The Arc Central Chesapeake Region is thrilled to announce that it has been named the Nonprofit of the Year by The BWI Partnership Inc. during its Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on Thursday. This prestigious recognition underscores the dedication and impact of The Arc’s work in advocating and creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The BWI Business Partnership Inc., a prominent organization representing approximately 200 local and regional businesses, fosters collaboration and dialogue to address common challenges. The Arc has been an active participant in this partnership for several years, leveraging the platform to champion the needs and rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“We are deeply honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our entire team and the unwavering support of our community and partners. We will continue to advocate for and empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to live, work, and connect throughout the community.”

Accepting the award on behalf of The Arc were Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO; Greg Snyder, Vice President of Engagement; Brandy Stephens, Director of Talent Development; and Robyn Nesmith, Senior Director of Innovation & Improvement. Their presence at the ceremony highlights the collective effort and passion driving The Arc’s mission at every level.

This award reinforces the impact of The Arc’s initiatives and collaborations in the community. The Arc creates a more inclusive community, advocating for policies that benefit people with disabilities and providing essential services and support.

The Arc looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the BWI Business Partnership and other stakeholders to drive positive change and create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Chesapeake Community Development, subsidiary of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, and a community development corporation based in Linthicum, Md., recently acquired two parcels of land from Perdue Agribusiness in Easton, Md. The lots, located at 505 Brookletts Avenue and 410 Needwood Avenue, will be the future homes of two mixed-use communities: Easton Crossing and Silo Square.

“Our vision is to bring a vibrant multi-purpose space to the community that incorporates a wide range of amenities and resources, including much-needed housing,” Consulting partner and VP of Community Development, Ross Benincasa, said.

Chesapeake Community Development works to make Maryland a better place to live by creating communities that are equitable, accessible, and fully inclusive. In practice, that looks like developing properties like Easton Crossing, where services, affordable and market-rate housing, retail, and beautiful green spaces flow seamlessly throughout one location.

“Our goal is to partner with the community to create a vibrant multi-purpose space called Easton Crossing on the Brookletts property. Easton Crossing will feature a mix of housing, including opportunities for affordable and market-rate rentals, as well as homeownership. The site will also include retail and recreational spaces and will reflect the diverse needs of the community around it,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. “On the Needwood property, Chesapeake Community Development is creating Silo Square, a thriving neighborhood that will support the various housing needs of the community by offering quality affordable and market-rate rentals.”

In the coming weeks, Chesapeake Community Development will announce the dates of its upcoming community meetings, where the organization will share the initial plans for Easton Crossing and Silo Square and solicit feedback that will influence further development of the site plans. All community meetings will be recorded, and the recordings and transcripts will be shared with all attendees. Additionally, an online feedback tool will launch in the early summer of 2024 for community members to submit their commentary virtually.

Pending engagement sessions and site plan approval, construction is anticipated to begin roughly in 2027.

Key local partners include:

• Rivers & Roads, an Easton-based community development firm, will support the development of the project, with partners Ross Benincasa and Sam Shoge taking on key leadership roles. Ross Benincasa will serve as Chesapeake Community Development’s Vice President of Community Development, while Sam Shoge will act as Chesapeake Community Development’s Director of Outreach & Partnerships.
• Chesapeake Neighbors, a subsidiary of The Arc and provider of affordable rental housing throughout the mid-shore, will serve as the rental housing lead. Judi Olinger, Executive Director of Chesapeake Neighbors, will maximize opportunities for affordable and market-rate housing at both Easton Crossing and Silo Square.
• RAUCH, Inc., an Easton-based architectural firm, will be the design & architecture lead. Virginia Richardson, Vice President of Architecture, will coordinate the design and architecture activities for Easton Crossing and Silo Square.
• BuilderGuru Contracting (BGC), a long-time partner of Chesapeake Community Development, will serve as the construction lead. Ben Harries, owner, will provide support with pre-construction services and other general contractor services for phases of the projects. As the project moves forward with construction, he will incorporate shore-based contractors on the project, providing a boost to the local economy.
• The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, a regional organization and significant service provider on the Eastern Shore, will serve as a project manager in partnership with Chesapeake Community Development.

