Manufacturing with Purpose: How Arc Works Transforms Lives Through Inclusive Employment

[0:00]  Everybody thinks it's a program here, you know, and it's not. We're a full-fledged business 100%. Um, we got great workers that are here and um so, you know, sometimes it's perception that, you know, oh, okay, well, you support people with disabilities that it's a program. No, we're we're a full-fledged business. And we're hoping that more and more people that tour and see our facility and know that it's a it's an operational site, fully 100% contract manufacturing, that they'll understand that. when you walk through our facility, you're you're you're not going to know who has a disability in many cases. Um and and that's how it should be. You you shouldn't, you know, look at somebody and say, "Oh, they think they have a disability." They should be just treated as a person and and that's it. No matter where you are, we're really lucky in Rochester, New York. There's our organization and then

[0:47]  there's others like us. So, there's a lot of opportunities and in New York State to support people with disabilities, to give them opportunities. if you want, you know, to work, if you want to be part of something, there's a really good chance that you can find a way to do it. Um, I hope other states follow suit and that, you know, that that people with disabilities are um treated as a group that is um that that that to give them the opportunities that they deserve and that they get um not pushed on the back burner, but als but but pushed to the front, you know, and and shine a light on them. We try to shine a light on the abilities of the people that we support and they can do great things and I think with just a little bit of accommodations they can they can really flourish. So I hope that other organizations and I hope

[1:34]  that this administration gives them value and I hope that they are just given opportunities to grow and to be the people that they want to be because they're just people. Welcome back to another episode here on the Heart and Hustle podcast. This time I got two for the price of one. I got two leaders in the house from Arc Works.

[2:11]  We got Mike and Kristen. How you guys doing this morning? You guys excited for a new episode on the Heart and Hustle podcast? This is my first, by the way. Absolutely. This is my first. So, yeah. Yeah. So, when you guys asked me, I was like, "Yeah, I was definitely down for for I guess the challenge, but not really no challenge. We're just having a conversation here, guys." So, Kristen, if you want to go ahead and start off on what is your role at Ark Work? Yep. So, I actually work for the Ark of Monroe.

[2:36]  We're a chapter um in uh Western New York that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. and arc works where Mike what Mike oversees is um a division of the ark of Monroe and so arcs you might be familiar with that term the ark um we've are all across the United States there is the ark US there is ark New York and then there are many other arcs um in states and counties and chapters throughout the United States like I said we support people with disabilities we were founded in 1956 and it was um really founded by families families who said we want more for our loved ones who have disabilities. There are more opportun there should be more opportunities more to life than maybe sitting at home or even being in an institution. So, it was created by

[3:24]  families who saw potential in their loved ones. And uh it's been around for almost 70 years now. And so, we are um very proud to be a leader of this space in our area. And uh we offer a variety of opportunities for people with disabilities. Anything from residential homes to day programs to opportunities for work and growth, volunteer opportunities. So lots of um opportunities for them to be people, people just like you and me and Mike that want to just have lives and of um of individual lives and do things that mean something to us. I love this. And this is where Mark comes in. Uh Mike's not Mark. I'm going to see Arc the whole time and think Mark, but it's really Mike. No problem. Mike, this is where you kind of come in and really in a sweet place because I haven't really

[4:11]  seen this in organizations. Can you kind of tell us, Mike, what you do and what you run over at Arcworks? Sure. Um, we have a 85,000 foot uh manufacturing facility. Um we support about 65 to 75 people supported and then we have about 45 non-disabled staff um that help support them gain the skills um to be able to work here as well as anywhere else in the community. Um love it. This this facility we've had probably since 2007. Um but overall Arcworks has been around for about 60 almost 62 years 63 years. Um love it man. And tell us how did Arc Works become a thing? Not every organization is is running that part of of the business. How did this become a thing for for uh Ark Monroe? Really what

[4:59]  one of the main things that we try to do at the Ark of Monroe is continuum continuum of care and that means we want to cover all assets in and areas um that people can grow and learn from. Right? So it's we have residential for people that need a home. We have day programs for people that want to learn skills in a day program. We have community um programs for people to learn in the community. But we also have um we wanted to you know everybody has the right to work and we wanted to make sure that those people that wanted to work we had a place where they were comfortable and working and gaining skills to be able to work out in the community. I love that.

