Mark your calendar!

The Golfers’ Choice Tournament is the event golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and donors choose so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have more choices in their lives! Support our mission while enjoying a day of community, golf, and fun.

Sign up to golf individually or with a team of four! Need some extra banquet tickets? You can buy them at the same time!

Join us and all of our sponsors in the Southeast Region as we work to fulfill our mission to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, actively supporting them and their families in a lifetime of full inclusion and participation in their communities.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Learn about our sponsorship opportunities and sign up here!

For more information, contact laylaabdi@arcminnesota.org.

The post Join The Arc Minnesota for the 2023 Golfers’ Choice Tournament! first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Join The Arc Minnesota for the 2023 Golfers’ Choice Tournament! appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Virtual tickets still available

Download this as an infographic

Super Silent Auction

Total Wine & More will host an event that is certain to impress you and up to 20 guests. Taste a variety of our premium, hand-selected wines and discover hidden treasures from the wine region of your choosing. One of our wine experts will present and discuss each delicious wine during your two-hour class, which can be arranged as a seated class-style or more casual walk-around event.

Sports and Pastimes

Attend a Wisconsin Badgers Football game vs. Southern Georgia and enjoy the game in luxury! This item includes two tickets in the newly renovated VIP Section which gives you access to the premium cash bar, complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages, and dedicated restrooms.

Hotels and Getaways

Only two hours north of the Twin Cities, this lakeside, all-seasons resort offers all the amenities you need for a relaxing getaway. This package includes a One-night stay in a deluxe standard room, four waterpark passes, and breakfast for four. But don’t forget to take advantage of everything Arrowhead has to offer, like the 18-hole championship golf course!

Technology

Introduce this fast, versatile, and convenient appliance into your kitchen. Whether you’re looking for a pressure cooker, slow cookers, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, sous vide, air fryer, roaster, mini over, broiler, or dehydrator, this 11-in-1 Instant Pot has it all! With two innovative, removable lids to help you to cook and crisp your favorite meals all in one pot.

Wine and Dine

Enjoy a gift card and 4 flights of 4 tasters each to Lakes and Legends Brewery. Inspired by the feel of the North; bonfires, diverse geography, and the classic “Minnesota Nice” energy, the spacious taproom specializes in seasonal craft beers of the North and spotlights new and innovative beers to surprise and excite, with the hopes to elevate the experience every time you raise a glass.

Theater

Enjoy a delicious dinner and a live show for two at the nation’s largest professional dinner, Chanhassen Dinner Theaters. As the only year-round musical theatre in Minnesota, Chanhassen is a producing theatre, creating all aspects of production in-house, which is made possible by its very own creative team led by Resident Artistic Director Michael Brindisi.

Family Fun

With a gift certificate to Dame Errant Clay, experience this studio’s combination of artistic creativity and self-care. From open clay times to a variety of workshops, such as mug workshop and Tarot and Clay. Carve out time in your schedule, head over to Dame Errant Clay and make yourself a cup of team while you enjoy an immersive and creative experience.

Home and Health

Enjoy 12 free loaves of bread from Breadsmith, a bread bakery specializing in handcrafted, European-style artisan breads. Featuring a variety of breads and sweets, everything in the bakery is made from scratch, using only the highest quality ingredients. Each loaf is also made by hand and baked in a five-ton, European hearth stone oven.

The post 2023 Arc Gala: Auction Preview first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post 2023 Arc Gala: Auction Preview appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

The Arc Minnesota is excited to co-host Disability Advocacy Week!

That’s right – we’re planning an entire week of grassroots action centered around the theme “Love. Liberation. Belonging.”

Here’s more information about the week’s main events:

You can find a PDF version of this schedule here.

Monday, February 13

Stories that Stick: Tips for Meeting Elected Officials 

6:00 pm to 7:15 pm

Join us on Zoom!

Join disabled leaders, lobbyists, and policymakers to learn effective advocacy strategies. The tips and tools they share can help you get ready for meetings with your elected officials.

Register here.

With questions or support getting registered, contact Bridget Carter at bcarter@mnccd.org or Maren Christenson at maren.christenson@gmail.com.

ASL and CART will be provided.

Tuesday, February 14

• Rally Prep – 9:30 am to 10:30 am, Dept. of Transportation Cafeteria
• March & Roll to Capitol – 10:30 am to 11:30 am
• Rally – 11:00 am to 11:45 am, Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda
• Meetings with legislators – All day!

