Desert Arc announces public shredding and recycling pop-up events 3rd Fridays

Desert Arc, who has for more than 62 years been serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Coachella Valley, Morongo Basin and outlying desert communities, has announced the debut of its Shred It and Forget It Fridays! program.

These public shredding and recycling events will take place on the third Friday of every month, from 9 a.m. to noon. Local area businesses and residents are invited to take part in disposing of their sensitive and confidential records while supporting the nonprofit organization.

“Desert Arc’s mission is to enhance the lives and create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Richard Balocco, the nonprofit's president and CEO. “We are dedicated to social innovation, and our business services, such as the shredding and recycling division, is an example of an initiative that extends our impact by providing jobs and vocational training to those we serve and ultimately improves the well-being of individuals and communities.”

“The Rancho Mirage City Council is extremely proud of their partnership with Desert Arc,” said Charles Townsend, mayo of Rancho Mirage. “Desert Arc is now handling all of our shredding and electronic waste recycling needs for the city. The entire organization is filled with wonderful people and incredible stories of hope. I would encourage any individual to participate in one of their fundraising events, to witness the encouraging work being done in our community.”

Residents and businesses are always looking for a way to securely shred and dispose of confidential documents such as financial information, legal documents, medical records and computer hard drives. On the third Friday of every month, Desert Arc will have its mobile shredding truck at its corporate headquarters, located at 73-255 Country Club Drive in Palm Desert, available to service the business and residential community’s needs.

According to Angelique Ontiveros, Desert Arc’s director of business services, “Desert Arc’s shredding and recycling division is firmly committed to the secure disposal of confidential documents and e-waste materials. Every step of our system ensures HIPAA and FACTA compliance with a guaranteed chain of custody.”

Tom Dumez, the owner and president of Prime Compliance, a certified HIPAA professional and a certified security compliance specialist, recently conducted a risk assessment and training session at Desert Arc’s Shredding and Recycling Center in Indio to prepare the team for its upcoming iSIGMA and NAID (National Association of Information Destruction) AAA certification process.

“To many people, 'compliance' means checking a box, but it goes well beyond just checking a box," Dumez said. "This prestigious certification informs the public and officially attests that shredding and recycling businesses like Desert Arc are accountable to the highest industry standards in compliance with privacy laws.”

Businesses, as well as the community-at-large, will be able to bring those sensitive files to Desert Arc to have them destroyed by its compliant, high-security local mobile shredding truck. The cost is $5 per banker box or shred bag and $8 per hard drive.

“Angelique Ontiveros and her team at Desert Arc’s Shredding and Recycling Division go above and beyond at every turn for their customers,” said Meegan Villa, president of Proper Solutions Staffing. “Their team members who pick up our shredding are always friendly and professional. For our company, being able to support the wonderful programs and services that Desert Arc provides to our community while getting a needed business service is a great combination.”

The next upcoming Shred It and Forget It Friday! event will be held June 17, with others scheduled on July 15, Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, and Dec. 16. Proceeds from these public monthly shredding and recycling events will go toward funding Desert Arc’s many programs and services.

Since its founding in 1959, Desert Arc has been offering people-centric programs and resources designed to meet the needs of its clients, including an adult day program, vocational training, job development, job placement and employment, nutrition, sports and recreation including case management and personalized coordination of services, plus advocacy for community integration and programs for support of independent living.

The organization has been recognized within the community for its mission of enhancing its clients’ quality of life and creating opportunities for each person. Dedicated to social innovation, Desert Arc has also created a variety of enterprises providing business services to area companies including their shredding and recycling, landscape maintenance, janitorial, and fulfillment divisions. These are growing micro-businesses developed to provide employment for Desert Arc clients, as well as an earned income revenue stream to ensure the sustainability and future of Desert Arc.

For more information on Desert Arc’s shredding and recycling service offerings, call (760) 404-1370 or visit desertarc.org.

Madeline Zuckerman is owner and president of M. Zuckerman Marketing & Public Relations Inc., a strategic marketing, branding, public relations and special events firm with offices in Rancho Mirage and Newport Beach, California. Her clients have included South Coast Plaza, Pacific Symphony and Tiffany & Co. in Orange County and Desert Arc, Olive Crest and Mama's House here in the desert. She is a Founder of McCallum Theatre and has been a guest reporter with The Desert Sun for the past 14 years.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Desert Arc announces public shredding and recycling pop-up events