Neighbor News
The Arc of Essex County Seeks Student Ambassador for the 2016 Building Tomorrows Initiative
Are you or someone you know affected by an intellectual or developmental disability and have a story to tell? Here is your chance to share!
The Arc of Essex County, a 501c3 organization dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), is in search of grammar, middle, and high school students living with an intellectual or developmental disability, or with a close connection to someone affected, who wants to make a difference as part of the Building Tomorrows Student Ambassador Program. Ambassadors will inspire and motivate people to become involved with the 18th Annual Building Tomorrows initiative – a 5K race, 2-Mile Walk, and Family Fun Fest in Bloomfield’s Brookdale Park on Saturday, April 16, 2016.
An ambassador is the “face” of the event and uses his or her personal story to inspire, engage, and educate the community. Ambassadors often help promote the event by starting a walk team at their school, hanging posters, and distributing walk brochures to businesses in their community. In the months leading up to the Building Tomorrows initiative and at the event, the ambassador may be asked to participate in media interviews or talk to other participants about getting involved in the Building Tomorrows movement. Ambassadors receive volunteer hours for their work, as well as fun training opportunities, and an opportunity to connect with other students who have a similar desire to make a difference.
Through forming walk teams, speaking engagements, media interviews, and public outreach, ambassadors energize others to get involved with The Arc and Building Tomorrows. In addition to involvement as volunteers and fundraisers, the Student Ambassador Program provides opportunities to the participants to build friendships and support.
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“Following the success of the 2015 Student Ambassador program, we are excited to welcome our new class of ambassadors for 2016. Ambassadors have a unique opportunity to raise awareness about intellectual and developmental disabilities and inspire others to join them on their Building Tomorrows journey,” said Heather Comstock, senior director of development and communication, The Arc of Essex County. “We encourage you to raise awareness, engage, and inspire the community with your unique story. Your achievements are our successes too.”
To nominate yourself or someone you know to be honored as the Student Ambassador in your community, submit an application by Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Applications are available on the Building Tomorrows website at www.runorwalk.org.
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For more information or questions about the Student Ambassador Program please contact Brielle Cummings at 973-535-1181 x 1227 or bcummings@arcessex.org.
About The Arc of Essex County:
The Arc of Essex County is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual and development disabilities participate in every level of our society and enjoy fuller, more independent lives. Founded in 1948, The Arc of Essex County provides a wide variety of programs and services that support nearly 1,500 people throughout Essex County from birth to their senior years. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.arcessex.org.
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