While thrift shops are commonly known for low cost products like clothes and books, they also serve many other purposes. In Colorado for example, The Arc is a chain of thrift stores designed to help kids growing up with developmental disabilities. What began with just a couple of families has turned into 19 stores across Colorado with a common goal of getting children with disabilities the services they require. Here are a couple of ways in which arc helps those who need it.
1.) Special Education Services- Through your donations, the Arc program helps kids to get the assistance they require. For example, may kids with developmental disabilities may want to learn in a mainstream classroom but are not able to keep up with the pace of the teacher or the other students. Services provided by the arc make it possible for kids to have a one to one teacher aid in the classroom who can help explain things to a child and help her get on the same page as the rest of the class. Training and education is the foundation for which these children ill be building their lives. Arc and these kids parents know there is no reason they can’t grow up to be successful with jobs if given the proper nurturing and guidance.
2.) Benefiting From Donations- There are many donations accepted though Arc. Many people will donate their used cars when they get a new one allowing the family of a child with disabilities to have a mode of transportation. In addition, clothing that is gently used can be donated to children as well as household items. Arc will even come to you to collect the items if you don’t have the time or means to deliver your goods to one of their centers.