The Disability Advocacy Day Rally is on Tuesday, February 14. Check-in early if you can – anytime from 9:30 am to 10:30 am in the Minnesota Department of Transportation Cafeteria. Event co-hosts will share information about their policy priorities this session, and we’ll make posters centered around the event theme of “Love. Liberation. Belonging”.

Then, join a march & roll to the Capitol, where we will rally in the Rotunda. There will be chairs, a bariatric bench, and designated space for people who use wheelchairs.

Register here.

With general event questions, contact Jessica Tabbutt at JessicaLTabbutt@gillettechildrens.com.

ASL and CART will be provided. We will also have in-event language translation in Hmong, Somali, and Spanish. For support with other access needs, contact Gene Martinez at genemartinez@arcminnesota.org.

Plan ahead to meet with your elected officials!

Wednesday, February 15 – Friday, February 17

Follow along on The Arc Minnesota’s social media accounts for information about more virtual grassroots actions to round out the week.

With questions or for more information, contact Alicia Munson by email at aliciamunson@arcminnesota.org.

We hope you’ll join us during #DisabilityAdvocacyWeek2023!

The post 2023 Disability Advocacy Week first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post 2023 Disability Advocacy Week appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

The 2023 Arc Gala will center on our public policy programming, with the goal of broadening our reach and strengthening our impact in legislative and grassroots advocacy.  Public policy is one of our core programming pillars but it is one of our most under-resourced programs. The funds we secure at the gala will change that. The Arc Minnesota will make strategic investments in personnel, community engagement and outreach, coalition building, and resource development. Learn more about our 2023 Fund a Need.

You can still attend our Gala in person by securing your free virtual tickets here.

Learn more about our: Schedule of Events, Gala Co-Chairs, Entertainment, Gala Host, Auction, Arc’s Value Village Pop-Up Shop, COVID-19 Safety

Schedule of Events

Join us for an incredible night! For those attending in person at The Depot, your night will look like this:

5:00 pm — General registration opens
5:30 pm — Cocktail hour and silent auction
7:00 pm — Dinner is served
7:30 pm — Program
8:45 pm — Live performance by Dan Wilson
9:45 pm — After party with DJ

For those of you joining from home, our program will begin streaming at 7:30 with the virtual space opening before that. We encourage you to join in the fun, and will be releasing a virtual guide to the night soon!

2023 Gala Co-Chairs: Maren Hulden and John Albanese

The opportunity to chair the 2023 Gala is such an honor. We are thrilled to support The Arc in this way, and as attorneys using our law degrees to fight for people’s rights, the focus of this year’s Fund a Need is particularly close to our hearts. The Arc’s public policy work not only brings about concrete changes that transform systems to better meet the needs of our community, but also does so in a way that centers the experiences and follows the lead of people who have disabilities—pushing advocacy partners and agencies to do the same.

Please join us in supporting the 2023 Arc Gala. There is so much more we can accomplish when we come together. Your contribution will support The Arc Minnesota’s transformational policy change, co-created alongside disabled leaders—and ultimately, a more welcoming world for us all.

Thank you for joining us on March 4, 2023.

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Entertainment: Dan Wilson

We will have a live performance from the legendary Dan Wilson!

Dan Wilson is a singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and visual artist.

His songwriting resume includes “Closing Time”, which he wrote for his band, Semisonic, “Not Ready to Make Nice” (co-written with The Chicks) and “Someone like You” (co-written with Adele). He earned a Grammy nomination for “Closing Time” (Best Rock Song) and won Grammys for Song of the Year (“Not Ready to Make Nice” in 2007) and Album of the Year (which he won in 2012 as one of the producers of Adele’s 21).

In addition to being the leader of Semisonic, Dan was also a founding member of the Minneapolis psychedelic rock band Trip Shakespeare. As a solo artist, Wilson has released several solo recordings, including his current EP Dancing On The Moon and the 2017 release Re-Covered, which also includes a 54-page book of illustrations, session anecdotes and observations about songwriting. As a collaborator, Wilson has written with and produced a diverse group of collaborators including Taylor Swift, Leon Bridges, Phantogram, Carol King, Pink, Halsey,  Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton, Carole King, Noah Cyrus, John Legend, Mike Posner, and many others.