[5:32]  And did you had any did you have any big misconception about disability services before even joining um the ark and seeing what the possibility actually was? Right. I I didn't I have I had members of my family that have disabilities of various sorts. Um and uh so I was very familiar with with that and looked forward for the opportunity to work here and I just actually passed my tenure. So 10 years, man, let's go.

[5:55]  That's amazing work. And I ask you uh Kristen, can can you take me to a moment where you actually saw someone's life completely shift because of the work that you guys are doing at the Ark and and it hit you like this is why I'm here. Did you remember that moment? I could imagine there's a lot of them.

[6:11]  Yeah, there's a lot of them. I've been here just about five years now and, you know, I work in marketing and communications. So, we get the opportunity to tell stories about the people that we support. You know, I'm not necessarily in the homes or in the day programs, you know, boots on the ground working with the people supported every day, but I get to hear those stories and kind of see things secondhanded. And um, you know, we have a lot of opportunities to see people really thrive. And I I often hear it um when we have awards season, you know, around here, we have opportunities to give awards to people that we support.

[6:44]  And often there are people who have really overcome something either through therapy or through um the great work that our staff does here in working with them. You know, people come in maybe with um some sort of an issue going on in their lives that create behaviors or uh things that just are challenging to them. And just like anybody else, it's something going on inside that they have to figure out and and find ways to deal with. And I think that's what our staff is so good about is figuring out ways to help them overcome that, help them deal with that and then to, you know, have a life of uh opportunity that they were entitled to just like anybody else. Um, we just opened a home, uh, two new homes recently in our county, um, for for the Ark. And, uh, I know somebody there who

[7:32]  got to got to, um, be part of the music group that performed during the dedication. And I know that man in particular overcame some some stuff, you know, he had he came in, he had a lot of anger issues in him from wherever he was before. And to know that now he's this gentle, sweet man who is just happy and loves music and loves, you know, living a life of um that that's just just a a beautiful life now and he's just so happy and you would never know he had any anything going on before. So like anybody else, you know, to have somebody chat with you and talk with you and help you figure out how to overcome things like that. Um, so I think those are my favorites to hear about where somebody came and see where they are today is really really wonderful and inspirational. Yeah. And it makes it all worth it. And it really does. I mean,

[8:20]  um, people get into this space and it's not so much for the money, but it's to hear those type of stories and know they're making that kind of impact and the stories that we will continue to to tell. One, um, but continue to remember as well. Most importantly, that's why I love the nonprofit space is the things that you actually get to see and how people change their lives. one with resources but also great leaders like both yourselves and Mike I I ask you man you're in a a beautiful place where you're getting to see um where people never thought that these individuals actually be working but you guys put a unique spin to it. Tell us what you guys are doing at artworks to make sure that everyone can actually handle uh some of the big machines that people never thought they would be able to handle with disabilities. Yeah, I mean we we have uh we work a lot with our local colleges, RIT, U of R. Um you know, we get um internships that come in for uh engineering techs. Um engineering techs

[9:08]  are really familiar with um CAD and 3D models. Um we have a 3D printer on site um so that we're able to help um create in um efficiencies and opportunities for people supported that may struggle with one thing. Uh for an example, excuse me, we have um a cardboard piece with a hole in it that we got to put a label on it. Um we create the peg, you put it over the top um and put the label on. Every one of them is the same. Um I was going to try to grab some samples, but um and then also we we do bags that are thousands of Ziploc bags and and recently our our engineer tech um bolted them to the table. That's why that one's not here.

