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Katie's Corner:
A Note from Our Executive Director
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It’s hard to believe that 2025 is almost over. Time truly flies when you’re having fun! And here at The Arc, fun might as well be our middle name. Let me count the ways…
It was a joy to attend the 2025 MACS CEO & Leadership Conference on the Eastern Shore with other members of our leadership team. We had a wonderful time networking with like-minded professionals across Maryland who are strong champions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
I was especially proud to present at The Arc National Convention with Philanthropic Fundraising on how our Development Department has successfully navigated a major transition and is now positioned for long-term success.
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As the year comes to a close, we are putting the finishing touches on our annual audit (we’re almost there!) and gearing up for the holidays. Those we support are ready with Holiday sing-alongs, festive decorations throughout the building, and other joyful ways to celebrate friendship. Our Jingle and Mingle party is a few short weeks away, and we're excited to share holiday cheer with our staff, people we support, and their guests.
Speaking of holiday excitement, we have launched our Annual Appeal, “Turning IM-possible to I’m-Possible!” Thank you in advance for your generosity! As you know, public funding covers only part of what it takes to sustain The Arc’s services. Your support and the generosity of our philanthropic advocates help close critical funding gaps. Your gift strengthens our financial stability and ensures that we can continue providing high-quality services for the people we support for years to come.
Last but not least, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with Lauren Asghari on her podcast, How’d Her Career Get There? If you have a moment, I encourage you to take a listen and learn more about our organization and the causes I am so passionate about.
Happy Holidays, and stay safe! There is so much to be thankful for this season.
| | GIIVE A GIFT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! | | | | |
Well… you don’t have to wait until Christmas because our Amazon Wishlist went live on Giving Tuesday! But it's not too late to join the fun.
The people who live in our supported homes have put together a list of items that will help make their homes more comfortable and functional—mostly practical essentials such as blenders, grills, curtains, towels, pots and pans, and vacuum cleaners. There are also a few fun items, like a giant Jenga set and a Christmas Tree!
Scan the QR code below to visit our Amazon Wishlist and pick out a gift. Happy shopping!
| | | To all our donors, advocates, supporters, and volunteers – THANK YOU! | | | | |
With Thanksgiving so late this year, we wanted to take a moment to dive into gratitude. We can’t do this work alone. Without your advocacy and support, we won’t be able to fully empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full and meaningful lives. It truly takes a village to make The Arc’s mission possible!
Your gifts, helping hands, and voices of support make our village grow stronger.
Thank you for joining us in building an inclusive community where everyone belongs!
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7 Turkeys for 7 Homes
A huge thank you to Jones Junction Staff for donating turkeys to our Supported Homes. This lovely gesture made it possible for our homes to enjoy the holiday together with a traditional turkey dinner!
Thanks to:
Tim W
Tom G
Valerie D
Ken J
Sam S
Deborah W
| | | A Big Cheer to Ivy, Our Calendar Girl | | |
We are proud to share that our very own Ivy will be featured in The Arc Maryland’s annual Legislative Calendar!
The theme for the 2026 calendar is “Limitless.” It reflects how The Arc's in Maryland,made up of 10 local chapters and one state chapter, views people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: ever-growing, unstoppable, and always learning.
Ivy embodies this limitless spirit for The Arc of Howard County! She is independent, entrepreneurial, community-minded, and driven. She has run her own lemonade stand, serves on our Board, dreams of becoming an interpreter, and lives in one of our supported homes with her friends.
Keep an eye out for next year’s calendar and get ready to learn even more about Ivy!
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Meaningful Day Update
It’s been a busy month for us at our Day Program and we’re not complaining! We’re always up for a fun party, socializing, or sending love to fellow Americans.
These past few weeks, we dressed up and donned our favorite costumes at the Trunk or Treat (also, who says no to candy?), appreciated giving and receiving special gifts during our Friendsgiving celebration, and wrote holiday notes to deployed service members. We were able to send those letters thanks to the generous support of Mission BBQ, who made sure our messages would reach the troops. A big THANK YOU to them for making this possible!
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Keep shining in the workplace, Mark!
This month, we’re putting a well-deserved spotlight on the people we support who are working hard and contributing to businesses, organizations, and schools across Howard County. Their impact deserves to be front and center!
Mark is leading the way with his determination, strong work ethic, and great attitude. He stays busy with two jobs: serving as a food service worker at Centennial High School and as a part-time sauce master at Mission BBQ.
