Today I had the opportunity to visit The Arc of Rappahannock in the City of Fredericksburg. The Arc of Rappahannock serves the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline. After a tour of The Arc of Rappahannock offices and dinner with Executive Director Jan Griffin and Board Member Becky Clark at the famous Sammy T’s, I joined the energetic board of The Arc of Rappahannock for a lively discussion about how this chapter is working towards “A Life Like Yours” and a talk about The Arc of Virginia’s recently released position paper out of The Arc of Rappahannock. Read more…

“We think about things from the family perspective”, said Director of Development Kim Jeremiah as she and Board Member Joyce Hann spent the day with me sharing and showing how The Arc of Richmond’s services that are offered across the lifespan help create “A Life Like Yours” for citizens with developmental disabilities in the Greater Richmond area-which includes Chesterfield, Henrico, Richmond City, and eight other surrounding counties and localities. In 1954, The Arc of Richmond was created by a small group of dedicated families. Today, the local chapter serves over 1300 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and employs over 200 Richmonders with developmental disabilities. Through recent expansion efforts, The Arc of Richmond has grown to serve 40% more people in the past five years. Read more…

Peninsula Executive Lifestyle magazine described The Arc of Peninsula as a leader in providing education to the greater community, and “being about dedicated people offering real solutions. On my visit to this chapter, I had the opportunity to see first-hand how this chapter’s positive “can-do” attitude is creating “A Life Like Yours” for individuals with developmental disabilities in the Virginia Peninsula region. Over lunch at The Arc of Peninsula office, Executive Director Kasia Grzelkowski and her creative management team shared with me the many ways this chapter is serving people with developmental disabilities and their families in their community across the lifespan.

Today I took a short ride down to Woodbridge, VA for a visit with my friends and neighbors at The Arc of Prince William. Thanks to Executive Director Karen Smith and Assistant Executive Director Susan Rudolph for taking over three hours from their busy day to share with me how their chapter is working towards “A Life Like Yours” in their community. After our meeting, I also had the opportunity to visit with their fantastic management team (many of whom have been with the chapter for over 20 years) for some great homemade lasagna in celebration of Susan’s birthday. Over lunch, the team shared with me how dedication, vision, and commitment has helped this chapter recruit and retain a committed team of supervisors. Read more…

The summer thunderstorm I drove through on the way home from The Arc of Northern Shenandoah Valley seemed like a drizzle when compared to the energy of this chapter’s brainstorming session! During my visit, I joined Executive Director Becky Ball and The Arc of NSV’s Executive Committee for their meeting at the chapter’s office. During my time with the group, I learned how this local chapter works hard to keep their calendar jam packed with lots of fun events for the whole family, while also working to educate legislators and the greater community about what “A Life Like Yours” is all about! Read more…

On my visit to The Arc of Warren County, I had the opportunity to meet and visit with several of the individuals who founded this local chapter and who created the community-based services that are now available in Warren County. This group of dedicated advocates continues to pave the way for “A Life Like Yours” through the provision of transportation, financial assistance, or opportunities for social networking to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their community. Read more…

The Arc of Loudoun is continuing The Arc’s legacy of developing services and supports to meet the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their community. Whether it is through educational programs, family case management or representative payee bill paying, The Arc of Loudoun works hard to create community based supports, while also continuously advocating for systems change. Read more…

On Thursday night, I returned to The Arc of Danville to join this chapter for its monthly board meeting. The group was busy preparing for their Field Day that was taking place the next morning and I really appreciated the opportunity to visit, given their jam-packed agenda. During the visit, we discussed strategies for how to build a grassroots movement in Virginia that encourages the state to invest in community-based supports and services. Read more…

The Arc of Halifax sure knows how to party! I joined this friendly group of advocates over cake and ice cream at the Southside Community Services. During this visit, members Marilyn Goode, Joel Cassada, Rhonda Inge, Betty Hudson, Hugh Haley, and Angie Easley shared with me their recent triumphs in promoting the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Halifax County. Read more…

