12 Days of Arc Angels
An “Arc Angel” is someone who has been nominated for moving The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region’s mission forward, “Empowering people with differing abilities to live, work and thrive in the community.”
Please read about our twelve Arc Angels listed below and be inspired to support our mission. We understand you have many wonderful choices to give to this season. So, we invite you to read about examples of what your donor dollars will be funding. This holiday season, give something that means something.
Kenny and Beronica
If you have siblings, one thing you remember are the sibling bonds, fights and mischief. Can’t stand them at times but let nobody else mess with them. That is the beauty of sibling relationships. But for youth who have to experience the unimaginable removal from their parents, sibling relationships are often disrupted. An impact that can last a lifetime. Especially in 2023 where the number of foster homes is critically low. That’s why today, we are featuring The Newkirk’s as one of the agency’s Arc Angels. This family became certified in October 2022 – in the midst of a foster home crisis. They had two goals – a big family and to maintain sibling relationships. And to that, they did both! In February 2023, The Newkirk’s accepted the placement of THREE brothers (The first of The Arc’s to place in ONE home). The Newkirk’s have continued to keep these brothers together while keeping close-knit to biological family. From a trip to Disney (of course with matching/coordinating shirts), to roller skating, trips to the beach, and more. These three boys remain together because of Kenny and Beronica.
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of our programs, such as Treatment Foster Care. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate, or spread the word on fostering.
Greg
Friendship is an important part of the human experience, enriching lives and even improving health. Greg is pictured here standing next to his good friend Vernon. Greg and Vernon were roommates from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. They were both advocates in the People First movement of The Arc NCR, they both gained employment and held it for many years, and they have each been active in contributing and participating in the community along the way. Greg has become very comfortable in the neighborhood he moved into to be more independent after living with Vernon. He is well known there as he and Direct Support Professional, Matt, frequent the local establishments daily. Greg loves being around people. He is witty and loves telling jokes. Today, while Greg and Vernon are no longer roommates, and with an active schedule of his own, Greg still makes time to regularly meet with his good friend Vernon every Friday. The friendship means more than can be written, but it is easy to see how meaningful it is to both of them.
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of our programs, such as Personal Supports. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.
Harford County Public Library
The Harford County Public Library fosters the ideals of education and personal growth, which are very important in one’s journey to leading a personally valued life. Over the years, many of those receiving support from The Arc NCR have benefitted from spending time at the library in pursuit of their personally valued lives. From groups in Community Partners who have visited to study a new subject and enrich their lives, to a person receiving 1:1 Personal Support who studied food safety materials so that he could achieve his ServSafe Certification — opening up an avenue of employment that had previously been closed to him. The inclusive environment has been welcoming to people of all abilities, which has been great for those receiving support from The Arc NCR, but also for the organization’s employees. In celebrating the diversity of The Arc NCR, a quilt was made by employees, featuring personal quilt squares from many different team members. When the organization wanted to display the quilt publicly, the Library was quick to answer the call, and so The Arc NCR’s diversity quilt is now on display at the Bel Air branch. In addition to being inclusive, the Library has actively supported The Arc NCR as a sponsor of our After d’Arc Gala and our Camp Sp’Arc summer camp. And, the Library is also an employment partner with The Arc NCR’s Employment Services program. One employee, Sharon, is celebrating 20 years with the Harford County Public Library this year. The Harford County Public Library has been a great community partner for The Arc NCR in aiding the mission of empowering people with differing abilities to live, work and thrive in the community.
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success the programs at The Arc NCR. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.
