Media Contact: Talon J. Sachs
Vice President of Strategic Communication for The Arc
410.384.4942 | tsachs@thearcccr.org

SEVERN, MD (January 11, 2022) – The Arc Central Chesapeake (The Arc) announces the promotion of Catie Comer to Vice President of Development. In this new role, Catie will lead the fundraising strategy for The Arc and its subsidiaries by partnering with our stakeholders and the communities we support to raise awareness of the transformational work The Arc does and foster partnerships to generate resources to support our continued growth.

“Over the last seven years, Catie has been instrumental in the expansion of The Arc’s development programs from expanding our Family Fund through annual giving to raising over $100,000 for our last two annual golf tournaments,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “Catie will also use her experience and knowledge to launch and manage our upcoming $8 million capital campaign, Expanding What’s Possible.”

Catie began her career with The Arc as its Development Associate within the External Relations division. Before her appointment as Vice President of Development, Catie served as Director of Development & Communications with a focus on storytelling and streamlining The Arc’s development operations. Catie’s dedication to development communications has resulted in the expansion of annual giving, which has increased by over 300% during the last four years and the creation of a planned giving program.

“I love telling our stories and connecting donors and the community to the work we do at The Arc,” Catie said. “Every day, they are making a difference for people with a disability — whether that’s changing a family’s life with a gift to the Family Fund or a capacity-building grant that allows us to continue to innovate services.”

Catie is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and another in Russian Language & Literature. She is also a graduate of Boston University’s Fundraising Certificate program. Catie serves on the board of the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council, the Maryland Sister States Leningrad Oblast committee, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Emerging Leaders Taskforce.

About The Arc Central Chesapeake Region

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is a dynamic, regional organization providing person-centered supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work, learn, and connect with their communities. We advocate for equity and access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live self-determined lives and foster opportunities towards self-sufficiency. To learn more, visit www.thearcccr.org.

Media Contact: Talon J. Sachs
Vice President of Strategic Communication for The Arc
410.384.4942 | tsachs@thearcccr.org

SEVERN, MD (January 4, 2022) — Chesapeake Neighbors, an Arc Central Chesapeake Region company committed to providing safe, accessible, and affordable housing in Maryland, and Board Chair Laura Carr, are pleased to welcome Tiffany Harrison, Amber Hayden, and Mitchell Wilson to its board of directors.

“We are excited to welcome Tiffany, Amber, and Mitchell to our team,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. “Tiffany, Amber, and Mitchell are all representatives of the community we support. We look forward to them contributing their unique perspectives and voices to Chesapeake Neighbors’ board as we continue to expand safe, affordable and accessible housing opportunities for all.”

Tiffany is an independent woman who has just become a Chesapeake Neighbors resident and is excited to be living on her own. As a person who spent a considerable amount of time locating affordable housing, Tiffany’s experience and what it meant to her will be invaluable to our mission.

Amber has been a Chesapeake Neighbors tenant for a year. Prior to that, she had been living with her family but after expressing an interest in working towards greater independence, she chose to live with a long-time friend who she has known for years and an additional roommate. Amber is a strong self-advocate, and she is looking forward to getting more involved with Chesapeake Neighbors.

Mitchell is currently supported by The Arc in both Workforce Development and Day Services (when he isn’t working). Mitchell likes to be involved in his community and although he is currently living with family, he looks forward to having his own space in the future. His election to the Chesapeake Neighbors board is a way for him to get a broader sense of how affordable housing works and contribute to Chesapeake Neighbors’ future.

About Chesapeake Neighbors

Chesapeake Neighbors was founded in 2007 by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region to provide, promote and support safe, affordable, and accessible housing for people and families in need. What started with one house in Anne Arundel County has grown to over 50 owned and managed, affordable, accessible single and multifamily units across Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Learn more at https://chesapeakeneighbors.org/. 

UPDATED WEATHER ALERT – Due to the increasing accumulation of snow, The Arc Central Chesapeake’s Severn Headquarters will close at 1PM today. Please stay tuned to our social media channels and website for updates on our operational status for tomorrow, Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Stay safe and warm.

With inclement weather expected for Monday, Jan 3rd, The Arc’s operational status is as follows:

• Our Severn Headquarters will be open during its standard hours from 8:00AM to 4:30PM.
• The Arc’s Easton Regional Office will be closed.
• The Annapolis Regional Office and all Community Hubs remain temporarily closed through Jan 7 in accordance with our updated operational status. Visit https://www.thearcccr.org/coronavirus/ for details.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant uptick in both the positivity rate and hospitalizations. As of this morning, the COVID-19 positivity rate in Maryland is 17.58%. While the current COVID-19 variant does not appear to be as severe to people as previous variants, the new positivity rate and other COVID-19 data are concerning. Considering this latest development and with a focus on the health and safety of our employees, the people we support, and other stakeholders, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) will temporarily adjust our standard operations beginning Wednesday, December 29, 2021.