Wilson has also created a unique online series of songwriting and collaboration advice titled Words + Music in Six Seconds. The series can be found on Instagram: #wordsandmusicinsixseconds. In November 2020, Wilson released the Words + Music in 6 Seconds deck, a collection of cards written and designed by Wilson based on his Instagram series.

After Dan Wilson’s performance, we will have a DJ to continue the night along with dancing and celebration.

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2023 Gala Host: Maggie Erikson Kilgannon

Maggie Erikson Kilgannon is back again in 2023! Maggie has been involved with The Arc Minnesota for many years through programming and the Self-Advocacy Board. A Youtuber, self-advocate, and home chef, Maggie is passionate about living a kind, caring and joyful life. She lives with her husband Aidan in Apple Valley where they embody their values every day, create videos for their YouTube channels, and cook together.

Auction

We have a live and silent auction with eight incredible categories for you to bid on!  From private chef dinners by the lake in our super silent auction to fun family adventures, we have something for everyone! Check out our exciting auction preview now!

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Arc’s Value Village Pop-Up Shop

Need the perfect outfit for the Gala? Our Arc’s Value Village stores have a pop-up shop with hand-curated selections from our Personal Stylists. These glamourous and thrifty finds will help you look your best for your gala photo opp or your at-home celebration! They’re being restocked regularly, so keep checking back for incredible options.

If you’re attending the gala, you will also have the opportunity to shop our pop-up before and after the Gala! Our Personal Stylists and Arc’s Value Village staff will be at the gala with a special collection for the big night. Shop while you party and support The Arc Minnesota!

Our three Arc’s Value Village stores in Bloomington, Richfield, and New Hope provide essential funding to The Arc Minnesota and all of our programs and services.

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COVID-19 Safety Information

COVID-19 is not over, unfortunately. We want to keep our community safe and comfortable. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally impacted the disability community and communities of color, and it has disabled many people. As an organization with disability and racial justice in our values, it is important that we practice community care.

Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell in any way. Consider getting a COVID-19 test ahead of time—get free at-home tests or find a testing site here.

We will have color-coded stickers in green/yellow/red to add to your name tag at the event to indicate your comfort with social distancing and masking. Please respect people’s needs, and consider bringing a mask to wear to interact with folks who are wearing red stickers, or ask you to wear one when speaking face to face. If you aren’t sure what someone would prefer, just ask.

Sticker colors and their meanings:

• Green sticker: No need to take precautions. I am comfortable without distancing or masking. Physical interactions like hugs and handshakes are okay with consent.
• Yellow sticker: I’m okay without masking or precautions, but no handshakes or hugs, please. I may be wearing a mask, but you do not have to wear one.
• Red sticker: Please distance or mask when interacting with me if possible. No handshakes or hugs, please.

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Contact us

For any questions about The 2023 Arc Gala contact giving@arcminnesota.org

The post All The Details: 2023 Arc Gala first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post All The Details: 2023 Arc Gala appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

The Arc Minnesota is helping to host three upcoming events! These three events are about is part of the Let’s Connect – Virtual Community Conversations about COVID-19 event series. All events will have ASL and CART, as well as Hmong, Somali, and Spanish language.

Review this event series in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong

Benefits of Being Boosted

November 21, 2022 at 11:30 am to 1 pm

Register here: https://bit.ly/3UdJ0WI

Did you know there’s a new COVID-19 booster for children and adults? It can help protect against serious illness from the omicron variant. Learn from MDH experts about the bivalent booster and how it works. Get answers to your questions, and gain resources to share in your community.

Data Matters: Closing the Disability Data Gap

December 6, 2022 at 11:30 am to 1 pm

Register here: https://bit.ly/3SSplKw

The Minnesota Department of Health is adopting data standards on disability for the first time. We want to share some basic disability data around COVID-19 and our future plans to gather health data about persons with disabilities. Share your feedback and discuss any challenges or ideas MDH should consider.

Advancing Access in COVID-19 Health Care

December 19, 2022 at 11:30 am to 1 pm

Register here: https://bit.ly/3Ds2yzT

In partnership with MDH, The Arc Minnesota and Multicultural Autism Action Network are working on COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccine access. Join this session to get new social narratives for state-run vaccine and test-to-treat sites. Share your input and expertise about other ways to improve access to COVID-19 health care.