[9:50]  Um and you just zip it through and it zip it, you know, it does a zip lock. And while most people think it's really easy to do that, um even for myself to do 1,500 of those in a week is is a little tough on the fingers. So um so it it supports the people that we have here, but it also supports our our our assembly operators and other staff as well. Um and we just think of things outside of the box, you know, what what's best. Obviously, we want to do it the most efficient way, but then we take it a next step further and and how can we um support the people to be successful in what we're trying to teach them. That's good. And you said you've been there for 10 years. I can only imagine you see evolution in what people are actually able to do and some of the machines that they're actually able to

[10:36]  to, you know, manage per se. Tell us when you first started 10 years ago till today with technology, with innovation, what was it 10 years ago and what are we doing and seeing today that you're like kind of in almost wow? Yeah, it's it's it's just a lot different. I came from I'm been with the Ark for 10 years. Um but I I was in other areas and and other positions. I was over the residential and day program. So, the the cool part of it for me is is, you know, I've seen people in a residential setting um and they used to tell me about their day at work and and now I'm actually here seeing their day of work. Um, so that's really really cool to see and be a part of. Um, you know, and some people who may have struggled, you know, even a few years ago are really excelling at certain things because of the support they get from our agency.

[11:24]  I love it. And and and Kristen, this is actually very unique, right? because you guys are in a space where um you guys rely on 85% medical. I think that's the model that you guys were mentioning. However, you have arc works that is really also very beneficial. Tell us why was this a thing that you guys wanted to start and how this is also benefiting the nonprofit.

[11:45]  Yeah, we are uh 85% Medicaid funded. So, as you know, with uh this administration, there has been some talk about Medicaid going away and um you know, so we've been doing a lot of advocacy on one side to make sure that um the government understands what Medicaid does for us and to make sure that um you know, that we uh we we still have that stream of funding to give these people, you know, the opportunities that they deserve. Um, so opportunities like Arc Works, which is a full-on contract manufacturing facility, you know, that that that's a revenue generator for us so that we can hopefully use some of that those funds to go right back into programming to support the people that are with us. We have over 1500 people that we support in our in our chapter. And so, um, things

[12:35]  like arc works, we have some delies, uh, we have other opportunities on the horizon that we're looking at to expand so that all the revenue and dollars that come from those will come in and support us and we can hopefully back off some of that Medicaid revenue. So, that's a big goal in our strategic plan over the next few years. And um I think we're gonna do it because I think Mike and the team over there, they have some phenomenal sales, a sales team over there that's out pounding the pavement, finding all kinds of different opportunities to come in. And then that that benefits the people we support, too, because then they have a constant stream of different jobs that they're doing. So they get opportunities to try something new. I love to pop in and say, you know, to to somebody working on the floor, you know, what are you doing today? and they can show you and and they're so proud um to be uh working on on on different

[13:24]  projects. So, I think um to diversify our revenue is a major major goal for the Ark of Monroe in the next few years and I think Arkworks is right there with us and will be that prime that prime um opportunity for us. I love it. I love that you guys think outside the box like because people are in fear right now with what's happening at the government level and and all the cuts that are happening but it looks like your team is like well let's pivot let's figure out what's next. We're not going to sit here and just dwell on the negative, but we're going to figure out how do we continue to excel and that's what's really needed, right? We talk about innovation um and really implementing that. And we kind of spoke about AI a little bit as well. How how are you guys actually implemented AI both in artworks and at the Arc Monroe?

[14:09]  So, we've just um are kind of dipping our toe in the AI waters. We're not really there yet. I'm not sure how it's going to play out, but we know it's coming and so we know we have to be open to it and I definitely think we are. We have a great um leadership team who is very open to any ideas that we have um at the Ark. But uh we have a new ARC Advance Academy training center that we're launching actually on Monday. Wow.

[14:35]  And um so in there we're going to have a virtual reality lab. So that's going to give the people we support opportunities to perhaps try new skills, learn something new, um plus have fun. And so I think um you know that's going to be a way that we are going to start seeing AI creep in and uh and perhaps that will open the door to other opportunities as well. So that's that's on the horizon.

[15:02]  Um, I think, you know, we we here in marketing and um the foundation, which is our fundraising arm, we're always kind of keeping our eye open like how can we um find ways to fund projects like that and also bring in things that will support not only the people that um get services from us, but also our staff, you know, ensuring that maybe that we can't get, you know, we have 800 staff. Maybe we can't get them all out for a certain training, but perhaps we can do an AI training and help them at least get a feel for something new that we want to implement here that will help the people that we support. Hey, real quick. If you enjoying the podcast, we first want to say thank you and we also just want to give you a little insight of what we're up to at Francis. Some don't even realize that we're working with organizations to help them use AI to create that real human communication

[15:51]  experiences. Whether that's actually supporting your your families, those patients or the entire community, we're actually creating tech that connects. Check it out. Francis.ai. I mean, of course, it's happening. It's happening fast. Um, I love that you guys mentioned VR. I was talking to another uh nonprofit leader. He mentioned how he just received $25,000 in grant just for VR project. I'm like, how cool is it?

