabilities can only receive service and cannot give back to others.
- Volunteer groups and coordinators may not have experience working with people with I/DD and may not know how or have enough staff to support them to volunteer.
- Volunteer locations may not be accessible to people with I/DD.
- A person with I/DD may need support with health needs while they volunteer.
- People may struggle to find transportation to or from a volunteering.
- People with I/DD may not know how to express their interest in volunteering or where to find volunteer opportunities in their community.
- People with I/DD may not want to volunteer because they want a paid job.
Many people perceive people with disabilities as the ones in need of service. However, people with disabilities are a key part of civic engagement across the country.
People volunteer every day to build confidence, job skills, and work experience. Volunteering helps job seekers network and build relationships that can lead to employment. It also provides chances to build friendships and networks of support.
People can and should be empowered to give back to their communities. When everyone participates, it’s a win-win!
What The Arc Is Doing
2022 Hunger Summit
Persons-served volunteered and attended the 2022 Hunger Summit held September 29 at First Baptist Church. The Hunger Summit is a community meeting hosted by the North Alabama Food Bank and over 100 of its community partners. This meeting highlighted issues faced by food insecure persons and sought to offer suggestions on how to end hunger in our community.
Burritt on the Mountain
In September 2021, volunteers from The Arc of Madison County were named the September Volunteer of the Month for Burritt on the Mountain. This is what Burritt on the Mountain posted on their website, “September Volunteer of the Month: The Arc of Madison County. This month, we are celebrating the volunteers from The Arc of Madison County, Inc. as Volunteer of the Month. We are grateful for the opportunity to help support The Arc in its mission to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities enjoy full participation and inclusion in the community. Each week, we welcome volunteers from The Arc of Madison County. They take on tasks in the Historic Park that help grow confidence and enhance social skills while furthering work experience and enjoying opportunities to build and grow friendships while learning skills that empower greater independence and encourage community involvement. The Arc volunteers devote time and energy to making a difference at Burritt on the Mountain, and we are delighted to have them as part of our community. We can’t do what we do without great volunteers! Thank you to the volunteers of The Arc for taking a key role in civic engagement and giving back to the community. We look forward to seeing them each week and we thank them for being part of the Burritt family. We couldn’t do it without you!”
Operation Green Team
Our persons-served participate in various activities throughout the community including: assisting Operation Green Team in a community service project at Calhoun Community College by helping with trash pick-up and painting fire hydrants. They also took part in the Crawford Park Tree Planting, where they helped to plant 15 different varieties of trees including Maple, Oak, Black Gum, Bald Cypress, Cedar, and Magnolia.
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.