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Katie's Corner:
A Note from Our Executive Director
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We’re in the full swing of summer here at The Arc of Howard County, filled with sunny days, vacations, and lots of smiles! There’s a special energy in the air as we enjoy warm weather activities and begin looking forward to our annual picnic, a time to relax, connect, and celebrate the amazing people who make our work possible.
Speaking of swings, we’re also hard at work planning our next golf fundraiser, Chip in for Change on September 12th, at Waverly Woods. We'd love to see you there. You can register or explore sponsorships HERE. It’s always a fantastic day of fun, community, and generosity that directly supports our mission!
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While we continue to face real challenges with potential funding cuts on the horizon, our commitment to the people we support has never wavered. We're actively exploring additional funding sources and partnerships because ensuring quality services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is, and always will be, our top priority.
Our leadership team is also focused on strengthening our internal operations. building strong teams and making steady progress on implementing our new strategic plan. And yes, we’re literally getting our ducks in a row: every time an action step is completed, a new rubber duck takes its place on the boardroom window sill! It’s become a fun and visual reminder of the momentum we’re building together.
Wishing each of you a joyful, restful, and safe summer!
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The Desk: A Feel Good Story
A recent high school graduate, Amitav, who is on his way to study mechanical engineering in college, received a grant through SpArc Tank with The Arc Maryland. He was awarded funds to make adaptive outdoor furniture, and still had money left over. He approached us, and we mentioned we were looking to buy an adaptive desk for our new computer lab. Amitav was intrigued, designed a 3-D model, and agreed to make us one, as that served a dual purpose! It both completed the SpArc Tank grant, and fulfilled an Eagle Scout badge. After working for several days, he and his fellow Eagle Scouts delivered the desk, and it's awesome! It can be a standing desk, can tilt and has all the hydraulics necessary to make the desk the appropriate height for whoever is using it! What an amazing group of young people! Thank you, Amitav!
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We Placed 2nd in the Lakefest Umbrella Show!
We participated in this amazing umbrella exhibit that was hosted by The Columbia Association. The people we support in our Day Program had a blast decorating their umbrella and worked together to come up with a design. Pictured to the right on top, you can see how gorgeous it turned out. The collage pictured in the middle shows you that lots of people worked hard on stunning designs. They were displayed on the Columbia Lakefront and over 550 votes were received!
We are proud to say that we placed 2nd in the Group/Organization category. The people in our Day Program celebrated by marching through our halls carrying their prized umbrella and filled with pride!
A shout out to all winners:
Adult Category: Ruth Rodman
Youth/Teen Category: Ayla “AJ” Hill
Duo/Family Category: Anna Bogh and Alysa Feinstein
Group/Organization Category: Owen Brown Community Association
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Shout out to Community Partners
At TriBridge Partners, Health and Financial Wellness Partners and long time supporters of The Arc Howard, employees are given days to participate in volunteerism. Our Director of Development and TriBridge's Marketing Manager put their heads together to come up with some ways TriBridge employees could spend some time in a meaningful way at The Arc. The winner....a craft and an ice cream social. Folks in our Meaningful Day Program enjoyed themselves so much and look forward to having TriBridge back! Thanks for being a part of our village!
| | | Krestain is currently working on becoming a CPT(Certified Personal Trainer) and has been taking online courses for months. He will be taking his exam any day now! Here he is below, studying at home. We know you'll ace the test, Krestain! | We're getting CERTIFIED!!! | | Frankie, Colin and Bhavik started their Certified Logistics Associate course at HCC. They will be trained for job placement in a Logistics position. | | Day Program and Community Development Services | | Promise Landing Farm hosted a visit and our participants got to see the famous Budweiser Clydesdales up close. The people we support were thrilled to be able to interact with these majestic horses! Promise Landing Farm is a favorite place of ours to visit. It's a gorgeous, tranquil and inclusive equestrian farm that offers fun and meaningful visits for our people. | | |
Fun visits and meaningful activities truly brighten the days of the people we support, especially in our Day Program.
The Day Program loves when volunteers visit, bring creative activities, and take time to connect. These moments of joy like a recent morning of flower arranging that brought smiles and hugs all around—make a lasting impact.
While we do have a volunteer vetting process, we warmly welcome those who want to help create great days at The Arc.
| | Many of the people we support love music: making it, singing it, listening to it and dancing to it. It's a powerful tool for people with I/DD. It provides social interaction, communication and emotional regulation. It also enhances physical coordination, reduces anxiety and boost self-esteem. Our Day Program team brings music into the day as much as possible! | | |
Chip in for Change- Planning in Full Swing!
Our annual golf fund raiser, this year called Chip in for Change, will be held at Waverly Woods Golf Course on September 12th! Sponsorship opportunities can be discussed with Janine Sunday at jsunday@archoward.org or register your foursome HERE..
Every dollar helps us chip away to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, one swing at a time-one person at a time!
Please join us! It promises to be a great time!
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DONATE TODAY!
Consider making a meaningful donation to The Arc of Howard County. Your contributions and support enhance our efforts to advocate for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families.
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Membership
Look for more information on focused efforts in the coming months on increasing membership. We can’t do it alone! Think about what it would mean to become a member. Strong membership for our chapter makes our collective voice more powerful as we navigate new changes to federal and state budgets!
People served by The Arc, their family members, staff, volunteers, members of the community, local businesses and other nonprofits are all encouraged to join The Friends of The Arc. When public funding is not enough, we depend on contributions from memberships to help us continue to provide our services.
By joining our network of more than 140,000 members and 730 affiliated chapters across the country, you become connected to the largest grassroots movement to protect the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Members work together to ensure that sufficient resources are available to meet the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in every community in our nation.
Members of The Arc of Howard County automatically receive membership to The Arc Maryland and The Arc United States. Look for more information soon!
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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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