[16:17]  And really kind of in the same space. Yeah. And I just want to talk about opportunities that some of the disabilities um some of these individual disabilities are actually receiving. I spoke to a leader and he he met his girlfriend at the time, now wife, she had a disability. So his goal was like, how do I change her life, right? and he went and closed his cafe, moved to I believe it was San Francisco, took over an organization, but he was able to actually witness her give a speech as an advocate herself. She's 19 years old in front of a crowd and he's like, she's never done this. But when you go up there and the the emotions that were on people's eyes and me as a proud father, it's like, man, it's so cool, you know, because a lot of times, I mean, especially when we go back years and what it looked like for institution that have these, right? It was very sad. It's very uh horrible to look at. But now we're in a space where you're talking

[17:03]  about Arc Works is is actually providing them opportunity. We know that now they're they're living on their own at time. Matter of fact, he said his his young one, 19, 20 years old, is living with roommates. And he's like, I'm loving it, you know, and it's cool to see what you guys are doing and that we're we're making them um a part of the community, you know, and not keeping them away from the community. Mike, I I come kind of come back to you because I didn't ask you this a little earlier, but what is that story that resonates with you, man? 10 years and you kind of been in every single row it looks like, you know, whether it's kind of on the for-profit or you're in the warehouse with them. What is a story that you can tell me, Mike, that really still resonate with you that just allows you to keep waking up every morning and going for it? Well, it's kind of what you just said, right? How that made that person feel seeing his girlfriend speaking and and and how it made you feel as a father. You know, I get that every day, right? I don't just see it

[17:52]  every once in a while. I I see it every day. You know what I mean? I get amazed every day. Sure, there's tough days and things like that. I said, but definitely the good over, you know, overshadow the bad. So, um it's just it's very rewarding. I've brought my kids through my kids have a rapport with with the people that we support and in many of the houses. I used to bring them on um visits to the houses and stuff like that. So, as far as us, my whole family's in involved to an extent. And um like you said, the the number one thing is every day it just it it blows you away with the the achievements that they're that they're having. And then the success that some of them we hate to see some people go but we know that it's they got to thrive you know. Yeah 100%.

[18:33]  And and Mike when when you think about I'm a big believer that people teach us our jobs teach us things. What has this being in this kind of realm of work taught you with in leadership? And I ask you guys both questions but I'll start with Mike. What was that thing that you feel you take away in leadership by working with these kind of individuals that are showing you that never give up?

[18:55]  You know, you can do it. What other things are you learning as a leader? I definitely learned appreciation, right? That that not to um minimize the little tasks in in your own life and and and those achievements. Um but you know it be empathy you without a doubt you learn um the the collaboration the camaraderie among the team and the people supported that you're working with um I mean those are all key attributes to um I think being a good leader in a in a not for profofit.

[19:27]  Love it. and Kristen. Um I think I echo exactly what Mike says, but I also think um patience and not to sweat the little things because I think um before I worked here and to see what some of the people we support have had to overcome and how they're thriving and having these amazing lives that anything that might come through my life is kind of small potatoes compared to it. a lot of people who have who have overcome really great challenges. And I think um so that's something that I take in every day and it kind of slows you down. It gives you patience like Mike said, empathy and just understanding that people are different and come from different backgrounds and they learn differently. Even in my own office, you know, there's six of us and we all kind of learn differently. We react to things

[20:15]  differently. And that's shown me a lot as a as a leader how to perhaps approach people differently because that's how what we have to do with the people we support. You know, not everyone is going to learn the same way or can communicate the same way. So I think that even um amongst non-disabled people that I work with, uh it's it's great to have that perspective and that different frame of um frame of of reference and and looking at people differently. I think everyone has a bit of a perhaps a disability. We all we're all a little bit, you know, have a disability in us and a little bit little something going on. You know, that term special needs kind of isn't my favorite, but we're all kind we all kind of have special needs and I think we all could uh you know really um do do each other a big favor by by taking it easy

[21:05]  and just being kinder to each other and trying to understand where someone else is coming from. Yeah. and you've I think uh when we spoke last time, you were just talking about human first thinking, which is kind of what you're talking about. Person centered. Yeah. Yeah. So, I really love it. But you're you're just really not just helping someone, you're really empowering them and and that's just how you guys really walk the line.

