At United Way of Story County (UWSC), we believe that when we are United together, we can find solutions that make long-lasting, positive change in the lives of individuals and families, which is why our 2017 LIVE UNITED campaign theme is United Together. Finding Solutions, Changing Lives. We do this because every person in our community has a right to have a good quality of life.
United Way is making a real impact by Changing Lives in the areas of education, income, and health. This week, we will focus on how UWSC is making an impact on health by supporting The Arc of Story County’s Active LifeStyles program.
The Arc of Story County serves 200 families and individuals in our community by providing multiple services and support for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Active LifeStyles program provides social and recreational opportunities for these individuals. It offers a variety of activities to choose from including sports, cooking classes, healthy relationships classes, and more.
The activities provided through the Active LifeStyles program allow participants to be active in the community and live a life that people not living with disabilities may take for granted. Through offering these activities, participants and their families are supported, able to build self-esteem and develop a sense of accomplishment, and connect through community with their peers and families.
Tricia Crain, director of The Arc of Story County, has seen how the community that is formed through the program benefits the whole family. “Recently, a family moved from out of state who has an adult son with an intellectual disability,” Crain said. “Their son has been able to transition to the area very easily because he became involved with The Arc’s services and is making new friends. Our members know that they can always count on the social and recreational services provided through the Active LifeStyles program to maintain balance in their lives.”
With your support, UWSC can continue to fight for the education, income, and health of every person, with all abilities, in our community. To learn more about UWSC’s funding in local programs, visit www.uwstory.org or call (515) 268-5142.
United Way of Story County is a strategic leader in building countywide partnerships to identify needs and to develop, support and evaluate effective human services, especially in the areas of education, income and health, for our diverse community.