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The Arc Central Chesapeake Region Honors Community Leaders at Celebration Impact

June 8, 2022
Celebration Impact awardees stand together with their awards. Everyone is smiling, dressed formally. There are trees and natural light in the background.

Every year at Celebration Impact, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) recognizes people in the community who have made a significant difference on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The employees, organizational leaders, and people supported who were recognized at Celebration Impact last night at the Historic London Town & Gardens in Edgewater embodied The Arc’s core values over the last year with through their leadership.

“Recognizing the critical role each community member plays in an organization is essential to growth,” says Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “Celebration Impact provided a meaningful space to thank those who have consistently gone above and beyond.”

There were six awards granted to nine recipients this year, and three of those recipients were employees of The Arc. The Leadership in Direct Service Award went to LaTeetra Branche, a direct support professional who has worked tirelessly to empower the people she serves to be independent and make their own decisions. Brittany Ellis and Karen Bradbury, received this year’s Leadership in Administration & Management Award. Brittany grew The Arc’s Day Services significantly despite the many challenges the pandemic presented, and Karen engaged and onboarded an ever-increasing number of new participants to the FMS program.

The winners of the Outstanding Personal Achievement awards, granted to people The Arc supports for their contributions to the community, were Tom Stowe and Nick Olsen. They have been engaged, active members in their communities modeling independence for all.

The other awards granted last night include Ande Kolp, Executive Director of The Arc Maryland, received the Lorraine Sheehan Advocacy Award for her work on behalf of people with disabilities throughout the state. M&T Bank was awarded the Leadership in Social Responsibility for their generous support of The Arc’s Holiday Giving program. And, long-time supporter, Ed Worff, was awarded the Impact through Leadership Award.

Because of these leaders’ hard work, commitment, and embodiment of The Arc’s mission and values, the impacts of their contributions will be felt for years to come.

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, 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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