[21:28]  It's like I want to empower them. We're not just helping these individuals. It's so cool to just kind of see where you guys both have the love for it. 10 years, I think you mentioned Kristen, five years, right? like that is some time that you've you've put in and especially Mike to kind of go to where he's at now and really being the future of it, right? That's where innovation starts. I'm pretty sure it's inside that warehouse where think ideas are coming where some of these individuals that they they have uh a need and Micah is like, how do we solve that need, right?

[21:55]  Really empowering them to realize, no, no, you could do it. Don't think you can't do it because we don't have it now. We're going to figure it out together. And that always makes someone feel good when they see when they heard and when they're seen. Um, and I think I mentioned to you guys like I would love to be a a part like a fly on the wall and and just be a I can imagine it's Mike, you're there all the time. Are they not happy all the time, man? Like I feel like these people are the most you talking about just they're so happy.

[22:18]  They usually have no care in the world. Like I love to go back to the old high school and they see me, you know, um, walking around and it's like, hi. And I'm like, hey, how's it going? I'll stop there and they'll tell me, you know, I like your hair. And we're just having a conversation. And it is it is very sad when I see that people um I'll tell you what actually my my niece I have a a daughter um sorry I have a niece and a nephew that both had disabilities right they're not talking they're um so my daughter that's four years old she's like hey dad why is she like that right and her sister which is older 16 years old she says we're all very different and we're all we just love her for who she is and I'm like man like I was I I didn't know how to respond, but my niche responded. I'm like, that's it. Yeah, that what a good response for someone

[23:06]  that young to kind of see it already. Um, how do you think that we got to or has it been has has it done, but to make sure that we're we're really spotting shining that spotlight on them? What should we be doing? I mean, from both perspectives, Mike and Kristen, I'll start with Kristen. What should we be doing to make sure that they always feel inclusive in in what we're doing out in the world community?

[23:28]  You have experience. I think your um your uh 16-year-old there is very wise and I think um young people coming up today are they have a different outlook on people with disabilities. You know, they're so used to to to knowing a variety of people and you know, through social media, seeing other cultures and other people out there and I think it's I think they're the ones that are going to really change change the world. You you hear that about every generation, but I think young people today just have a different outlook. And I think um you know we talk a lot about DEI and what that means and that's been in the spotlight a lot lately. But I think DEI isn't just what you might what might come to mind but you know it's it's um having like an adult changing table in a restroom you know family restrooms um having accessible parking things like

[24:16]  that. So I think um that that's where where we've be we've become that's become a little bit more normal. That's of the norm. people think that way. It's not a hindrance. It's not an afterthought. It's like, okay, how do we make what we're building or what we're doing accessible to everyone. And I think, you know, your your 16-year-old said it very casually because she's used to that. Like, yeah, people are different and we just get to know them for who we are. And I think um that's it's we're still not there. We're you know, a lot of things kind of slap us in the face when we think we're we're in a really good spot. and we realize that there are still a lot of people out there who don't see things that way. Um but I think you know we're on the right track and I think um just the fact that people are talking about it and thinking about things differently um we'll really

[25:05]  we'll really uh we're on a good path. I love it. How about you Mike? Yeah I mean the same thing as Kristen said it's just you know treating everybody equally and fairly you know I mean I think it's across the board. um giving everybody an opportunity. Um don't um create stigmas that that people are a certain way. You know, we we unfortunately we have a lot of people that tour our facility, other businesses, potential customers and things like that that come through and everybody thinks it's a program here, you know, and it's not. We're a full-fledged business 100%. Um we got great workers that are here and um so, you know, sometimes it's perception that, you know, oh, okay, well, you support people with disabilities that it's a program. you know, we're we're a full-fledged business and we're hoping the more and more people that tour and see our facility and know that it's a

[25:53]  it's an operational site, fully 100% main contract manufacturing, that they'll understand that when you walk through our facility, you're you're you're not going to know who has a disability in many cases. Um, and and that's how it should be. You you shouldn't, you know, look at somebody and say, "Oh, they think they have a disability." They should be just treated as a person and that's it.

