May 5, 2012
Hartford, CT, May 2012 Bring Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is a nationwide annual event where children and grandchildren get the chance to see where their parents work. HARC hasn’t participated in the event because staff needs to be very focused on the participants they serve. But the promise Beth Goodwin, Coordinator of Staff Development at HARC, made to her daughter Sarah, last April changed all that.
Beth began planning the event over the summer, so that it wouldn’t interfere with staff responsibilities and she received the official stamp of approval in January. The program, which ran from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, was a day full of scheduled educational activities. A total of thirteen children between the ages of 8 and 12 participated. A group of six young adults from 13 to 18 who were experienced in interacting with individuals with disabilities served as mentors during the program.
The activity-filled day began with a visit from Fidelco guide dogs to teach the children about visual impairments and also to show them how these dogs assist and enhance the lives of their owners. Members of the Community Services department of HARC put on a puppet show which focused on equality and the day wrapped up with a scavenger hunt, based on The Amazing Race television show, that gave the children a chance to tour the building, say hello to their parents, create crafts in the Employment Center and interact with HARC’s program participants.
“Bring Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day was a resounding success, it was great for the children to find out what their parents do at work while learning about and interacting with people with intellectual and related disabilities.” said Beth Goodwin “And Sarah had a wonderful time. She’s is looking forward to coming back next year!”
According to ten-year old Sarah, “I liked the Amazing Race best because I could explore the building. I also liked the Guess-Who game and doing arts and crafts with the participants.”