The work Arc
employees and volunteers do is sometimes challenging, often rewarding and
always valuable to the people we serve. Storytelling is an age-old and powerful
way to share these experiences, hopes and accomplishments.
Because of the proven power of stories, The Arc set a goal to grow a library
of compelling stories to share with the community and each other. The Arc
Story Wall Gallery showcases over twenty wonderful and varied stories. The
Arc Story Wall Gallery conveys the essence of The Arc's mission through a
marriage of beautiful, professional photographs and moving stories about the
lives of the people and families we serve.
Sigrid believes in giving back to her community. She helps out at Martha's Meals where her upbeat personality brightens everyone's day. In addition, Sigrid has volunteered at local nursing homes and helped bake and deliver cookies to local fire and police departments in the county.
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From his youth and young manhood in Lithuania, to his arrival in America and up until the present day, Vytau has overcome obstacles and remained true to his self. He fought and continues to fight for what he believes in . . . independent living in his community.
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With support from The Arc's Vocational Services team, Adam secured employment at Tritronics, Inc. in Abingdon. Adam works everyday, enjoying the money that comes from his hard earned paychecks which he uses to help fund the many priorities in his life.
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Charles works with his circle of support, including staff from The Arc, to remain connected to family and friends, build new friendships, and take an even more active role in his community.
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Roger McLaughlin describes his wife Shelby as someone who is "always willing to help anybody at anytime." She is also known as a person who is willing to speak her mind, an attribute in advocacy. Working together as foster parents, they wanted to help others and be advocates for children who were unable to speak for themselves.
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The Arc's Family Support Services offers families like the Crowder's assistance in meeting everyday needs, with the kind of resources crucial to helping families advocate for their children in regards to education, healthcare, and building community.
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Bobbie has taken advantage of the many services provided by The Arc, namely the parent-training program. She found this to be an extremely helpful resource, especially around advocacy issues for her daughter, Alianna. With these and other tools and resources provided by The Arc, Bobbie feels that she can be a better advocate for Alianna's education.
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With innovative solutions applied to mail delivery at the Department Test Command Headquarters at APG, Linda has become an efficient mail handler. Today, this partnership between The Arc and APG has become a model program for successful employment of people with developmental disabilities.
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Janitorial crews from The Arc have been providing cleaning services to churches, county, state, and federal government facilities and other businesses throughout Harford, Cecil, and Baltimore Counties. For all involved, it has been a chance to prove themselves as valued team members.
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In 1987, Doris became one of the first employees from the workshop to explore contract work in the community. By 1990, she was an integral part of The Arc's daytime janitorial crew. Doris works hard and has high standards for the quality of work she performs.
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For Greg and Vernon, a chance meeting led to a life-long friendship. They have worked together to realize their individual dreams - a home of their own, enjoyable careers and being recognized as valued members of their community.
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For many years Brian shut himself off from the world but that was before he met his job coach at The Arc. With supports, Brian began to leave his home in small increments and now finds himself not only working in his community but participating in activities he never thought he would enjoy.
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A recent graduate of the John Archer School, John, with the support of The Arc, became employed at a successful and flourishing local restaurant and pub in his community . . . and loves it!
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Working at Saks' Fifth Avenue has been an extremely rewarding experience for Cedric, who looks forward to many more years as one of the best off-loaders for the company. In his own words, Cedric proudly states, "I just want to unload trucks."
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Meet the Telsee's, who after a period of time adjusting to their daughter Courtney's developmental disability, began to see her strengths, and in doing so, saw each other's special abilities and increased their capacity to work as a team.
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Kim and Mary Beth met while attending C. Milton Wright High School six years ago. When asked to describe why her friendship with Kim is important, Mary Beth says that her friendship helps her to get through difficult times. Mary Beth says that she thinks that she and Kim will be "friends forever".
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Thanks to help from her family and support staff at The Arc, Cindy was able to realize her dream of home ownership. As an added bonus, Cindy, a new homeowner, is building security for the future, as her former monthly rent payment is now a mortgage with growing equity.
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| Sabine explored volunteer opportunities with The Arc and in the process she found a common bond with Joanne. Together they developed a marketing and business plan and the business venture "Sassy Sandals" was born.
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Through their association with The Arc, The Panek's have a partner in navigating the system to obtain services and supports for their daughter. This partnership has provided the family with guidance, helping "bridge" the gap while their daughter, Cassie, strives to realize her full potential.
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Sharon is a person whose life is truly in "balance" because she has diverse interests and is regularly involved with others in the community. Home, family, work, social activities, self-improvement, and future goals are all part of who Sharon is.
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Lisa had a dream that one day her daughter Claire would have a full life in her community now and after graduating from school. With help from Family Services, Lisa has had the opportunity to keep her daughter at home all summer with her sisters while keeping at her own emotional and physical best.
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