For all questions, please contact the Chesapeake Community Development team at hello@ccdmaryland.org.

 

June is Pride Month, and this year, we are celebrating the ways in which The Arc supports our employees and the people we serve to feel safe in their identities at The Arc.

“As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community myself,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc, “ensuring that our employees and the people we support who identify similarly feel included and heard is important to me.”

At The Arc, we pride ourselves on the policies and practices we have in place that support LGBTQIA+ employees and their families. Even simple things like gender-neutral bathrooms, not officially defining “family,” including domestic partners in our total rewards (benefits), and offering fertility and family planning total rewards that cover surrogacy, IVF, and adoption expenses are essential to supporting our LGBTQIA+ employees.

The same goes for supporting the people we serve who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“We have a reputation for providing excellent services and programs for young people,” says Matt Morgan, Chief Program Officer. “Many of the people we support are Millennials and Gen Z, and they’re curious about their identities and finding belonging.”

But it’s not just young people who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community. Anyone, regardless of age, can feel supported at The Arc to have those important conversations as they live independently, think about relationships and community, and ultimately, what they want out of life.

“When we talk about providing holistic, person-centered support, we truly mean supporting the whole person,” says Cindy Lindgren, Senior Director of Behavioral Health. “Supporting people in understanding their own LGBTQIA+ identity is part of providing person-centered support. Our Behavioral Health team regularly supports people in engaging with every aspect of their identity, including sexuality.”

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are just as likely as any other population to identify within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Supporting people to understand how they experience the world, how they fit in, and how their various identities intersect is essential.

We are excited to congratulate Daniel Fluharty, Community Support Assistant, on being the first DSP at The Arc to achieve a NADSP Certification Level 1 through our new DSP Career Ladder Program!

The Arc launched this program on April 1, 2024, to provide professional development opportunities for DSPs to grow in their careers and earn more without having to leave the DSP work they love.

“Part of our strategic plan, Leading Boldly, is providing career mobility opportunities for employees, especially DSPs,” says Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO. “This DSP Career Ladder increases our employees’ skills, recognizes them for their new knowledge and experience by increasing their compensation, and means the people we serve will receive even higher quality support.”

Using the E-Badge system developed by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), DSPs at The Arc can attain Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 certifications that correspond to increased pay rates (+$1.00/hr, +$2.00/hr, and +$3.50/hr respectively).

Each certification level requires dozens of hours of training outside of work, and The Arc’s Talent Development team provides support throughout the process.

“The Arc is serious about making this DSP Career Ladder a success,” says Brandy Stephens, Director of Talent Development, “and they are putting the necessary resources and processes into place to make sure employees who seek this avenue of professional development are as successful as possible.”

Over two dozen employees are currently pursuing DSP Certification Level 1 at The Arc, a process that will require 50 hours of online, hybrid, and in-person training in addition to the standard professional development already required for their positions.

And Daniel’s success shows just how meaningful this initiative will be for The Arc’s employees and for the people we support.

“Daniel has gone above and beyond to demonstrate his knowledge and skills through this program,” says Niki Jones, Director of Living Options & Services. “Daniel is already making such a difference in the lives of the people he supports. This certification level means he will be even more equipped to support them in their own decision making.”

We are thrilled to announce that our 2024 Tee It Up for The Arc Golf Tournament successfully raised $228,500, surpassing our goal of $200,000! This is the largest amount ever raised at an Arc event, and we are beyond grateful to everyone who supported its success.

“Children, Youth & Their Families offers critical resources for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community,” said Sara Pease, Assistant Director of Children, Youth & Their Families. “It’s a 100% donor-funded program, and the money raised will be used to provide access to the therapies, equipment, and services they need and deserve.”