The post Let’s Connect: COVID-19 Series first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Let’s Connect: COVID-19 Series appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

St. Cloud- Thursday, July 14, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Val Smith Park in Sartell

Brainerd- Friday, July 15, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Oscar Kristofferson Park in Baxter

Moorhead– Saturday, July 16, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at MB Johnson Park

Bemidji– Sunday, July 17, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at City Park

Duluth- Sunday, July 17, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Lakeside/Lester Park

Sioux Falls, SD– Friday, July 22, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Terrace Park West Sioux Falls Canaries Game to follow.

Owatonna- Saturday, July 23, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Manthey Park

Twin Cities- Sunday, July 24, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton

Registration is encouraged but not required (this will help greatly as DSAMN plan for food/beverages/etc). Just click the “Register” button and then choose the picnic you will be attending!

The post DSAMN Summer Celebration Picnics 2022 first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post DSAMN Summer Celebration Picnics 2022 appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Feel free to do whatever you like. You will have about 5 minutes to perform your act. Hope to see you all there!

If you want to show us your talent, you must register here.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://arcminnesota.zoom.us/j/85846679152?pwd=Z2NqU2hJK1kyVXBmMzhVaW8yNTgrQT09

Meeting ID: 858 4667 9152

Passcode: show

One tap mobile

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Dial by your location

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Meeting ID: 858 4667 9152

Find your local number: https://arcminnesota.zoom.us/u/kcFDOK0Tdq

Join by Skype for Business

https://arcminnesota.zoom.us/skype/85846679152

The post Show us your talent—talent show! first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Show us your talent—talent show! appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

This virtual event is a great way to unwind and meet new people. We’ll be making collages as our art project!

More details to come soon.

Materials needed:

• construction paper or printer paper
• magazines or newspapers
  • If you don’t have newspaper or magazines, or want some extra pictures and words, we have two documents full of pictures and words for you to download and print. Click here to download sheet one. Click here to download sheet two.
• glue or tape
• pens or markers
• scissors
• stickers (optional)

Zoom meeting information: 

Join Zoom Meeting https://arcminnesota.zoom.us/j/83265138414?pwd=NUhjUUY2cDRtaEFSTnNTMStYL2w3UT09
Meeting ID: 832 6513 8414
Passcode: art

Dial by your location:
Meeting ID: 832 6513 8414
Find your local number: https://arcminnesota.zoom.us/u/kbDprEwWiA

The post Join us November 17 for Arts & Crafts Night! first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Join us November 17 for Arts & Crafts Night! appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Breakout Session A – 10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Breakout Session A-1: What Every Parent,Teacher and Para Professional Should Know about Executive Functions

o Executive functions consist of a variety of “higher-order” mental processes and behaviors. They are mental skills that help the brain organize and act on information. Often times as teachers we may notice weaknesses in the executive function areas when a student is identified with a disability. However, executive function weaknesses can be identified in a multitude of learners and have a significant impact on the way your students perform in the classroom. Learn the basics about students’ executive function skills, as well as strategies and interventions in different executive functioning areas for students in K-12.

o Presenter – Mary Beth Kelley MA – Program Developer/Assessment Supervisor · Learning Disabilities Association of MN (Elementary).

Breakout Session A-2: Utilizing Positive Behavior Supports for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder

o In this session we will cover a variety of evidenced-based positive behavior supports which can create more inclusive environments and support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder through various stages of life.

o Presenter – Mike Pucci – Education Specialist – Autism Society of Minnesota (Elementary, Transition)

Breakout Session A-3: Consent, Boundaries, Safety: Teach Them Early, Often and Consistently 

o It’s more than the birds and the bees! In this presentation, Katie will facilitate a conversation on teaching consent, boundaries, and safety to young people with disabilities. Participants will learn about resources, tools and strategies, as well as gain confidence in having conversations with young people about sexual health and healthy relationships. Rest assured, Katie is great at putting audiences at ease.

o Presenter – Katie Thune, MA Ed, Founder of Mad Hatter Wellness  (Preschool, Elementary)

Breakout Session A-4: Birth to Three Yellow Zone

o In this session, attendees will learn about regulation and well-being and how to support children’s development based on The Yellow Zone. The Yellow Zone is a resiliency initiative created by Stearns County Public Health, in collaboration with community professionals, to help schools, businesses, and the community establish environments that support the health and well-being individuals based on positive psychology research. Specific well-being and regulation strategies to use in early childhood settings will be demonstrated.

