Katie's Corner: A Note from Our Executive Director | |
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As we step into a new year, I want to start with a simple but heartfelt THANK YOU!
To our donors, your generosity over the past year truly made a difference. Because of you, we continue advancing opportunity and inclusion together. This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate 65 years of The Arc , an exciting milestone with many new things ahead. Stay with us!
To everyone who shopped our Amazon Wish List, a huge THANK YOU. The people in our supported homes truly appreciated the kindness behind every gift you purchased. They felt cared for and celebrated.
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It amazes me how incredibly giving our Howard County community is! From a sock drive and a generous shoe donation to pre-lit Christmas trees that made our homes festive, this support was felt everywhere. In return, we were proud to coordinate our Warm Hearts, Warm Clothes drive, providing clothing to people experiencing homelessness. We are grateful to be part of a community where care flows both ways.
To every staff member of The Arc, I appreciate your hard work and dedication to our mission of providing a full and thriving community life for the people we support. We are better together, and 65 years of growth feels collaborative! A special THANKS goes to staff who took the extra time to make the holidays special for our folks, mapping out a festive Spirit Week that included a Movie Marathon, a Wear-Your-Ugly -Sweater Party, and ended with a fabulous Christmas Cantata. Hearing everyone sing together was truly heartwarming.
To our community partners who provide critical funding for nonprofits like The Arc, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am very grateful for your unwavering trust and belief in our mission. As we dive into January and February, our grant writing months, I am excited about the new opportunities ahead. We couldn’t do it without you!
Clear minds, open hearts, and a fresh start, that’s the promise of this new year. Let’s all step forward together and make it count. Happy New Year!
| | We’re on our way to the $65K mark! | | As of today, we have raised more than $30,000 toward our goal of $65,000, celebrating 65 years of service to the IDD community. | |
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Your support turns the IM-possible into I’m Possible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Howard County.
We are proud to share that the more than 220 people we support are living this I’m Possible life every day.
Your gift provides continued opportunities for each one of them - for growth at home, at work, in relationships, and throughout the community.
Give today and make an impact!
| | Annual Legislative Breakfast held at Patuxent Commons | | |
On December 10, The Arc of Howard County and the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM) hosted their annual Legislative Breakfast at Patuxent Commons, a new mixed-income community in Columbia designed to support adults with disabilities, seniors, and families. Legislative staff joined advocates to discuss key issues impacting the intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) community.
Guest speaker Senator Guy Guzzone reaffirmed that, despite ongoing funding challenges, the disability community remains a priority and essential services will continue to be supported. Melissa Rosenberg (AUSOM Executive Director), Jason Skerik (Patuxent Commons Property Manager), Steven Isaacson (Community Life Manager), Laura Howell (MACS Executive Director), Dorothy Plantz (The Arc of Maryland Board Member), and Andy Stetner (AUSOM Board President) echoed these sentiments.
The program also featured Matthew Plantz, who spoke with The Arc of Howard County Executive Director, Katie Collins-Ihrke, about the importance of self-advocacy and priorities such as increased DSP wages, expanded community-based services, and improved access to voting, technology, and transportation.
The Arc and AUSOM thank everyone who attended and contributed to this important conversation, reinforcing the power of collaboration and advocacy.
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Simultaneously, we also ran a Giving Tuesday campaign for people who prefer to give tangible items.
Our Wishlist is on Amazon and items range from $7.61 to $229.99 for our supportive homes. The list will remain live through the end of January.
Visit the list and shop to make a difference!
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We are grateful to the families who shared their feedback through our recent survey. Thank you, and we hear you!
Overall, responses reflect strong satisfaction with our services, particularly around respect, safety, and the dedication of our staff. Many families highlighted positive relationships with frontline teams and expressed trust that their loved ones are treated with dignity and care.
At the same time, families offered thoughtful insights about where we can grow. While responsiveness is often praised, some families noted inconsistencies in follow-through, communication, and staffing stability. Feedback also emphasized the importance of ongoing training, clear points of contact, and dependable systems that don’t rely solely on individual staff members.
Families shared a desire for greater consistency, clearer communication, and long-term stability, especially as they think beyond safety toward independence, skill-building, and future opportunities for their loved ones. Concerns about staff turnover and continuity remind us how important reliable structures and sustained relationships are to the people we support.
This feedback affirms both our strengths and our responsibility to continue improving. We are proud of the support our staff provide and are equally committed to strengthening systems, communication, and services so families can feel confident, not just satisfied, now and in the future. Thank you to our community for your honesty, partnership, and trust as we work together to build stronger, more consistent supports.