The tournament was sponsored by 75 local organizations and businesses, including Climate Care HVAC Services, BGC G&G, First Citizens Bank, CFG Bank, Bay State Electric, and Hartman Executive Advisors. We are grateful to have hosted 288 golfers for food, drinks, and 18 holes along the river and lakes courses at Queenstown Harbor. You can see a video recap of the Golf Tournament here and pictures from the Golf Tournament here; for a full list of event sponsors, click here.

In total, The Arc will have netted almost $160,000 to support Children, Youth & Their Families. This means that during the 2025 Family Fund grant cycle process, we will have more funds than ever to support children to receive essential services and supports.

“Our programs aim to remove the barriers families face in accessing the support they need,” says Sara, “Access to these critical services creates better outcomes for families as they grow.  ”

At The Arc, we prioritize supporting the children, youth, and families who experience the most need. 

Save the Date! Next year’s 27th Annual Tee it Up for The Arc Golf Tournament will be on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Queenstown Harbor Golf Course.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region is proud to announce that Jonathon Rondeau, President and CEO, has been named to the Board of Directors of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. A coalition of more than 6,800 businesses statewide, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce is an impactful group of business leaders from across the state that drives business growth for the good of our communities.

“I am honored to join the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and contribute to the growth and development of our communities at the state-level,” said Jonathon. “I am encouraged by the ways the Maryland Chamber of Commerce creates opportunities for businesses and non-profit organizations, especially progressive and innovative organizations like The Arc.”

Over the last six years, The Arc has grown as an economic leader in the region. As an employer, The Arc now employs more than 560 people to support Arc-facilitated services and corporate enterprise, and the 2,500 Participants in their Self-Directed Services program employ more than 6,000 employees across their teams.

“The Arc is an entrepreneurial enterprise that tackles systemic community issues by providing high-quality services aligned with our mission and creating the vibrant, inclusive, diverse communities we deserve aligned with our vision,” said Jonathon. “We continue to grow and expand our services and initiatives in ways that align with the needs and wants of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and support networks, and our communities throughout the region.”

As The Arc continues to be an important economic leader, creating new jobs, providing innovative services, and spearheading community development strategies, The Arc will continue to establish meaningful partnerships with like-minded changemakers throughout the state, including those in the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.

The initiatives and projects The Arc is preparing to launch promise incredible opportunities for economic impact, community revitalization, and redevelopment throughout the region. Jonathon’s membership on the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s board means the perspectives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be well-represented at the table.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region congratulates Megan Lyle, Esq., on being recognized as a 2024 New Leaders Honoree by Leadership Anne Arundel. The award recognizes newly accepted, appointed, or elected leaders who started their positions within the last year and have already made an impact in the Anne Arundel County community.

Megan serves as the Senior Vice President of Administration and General Counsel, and under her leadership, The Arc has strengthened compliance and legal strategy as they navigate the complex regulations and legal issues surrounding human services, housing, and community development.

“Megan is a strategic thinker who provides valuable counsel and resources to leaders throughout our enterprise,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “Her passion for The Arc’s vision and mission is evident in everything she does, and she is very deserving of this recognition of her dynamic leadership.”

Megan leads all aspects of enterprise-wide compliance, legal strategy and operations, information technology, and corporate governance. As The Arc continues to grow, Megan has further supported the implementation of strategies aligned to The Arc’s current strategic plan, Leading Boldly.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for the contributions I’ve already made at The Arc,” said Megan. “I am proud of the creative and dynamic ways we are supporting the many needs of our community.”

Megan came to The Arc as an accomplished Attorney Advisor after working at several firms, including Black Oak Title, Davidson Fink, and Russo & Toner. She possesses a wide range of experiences in managing, negotiating, and preparing contracts as well as leases, deeds, claims, and disputes.

LAA’s New Leaders Honorees were nominated by LAA Alumni and the community at large. This year, New Leaders were recognized with a celebration on Thursday, May 2. The Arc congratulates Megan on this recognition of her leadership and success in her time so far with The Arc, as well as all other New Leaders Honorees.

