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

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Day habilitation attendees design handmade cards and gifts for members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Day Hab Supports
Our Troops

For the past year, attendees of Westchester Arc’s day habilitation program in Mount Kisco have been mailing cards and gifts to U.S. armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They began corresponding with the troops last December through “Letters from Home,” a volunteer-based program that supports military personnel through letters and care packages. Driven by a desire to “brighten someone’s day,” 10 individuals with developmental disabilities worked with agency staff to design over 140 hand-painted holiday cards to be included in a “Letters” mailing. They followed up with more cards and letters in the spring, and soon, established pen pal relationships with nine members of the military.

“This has been such a rewarding experience for all of us,” comments Sue Rodriguez, pre-vocational specialist. “Consumers have learned about empathy and compassion. It has also helped individuals enhance their communication skills. People who hardly ever spoke up now give ideas and questions for each letter.”

“I feel good about doing something nice for someone else,” adds Jackie M.

“I think the soldiers are all doing a great job,” stresses Steve R. “Writing letters takes the sting out of the fact that they are fighting a war. I feel good that I’m making them happy.”

Maureen H. enjoys corresponding with the troops.

The troops, in turn, are extremely grateful for the agency’s efforts. In a recent letter, one soldier writes, “Your support means a lot to us. The cards, letters and gift packages that we receive are a great boost in our morale.”

Recently, the group took their efforts a step further. At the suggestion of Joan Dalhouse, Westchester Arc employment specialist, they collected and recycled empty soda cans, then used the money to purchase telephone calling cards. “We wanted to help the soldiers call home,” says Joan. “Even if only for a few minutes, hearing the voice of a loved one can make a person’s day. It was an activity that unified us all and also helped individuals with developmental disabilities feel more included in the community.”

Consumers’ creations bring a “touch of home” to military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.