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Sponsorship and Nominations are Now Open
for Chocolate and Cheers!
Don’t forget the date and location: May 9th, 2026, at Laurel Park. We've been busy planning the first ever Chocolate and Cheers and it’s ramping up!
We are excited to open up Sponsorship Opportunities to the event. Ticket sales will go live, AND we'll be looking for silent auction donations. We’re inviting you to come out and celebrate 65 years of making full community life a reality for people with IDD.
Your support not only highlights your commitment to The Arc but will connect you with our network of partners, raising your visibility while helping us create opportunities for those we serve.
Nominations are also open for the “Cheers” component of this special event. It’s a mirror of our previous Celebration of Excellence where we ask people from the community to nominate individuals and groups who bring The Arc’s mission to life. Award recipients will be announced by March 31, and honored at our Chocolate and Cheers on May 9th!. Click here to nominate now.
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First of Many: A Christmas Cantata at The Arc
The halls of The Arc’s office on Homewood Road were at their warmest and most festive on Christmas Eve, filled with a beautiful chorus of Christmas songs sung by the people we support. It was a truly special moment, our very first Christmas Cantata!
The participants practiced diligently in the days leading up to the event, and it showed. Their hard work, beautiful voices, and incredible energy reflected confidence, talent, and teamwork as they performed The Little Drummer Boy, Angels We Have Heard on High, Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and concluded with a rousing chorus of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
To all of our amazing participants, we are so proud of you!
A special shoutout goes to Gail, The Arc’s Meaningful Day Program Activities Coordinator, and her dedicated staff for their coordination, support, and hard work. Their thoughtful touches—like the handmade boutonnieres worn by each participant—made the day even more special.
| | Earlier in December, our halls were decorated from top to bottom with festive décor, bringing sparkle and joy throughout the building. On many days, the office was also filled with the irresistible aroma of baked treats, that we all know, the man himself, Santa LOVES! | |
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Gary the Great: 17 Years and Growing Strong
We are beyond proud of Gary, who will celebrate 17 years at the Snowden River Home Depot in Columbia this April!
This milestone speaks volumes, not only about Gary, but also about Home Depot as an employer and the Direct Support Professionals who have supported him along the way. We do not stand alone; we are a village.
In recognition of his excellence and years of service, Gary received a beautiful apron featuring his name in brightly colored graphics, thanks to his longtime co-worker Eddie from the Receiving Department.
“When I started working with Gary about four years ago, he would run from me!” said LaShawn, Gary’s current DSP. “He often stayed in one aisle for most of his shift.”
“At first, Gary would only sweep when I came by to work with him,” LaShawn recalled. “Then one day, I walked into the store and found Gary sweeping an aisle all on his own. I was so proud that I called his dad to share.”
Gary has come a long way. Once needing his DSP by his side, he now works independently - sweeping floors, breaking down empty boxes, collecting carts for customers, emptying wastebaskets, and wiping down rug displays. He also greets customers with a cheerful, ‘Hello, welcome to Home Depot,’ as he passes them in the aisles.
Gary has a great relationship with many of his co-workers. They always encourage him to do his best and they share his love for his favorite sports teams, the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles.
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Congratulations to Ty and Roopal on securing employment!
Ty is now working at Walmart with the support of job developer Rancy Jah and job coach Linsey. Roopal is working at Ross with job developer Diana and job coach Kendra.
| | 2025 Jingle and Mingle at The Gathering Place | | |
Did someone say “DANCING”??
The Arc staff, people we support, families and friends had a wonderful time jingling and mingling at our annual Holiday Party on December 13 at The Gathering Place!
There was dancing, so much dancing, and we had fun snapping mini polaroid pictures throughout the night. We can't help it…we LOVE to party!
A big shout out and thank you to The Gathering Place for the venue, to Corcoran for the delicious dinner spread, and of course, Zipp Tunes DJ for keeping the dance floor moving with crowd-favorite beats!
| | | Home Is Where The Heart Is | |
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Home isn’t just a physical place – it is where we feel love, comfort, and a sense of belonging. It’s the people and connections that make a space feel meaningful, no matter where it is located.
We are happy to say that each of the houses we support are homes filled with love!
This year, a few of our homes received one of the best gifts ever – a Christmas tree to make the season merry and bright. Thank you to our good friend Pam for making their homes extra special!
We also want to highlight our Direct Support Professionals who made the holiday extra special and joyful for the people we support by working during the Holiday break.
Their presence makes a world of difference, and we really can’t thank them enough! We are proud of their dedication, commitment and care.
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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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