Arc Stories: Robert Virgilio
Robert is the Client of the Year – Hayward AVP
Finally – A Feeling of Belonging
Robert Virgilio has made tremendous strides on social skills since coming to The Arc’s Walpert Campus in Hayward. He came from a large high school with over 2000 students which, according to his mother Erma Virgilio, made it difficult for Robert to adapt.
“He has thrived since enrolling in the Walpert Program where it’s calmer and he receives individual attention,” she says adding, “Robert has made friends and finally has a feeling of belonging.” Since 1999 Robert has lived in his own apartment in Fremont so he takes the bus to Walpert every day. “I didn’t want him to move out of the house but he needed his independence,” his mom sighed.
Social Skills Development – “Huge Progress”
Walpert Campus Director Renee Tuttle describes Robert as being much more in tune with his colleagues than when he first arrived.
“He is much more empathetic and has stopped competing with the other clients,” she says. “In the past, Robert would talk to someone and ask about their weekend, then walk away before they could answer. Other clients found that annoying and wouldn’t have much to do with him,” says Tuttle. “He has made huge progress in the social skills arena,” she adds, “now other clients look up to him and want to be like him. They even set the same IPP goals as Robert! It’s amazing.” Mom Erma, who sits on The Arc of Alameda County Board of Directors, agrees with Tuttle’s assessment commenting that Robert is more generous and more aware of other people’s needs.
Want proof of his progress? Robert was selected by his fellow clients to receive the “Client of the Year” plaque at The Arc’s annual Awards Banquet in 2016. Such an honor would not have happened a few years ago.
Robert was part of The Arc’s Health Meet program where he learned about nutrition and exercise. He has dropped 3 pant sizes. Best of all, he has kept off the weight! “He’s cooking vegetables again,” says Mom, “yes, he cooks, not fancy food, but he cooks!”
The Arc of The East Bay – A Side Benefit
While focusing primarily on her son’s progress, Mrs. Virgilio, notes that she is grateful to The Arc and similar support organizations because they allowed her to work, pay taxes and spend time with friends during the course of Robert’s life. “You need your own life, too,” she says.
Arc and Livermore Police Department
Pride in Their Work
For over a decade The Arc has found work for people with developmental disabilities at the Livermore Police Department. A team of dedicated Arc clients has washed police vehicles. Rhonda Bishop, Livermore Police Facility and Equipment Manager tells us, “This has been a job that your clients take great pride in as they are “helping the men and women who help those in need.”
She said that she can see the excitement on our workers’ faces when they finish washing a car and get praise for how good the vehicle looks. “You can see the sense of accomplishment and pride,” she said, “and that not only makes your clients feel good but makes the people at LVPD” feel good, too.”
The Vehicle Wash program in Livermore is one of several group placements that are part of The Arc’s Supported Employment program. We found work for people with developmental disabilities washing vehicles for the City of Pleasanton; another crew removes graffiti from buildings in Union City; there’s a team of clients that cleans parks in San Leandro and one that performs landscape services at the Oakland Museum.
The Vehicle Wash Program – One Worth Fighting For
Bishop says the work our clients do for the Livermore PD has been so important and caused such an impact that when the program’s budget reallocation came up a few years ago she fought hard to keep the Arc program. “It is very important to us and we want to continue to work with the Arc and your clients. We want to help make a difference.” The issue came up again in 2016 and Bishop “won” again.
When We’re Smilin’
In addition, Bishop says that the Arc clients are some of the best listeners she has ever had the pleasure of working with! “Your clients listen well to instruction,” says Bishop, “always step up to the plate, try harder than anyone we have seen, and always do it with smiles on their faces!”
Livermore PD has a Facebook page. check it out by clicking here. And the Department is featured on the City of Livermore’s web page.
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
