Desert Arc To Host “Champions of Change”

- Clients Of The Year – People Served By Desert Arc’s Mission:

Christian B. – Yucca Valley’s Work Activity Program

Joseph C. –BMOD Program

Jason C. – Palm Desert

Adult Day Program

Kevin G. – Shredding & Recycling Division

Shenolene P. - Individual Placement Program

Toinesha S. – For Your Independence Program

Jose V. – Landscape

Maintenance Division

Robert Y. – Palm Desert

Work Activity Program

David Z. – Sports and Recreation Program

“Desert Arc’s annual Champions Of Change Recognition Awards Luncheon is a very inspirational event, as it brilliantly showcases our mission in motion with heartwarming stories about people with disabilities who participate in our programs,” notes Board Chair Damian Jenkins. “ It’s an amazing opportunity for our nonprofit human services agency to recognize and honor other individuals and organizations in the larger community who champion our vital cause.”

Emcee of this year’s CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE

Recognition Awards Luncheon is Brooke Beare, Emmy®-Award Winning Journalist, a Board Member, and Immediate Past Chair of the Desert Arc Board.

“As the Chair of Desert Arc’s two annual fundraising events and the Development Committee of the Board of Directors, I encourage people to attend and join us in support of people with disabilities. The Awards Luncheon is a wonderful celebration of the achievements of our clients in reaching their personal goals through the guiding support of our charity’s dedicated program team,” stated Nancy Singer, Desert Arc Board Member, and Past Board Chair.

Major Luncheon Sponsors include Harold Matzner, Presenting Sponsor, The City Of Rancho Mirage, and Eisenhower Health.

Media Sponsors for this year’s Awards Luncheon include THE DESERT SUN, Presenting Newspaper & Digital Media Sponsor; KESQ News Channel 3, Exclusive TV Media Sponsor; and ALPHA MEDIA – Palm Springs, Exclusive Radio Media Sponsor.

Individual luncheon tickets are $100 per person, with sponsorship opportunities ranging from $1,500 to $ 10,000. For additional event information about Desert

Arc’s Fifth Annual “Champions of Change” Recognition Awards Luncheon and/or information on Desert Arc, please call 760-404-1368 or visit DesertArc.org.

“Desert Arc has been making a difference in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1959. There are currently 714 individuals who participate and benefit from our comprehensive array of programs and services throughout Coachella Valley, Morongo Basin, and outlying desert communities,” states Richard Balocco, President/ CEO of Desert Arc. “Both the annual Awards Luncheon and our Golf Classic raise awareness and garner financial support to afford Desert Arc the ability to provide on-site nurses, a nutrition program, door-todoor transportation, Sports and Recreation activities, and other life-enhancing programs for our clients that are not funded by the State of California. Ultimately, Desert Arc’s goal is to avail people with disabilities with a safe and supportive, personal-centric resource base to enable them to reach their highest potential to live, work, and socialize in the community.”

About Desert Arc

Desert Arc is a leading nonprofit with an impressive 63-year history of providing comprehensive services for over 700 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the Coachella Valley, the Morongo Basin, and outlying desert communities. Since its founding in 1959, Desert Arc has been offering people-centric programs and resources designed to meet the needs of its clients, including an adult day program, vocational training, job development, job placement and employment, nutrition, sports, and recreation programs for supportive independent living, case management and personalized coordination of services, and advocacy for community integration. Desert Arc has been recognized within the community for its mission of enhancing its clients’ quality of life and creating opportunities for each person.