A Message from Chief Executive Officer
Jeanne Meikrantz
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It is with enormous gratitude that I offer our heartfelt wishes to you for a healthy and prosperous New Year! The Arc of Chester County has thrived in 2022 because of YOU –our loyal and generous friends, partners, and donors and we could not be more grateful.
As we say goodbye to 2022 and ring in 2023, we reflect on the work we have done together for individuals with disabilities and their families: changing and introducing legislation, advocating for adequate wages, and ensuring access to programs and services just to name a few. We also continue to make great progress on our 70th Anniversary Capital Renovation Campaign raising nearly $250,000 toward our $1 million effort and look forward to your participation in the coming weeks.
THANK YOU! for standing with us and for your unwavering support of those entrusted in our care. We all know that the work is never done, so please continue your commitment to and support of The Arc of Chester County’s pursuit of equity and opportunity for all regardless of disability.
Our ‘Call to Action’ in the coming year continues to be the staffing crisis. I invite you to join in our dedicated effort by becoming an ‘Arc Champion!’ Share with family and friends the good work being done at The Arc for individuals with disabilities and their families. Encourage them to join our Arc Family by applying for one of the many jobs currently open on our website at arcofchestercounty.org.
It remains a privilege to lead this wonderful and successful organization and serve your loved ones, family, and friends. On behalf of our dedicated Board of Directors and talented and incredible staff, we wish you and yours a 2023 filled with peace, love, joy, happiness!
With gratitude,
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Jeanne Meikrantz
Chief Executive Officer
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Arc Spotlight
WHO: Andrew
I am ONE in a million! Meaning, I was born one in a million. My name is Andrew and I was born at Bryn Mawr Hospital on January 29, 1987 with a very rare form of oral-facial digital syndrome. As a result, I was born with a cleft lip and palate, club feet and extra fingers and toes. I had to have 24/7 nursing care at home and over the course of my 35- year-life, I have had 37 surgeries at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I’ve had countless hours of speech, occupational and physical therapy. I also use an IPAD for speech-output so people can understand me better.
As a child, I went to Caley Road School and was in the Intermediate Unit at Glenwood School, Springton Lake. I graduated from Haverford High School in 2008 which is when I started at The Arc of Chester County in their Recreation Program.
When I was five, John my real dad passed away. I currently live in West Chester with my mom, Susan and my stepfather, Tom. I have one brother and two stepsisters. I also have seven nieces and nephews. My family and I go down the shore for three months every summer. We have fantastic dance parties and there are always lots of us every weekend! I’m also the No. 1 fan for my dad’s basketball team at Bonner Prendie. I sit with them on the bench and go into the locker-room during halftime and I LOVE IT!
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Before the pandemic happened, I also went to Brian’s House regularly for work. I now do half-days of zoom there and one full day of In Home and Community Supports (IHCS) with The Arc. I have a lot of fun at The Arc of Chester County and in their recreation programs. The Arc has a Halloween party that I go to every year and love. We have Thanksgiving dinners, holiday parties and many special events. It is so much fun seeing friends and having fun…even though we still must wear masks. |
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Arc staff, Jerry Duncan, supports me with IHCS and he is always so nice to me. Jerry also used to be my bus/van driver. I used to greet at Tel Hai Nursing Home. That was my favorite job. The ladies were so nice to me and gave me candy. Greeting is what I would like to do as my forever job. But someone needs to stay with me while I do that.
The Arc also works with me on a variety of daily-living skills. Jerry is now one of my DSPs (Direct Support Professional) and I really enjoy our time together. He supports me because I really LOVE to bake and cook a variety of things. When I cook at The Arc each week, I share it and visit with all the staff there. They really seem to really enjoy what I make. I use a power-chair for longer distances and sometimes during programming sessions. I use my walker for shorter distances.
“Andrew is a super polite and very intelligent person. We have wonderful conversations and experiences together. “Things to remember,” I say to him when we see or experience something special,” shares Arc 13-year veteran employee and Max Award winner, Jerry.
Jerry carries his motto in his wallet which reads, “As a Direct Support Professional, I am inspired by helping participants with disabilities achieve their goals. In addition to making new goals that we set together to strengthening our relationship overall.”