Last night at Celebration Impact, The Arc recognized employees, people we support, and community members who have made a significant difference on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year’s event provided an excellent opportunity to honor these important leaders at The Arc and beyond and took place on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club on Kent Island, MD.

 The award ceremony began with Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc, sharing his perspective on The Arc’s growth, successes, and impact over the last year.

 “At The Arc, we define impact as life-altering, sustainable change,” said Jonathon. “Whether it is community-wide impact or something that more directly influences a person’s life, I am proud to say that I see incredible impact in our work every day, and that is what we are here to honor tonight.”

Awards were presented by Jonathon Rondeau, Joan Green, Lorraine Gallagher, Matt Morgan, Jodie Colombo, Catie Comer, John Sheehan, and Laura Carr, and all recipients were met with great applause and appreciation.

 This year’s Celebration Impact awards went to:

Leadership in Direct Service Award

Junell Nash

Leadership in Administration & Management Award

Kathryn Bucolo

Outstanding Personal Achievement Award

Scott Southerland

Kavita Krishnaswamy

Lorraine Sheehan Advocacy Award

Anatasia Kulick

Phillip Emerson

Leadership in Social Responsibility Award

Call Tracking Metrics

Impact through Leadership Award

Ben & Sarah Harries

“We are very proud to honor each of our awardees tonight for the critical work they are doing in their community, day in and day out,” Jonathon added at the end of the program. “The Arc’s ongoing success and continued impact are possible because of the dedication and resilience of the people we support, our employees, and our community members like those we are honoring tonight.”

All awardees received etched glass trophies and bouquets of flowers from the event, and both employees who won awards will receive a $1,000 bonus as part of their award. It is the largest merit-based award granted to employees at The Arc.

Celebration Impact is held every year by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, and it continues to be a meaningful night celebrating the profound impacts of the people we support, our employees, and community members.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region is proud to announce that we have joined the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance (MTBSA), a group of organizations and community leaders formed in the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

The MTBSA is a collaborative group of businesses, philanthropic organizations, and non-profits across all sectors committed to ensuring a swift, thorough, and comprehensive recovery from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

The Arc recognizes the importance of coming together with other stakeholders to address the challenges and needs arising from this unprecedented event. While there are many challenges and difficulties ahead, there is promise in the number of organizations, leaders, and community members stepping up to support recovery efforts.

By joining the alliance, The Arc aims to bring expertise and resources to the table while advocating for the inclusion and well-being of people with disabilities in the recovery process.

The experiences and perspectives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be critical for ensuring an equitable recovery process that works for all Marylanders. Together with the MTBSA, The Arc is committed to building a stronger and more resilient community for all.

We are all #BaltimoreStrong and #MarylandTough

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is pleased to announce that José Ochoa will be joining the enterprise as the Vice President of Finance where he will lead the corporate finance division. José comes to The Arc at a pivotal moment as The Arc continues to strengthen its financial position and expand services throughout the region.

José possesses over 15 years of progressive leadership experience working in nonprofits and over a decade of experience in financial analysis, budget forecasting, and managing federal and state grants and contracts. Most recently, José served as the Vice President of Finance and Accounting at a very large nonprofit in Texas, where he played a pivotal role in increasing revenue.

“We are excited to welcome José to our Executive Leadership Team,” says Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “It is essential to have impactful leaders like José who are eager to innovate and explore what’s possible for the good of the people we support.”

As a strategic leader, José is well-versed in managing complex budgets and portfolios with multiple funding streams, as well as all aspects of corporate budgeting, business development, and cash flow management. Given The Arc’s record of exponential growth and increasingly complex portfolio of funding sources, Jose’s expertise, guidance, and leadership will have a profound impact on The Arc’s operations and future financial strength.

“I am deeply inspired by The Arc’s mission and vision, and it’s an honor to join an organization that aligns so closely with my values. I look forward to making a meaningful impact in the lives of the individuals and communities we serve,” says José.

José holds a Master’s of Commerce in finance and logistics from RMIT University Melbourne and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia.