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Katie's Corner:
A Note from Our Executive Director
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As the air begins to cool and the leaves start to turn, we welcome the arrival of fall and with it, a new season full of growth, gratitude, and community connection.
We’re especially excited for our upcoming Chip in for Change Golf Tournament on September 12th at Waverly Woods! It’s always a fantastic day of fun, friendship, and fundraising to support the vital work of The Arc. Whether you're golfing, volunteering, or cheering us on, your involvement helps drive real change.
We’re also thrilled to share that Family Engagement Nights are back! Starting this fall, we’ll gather on the last Monday of each month to connect, share resources, and enjoy meaningful time together. These evenings are a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our community and celebrate the families who are at the heart of our mission.
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While we look ahead with hope and momentum, we also pause with heavy hearts to honor the life of Wayne Cope, a beloved member of The Arc's community. Wayne was the husband of former board president, Cathy Cope, and was a devoted parent, and a true friend to our mission. His presence, kindness, and unwavering support have left a lasting impact. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Cope family during this difficult time.
Amid both joy and loss, we’re proud to share that The Arc of Howard County continues to grow stronger. Our leadership team is energized, and many long-term projects and priorities are coming to life. From expanded services to innovative new initiatives, we are building a future where inclusion and opportunity truly thrive.
And through it all, none of this would be possible without our extraordinary staff, especially our Direct Support Professionals, the heart and soul of The Arc. As we celebrate DSP Recognition Week (beginning September 9th), we offer our deepest gratitude to these everyday heroes. Their dedication, compassion, and strength make independence, dignity, and joy possible for the people we support. Thank you for being the foundation of everything we do.
Here’s to a season of reflection, appreciation, and continued progress—together.
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Picnic on Pause
We all cherish the special moments when we come together to laugh, share a meal, dance, and connect. These gatherings are at the heart of what makes our community so special.
That said, sometimes it's important to take a step back and recognize when our plates are simply too full. With so many exciting events already on the calendar, we've made the tough decision to pause our annual picnic this year.
There's still so much to look forward to! Mark your calendars for our Holiday Party on December 16th and Chocolate & Cheers on May 9th—our fresh take on the beloved Chocolate Ball.
Thank you for your understanding and continued enthusiasm. We can't wait to celebrate with you soon!
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DSP- Devoted. Steady. Present
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the heart of everything we do at The Arc of Howard County. Their dedication, compassion, and daily support empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full, meaningful lives. From helping with daily tasks to encouraging independence and building community connections, DSPs make inclusion possible, not just in theory, but in everyday life. Their work is essential, and their impact is immeasurable. The week of September 9th celebrates the work of DSPs, and we have plans to shower our staff with appreciation!
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If you have any questions or need assistance with this nomination form, please contact
Janine Sunday jsunday@archoward.org
or call 443-574-5743
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Nominations now open for the Amanda and Jill Dean Award!
The Amanda and Jill Dean Direct Support Award was created to recognize an exceptional employee in the Direct Support Professional field at The Arc of Howard County.
This award is presented annually and includes a $1,000 cash gift to the recipient. Employees eligible for this award can be any staff (Direct Support Professionals, Direct Support Managers, and/or Employment Specialists) who are directly engaged in the day-to-day support of people served by The Arc of Howard County.
Employees who are nominated must be in good standing with the agency and must have
worked at least one year for
The Arc of Howard County.
We encourage all staff of The Arc of Howard County, people supported by The Arc of Howard
County and families of those supported by The Arc of Howard County, to consider nominating
someone who they feel has gone above and beyond this year! All nominations will be evaluated and assessed for eligibility.
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Rooted in Joy
An Eagle Scout named Ariaan approached us months ago asking for a volunteer opportunity to manage a project that would earn him his Eagle Scout Badge. For months, we've been planning the overhaul of our jungle garden with Ariaan, and it's finally done! Thanks to help from CEI, Community Ecology Institute, and many volunteers, our garden is gorgeous. A group of 25 people came to The Arc on a very hot Saturday. They removed invasive bamboo, cut back the Crepe Myrtle, weeded, planted and mulched! The result is a fall harvest full of herbs, vegetables, berries, flowers and chance for the people in our Day Program to tend to the garden and learn to fall in love with nature! They've been out there learning, picking peppers, and watering! We're grateful, Ariaan!
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Our volunteers, and our garden dedication. | A reminder of what it looked like before Ariaan and his team came in! | | | |
Employment Superstars
It's back to school for many! And two people in our Supported Employment Program are back at Howard Community College in a unique partnership with The Arc, attending classes for the CLA part of their CLT training. What's that, you ask? Certified Logistics Technicians and Certified Logistics Associate training are programs offered by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council to prepare people for front-line careers in the logistics and supply chain industry. The CLA is a foundational certification focused on the basics of the global supply chain, while CLT is a mid-level technical certification that requires CLA as a prerequisite and delves into more specific skills like receiving, storage, order processing, and inventory control. Colin and Bhavik passed their first class in CLA!!
| | | Community Living Highlights | | We're bringing summer to a close and saying hello to fall! Before we bid farewell to summer, we wanted to highlight some the last days of summer fun! | |
Above: Here's Frank having a boat load of fun in Virginia Beach!
Below: Sharon and Claudia enjoy some time on the water at Annapolis Harbor.
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Above: Jill is living her best life on a trip to Maine!
Below: Tim, Jeff, and Robbie had a great time at the Howard County Fair!
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Our Chip in for Change is really coming together and we'd like to take a moment to thank our sponsors!
Game Changer Sponsor
Sponsor Sandy Spring Bank
Impact Sponsor
Mutual of America
Momentum Sponsors
Enterprise Fleet
HAVTech
Specialty Sponsors
Technology Resource Experts
Turf Valley
APL Federal Credit Union
Allan Homes
Morgan Stanley
DEX Imaging
Wegmans
Chick-Fil-A
(Tee) Sign up for Change Sponsors
J.A. Smith and Co
Harry Witzke Family Funeral Home
MD Print and Design
The Legal Team of Long and Foster
Impact Capital Strategies
Lockett Auto Care
Jerry’s Mobility
Raffle Prizes from
Smyth Jewelers, Turf Valley
Westlake Ace Hardware, Turf Valley
Turf Valley Resort
Waverly Wood Golf Club
Wegmans, Columbia
Tino’s Italian Bistro
Mad Chef
Ellicott Distilling Co.
| | | | We'll be hosting a Hiring Event on September 16th for several DSP positions. Check our Facebook for updates! | | |
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. More information coming 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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