Happy New Year to our ARC Community.
As we begin 2022 and COVID continues to heavily impact our resources and our normal means of fundraising, I am reaching out to you, our ARC family and friends, with a request for your renewed support.
During the past incredibly challenging two years, we have remained fully operational by establishing the right policies and procedures for the times including a policy of a fully vaccinated ARC campus. These have allowed us to continue to provide quality day programs and residential living for friends who have become a family.
Our success has not been without hurdles to overcome. Due to COVID, ARC is currently negatively impacted by:
· canceling of large in-person fundraisers
· a decrease in available grants
· rising inflation
· residential rents that have not kept up with inflation nor the maintenance costs of our ARC homes
· increasing personal needs of our clients as they experience age impacts
· limited operating reserves
· a substantial minimum wage increase mandate by the City of Los Angeles with no corresponding increase in reimbursement from regional center - our Day Program and residential staffing costs are not covered.
Additionally, our industry has been hit hard by a staffing shortage causing a universal struggle to hire, offer fair pay and maintain qualified staff, all of which make us even more grateful for the ARC staff we have.
As a community, we know individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) are at greater risk for infection and adverse health outcomes due to COVID-19 for a variety of reasons, including a high prevalence of underlying medical conditions; difficulty understanding or practicing preventative measures, and communicating symptoms of illness; and residing in a congregate care setting – like the ARC residences. Now it is more critical than ever that ARC remain a safe place for our community to come together, maintain social connections and ensure the physical and mental health of those we love.
Going forward into 2022, our pledge to you is as follows: ARC will offer daytime programing onsite when safe to do so and virtually when needed while providing a choice to participants for either when possible. Celebrations bring all ARC participants and families so much personal joy while maintaining critical social connections. ARC offers both onsite and virtual options to keep celebrations in our daily lives. ARC continues to maintain care communication with families on participants’ well-being. We send program materials home to participants and we are available for technical support and providing assistance in coordinating much needed support/services.
ARC will continue to utilize our amazing staff in the most efficient manner possible. Back in early 2020, our staff quickly adapted to new skills needed to teach or connect with services and supports virtually. We will continue to upgrade our employees’ and staff members’ technology skills going forward.
Right now, ARC needs your support to safely navigate these challenging times. By making a cash donation today, your support will go towards supporting quality services to both day program and residents, alleviate the pressure on staff, maintain the ARC campus and combat the rapid increase in rising costs.
You have most likely heard of the staffing challenges for our industry. Our industry struggles with residential staff that is underpaid, and overworked. Yet during these difficult times, our residential staff believe and support ARC through their commitment to our participants. Staff continues to deliver excellent service under stressful situations. Both residential and day program staff are utilizing or have purchased cell phones, installed or upgraded WIFI in their homes, and use their own cars/gas for delivery of supplies to support ARC residents and day program participants.
Please consider showing our participants and staff your support with a gift to ARC. Your donation would go a long way to supporting all of our efforts to move forward in 2022. There are three easy ways to donate:
Donations can be mailed to ARC or made electronically at:
If you have questions, or need additional information please contact ARC Acting Executive Director Jen Pippard at ARC’s main line -818-762-4365 or via cell at 626-664-7045.
Sincerely,
MaryAnn Barnes, ARC Board Chair and Jen Pippard, MSW, Acting Executive Director