At Centennial High, Mark is an important part of a bustling kitchen team that ensures hundreds of students receive properly prepared meals each day. His responsibilities include pulling boxes of frozen food from refrigerated storage areas, panning the food, placing it in the oven, and afterward, washing all the utensils and pans.
At Mission BBQ, he fills bottles and ramekins with the restaurant’s signature sauces that accompany customers’ meals.
Mark has come a long way since he first started over a year ago, and we couldn’t be prouder!
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His Direct Support Professional’s guidance has been invaluable in keeping him focused and helping him develop new skills, such as organizing tasks and working smarter, not harder.
Team members at both workplaces share that Mark has become increasingly confident in his role. He is a beloved member of the crew at both Centennial High and Mission BBQ.
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“I appreciate Mark's resilience. Some days he has challenges, but he has a great attitude, a willingness to learn. He wants to be successful. I celebrate his successes with him, and I always try to help him get the lessons from when things don't work out.”
- LaShawn, Direct Support Professional
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We had the pleasure of visiting another supported home, led by Anita. She has been supporting this home for three years, but has been with The Arc for almost 14 years. This house is all about CHOICE, and flexing to the needs of each person who lives there. Anita manages a staff of 13 DSPs across what you could almost call two households.
Household One is home to Cornell, Nathan, and Eric, who each need different levels of support. Two of the three participate in our Meaningful Day Program, while the third benefits most from one-on-one supports throughout his day at home in the community. While Cornell and Eric have rooms upstairs, Nathan enjoys a large downstairs space with a full gaming setup and a foosball table, a place where he loves spending time. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom, is tidy and welcoming, and reflects each person’s style. Cornell and Nathan proudly display Special Olympics medals, while Eric’s love of music shines through in his décor.
Staff help them choose their meals and activities. This can be tricky with non-traditional communication, but everyone still gets to make meaningful choices, like chicken or tuna steaks for dinner. They strive to make the home feel just like their own homes, emphasizing family-style mealtimes and healthy cooking. They even host July 4th barbecues and invite other houses to join them in their beautiful outdoor space.
Household Two is a spacious apartment on one side of the house, where Michelle lives. Michelle is very independent and has worked at Mission BBQ for nearly four years. She cleans her apartment, cooks her meals, does her laundry, and joins the fun with her housemates whenever she wants to. She grocery shops weekly with Anita, special one-on-one time both of them enjoy. Michelle’s place is full of personality with great style, mood lighting, early Christmas decorations, and a cozy little “pub” setup for friends.
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The whole household participates in music therapy together in the living room, and they truly have “sibling love” for one another. Anita describes how they look out for, encourage, and support each other—and as the photo shows, spontaneous hugs are a regular thing.
As the holidays approach, Anita hopes to spruce up the home with new curtains, a better TV stand, and a Christmas tree to make the space festive. Her wishes are included in our Amazon Wishlist.
This home is a shining example of how people with IDD can thrive in their own homes with the right supports. The staff here demonstrate that one type of care doesn’t fit all—they tailor their approach to each person’s strengths, needs, and preferences. Together, they’ve created a home filled with balance, dignity, and harmony.
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OUR 65TH ANNIVERSARY
ANNUAL APPEAL IS HAPPENING NOW!
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For 65 years, The Arc of Howard County has been dedicated to empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full, meaningful, and self-directed lives. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we invite you to join us in honoring our past and strengthening our future.
This year’s Annual Appeal, “Turning IM-possible to I’m Possible,” comes with a special anniversary goal: to raise $65,000 by June in honor of our 65 years of service. Your donation helps bridge the gap between public funding and the true cost of providing high-quality, life-changing supports.
Help us celebrate 65 years of possibilities and fuel the next 65. Please consider making a generous gift today!
| | JOIN THE CHOCOLATE AND CHEERS COMMITTEE! | | | Your support will make this exciting new event on May 9th, 2026 at Laurel Park a huge success. If you're interested in sharing your skills, time, or ideas, we'd love to have you on the committee. The more the merrier! | | |
The Arc of Howard County strives to achieve full community life for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
-- one person at a time.
Achieve with us.
A copy of the current financial statement of The Arc of Howard County is available by writing 11735 Homewood Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042 or by calling (410) 730-0638. Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis MD 21401, (410) 974-5534.
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