The Arc Ambassadors group formed in 2006 by employees with developmental disabilities. The purpose of the group is to raise awareness of people with developmental disabilities by their active involvement in the community. They want to fulfill their dreams of working, building self confidence through skill development and enjoying friendships with other team members with disabilities. The Arc Ambassadors meet every month with Arc staff members to discuss issues, plan events and discuss upcoming presentations they will be giving to the management group. This is also a time for them to enjoy lunch and each other’s company and laugh out loud!
The Ambassadors know all about having fun. Every month there is a planned event where the Ambassadors and Arc staff members go bowling or to a movie and dinner. There’s not always agreement about what movie to see, but all agree to have fun! It’s an awesome sight to see the walkers and wheel chairs jockeying for position at the bowling alley. Everyone waiting their turn and no-one really caring about the scores…only that everyone scored a good time.
After all…That’s what we are all about!
Meet some of our Ambassadors
David has been associated with Arc Thrift since January
2006. David was born with Cerebral Palsy and
was raised in the Denver area in the foster care
system. He attended both public schools and special
education schools. Upon completion of his schooling,
David has held some interesting and fun jobs. He was
with elementary schools for several years working as
a teacher’s aide and in the computer lab. He loved
the kids and enjoyed teasing them.
David’s work with Arc Thrift includes community outreach and the Arc Ambassadors, a group he created of employees with developmental disabilities. He has worked with this group teaching them presentation skills and instilling self-confidence. He was named Employee of the Year in 2006. He is also active with the Arc of Jefferson County and the Adoption Exchange.
Jodi joined Arc Thrift 12 years ago on September 4, 1996. She was one or our first Employees of the Year and is a member of Arc Ambassadors. She is currently working in our Arvada store where her job is stocking shoes. One of her big goals is learning how to price them because customers always ask her how much they are. Jodi likes working at Arc and believes our stores are very good. She likes working with her fellow employees because they always make a good team. Her favorite part of the job is helping customers find items. Jodi currently lives with her parents but would like to live independently like her brother and sister. For now she spends her time hanging out with her mom, taking walks to the park and visiting with her nieces and nephews.
Garnons came to Arc Thrift in May, 1987, making him one of our most tenured and dependable employees. In 2005 he was named as one our first Employees of the Year. He is a favorite at the Colfax store, where he works as a hanger. Garnons lives with his mom and dad. He loves to bowl and not only bowls as an Arc Ambassador but belongs to an outside league as well. He does very well and every week his highest score is announced over the PA system at the Colfax store.
Lisa joined Arc Thrift on November 20, 2006 and was named Employee of the Year in 2007. She works part time in the corporate office in the IT department doing data entry and administrative work. Lisa has a wonderful sense of humor, which everyone in the corporate office enjoys. Before joining Arc Thrift, Lisa worked with the American Red Cross, Life Quotes, Inc. and other businesses in Idaho Springs. Lisa graduated from Clear Creek High School in Idaho Springs, attended Warren Tech Vocational School and Red Rocks Community College. She lives in Idaho Springs and is very happy and proud to finally be living on her own. Lisa loves attending concerts bowling, dances, her aerobics class and movies with friends and family. Lisa is a member of the Idaho Spring’s Lion’s Club, and the Arc Thrift Ambassadors Group.