The Arc Store in Chico has some very long time employees, and many of them are Arc clients with special needs. It is a testament to the positive effect the Arc organization has on the clients served when they are accommodated and encouraged to work with other employees. Working at the Arc boosts the morale of the clients, gives them a sense of pride, and allows them to earn a paycheck. 

The vast majority of the individuals with developmental disabilities never miss a day of work. They look forward to their job and do it well. Although I see these wonderful individuals on a daily basis while I’m at work and they are in the Adult Day Program or at work in the store, I don’t often just get to sit down with them and talk about their work. When I did, they were more than happy to “share their stories” and talk about their experiences here at the Arc.

Meet Richard Olguin

Richard is 36 years old and has been an Arc of Butte County client for 10 years and working at the Arc Store in Chico the entire time. Everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Richard knows that he is happy all of the time. He always has a big smile on his face and he will tell anyone, “I’m happy today.” 

Richard’s favorite duties at the Arc Store include sorting through the donated clothes, hanging them in the right sections, dusting and even cleaning the bathrooms.

He said, “I love to go to Oroville and Paradise on Thursdays. We stop at Burger King in Oroville and I get a chocolate milkshake. I go to Oroville to see Gavin (Coordinator of the Oroville Adult Day Program).

Richard is a staple at the Chico Arc Store and can always be counted on to cast a positive light on any situation.         

Say Hello to Jimmy Aylor

You generally won’t see Jimmy out in the Arc Store; he works in what he calls “his office” at the back of the store. Jimmy’s job is to test all of the donated electronics, i.e. speakers, lamps, radios, toasters, vacuum cleaners, mixers, basically anything that has a cord attached to it. Although he doesn’t work on computers, occasionally he does repair a computer monitor. 

Jimmy was born and raised in Midvale in the middle of the rice fields of the upper Sacramento Valley. He has worked many jobs in his life at a rice mill in the rice fields, including driving farm machinery. He has lived in Chico for about 15 years and the last 10 years he has been a client of the Chico Adult Day Program.

He lives independently in his own apartment where his leisure time is spent controlling the remote and watching TV. He also likes to ride his bike around Chico in the park and sometimes even rides it to and from the Arc. 

He earns a modest paycheck but it’s enough for Jimmy to participate in Arc and Do-It-Leisure trips to Reno or camping. Jimmy stated that working at the Arc “Gives me a reason to get up in the morning.” 

The next time you’re in the Arc Store and you see an electronic device with a green sticker saying “Tested,” know that Jimmy took great pride in ensuring that item is in good working order.                          

Jan Loseth, Employee of the Week

An Arc Day Program client and part time employee at the Arc store for over 20 years, Jan was so excited when we talked. She was awarded the Employee of the Week certificate for her outstanding work performance. When asked what she liked best about her job at the Arc Store, her response was “Everything.” 

Jan detailed some of her daily duties as returning clothing that has been tried on in dressing rooms to its correct rack in the store. She also washes many of the dishes, vases and glassware that are donated before they can be priced. Jan also tags and prices clothing that she will then put on the display racks. 

Jan’s favorite pastime when not at the Arc is watching TV and playing video games. Even at the Arc one of the activities she enjoys most is playing games, such as bowling on the Wii.  Jan lives in a care home and one of her chores is setting the dinner table. Jan is a frequent participant in Arc weekday field trips as well as weekend bus trips like the one she attended last weekend on a trip to Reno with her peers.

Like so many of the Arc clients, she has a positive nature and is always wearing a smile. When she sat back down at her table of friends in the Arc Pavilion, there was a round of applause as she announced she had been chosen Employee of the Week.

We look forward to seeing you at your neighborhood Arc Store in the future. Download the summer savings coupon so you can get extra savings on your next purchase. Thank you for shopping at the Arc Store in Chico and for being a friend to the Arc clients and staff.