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.

The Arc of Williamsburg provides an array of services and advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc has historically worked to provide “gap services” that are not readily available to people with ID/DD, this chapter keeps The Arc tradition alive, providing very unique services that are geared towards personal development, education, and having fun!

Pam explained to me that The Arc of Williamsburg is working to help make lifelong learning a reality for its members, both people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their family members. Self-advocates in the Williamsburg community can take classes with The Arc about money management, literacy, math, and fitness. The Arc also works with the Jamestown Key Club and the Williamsburg Kiwanis to facilitate the Aktion Club, whose tag line is “where development has no disability”. Through Aktion Club-individuals with and without disabilities join together to learn about leadership, volunteer, and promote community integration for people with ID/DD through a variety of projects.

Members of The Arc also have the opportunity to meet new friends and have fun through recreational activities provided by this chapter. Some examples of these events include “bingo night”, bowling, movies, and trips to Busch Gardens. Each activity facilitated by The Arc helps individuals with intellectual and developmental access their communities, while also improving quality of life, self-determination, and personal development.

Not only does The Arc of Williamsburg work to facilitate relationship building among self-advocates in the community, but it also works to do the same for family members.
An excellent example of this is a group of parents who, with the help of The Arc of Williamsburg, came together to address housing issues in their community. Due to a lack of affordable and accessible housing, these parents began to work with Pam to explore options available to them. In partnership with their local Community Services Board-The Arc of Williamsburg invited families concerned about the Waiting List/Housing crisis to come to a forum on April 17, 2007-inviting Delegate Phil Hamilton, Norment, and ______ to attend as well. The event had significant coverage in The Virginia Gazette newspaper and Pam shared that she used the opportunity to invite each state legislator to join The Arc in its efforts by becoming a member. During the forum, Delegate Phil Hamilton noted that significant needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families continue to go unmet in Virginia. Hamilton encourages parents to contact delegates and senators about the need for funding the MR Waiver.

“This is hands-down one of the most wonderful group of people I have ever met”, Pam said as she shared her love for The Arc as an organization, its values, and most of all its membership. Pam went on to tell me what a critical role The Arc can play in connecting families who often feel isolated, many with concerns about what services should be in place for their loved one as they age.

Pam believes membership is a vital part of The Arc; as new people join the organization-we grow by hearing fresh perspectives and new ideas. New members also help to establish community contacts with local businesses, churches, and civic groups-which help to make “A Life Like Yours” a vision for the community. A perfect example of how well The Arc of Williamsburg has built upon these relationships is their “Stakeholder” list. This includes organizations that provide major funding support, donations/dues, venue support, volunteers, interns, transportation services, and administrative support. Pam shared with me one secret to her success in building the relationships that have resulted in this extensive list has been “just a matter of talking about it”. In almost every conversation with a member of the business community-Pam starts off by asking the individual “Are you familiar with The Arc?” This often leads in to a story about what The Arc is about and many times results in a community member sharing his or her personal connection to the cause and offering their help to The Arc.

Pam shared that what is so exciting about the many chapters of The Arc is that “We all have the same goal”-each chapter may be different, but in the end we are all working for “A Life Like Yours!” Thank you to The Arc of Williamsburg for the opportunity to visit (and the fabulous cup of coffee)! Looking forward to returning for the Board Meeting and Literacy/Math Class in June!