MONROE - Ever since Nick Faessler's brother, Steve, battled cerebral palsy growing up, Faessler has devoted his life to improving special education and finding ways to help those with disabilities and special needs.
"My brother grew up with a speech impediment and little hearing," said Faessler, Juda. "He was lucky enough because he had two parents who looked out for him. For people who had children with disabilities, there really was a need for an education to help children."
The Arc of Green County has been an educational leader for children with disabilities and special needs even before the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was implemented in 1990. Many Arc members at the time lobbied for the passage of IDEA, which ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to an appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living. Before IDEA, many special education students were not included in public schools.
"If we can help people find employment, live on their own, or do more activities, we will do it," said Faessler, who is the president of the Green County chapter.
Ulonda Dietmeier, a former president who now serves as a historian for the organization, said the first local Arc group started in 1940 and met in the basement of the current Monroe City Hall. The nonprofit group, launched by 16 parents and community members, outgrew the space and then moved into various churches across town.
"The Arc works to promote the general welfare (of those) with disabilities and helps secure opportunities for these individuals and helps them pursue lifetime goals and helps them access all the rights available to every citizen," Dietmeier said.
Dietmeier said the first special education room in Wisconsin was the Green County Normal in 1948, and the first special education school in Monroe was started by The Arc in 1959.
Dietmeier said The Arc supported activities for children excluded from public school programming, established a day care program in 1964 at Grace Lutheran Church and provided learning activities between summer school and full term in 1995.
The Arc of Green County still provides a swim program through the Monroe Parks and Recreation department. The nonprofit organization has provided Kore chairs, which are designed to exercise the user's leg, back and abdominal muscles by wobbling, to the Brodhead and Juda school districts to use with special needs students. The organization also has provided bicycles for the Monroe school district, Faessler said.
The Arc of Green County provides a fall and spring dance, Faessler said, as well as transportation costs to a summer camp. The organization has worked to make sure various buildings are accessible.
The Arc developed the Living and Employment Opportunities Fund with an endowment that was established. Faessler said the organization can fund $8,000 to $10,000 in needs per year from the Leo Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. The Arc of Green County has a seven-person board and about 15 volunteers.
"On a year when the fund makes more money, we can spend more money," Faessler said. "It depends on what the investments do."
The biggest fundraiser for The Arc of Green County is the Monroe Balloon Rally and Blues Festival. The group plans to host the rally again and are looking forward to a successful year with bands and cooperative weather.
"We would like to get back on our feet and move forward," Faessler said of the annual event. "We need to build our base to run the balloon rally. We hope to use money from that to help people with disabilities."
"My brother grew up with a speech impediment and little hearing," said Faessler, Juda. "He was lucky enough because he had two parents who looked out for him. For people who had children with disabilities, there really was a need for an education to help children."
The Arc of Green County has been an educational leader for children with disabilities and special needs even before the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was implemented in 1990. Many Arc members at the time lobbied for the passage of IDEA, which ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to an appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living. Before IDEA, many special education students were not included in public schools.
"If we can help people find employment, live on their own, or do more activities, we will do it," said Faessler, who is the president of the Green County chapter.
Ulonda Dietmeier, a former president who now serves as a historian for the organization, said the first local Arc group started in 1940 and met in the basement of the current Monroe City Hall. The nonprofit group, launched by 16 parents and community members, outgrew the space and then moved into various churches across town.
"The Arc works to promote the general welfare (of those) with disabilities and helps secure opportunities for these individuals and helps them pursue lifetime goals and helps them access all the rights available to every citizen," Dietmeier said.
Dietmeier said the first special education room in Wisconsin was the Green County Normal in 1948, and the first special education school in Monroe was started by The Arc in 1959.
Dietmeier said The Arc supported activities for children excluded from public school programming, established a day care program in 1964 at Grace Lutheran Church and provided learning activities between summer school and full term in 1995.
The Arc of Green County still provides a swim program through the Monroe Parks and Recreation department. The nonprofit organization has provided Kore chairs, which are designed to exercise the user's leg, back and abdominal muscles by wobbling, to the Brodhead and Juda school districts to use with special needs students. The organization also has provided bicycles for the Monroe school district, Faessler said.
The Arc of Green County provides a fall and spring dance, Faessler said, as well as transportation costs to a summer camp. The organization has worked to make sure various buildings are accessible.
The Arc developed the Living and Employment Opportunities Fund with an endowment that was established. Faessler said the organization can fund $8,000 to $10,000 in needs per year from the Leo Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. The Arc of Green County has a seven-person board and about 15 volunteers.
"On a year when the fund makes more money, we can spend more money," Faessler said. "It depends on what the investments do."
The biggest fundraiser for The Arc of Green County is the Monroe Balloon Rally and Blues Festival. The group plans to host the rally again and are looking forward to a successful year with bands and cooperative weather.
"We would like to get back on our feet and move forward," Faessler said of the annual event. "We need to build our base to run the balloon rally. We hope to use money from that to help people with disabilities."