Through partnerships in the community, The Arc empowers people with disabilities to realize their dreams of independence and economic self-sufficiency, and connects employers with skilled and motivated workers. The Arc employs 89 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Vocational training occurs at our Work Services Program where we secure contract work from businesses. Participants work on contracts such as assembly, kitting, sorting mailings and labeling. Work floor volunteers assist participants with work tasks and provide much needed and appreciated social interaction to participants who may not receive it at home or work. Work floor volunteers will need to be comfortable and respectful when conversing and spending time with participants of The Arc.
The Arc’s adult day program allows individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to play games, socialize with others, do puzzles, create art, and much more. Adult Day Program Volunteers are welcome to bring age appropriate games (older than grade school level), tactile exercises, art projects and fun activities they think participants may enjoy. Adult Day Program Volunteers provide much needed and appreciated social interaction to participants who may not receive it at home or work and assist staff in organizing and cleaning the adult day room as necessary. Adult Day Program Volunteers will need to be comfortable and respectful when conversing and spending time with participants of The Arc.
The Arc employs 89 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Vocational training occurs at our Work Services Program where we secure contract work from businesses. In addition to work done for businesses, our workforce makes all natural dog biscuits called B’Arc Bones. B’Arc Peanut Butter bones are an all-natural dog biscuit made from only human grade ingredients without the use of preservatives, and are dehydrated to ensure a long shelf life. They are handmade right at The Arc. B’Arc bones help to employ a very valuable and talented workforce of people with disabilities. B’Arc Bones Kitchen Volunteers assist participants and staff with cooking, assembling and packaging B’Arc Bones in our in-house commercial kitchen and provide much needed and appreciated social interaction to participants who may not receive it at home or work. B’Arc Bones Kitchen Volunteers will need to be comfortable and respectful when conversing with participants of The Arc.
Sibshop volunteers play an integral part in the facilitation of The Arc’s new Sibshop program. As a part of Sibshops, volunteers will work with the siblings of children with disabilities, assisting our head facilitator in putting on a 4 hour, quarterly workshop aimed at supporting, empowering, and bringing together the siblings of children with disabilities. Sibshop volunteers will work with children ages 6-15 in a therapeutic workshop designed to provide peer support through recreational activities. Sibshops provide the space for siblings of people with disabilities to connect with one another and express themselves in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Sibshops volunteers will help to create this space.
Call center and donations volunteers work in our donations center, supplementing The Arc’s mission of supporting and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by doing necessary and valuable behind-the-scenes work. Call center and donations volunteers work with call center staff making phone calls to possible or past donors, writing thank you emails to individuals who have made large donations in the past, and doing other PR-related tasks from over the telephone, email, or text message. Our donations center is a major source of funding for our programs; call center volunteers play a major role in keeping the face of the Arc appealing and pleasant to the public, showing gratitude to existing customers and helping to attract new ones.
Data Entry Volunteers work in our donations and telemarketing center, supplementing The Arc’s mission of supporting and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by doing necessary and valuable behind-the-scenes work. Data entry volunteers work with excel, updating backlogged lists and doing various computer tasks in order to support the efficacy of our teledonations center. This position is ideal for volunteers who want to support The Arc’s mission and services without participating in direct service to our participants or the public.
Maintenance and facilities volunteers assist our maintenance staff in keeping the grounds of The Arc looking clean, presentable and beautiful, supporting our organization’s capacity to support and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since our Boise location is what The Arc presents to the Treasure Valley Community, we take great pride in keeping all of our facilities functioning, clean, and organized. Maintenance and facilities volunteers help with repairing and bettering existing facilities at our location and starting new projects such as fencing, walkways and paths on our grounds, yard work and landscaping projects, and painting. This volunteer position is rather dynamic and changes day to day. It is perfect for volunteers who want to give their time but do not wish to be confined to an office or indoor space doing more administrative and/or direct service work.
The front office volunteer helps with organizational and cleaning tasks our staff cannot attend to on a regular basis and assists our office manager with administrative tasks (updating contact lists, organizing copier room, answering the phone, etc). This volunteer supports The Arc’s mission of supporting and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by representing the organization and doing necessary and valuable behind-the-scenes work. The front office volunteer not only represents The Arc’s services and supports each staff member at our Boise, Idaho location, but assists our organization to better serve our participants.
Please call 208-343-5583 and ask for our Volunteer Coordinator.