Celebrating 65 Years of The Arc Maryland

Share Your Virtual Reflection Today to Commemorate!

As The Arc Maryland wraps up our 65th Anniversary year, we reflect on the accomplishments of our incredible grassroots network that has grown and endured. We hope you celebrate with us by sharing your thoughts and well wishes on this momentous occasion! Click the link below to record a short video, provide a written note, or upload a picture through the button below.

What do you most appreciate about The Arc Maryland: our work and impact over the years? What are your hopes and dreams for The Arc Maryland for the future? These are just a couple of guiding questions to help you reflect. Your submission may be featured in a 65th Anniversary Video as well!

Meet Our SpArc Tank Finalists!

Come Join Us For An Evening of Innovation and Celebration at SpArc Tank Ig-Nite - November 20th

Following a great response to our SpArc Tank RFP, five innovative projects were selected to give live pitches of their projects at SpArc Tank Ig-Nite!

This year's finalists are:

• Reach Every Voice
• University of Maryland - Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement
• Community Advocates 4 You
• The Arc Montgomery County
• and the Chinese American Parent Association of Howard County!

SpArc Tank: Ig-Nite is an extraordinary evening of connection and celebration. Come enjoy delicious food, creative cocktails, a silent auction and more! Get Tickets below and join us on November 20th from 6 to 9 PM at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville. Early-Bird tickets are on sale until tomorrow, October 31st.

The Arc Maryland's Board Celebrates "Arc'tober Fest"

Check out this outstanding group of advocates from across the state! The Arc Maryland’s Board of Directors met last week for our “Arc'tober Fest” to celebrate each other's contributions and gear up for our upcoming Strategic Plan. It is going to be a busy, impactful year!

Pictured here are Board members from Howard, Montgomery, Harford, Prince Georges, Calvert, Charles, Baltimore, and Washington Counties. Interested in joining a Board Committee or getting more information about Board Service at The Arc Maryland? Contact us at info@thearcmd.org

Amplify Your Advocacy Today: Join an Empowering Partners Self-Advocacy Group in Your Community!

Self-Advocacy groups across Maryland are making positive waves right now! Join your local group, supported by the "Empowering Partners" initiative, meeting monthly, and be empowered to create the change you want for yourself and your friends. Through the button below, you can find out about local meetings happening next month to get started and make an impact!

The Arc Maryland is Top Vote-Earner from Target Circle in Central Maryland

We have some great news: Thanks to your support, The Arc Maryland was the top vote recipient for the Target Circle giving campaign in Central Maryland for its last cycle! Because of your votes, The Arc Maryland received funding that will enhance our continued ability to support children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities across the state.

Maryland Health Care for All Webinar

October 31st at 12:30 PM

This Friday at 12:30 PM, join Maryland Health Care for a special webinar to get updates on and ask questions about federal changes to health care in Maryland, enrollment in health coverage, consumer protections for insurance, and access to vaccines. Attendees will also hear from special guests like Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani, Maryland Health Connection Executive Director Michele Eberle, Maryland Insurance Administration Associate Commissioner Patti Dorn, and Maryland Health Care for All Deputy Director Rev. Dr. Sandra Conner. Register through the button below!

Maryland residents may see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits halted starting this Saturday, November 1 as the federal shutdown continues.

SNAP benefits are needed by close to 700,000 Marylanders with and without disabilities, including about 270,000 children and 121,615 adults aged 62 and older.

The SNAP program is funded on a month-to-mother basis, meaning the September funding for October is about to run out with no end to the shutdown in sight.


There are resources for temporary food assistance through pantries around the state: Earlier today, Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency in Maryland to send $10 million in grant funding from the Fiscal Responsibility Fund to food banks and food bank partners which may help some families in need, but he has previously stated Maryland will not be covering lost SNAP benefits with state reserve funding.

If you find yourself in need of food assistance, please visit Maryland 211 for assistance to find a pantry in your area with access to bread, canned goods, cereal, pasta, veggies, baby food, diapers, infant formula, and more. You can call 2-1-1 or click the button below for their Community Resource Database and enter your address.

Please note: If you receive Medicaid, SSI, Housing or other federal financial assistance, please be mindful of the rules associated with each program about "accepting gifts" while your SNAP benefits are stopped!

You are allowed to receive direct food/meal donations, however, accepting cash, electronic transfers, or gift cards to purchase groceries may count against your program's income and asset limits. You can read more about what is and is not allowed here.

Be informed to protect yourself.

Maryland Playgrounds for All

Our friends at the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and the Maryland Department of Disabilities have a great new resource for families! Their Playgrounds for All website promotes playgrounds where people with and without disabilities can play together around the state. Check it out below for your next day out to find a park with accessible and inclusive features near you.

Natalie Brooks and Ande Kolp Present at MACS CEO and Leadership Conference

This week, chapters of The Arc and other service providers across the state joined together in Cambridge for MACS' CEO and Leadership Conference. During the three-day event, Natalie Brooks and Ande Kolp of The Arc Maryland Team had the opportunity to present and share resources with attendees! Together, they presented on our Empowering Partners program to take self-advocacy groups across the state to the next level! Additionally, Ande joined Maryland Inclusive Housing to present on changing the landscape of affordable housing for people with IDD in Maryland. Thank you to MACS for putting on a wonderful Conference, and to chapters of The Arc (pictured below) for showing out as always!

As We Look To The Future of Our Work, We Need You!

Support The Arc Maryland Today!

The Arc Maryland's work is not possible without your support! We rely on support from chapters of The Arc in Maryland as well as support from donors and granters to continue our important work on behalf of people with IDD and their families.

Please contribute to our sustainment efforts- donate to The Arc Maryland today! 
See below or contact sdols@thearcmd.org for other ways to give.

Or mail your tax deductible donation to:

The Arc Maryland

Attn: Annual Giving Campaign

8601 Robert Fulton Drive, Suite 140

Columbia, MD 21046

The Arc Maryland is a public charity, 501(c)(3) organization. Our EIN is 52-0741602. We work to create a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. For more information, please visit Candid (Guidestar): We have the Gold Transparency Seal!