Pacific Ridge School volunteers recognized by The Arc of San Diego

The Arc of San Diego – a service provider for local children and adults with disabilities and a longtime community partner for Pacific Ridge’s Middle School Service Learning program – has selected Pacific Ridge School as it’s 2014 President’s Volunteer Service Award winner.

Arc is one of six community partners that middle school students actively engage with as part of Pacific Ridge’s curriculum-integrated service learning program. During their seventh and eighth-grade years, students spend time each week performing a variety of meaningful service. Nearly each week, students visit Arc’s San Marcos facility to engage with Arc’s clients in craft projects, music performances games, seasonal activities and more.

“The program is offering a lifelong lesson about diversity, disabilities, and our responsibility to one another as human beings.” David W. Schneider, President & CEO of The Arc of San Diego. “We have observed bonds that have developed through these friendly visits that make a remarkable difference in the lives of people with disabilities.”

Additional middle school service learning projects include visiting local Head Start facilities to play with and read to preschoolers, helping to promote adoptions and maintain the shelter facility at Carlsbad’s Department of Animal Services, working with the Center for Natural Lands Management to restore a local preserve, and sharing stories and creating projects with seniors at Sunrise at La Costa and ActivCare in Bressi Ranch.