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December 2022 Newsletter
As we get ready to close out 2022, I want to take a moment to look forward. We have been busy here at The Arc of Howard County! In the new year, we will be realigning with our strategic plan to ensure our services are the best, we will be rolling out increases in pay for staff to help us recruit and retain the best talent, and we will be looking to partner with more community organizations because we know that while the need is great, the resources are inherently limited.

Also in the new year, we will begin hosting monthly sessions for families with information about things like ABLE Accounts, Social Security, and future planning. These sessions will give a chance for families to connect with each other because after all families are each other's best resource!

I am looking forward to the new year and hope you will join us to continue to share our successes and our challenges. Ensuring community inclusion for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities cannot be done without our community- YOU!

We wish you the happiest of holidays and we will see you in the new year!
Katie Collins-Ihrke
Executive Director
kcollinsihrke@archoward.org
(240) 213-6697
Employment Spotlight
Meet Rickey! Since February 2022, Rickey has been a valued employee with Howard Wine and Spirits in Elkridge. He has kept busy, especially during this holiday season, stocking shelves, ensuring the store is clean and presentable, and making sure patrons of the store leave happy customers.

Please visit Howard Wine and Spirits for all your holiday party needs and say hello to Rickey if you see him!

If you have an employment opportunity for a person supported by The Arc of Howard County, contact Robert Walker, Assistant Director of Community Integration Services.

We are hiring!
Did you know we have over 60 vacancies for staff at The Arc of Howard County? We are currently looking for compassionate, kind people to fill roles such as direct support professionals, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, and managers. Don't have experience? No problem! Many of the position openings provide on-the-job training. You can work part-time and make a full-time difference! Watch the video below to see the impact you could make!
14th annual Scaggsville Pub Crawl Success
Who doesn't like to get together with a group of friends and hit the town for a night of laughter and fun? We do and we think it is even better when a night out also supports a local community organization! We were so honored to be chosen again this year as the recipients of the 14th annual Scaggsville Pub Crawl. This one evening raised over $7,000 for The Arc of Howard County and we can't wait to put that money to good use, doing what we do best- achieving full community inclusion for people with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.

Special shout out to all of the Crawlers and to our sponsors! Please make sure you provide your patronage to them the next chance you get!

Help us find more people like Barbara!
Barbara Peace says that working at The Arc of Howard County is “more than just a job.” Barbara, a Direct Support Manager in the Community Living Program, oversees a staff of ten people. She and her team provide round-the-clock support for Charles and Malcolm: roommates supported by The Arc.

Barbara’s goal is to support Malcolm and Charles so they can live full and happy lives. She often accompanies them outside of their home and brings them out and about. As Barbara states, “We are all their family!”

The Arc of Howard County offers a wide range of services for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families. We provide direct support and services that enable people to lead full and rich lives in their homes and in the community. Since 1961, The Arc has grown from a small group of parents to one of the county’s largest employers.

We need more people like Barbara!

Like many companies, The Arc has not been immune to the nation’s current employment crisis. With over 230 people to serve in 2023, we have over 60 vacancies for vital positions such as Certified Nursing Assistants, Direct Support Professionals, and Direct Support Managers (like Barbara.)

That’s why we’re asking you to make a donation to The Arc of Howard County today. With your support, we can ensure each person like Charles and Malcolm can receive 100% of the support they need to lead full and rich lives.

Your donation will go directly towards strengthening our staff and providing a positive and enjoyable environment for both those we support and our employees. Barbara’s love and dedication for her profession and the people she serves is exemplary and an inspiration to everyone at The Arc of Howard County.

Malcolm and Charles thrive under the care of Barbara and her staff. Help us recruit more people like Barbara.
The Arc of Howard County strives to achieve full community life for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities- one person at a time.

We support people with disabilities and their families, by providing housing and community living services, community-integrated day and senior programming, supportive employment services, and advocacy.

Achieve with us.

11735 Homewood Road- Ellicott City- MD- 21042
www.archoward.org
ph: 410-730-0638