2024 ARCHKids Fall Fest!
October 29, 2024
Grace Jones
Grace has been a part of the ARCH Family since 1992 and we're very lucky to have her!
Tell us a little about yourself.
Talking about myself has never been an easy task for me so, I'll stick to the basics. I’ve lived in Arizona most of my life. I grew up in the White Mountains and am a small-town mountain girl at heart. I work a weekend job at a mental health facility and get out into nature as often as I can with my two dogs on my days off.
How did you hear about ARCH and what made you want to stay?
I volunteered in the Special Education classroom at my high school during my free time and at lunch. I asked the teacher if he had any recommendations for an after-school job and he told me about ARCH. He had worked summer programs here in the past. I have stayed because I do not believe many other similar agencies truly “live” their mission statement like ARCH.
We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, what has been your favorite ARCH moment?
I have too many favorite moments to list just one, but a few are: the times ARCH Performers were on stage at the State Fair, sharing stories about ARCH and its programs on TV, the major adventure trips and my first experience hiking to Havasupai Falls with My ARCH Family. During that hike a person ahead of us was playing a flute while they walked. To be surrounded on all sides by beautiful red canyons while listening to such peaceful and inspirational music was a once in a lifetime experience. The banana boat ride in Zihuatanejo, Mexico and ziplining in Puerto Vallarta were pretty awesome too!
Who is your dream dinner guest, and what would you cook for them?
I would love to have Amelia Earhart for dinner. I would make chili because it's one of the tastiest yet easiest things I can make.
If you won a million dollars, what’s the first thing you’d buy?
I would pay off my house and car. I would also like to build a small home in my back yard for my mom. Then, I'd book a family cruise for my siblings and I. And of course, I would donate to ARCH!
Finish the sentence. I love ARCH because...
How could you not once you’ve been here!
Five Fun Facts about Grace:
- I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie and used to love extreme sports.
- I enjoy car camping more than a fancy resort.
- Visiting every National Park is at the top of my bucket list.
- I think everything tastes better with dill pickle flavoring.
- I am afraid of fish.