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In keeping with The Arc of Chester County’s 70 year we continue to ensure that our advocacy and legislative priorities are guided by individuals with disabilities and their families. It is easy to feel like there is no way to effectively impact change, however diligent and persistent advocacy by individuals and families can be successful as is indicated by the passing of Act 55 in June 2022.
A group of parents came together to “Fix Act 66”. Act 66 was passed into law to give students aging out of the school system at age 21 the option to continue their education for an extra year to make up for the education they lost due to COVID-19 school interruptions. Unfortunately, some students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) were left out of Act 66 because of their age. Students with disabilities are able to attend school through their 21 st birthday and that was not taken into consideration during the development and passing of Act 66. Local parents and students who would be impacted by this oversight worked extremely hard and were able to remedy the problems with Act 66 that excluded them or their children from having the extra year of school. Through their grassroots advocacy and legislative efforts referred to as “Fix Act 66” they were able to identify and communicate the problem to legislators and as a result they did Fix Act 66 and Act 55 was passed into law once again allowing 21 years old students the opportunity to stay in school an extra year . This grassroots advocacy and legislative effort was a huge success not only for students living in Chester County but across Pennsylvania!! The Arc of Chester County appreciated the opportunity to partner with this dedicated group of parents and students. We partnered with them during our legislative visits so they could speak directly with legislators to educate them on the problems with Act 66 and offer the solution to “Fix Act 66” which was their goal. This advocacy and legislative effort was successfully accomplished through the passage of Act 55 that ensured every student was given the same opportunity for the extra year of education regardless of age or disability.
As we move into another season of advocacy and legislative activity, we look forward to continuing The Arc of Chester County’s 70-year legacy that promotes grass roots advocacy in partnership with individuals with disabilities and their families. Together we continue to advocate for choice and access to providers and staff who can deliver the services that individuals with disabilities and their families want and need. There are thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities waiting for services in Pennsylvania. Even those who have funding for services are still waiting for needed services due to the lack of options, choice and access to providers and staff. This crisis must be fixed. We look forward to working with individuals and families, elected officials and other partners to fix the lack of choice, providers and staff that is negatively impacting the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
If you would like more information about how to get involved and join our grassroots advocacy and legislative efforts please contact Kim Booz, Director of Advocacy at kbooz@arcofchestercounty.org
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Join us in earning cash for The Arc of Chester County Pre School. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios!) and scan your grocery receipt. Click below to download the app.
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Support The Arc of Chester County's
Dine & Donate Mondays
in January at
Sedona Tap House
West Chester
Dine in or Take Out
Lunch and/or Dinner
Mondays - January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Enjoy 50% off a great meal at Sedona Taphouse in West Chester
while doing your part for charity.
For every HALF PRICE 8 oz. Black Angus Flat Iron Steak or 7 oz. Norwegian Salmon entrée sold, Sedona Taphouse will donate $1 to The Arc of Chester County!
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MARCH IS OUR MONTH!
Developmental Disability Awareness Month
Be sure to follow The Arc of Chester County on social media as we celebrate and spread the word about promoting disABILITY awareness and inclusion.
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Recreation Events Schedule
Click the schedule below for more information and registration information!
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Ways to Give
Donors have many options when it comes to making gifts. The method of giving depends on both your financial situation and your philanthropic goals. The Arc of Chester County accepts:
Outright Gifts – are gifts of cash, check, credit card, or from donor-advised funds (DAF) and/or pledges that are paid over a fixed number of years.
Appreciated Securities - in the form of stocks, bonds, securities, annuities, or other tangible property such as real estate, artwork, vehicles, etc. provide immediate support.
Bequests – in writing a will or living trust, where you specify The Arc of Chester County as the beneficiary of all or part of your estate can provide a legacy of your support.
IRAs & Qualified Retirement Plans – where you make a gift from your IRA or designate The Arc of Chester County as the beneficiary of your required minimum distribution or the remainder balance of any retirement fund.
Life Insurance – which is an economical way to give a larger and more lasting gift without drawing on your assets now or depleting your estate by designating The Arc of Chester County as the beneficiary of all or part of your life insurance.
Planned Gifts - such as Charitable Gift Annuities or Trusts which are partnership planned gifts that benefit you and The Arc of Chester County today and in the future.
Contact
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Phone: 610-696-8090 Fax: 610-696-8300
900 Lawrence Drive, West Chester, PA 19380
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