o Presenter – Anna Clavin, MA, LMFT, IECMH-E® – Ellison Center (Preschool)

Breakout Session A-5: Legislative Update: Policies Impacting Children with Disabilities & How You Can Help

o   Join this session to hear about policies and legislative proposals impacting young children with disabilities. Learn information about a pre-K suspension ban that was recently passed in Minnesota, and about efforts to expand access to inclusive child care. There will be time to share some of your experiences with child care – both successes and barriers – and learn about how you can help advocate on this issue in the future.

o   Presenter – Alicia Munson, BS Political Science – Public Policy Director, The Arc Minnesota.

o   Presenter – Maren Christenson Hofer – Administrator – Multicultural Autism Action Network (MAAN), Contractor -Minnesota Department of Education Leadership Team for Minnesota’s Comprehensive System of Personal Development for Early Childhood.

The post Potpourri Conference: Breakout Session A first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Potpourri Conference: Breakout Session A appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Breakout Session B – 12:30  – 1:20 p.m. 

Breakout Session B-1: At Last, the Secret to Behavior Management is Revealed!

o That one student! You know the one that throws off an entire lesson and distracts the whole class with his/her antics and behaviors. This workshop will help you set up a positive learning environment for your students, while laying a foundation for managing behaviors. During this training you will develop realistic and practical ideas to use immediately in your classroom!

o Presenter – Mary Beth Kelley MA – Program Developer/Assessment Supervisor · Learning Disabilities Association of MN (Elementary)

Breakout Session B-2: Supporting Healthy Early Childhood Child Development and Early Intervention for Developmental Delays:  Promoting Wellbeing in Families and Communities

o A key component to effectively working with families with young children (Birth-5) is supporting them in understanding healthy early child development, identifying early developmental delays, and empowering families to act early if there are developmental concerns. There is a growing demand for key support providers (e.g. child care providers, teachers, paraprofessionals, etc.) to provide family-centered, culturally competent care to young children and their families in the early childhood years. Competent practitioners address child needs, family needs, and cultural and linguistic differences when presenting early developmental concerns and the need for early intervention.

o Discussions of early developmental delays can often be challenging for practitioners to discuss with families. Families and communities may view child development and delays/disabilities differently. There is a wide spectrum of diverse cultural and family perspectives on typical versus atypical development. Further, many families need support in navigating the system from first developmental concerns to connecting with early intervention (B-5) supports and services. Thus, there is great need to help families with young children access tools and resources to support developmental monitoring, early developmental screening, and early intervention supports.

o Best practices in family-centered, culturally competent approaches to supporting early identification of developmental delays and early intervention will be presented. Practical resources and tools for families and practitioners will be shared from MN LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities), MN Act Early Project and Help Me Grow MN including free developmental monitoring tools, developmental children’s books, additional trainings on early intervention, and a film series highlighting the journey of families in accessing early intervention supports and services across diverse cultural communities in Minnesota.

o Presenter – Jennifer Hall-Lande, PhD, and Asli Ashkir MPH/RN

Breakout Session B-3: Unpacking and Reframing Vulnerability at the Intersection of Disability & Interpersonal Violence

o Our intent is to protect people from harm.  The impact is subjecting people to the dehumanizing indignity of safety.  The single story of disability and vulnerability must be challenged in order to prevent harm and support the dignity of risk.

o Presenter – Nancy Fitzsimons, PhD, MSW, LISW– Professor at Minnesota State University in Mankato.

Breakout Session B-4: Person Centered Thinking & Planning – Creating a Meaningful Life

o The term ‘person centered’ is a recent buzzword, but what does it truly mean? How does one live a person-centered life? How is that different than anything else? Explore how to help persons with disabilities live their best life, while practicing person centered planning philosophies. Each person has unique support needs. Learn about specific tools, expand your skills and ways to create a vision for the future with the person. The Arc believes every person has a valuable contribution to offer, and the potential to live a fulfilling life that is meaningful to them.

o Presenter – Allycia Wolff, BS Vocational Rehabilitation – Advocate and Planning Specialist, The Arc Minnesota (All)

Final Session: 1:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. 

o Wrap Up and Complete Evaluations.

The post Potpourri Conference: Breakout Session B first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Potpourri Conference: Breakout Session B appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.