In recognition of National Developmental Disabilities Month, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) was invited to speak before the Talbot County Council on March 9, 2022.

Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO, The Arc, updated the Council on the work happening every day in the community and on the status of The Arc’s Port Street Commons economic development project. The Council presented The Arc with a proclamation officially declaring March as Developmental Disabilities Month in Talbot County.

The citation states:

WHEREAS, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region was founded in 1961 by a group of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who envisioned a life of more opportunities for their children,

WHEREAS, March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness month as designated by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities,

WHEREAS, in the state of Maryland, over 1 million people – including over 9 percent of Talbot County citizens– have a disability,

WHEREAS, The Arc envisions a world where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will live the lives they choose in communities that are equitable, accessible, and fully inclusive.

WHEREAS, The Arc supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live the lives they choose by creating opportunities, promoting respect and equity, and providing access to services;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Frank Divilio, Councilmember of Talbot County Council, do hereby proclaim the month of March as Developmental Disabilities Month in Talbot County and encourage all citizens to recognize Developmental Disabilities Month and join The Arc and other organizations movement to raise awareness and support of people with developmental disabilities in our county.

PROCLAIMED this 8th day of March 2022

The agenda and full video of the presentation can be found here.

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

SEVERN, MD (February 1, 2022) – The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc), a dynamic, regional organization providing person-centered supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to live, work, learn, and connect with their communities, announced today that over $60,000 is available for Maryland youth through their Family Fund grant. Created in 2017, the Family Fund provides grants for services and supports not covered by insurance.

“I am grateful for the continued generosity of our donors. Without them, this fund would not be possible,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO, The Arc. “Donations to the Family Fund go directly to children with disabilities to cover the cost of effective therapies, services, and adaptive equipment often not covered by insurance.”

The Arc is seeking applicants that have a child with I/DD under the age of 21, who reside in one of the counties supported by The Arc. Applications for the Family Fund open Tuesday, February 1, 2022, with awards issued in April of this year.

The complete application is available on The Arc’s website, www.thearcccr.org/familyfund. The Family Fund does not cover emergency or crisis requests. If you require emergency funding, please contact resources@thearcccr.org and The Arc will assist you with appropriate resources.

This grant cycle includes $20,000 of Autism-specific funding, contributed by The Bowen Foundation for Autism in memory of what would have been Bowen Levy’s 20th birthday in November.

“The Arc is once again excited to expand the reach of the Family Fund with additional supports for autism,” said Rondeau. “We are proud of the long-term partnership with our affiliate, The Bowen Foundation for Autism.”

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.
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The Arc’s offices in Severn, Annapolis, and Easton will open on time with liberal leave in effect for employees. Due to the nature of today’s anticipated snow, Day Services in all counties will not operate in person. People supported in Workforce Development should follow the operating status of their employer.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region recognizes winter weather conditions can adversely impact the services we provide. On occasion, it may be necessary for our offices and programs to close when extreme weather conditions occur. However, we make every attempt to maintain standard operations for the benefit of the people we support within our community.

Here are The Arc’s general guidelines for our Day Services and Workforce Development programs in the event of an inclement weather forecast.

Day Services

The decision of whether Day Services will operate during a weather event will be determined on a case-by-case basis with families and persons served, with the final decision being made by the appropriate Assistant Director. If it is determined that services will not be provided due to safety concerns, the Assistant Director or designee will alert people and their families by 6:30AM via email. Virtual services may be provided following DDA guidance during a weather event.

Workforce Development

People we support who are employed and supported by Workforce Development will maintain their work schedule and will follow their employer’s closure guidelines. The department head and Chief Program Officer will work to ensure transportation and job support are maintained during the weather event.

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

Severn, MD. (January 19, 2021) – The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) announces the selection of RAUCH inc. as the architectural firm for Port Street Commons, a planned mixed-use development in Easton, MD. In addition to being the engineer on the project, RAUCH inc. will support long-standing partner and general contractor BuilderGuru Contracting, Inc | Gardiner & Gardiner Contracting, LLC (BGC|G&G) as the schematic and design development phase begins in February 2022.

“We chose RAUCH inc. to lead this next stage in The Arc’s expansion because of their comprehensive approach to site design and their long-standing relationship with the Easton community,” notes Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “The selection of this premier local firm solidifies our commitment to making sure at least 25% of contracted services are from the Mid-Shore region.”

Port Street Commons, developed by The Arc’s subsidiary, Chesapeake Community Development, is slated to begin construction in spring 2023. The Mid-Shore Regional Council recently approved Port Street Commons as a project addition on the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) considering its important potential impact on filling known community needs.

The approximately 25,000 square foot facility will consist of office and program space, a behavioral health suite, and an accessible Community Hub as well as eight affordable housing units. The need for program space has increased as requests for The Arc’s support services have risen significantly since 2017.

“The Arc’s Port Street Commons plan brings much-needed services and employment to Easton. RAUCH inc. is honored to have been selected to join The Arc team in bringing their vision of serving the Eastern Shore to life!” said Virginia Richardson, AIA Vice-President, Architecture, RAUCH inc.

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.

About RAUCH inc.
RAUCH inc. is a comprehensive Project Management & Civil Engineering firm with headquarters in the Delmarva region. Our services extend to full Project Site Development and Project Management for large-scale industrial and commercial sites. www.rauch-inc.com.
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As the COVID-19 positivity rate in Maryland continues to decline, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region has made the decision to officially resume full operations this Thursday, January 20, at the Severn Headquarters, the Annapolis and Easton Regional Offices, and its Community Hubs. Community-Based Day Services and Behavioral Health Services also will resume in-person support.

The Arc’s mask requirement remains in effect. Visitors and employees entering any Arc office or community space, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, must wear face masks. The Arc will continue to monitor the situation carefully as it unfolds and will put other protocols in place as necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact info@thearcccr.org or call 410.269.1883.

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/.