[26:14]  Has someone already asked for the business model, Mike, like on on how to do this and repeat the, you know, the processes because this is pretty cool. How many people have you seen come in and said, "I need this. I need the blueprint. I need to figure this out." Yeah, we we talked to a lot of companies. We collaborate with a lot of companies. There's there's a few of us that are out there and we we collaborate. We visit. We tour. We we brainstorm um on how to how to do things. Um but I don't want to share too much because we're kind of a diamond over here.

[26:43]  It is. It is cool. I mean, I'm excited for the Delhi, too. Where did the Delhi all come into this? You mentioned Delhi a little earlier. Where's the concept of of of Delhi come from? It's it's a it's again, it's it's part of, you know, outreach and enrollment, right? You have you have these departments that reach out and it's just again a continuum of care. You have people that, you know, it's listening to what our our folks want, you know, and some want to work in a restaurant, right? I want to bust tables. I want to clean dishes. I want to cook. Um I want to take orders. So, you know, we looked at and we opened up um Arc Deli. Um I can't even tell you a number of number of years ago. And um we we have now came to three different locations. Um we have about 16 people supported. We call it culinary career prep right now. Um and and they're learning skills to work in a restaurant,

[27:32]  whether it's the social skills. um part of their day is actually cooking and and preparing meals and the other part of their day is in a training room or it's at like a Wegman's or a grocery store um or a farm market looking out how to correctly pick out produce um how to and then also how to work cash register, how to greet a customer when they walk up to your cash register and take their order and things like that. So, it's just kind of evolving and and and we do quite a bit of catering in our community. Um people supported helped, you know, with our our uh non-disabled staff helped deliver and set up catering orders. Um our chicken French is fantastic. U for anybody that's listening. Um and we have a really good taco bar. So, I don't know. I love it. I I'm almost jealous what you guys do for a living. This

[28:19]  sounds too too good. This sounds too good. I'm I'm excited about it. I'm excited um to to see this grow. It looks like you guys have really business models that are going to you talking about the whole Medicaid. I think you guys are in a great place to really balance that out with no problem with just some of the ideas and how innovative, how creative and listening to those that need it, right? Like meeting them where they're at is what someone always says. And that's exactly what we're doing is I'm meeting them where they're at. This is what they need. Let's figure it out. Because a lot of times people would say there's no there's no possible way. But you have a Mike, you have a Kristen that said, "No, no, no. We're going to figure it out.

[28:55]  there is a possible way. We just don't know it yet. Um, so I love that you guys have been in the space is very very unique. I've speaken to a lot of organizations that are very similar to what you guys are doing, but not in the space of they have a manufacturing warehouse or they have a deli. And you're right, Mike, they're going to listen to this and they're going to try to copy it. They're going to reach out to you, Mike. So, uh, expect those calls for sure. What would you love to see, Kristen, when you think about the next five years in the space that you're in um of just growth for those that are are walking life with with a little bit of autism? What would you love to see in this world?

[29:32]  I just love the idea that, you know, people just have opportunities and that no matter where you are, we're really lucky in Rochester, New York. there's our organization and then there's others like us. So there's a lot of opportunities and in New York State to support people with disabilities to give them opportunities. If you want, you know, to work, if you want to be part of something, there's a really good chance that you can find a way to do it.

[29:59]  Um, I hope other states follow suit and that you know that that people with disabilities are um treated as a group that is um that that that to give them the opportunities that they deserve and that they get um not pushed on the back burner but als but but pushed to the front you know and and shine a light on them. We try to shine a light on the abilities of the people that we support and they can do great things and I think with just a little bit of accommodations they can they can really flourish. So I hope that other organizations and I hope that this administration gives them value and I hope that they are just given opportunities to grow and to be the people that they want to be because they're just people. And I think that if we can just uh yeah, just give

[30:50]  them opportunities and give them the the tools that they need and support them. I appreciate it. Mike, actually a different question, man. Um we've been talking about a just a lot of the success moments, but 10 years in, I can only imagine that there had been a tough moment where you really had to push through with love and with grit. Um do you remember that times? Because, you know, a lot of people think that life is always peaches and cream, but no, we go through things. I'm pretty sure, you know, as humans, we're in our minds at times. There's an imposta syndrome.