When I walked in to The Arc of Central Virginia’s beautiful, newly renovated building, I received a warm greeting from Executive Director Karen Wilder right at the front door. During the tour, Karen explained to me how this chapter is dedicated to promoting community-based services through the provision of a day program, respite supports, a summer therapeutic recreation programs for adults and children, and will soon be beginning sponsored placement facilitation. Read more…

I now can truly appreciate how John Denver described those “country roads” as “almost heaven”- now that I have driven the beautiful, breath taking route from Roanoke to Big Stone Gap. I arrived at The Arc of Lenowisco with a deep appreciation of this chapter’s surrounding countryside-and left with an even deeper admiration of this chapter’s spirited commitment to affect change. Read more…

“Lets get this party started!” Board Member Ashley Callahan cheered at The Arc of Roanoke’s meeting this evening. This new chapter’s energy and commitment to affect change in their community was inspiring and exciting to witness. Along with sharing with me the story of how they have come together to form a new chapter of The Arc, the group spent a lot of time telling me their thoughts on the state of the service system in Virginia, where they would like the system to be, and ideas for helping us get it there. Read more…

Walking in to The Arc of Williamsburg, one feels the energy that drives this Chapter’s efforts to promote quality of life right away! I met Assistant Director Darla Krupski, who greeted me with a warm hello and handshake, before I had even walked in the door. Immediately after I had entered, Executive Director Pam McGregor was right at the front door, handing me one of the best cups of coffee I have had in my life! Over this cup of coffee, Pam shared with me the many exciting ways this chapter is working to promote quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their community. Read more…

On my way to Williamsburg, I had the opportunity to drop in and say “Hello!” to President/CEO of The Arc of Peninsula Kasia Grzelkowski and her fantastic team of Board Members. While I will be returning for a lengthier visit with this chapter in June, it was a great opportunity to touch base with this chapter about The Arc of Virginia and “The Many Faces of The Arc” Chapter Tour. Read more…

“We’re like a family here”, President Peggy Downing told me, describing the very tight knit community of The Arc of Eastern Shore. After spending a few hours with this group, I learned how this family of advocates has utilized strong partnerships to create and enhance an array of community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Read more…

The Arc of Danville-“southern hospitality” at its best! I pulled up to The Arc of Danville after a long drive from Augusta and immediately experienced a renewed sense of energy thanks to the warm welcome of Executive Director Chris Wright and the other employees of The Arc of Danville/Hatcher Center. I arrived shortly before the blow of the 5 o’clock whistle, getting a chance to join Chris in wishing the employees of Hatcher Center farewell as the busy workday came to a close. Read more…

“You can’t make change unless you develop a relationship with the change makers”. During my visit to Waynesboro, Executive Director Tina Martina and her team at The Arc of Augusta share with me how forming strong partnerships with public and private organizations, as well as other chapters of The Arc, has helped this chapter create and expand community opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their region. From the relationship building to the strong community-based philosophy behind the services they provide-this group is movin’ and shakin’, having lots of fun in the process! Read more…

“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”…it all started here with Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville with the Declaration of Independence. Today, Executive Director Lee Covington and his team at The Arc of Piedmont are continuing Jefferson’s legacy by make these civil rights a reality for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities everyday! Read more…

Hanover County-home of the Annual Strawberry Faire, Patrick Henry, Kings Dominion-and the incredibly energetic Board of The Arc of Hanover. Around 5:30pm, I pulled in to the town of Ashland. I was greeted by Lucy Cantrell, Executive Director of The Arc of Hanover. Lucy’s smile and warmth are felt immediately upon walking in to The Arc of Hanover’s’ office-which is located on the main street in the town. Read more…

The first visit kicking off the “Many Faces of The Arc of VA-Chapter Tour 2007” was The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham. After meeting this group- I now know why the Harrisonburg obtained the nickname of “The Friendly City”! Upon walking though the door, one feels right at home at this local chapter. Upon walking though the door, one feels right at home at this local chapter. I could not help but think at that moment that just as much as The Arc works to build community opportunities-we are also a community ourselves! Read more…