2010 Job Readiness Workshop

The Arc of the Mid-South hosted its Two Day Job Readiness Workshop last Thursday and Friday at Anointed Temple of Praise. Seven Memphis area high schools attended the workshop, including Westwood High, Grizzlies Academy, Overton High, Kirby High, Oakhaven High, Avon Lenox, and Kingsbury High.

The first day of the event covered interview skills, dress for success, goal setting, communication, transitioning to work, and transportation options. The students received raffle tickets at registration and had a chance to win prizes throughout the workshop.

The students returned the next day for a career fair, dressed ready for interviewing. Dwaun Warmack, Associate Dean of Students at Rhodes College, kicked off the final day, speaking to the students about taking chances and achieving their goals. The students then had an opportunity to meet with local businesses and schools to ask questions and fill out applications.

We had a great time. Thanks to everyone who participated! We received some awesome feedback from teachers and students and hope that everyone walked away with helpful information and some contacts.

View more pictures from the workshop on our flickr photostream.

The next event we have coming up is the Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. This promises to be an exciting event and is free and open to the public. Come by Mississippi Boulevard Church at 70 N. Bellevue, Memphis, from 9:00am - 3:00pm and root for your team!

Take a stand for individuals with disabilities!

Mark your calendars! We have a several events coming up this month to recognize National Disability Awareness Month:

Beginning this week, Friday, March 5th, is the March Madness Kick-off at Church Health Center Wellness (formerly Hope and Healing), 1115 Union Avenue, Memphis, to mark the beginning of National Disability Awareness Month. This event is open to the public and is from 11:00am - 1:00pm. 

We'll also be having a Job Readiness Workshop for high school juniors and seniors in the Memphis area March 11-March 12. The workshop will cover interviewing skills, goal setting, communication, and much more. The second day of the event will be devoted to a career fair. This event will be at Anointed Temple of Praise from 8:00am - 1:00pm each day. Students must be registered to attend.

Thursday, March 18, The Arc of the Mid-South is hosting a Town Hall meeting to educate the community about funding and policy changes within the Division of Intellectual Disability Services. Individuals will also have an opportunity to pose questions to a panel of professionals who are involved in the decision making process or in advocacy efforts. This event is open to the public and will be at Church Health Center Wellness, 1115 Union Avenue, Memphis, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.

Saturday, March 27, will be our annual wheelchair basketball tournament: Rumble on the River. Each year, teams from local businesses, government, and organizations compete to raise awareness and have fun. The Hershey Company's "Ice Breakers" are the defending champions. The tournament will be held at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church at 70 N. Bellevue from 9:00am - 3:00pm. This event is free and open to the public!

We're excited about these events and look forward to seeing you there!

3-Day Job Readiness Workshop and Career Fair was a Huge Success

We had a busy week last week, but it was well worth it. Students from eight area high schools and some of our Career Development and Job Placement (CDJP) students gathered at Anointed Temple of Praise (ATOP) last Wednesday through Friday for our annual Job Readiness Workshop and Career Fair.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the students broke into small groups and listened to our guest speakers present sessions on relevant topics such as “Goal Setting”, “Interview Skills”, “Work Ethic”, and “Dressing for Success”. On Friday, local companies came and talked with the students about some employment opportunities that they had available. There were also mock interviews arranged with some our CDJP staff so the students could have a better idea about what to expect.

All in all, it was a great time for everyone involved. All the feedback we received from the teachers and students was wonderful. With the employment numbers so low for individuals with disabilities, last week was a great chance to really make a difference in somebody’s life.

Don’t forget, this Saturday is our 13th Annual Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. We’d love to see you there on the court, as a volunteer, or as a spectator. Be sure to call (901) 327-2473 or email Ruth Kirby for more information.

March Madness 2009 Events

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and to celebrate the month and its importance, The Arc of the Mid-South has put together a series of events open to the general public.

Disability Days on the Hill
Wednesday, February 25th

Though technically a few days before March begins, Disability Days on the Hill is a key component of the March Madness celebration. The Arc of the Mid-South will be hosting a bus trip to the Capitol in Nashville. This is your chance to speak with legislators about issues important to you and your family. For more information, please contact Megan Long in our Advocacy Department at (901) 507-8568 or mlong -at- arcmidsouth -dot- net.

March Madness Kick-off
Thursday, March 5th

Join The Arc of the Mid-South as we kick off National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at Memphis City Hall with the local mayors’ proclamations on display as well as other information about our organization. For more information, please contact Jennifer Buchanan at (901) 327-2473 or jbuchanan -at- arcmidsouth -dot- net.

Job Readiness Workshop
Wednesday-Friday, March 11-13
Anointed Temple of Praise

The Arc of the Mid-South's Career Development and Job Placement (CDJP) program will host a three-day job readiness training for students with disabilities. Wednesday and Thursday will feature classes that help prepare the students for everything from the interview process to time management to goal setting. Friday, local employers will be on site to talk with students about available opportunities. Please contact Jennifer Buchanan at (901) 327-2473 or jbuchanan -at- arcmidsouth -dot- net.

Wheelchair Basketball Tournament and Information Fair
Saturday, March 21
Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church

The 13th annual Wheelchair Basketball Tournament will once again take place at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. Teams from city and county government, local businesses, and other Arc supporters will come together to play wheelchair basketball in honor of Developmental Disability Awareness Month.

This year, we're also hosting our Information Fair during the basketball tournament. Other organizations in the area that work with those with disabilities will be on site with information about themselves and services they offer.

To register a team for the Wheelchair Basketball tournament or to find out more about the Information Fair, please contact Ruth Kirby at (901) 507-8569 or rkirby -at- arcmidsouth -dot- net.