[31:18]  There's like, am I doing the right thing? Can you you have one of those stories you can share, Mike? Yeah. I became vice president in a residential day program, uh, two weeks before COVID hit. Um, so now I have, you know, hundreds and hundreds of people I have to keep safe, uh, people we support as well of our staff. Um, I'm like standing back saying, can I can I do this? Um and and it was tough, you know, nobody knew anything about it. And um now I'm responsible for, you know, 204 people that live in our residential program, 315 people in our day program, and trying to keep them actively engaged where they're not just sitting at home.

[31:58]  Um and we could, you know, do something for them. And we had I just I had a a great team and leadership team and um that was able to um pull together and we came up with plans and implemented and and we were really successful. We had um minimal um people getting very sick. Um we we had some people obviously that got CO during that time but um minimal that were seriously ill. Um, and you know, it it we came out as a a stronger unit afterwards. You know, people supported included. Love it, man. I love it. See, that's why that's why you're where you're at, Mike. You're the man. If you can get through co listen, anyone that was able to take a new position and get it through co that was that was very

[32:45]  challenging times and and I love that to see so much success that really I mean, obviously, it was a very tough time for a lot of people, but there was also so much success I I hear from people that were in it, you know, um, deep in it as well. And Mike, I can imagine that it was very, you guys didn't know what to do. You know, it was for all of us, it was the unexpected, but for leaders that really stepped up and did their thing, I mean, kudos to you for sure. Um, Kristen, I ask you, if someone's listening right now and and wants to help, but they're not sure how, what's one thing they can actually do today that really makes a difference? A lot of people always think is a donation. It's money, but there's so much more that you can actually do at the level of no money. So, what would that actually look like for you? I think um the common person can really uh advocate for people with disabilities. That's the word we use a lot. Um there's a really a lot you

[33:34]  can do. Uh you can contact your local legislators. You can write letters. You can have, you know, send uh make phone calls to people who are um in author positions of authority. You know, sometimes it feels a little old-fashioned, but it's really the way to do it. We hear from our high level uh legislators and we'll say to them, you know, how do we how do we make our voice heard? How do we how do we tell people, you know, please don't cut Medicaid?

[34:00]  Please don't please inc increase um you know, our salaries for our people that are boots on the ground, you know, working working in the field. How do we do all that? And they say, you got to raise your voice. You got to band together. You got to get your messaging together. and you got to make calls and you got to go to rallies and you have to send um you know emails and letters and we do that. We do a lot of that um not just during budget time but throughout the entire year so that people who are in positions of authority and leadership will have us and our um our needs on the front line, you know, on on the front of front of their minds so that when it's time um that they that they aren't surprised to hear from us or surprised that we, you know, we have these asks.

[34:45]  But we don't we we don't just ask either. We also try to share throughout the year what's going well in our field too. We don't always want to be there with the handout and asking you know can you give us money, can you give us more but we want to share the su success stories and ensure that people um on those levels also hear from us when things are going well too. So that's not just a a constant you know an an ask but also a celebration and and opportunities and success stories as well. So, um I think if you are um a person that's looking to help, you can there's often chapters that are similar to us throughout the United States and they are likely doing advocacy work. So, give them a call. You know, can I write a letter? Who can I reach out to? know who your local legislators are and give them

[35:33]  a give them a ring, send them an email and let them know that, you know, disability rights are human rights and that we want um for people with disabilities the same thing that anybody else wants and that you want to share the message and get that out there. I love it. I appreciate it. Mike, you ready? I'm about to put you in the hot seat. It's time for the blind question.

[35:52]  Are you excited? I'll ask both of you guys a blank question, but Mike, you're up first. What am I gonna This is This is from Edward. Um I can't remember what the organization actually was. He's gonna get so mad. Anyway, he had a really good question himself from the past leader. He wanted to make sure he gave it back. If you can go back in time and meet anyone in history, who would you sit down with and what would you ask them? Wow. Wow.