Limited Office Operations & Temporary Office Closure in Annapolis

While our core hours will remain in effect, operations at our Severn HQ and Easton Regional Office will be limited. In addition, we are limiting the number of People & Culture and Finance team members who will be on-site during office hours. Our Annapolis Regional Office and all Community Hubs will be closed through January 7.

Community-Based Day Services

Beginning Wednesday, December 29 through Friday, January 7, all Day Services will move to virtual-only services. Because The Arc’s Day Services are exclusively in the community, we believe this pause is necessary to ensure the health of everyone who participates in this service.

Behavioral Health

Beginning Wednesday, December 29 through Sunday, January 9, all Behavioral Health services, including behavioral support services and counseling, will only occur virtually.

Non-Essential Meetings and Trainings

All non-essential in-person meetings and trainings will be postponed until after January 10. In addition, all employment interviews will be conducted virtually through Sunday, January 9.

The Arc will continue to monitor the situation carefully as it unfolds and will put other protocols in place as necessary. While we anticipate resuming normal operations on Monday, January 10, we will provide an operational update to all stakeholders by Friday, January 7. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact info@thearcccr.org or call 410.269.1883.

Thank you for your cooperation, support, and patience as we continue to navigate the pandemic together.

For 15 years, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region has made sure that children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families don’t have to go without Christmas. This year, The Arc was joined by M&T Bank in making its Holiday Giving program a success.

Volunteers from both organizations convened at The Arc’s headquarters in Severn to wrap gifts for 200 local children and their families on December 17. M&T Bank employees adopted seven of the benefiting children, purchasing gifts on their holiday wish list. As the lead sponsor for Holiday Giving, the bank also donated $10,000 in gift cards for parents to ease the burden of preparing for the holiday season.

The Holiday Giving program began with about 40 kids and has grown each year, explained Catie Comer, director of development and communications for The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. This holiday season, Holiday Giving helped 189 kids and their families.

“Our program focuses on children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their siblings, and we really pride ourselves on taking care of the whole family,” Comer said. “So, we’re not just buying toys or gifts for the child with a disability; we’re taking care of all their siblings, and we provide a $100 gift card for groceries so they can put together a holiday meal.”

M&T Bank has been involved for five years. Many employees, like Jason Weisberg, vice president of M&T Bank’s Chesapeake region, like to be active participants.

“As an organization and then personally, a lot of our people adopt kids, actually purchase the gifts,” he said during the event on December 17. “And then today, [they] are going to be volunteering their time. M&T as an organization gives its employees 40 hours of paid volunteer time, so today we’ll have about 20 people here to coordinate all the gifts for pick-up for the parents.”

Read the full article: https://severnaparkvoice.com/stories/mt-bank-the-arc-central-chesapeake-region-partner-to-bring-christmas-to-families,36269?

Media Contact: Talon J. Sachs
Vice President of Strategic Communication for The Arc
410.384.4942 | tsachs@thearcccr.org

Severn, MD (December 21, 2021) – The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is looking to distribute $35,244 received from a Community Support Grant to families of children with disabilities or special medical needs that have been adversely affected by COVID-19.

In August 2021, The Arc received a $50,000 Community Support Grant designed to provide in-home services for families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Anne Arundel County. Each family that qualifies is eligible for up to $500 of in-home support.

“This funding provides support to families who need childcare so they can work while their child receives virtual services,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “It can also be used to support families to complete basic tasks they can’t accomplish with their child, take a mental health break, or recover from COVID-19.”

In June of 2021, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced this year’s Community Support Grant Program awards, totaling $1,863,000 in funding. The grants went to 52 nonprofit organizations in Fiscal Year 2022, with the funds coming from Anne Arundel County through the County Executive’s Community Support Grant, facilitated by Arundel Community Development Services.

Research conducted by various sources in the US and abroad shows that families of children with disabilities have been especially overwhelmed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we have been able to allocate funds to many families in need, there are still funds available that can make a significant difference for families during the holiday season,” said Rondeau.

To qualify for a Family In-House Supports Grant from The Arc, families must have a child with an intellectual or developmental disability under the age of 21, reside in Anne Arundel County, and complete and submit an online application located on The Arc’s website.

For more information, visit www.thearcccr.org/familysupportsgrant or email familysupportsgrant@thearcccr.org. 

About The Arc Central Chesapeake Region

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is a dynamic, regional organization providing person-centered supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work, learn, and connect with their communities. We advocate for equity and access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live self-determined lives and foster opportunities towards self-sufficiency. To learn more, visit www.thearcccr.org.