Coffee with Friends: Learning, Connecting, and Growing Together

Education is back at The Arc Upper Valley, and we are bringing it back with a fresh new vibe.

We are excited to introduce Coffee with Friends, our refreshed virtual education series with a relaxed coffee house feel. Think good information, meaningful conversation, opportunities to ask questions, and a comfortable place to connect, all from wherever you happen to be.

Grab a cup of coffee (or tea!), find a comfortable spot, and join us.

Why Education Matters

Information can be powerful.

For individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, guardians, professionals, and others in our community, having access to understandable and reliable information can make it easier to ask questions, understand options, make informed decisions, and advocate for what is needed.

But finding that information is not always easy.

Disability services, special education, benefits, health care, guardianship, community resources, and other systems can be complicated. Information may be scattered across different agencies and organizations, filled with unfamiliar terminology, or simply difficult to know where to begin.

At The Arc Upper Valley, we believe education is an important part of advocacy.

When people better understand the systems and resources around them, they are better equipped to participate in decisions, support others, and strengthen connections within our community.

Education can help people:

• Understand rights and available options.

• Learn about programs, services, and community resources.

• Prepare for transitions and changing needs.

• Ask informed questions.

• Connect with professionals, organizations, and others who can help.

• Become stronger advocates and allies for people with disabilities.

  
  

Education is not just about listening to a presentation. Sometimes the most valuable learning happens when someone asks a question, shares a perspective, or introduces you to a resource you did not know existed. That is the kind of learning environment we want Coffee with Friends to create.

A Coffee House Approach to Learning

We want learning to feel welcoming, comfortable, and approachable.

Coffee with Friends will feature virtual sessions on topics relevant to individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, guardians, community members, and professionals.

No conference room required. Join us from your kitchen table, your couch, or wherever you are comfortable. Grab your favorite drink and a snack. Life and a little background noise can happen. We simply ask participants to mute when needed during the educational portion so everyone can hear.

Our goal is to create a space where people can learn, ask questions, discover resources, share perspectives, and connect with others in our community.

Because sometimes learning is better with a cup of coffee and a few friends.

And to Sweeten Your Cup a Little More...

As Coffee with Friends grows, we also hope to expand opportunities for audience members who are also professionals. We are working toward offering continuing education opportunities, including CEUs for social workers and, when applicable to the session topic, other professional disciplines.

Continuing education will not be available for every session, and CEU opportunities will be announced with individual sessions as they become available.

Pull Up a Virtual Chair

Coffee with Friends will be held virtually on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required to receive the Zoom information.

We have more topics and sessions brewing, so watch The Arc Upper Valley's website, e newsletter, and social media for upcoming opportunities.

Education is back. The coffee is optional. The opportunity to learn and connect is always on the menu.

Because advocacy does not begin only when there is a problem. Sometimes, it begins with a cup of coffee, good information, and the opportunity to learn something new.