Dawn Depesa worked at The Arc of Midland from 2002 until November 2006.  She was an outstanding advocate for people with developmental disabilities, helping many adults that we serve to achieve their dreams of participating in their community.  Dawn had a special place in her heart for children, especially girls that we serve.  After hearing a statistic that over 90% of young women with intellectual disabilities have been in some way sexually exploited by the age of 18, she felt that The Arc needed to be part of a solution.  Dawn was the leader of a team of parents, Arc staff members and other community partners that worked on ideas to help young women with disabilities to gain skills and self esteem needed to avoid exploitation.

 

Two things came out of her efforts.  The first is a series of classes for young women who live in the community focusing on Healthy Relationships.  In partnership with Shelterhouse, The Arc hosts 12 week sessions for women to develop their skills in recognizing and engaging in healthy relationships.  We have also added sessions for men over the past years. 

 

The second is The Arc involvement in “Girls on The Run”.  This is a Nationally recognized program for elementary aged girls.  Girls meet regularly for several weeks, learning about ways to be strong, healthy young women.  As the work on esteem, team building and other skills, they also train for a 5k race.  In Midland, Girls on the Run is operated through Shelterhouse.  Dawn was an active member of the leadership team for Girls on the Run.   When Dawn died suddenly and unexpectedly in 2006, the board of directors named a scholarship after her.  The Dawn Depesa Memorial Scholarship is available to girls who participate in Girls on the Run or other empowering, inclusive activities in the Midland community. 

 

As of April, 2010 we have awarded three Dawn Depesa Memorial Scholarships, all to girls who participated in Girls on the Run.