[36:20]  Kristen, are you ready? Kristen looks like she's ready. Is that Well, I get the same question. Question. Yeah, same question. Same question. I am not ready. No, I'm just I know Mike is sweating a little bit, so that's why I So, does it have to be a famous person or does it No, no, no. Anybody? It' be my my great-grandfather. A Okay. And why? Um, what would you ask him? What would you ask him was the question? I I I I would I would probably ask him um he he came from Italy and he started a farm at a very young age. So, I I would have just asked him on how his path was and and became very successful, but he passed before I was born. Um, you know, I would ask him that and then ask him a couple questions about my great aunt, but that's beside the point. Okay. Okay, Mark. I know that was a hot seat question. I'll let Edward know that he

[37:06]  definitely uh gave us a good question here. And for yourself, Kristen, um I don't know. That's a good one, Mike. Uh maybe I always think like someone like Abe Lincoln, you know, I think for all he went through, I would love to because I feel like, you know, he stood up for for obviously a group of people who did not have the same rights as everybody else. And I feel like that's what we do every day, too. And so I guess I would say to him, you know, how did you um maintain the fight? You know, where did that drive come from? What was what was maybe special or or unique in your past that made you want to step up for somebody who didn't look like you didn't have the same rights as you and

[37:54]  uh and that the fact that you you pushed for that and I think that's what we do every day. So to have to talk to somebody who's in that same space and mind frame I think we have the same the same kind of inner workings of our brain that we want to see people succeed and do really well. So maybe just kind of have, you know, a little uh a little uh tea or coffee with him and talk about talk about where that drive came from.

[38:18]  You could tell she had a little bit of time to think, huh, Mike? Just out the mic, but hey, that was really good. I mean, I love how you tied all that back, too. Um, you guys have been truly being amazing. What's the website? I think there's two different websites going on here. Actually, I I totally missed to ask you guys. You guys get to ask the blind question to the next leaders, and this time we get two questions. So, I'll let uh Kristen, I'm gonna put you in the hot seat first. You ask your blind question and then Mike, you can ask your blind question. Oh my goodness. I wrote my question down.

[38:46]  Where did I put it? Oh, you might have to go to Mike because I think I lost my question. Oh, good. Mike, are you ready? Mine is just what's your why? What's your why? Love it. Love it. There you go. Kristen, I found mine. What are you looking forward to next? Okay, so what is your why and what are you looking forward to next? I love it. Thank you guys so much for taking the time to really have this conversation. Um, you guys don't just hire people with disabilities to feel good. You hire them because they're damn good at what they do and we found that out today. They can do anything and everything as long as they have Kristen and Mike at their side. They're going to make it happen.

[39:21]  Thank you guys so much for um everything that you guys have been able to share. Can we actually give some websites out? What is your website or they want to go visit? I think there's maybe two different ones. So Kristen, you want to go and give me that first? The Ark of Monroe's website is arkmanro.org org. And the specific website for Arcworks is arcworksrochester.org.

[39:41]  Love it. I appreciate it. Social medias. Social media. We're on all the channels. We're on Facebook, uh Tik Tok, Instagram. Just search uh the Ark of Monroe and uh you can find all that. And then Arkworks specifically has a Facebook page and a LinkedIn page as well. So just search us out there. Tik Tok. Can I get to see some something that's happening behind the scenes at the manufacturing center? Oh, Tik Tok is more um set on advocacy right now. We haven't done a ton of Tik Toks over at Arcworks, but we could we could do that though. But that's that's really focused on advocacy and and sharing people's um stories and getting out there and talking budget and talking Medicaid and and dollars. So, it is a time it is a time where we got to talk about it.

[40:23]  Guys, thank you guys so much. It's definitely been a pleasure. This is a talk type top conversation we love to have on the Heart Hustle podcast. Today we just happen to have two of them. Hopefully I did good for you guys watching and for those that aren't here on the show today. This is Benny Frame. We had Kristen, we have Mike. Thank you guys so much for visiting the Heart and Hustle Podcast. We'll catch you guys on the next episode. Later. Thank you.