Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...

For more information about our recreational services contact:

Rosemarie Crisafi
Director of Residential Services
(914) 681-0650
ext. 3308
rcrisafi
@westchesterarc.org

Westchester Arc
Herbert Katzenberg Center
121 Westmoreland Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 949-9300
info@westchesterarc.org

24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
(914) 949-8200

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"Bonjour" from Montreal.

Crossing Borders:
Club Echo Hits Montreal

Westchester Arc’s Club Echo recently traveled to Montreal, Quebec, where vacationers strolled along cobblestone streets, dined in sidewalk cafés and shopped in the city’s famed underground.

Six adults with developmental disabilities spent three days touring the city with Recreation Specialist Annabel Bayon and Staff Writer Mark Williams. Favorite sites included Basilique Notre-Dame, Vieux Port, Parc Jean-Drapeau and Plateau Mont-Royal.

“This place is great. I’m having a real good time,” commented Michael C.

Vacationers hit Basilique Notre-Dame, Place d’Armes, Olympic Park, Biosphere and other noteworthy sites.

Travelers got into the true spirit of Montreal, greeting residents with “bonjour” and “bonsoir.” They also sampled city life by riding the bus and Metro.

“This is my first time on a subway,” announced Judy L. “I thought it would be scary, but I’m doing fine.”

While at the Hard Rock Café, Tom C. took the stage, joining wait staff in a rendition of "YMCA."

“Did you see me up there? I got moves!” he boasted.

To commemorate the experience, Tom and Mark bought matching Hard Rock
T-shirts.

“You couldn’t ask for a better trip,” says Annabel. “Even through cold and rainy weather, we all managed to have a good time. One of my favorite memories is of the day we went shopping in the underground mall. All of the travelers helped Mark pick out new clothes. Then they made him model the outfits so they could decide if he should buy them. It was really cute.”

Travelers break for dinner at the Hardrock Café. Later, Tom C. dances to "YMCA."

“I never really felt like I was ‘working,’” adds Mark. “This trip was about eight people with similar interests sharing a cultural and enriching experience. It didn’t matter who had developmental disabilities and who didn’t. Traveling together brought out everyone’s distinct abilities.”

Club Echo gives individuals 18 years of age and older the chance to enjoy vacations with their friends, while accompanied by knowledgeable, dependable staff. Day trips are taken to local sports venues, theaters, museums and other sites of interest. Weekends, four-day mini-excursions and longer trips have included Lake George, Cape Cod and Las Vegas.

Travelers read about Montreal’s history.