Michaela
Michaela is 16 years old and is a dedicated volunteer at The Arc NCR. Michaela started volunteering in the summer of 2022 at Camp Sp’Arc, an inclusive summer camp for children, ages 6-21. During camp, participants are matched up with volunteers/buddies who serve as role models and friends to the campers and accompany them during the activities. Michaela has volunteered at the camp for the past two years and has done a wonderful job being a buddy to the campers. Michaela has also been volunteering each month at Family Support Services Game Nights, a time where people we support can come and develop social skills while playing board games and card games. Her participation is crucial because it allows teens with differing abilities to form friendships and learn socialization skills. So far, Michaela has dedicated over 160 hours of volunteer time to building relationships with the people we support all while going to school at Edgewood High School and participating in field hockey, lacrosse, mock trial, speech, and debate clubs. We are very appreciative of all of her time and support.
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of our programs at The Arc NCR. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.
Abigail
Abigail is celebrating 3 years in her new home, and her Community Living team is celebrating her for how much she has grown. From initially being shy and solitary to now engaging with her team and roommates and getting out into the community, Abigail has grown a lot. She won The Arc NCR’s Personal Growth Award for 2022, and is continuing to grow in independence with building communication skills and gaining community experience.
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of our programs, such as Community Living. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.
Shirley
Routinely participating in the community is important for physical and mental health. Many routines were broken by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has been a lot of work to establish new routines. But progress is moving things forward and The Arc NCR’s Community Partners program is celebrating Shirley for the specific progress that she has made. With the steadfast support of Direct Support Professional, Leyshla, Shirly is improving her health and wellness, and growing in independence. Most notably, Shirley has engaged in volunteer opportunities throughout the community and been able to participate in activities that are genuinely meaningful to her personally. Through these activities, Shirley’s independence has been growing along with her communication skills. Regularly getting back out into the community is improving Shirley’s overall health and wellness and we are excited to see how she will continue to grow.
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of our programs, such as Community Partners. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.
The Anna and James Lambdin Family Support Institute
In just the first 10 months of this calendar year, The Anna and James Lambdin Family Support Institute has supported 287 people. Support has ranged from 2-hour meetings that successfully navigated through resource options to meet specific needs, to ongoing monthly support that has lasted 2-years to address complex, multi-dimensional challenges. This small but mighty team has been there to catch parents that are lost and in need of hope for how to support their children, many needing resources for autism and behavioral health, and they’ve also been there for an increasing number of people in danger of becoming homeless and in need of financial resources. In addition to the support provided, the team has also greatly increased their outreach, connecting with people through a variety of events and platforms in the community. Monthly Social Groups and Game Nights have been a hit for parents and children, enabling them to connect with others who are on similar journeys in life, but probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. The team’s efforts in advocacy, education and participation exemplify the passion and dedication of The Arc NCR’s founding families during this 70th anniversary year, with mothers like Ruth Miller who would stop at nothing to ensure that her daughter could lead a personally valued life. The Family Support Services team is celebrated as one of this year’s Arc Angels.
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of our programs, such as Family Support Services. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.
Nicole
Starting as a Direct Support Professional in March of 2004, Nicole began to make her impact on The Arc NCR from the frontlines. Over the years, Nicole advanced in her position and became a Community Living Supervisor in 2018. Today, approaching her 20th anniversary with The Arc NCR, Nicole is celebrated and admired by her team as someone who knows how to get the job done, and done in a positive way. Nicole is an advocate for those receiving services, a great team builder for those providing services, and possesses a ‘can do’ attitude which is a joy to be around. Nicole shows exceptional leadership and develops strong professional relationships with families. Nicole’s trusting demeanor allows people to feel very comfortable expressing themselves. She always goes above and beyond to ensure safety for everyone she supports. Additionally, Nicole is part of a policy workgroup for the Community Living program where her wealth of knowledge on historical information is much appreciated. Nicole contributes immensely to the mission of The Arc NCR.
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of our programs, such as Community Living. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.
Ben
Awarded as the most outstanding employee of 2023, Ben is making a difference in the lives of those receiving support from The Arc NCR in the Community Living program. He received multiple award nominations and was noted for possessing significant compassion, understanding and willingness to perform the duties of the job. He is known as an advocate for those he supports, ensuring that they are able to lead a personally valued life. As an educator, Ben is also appreciated for being informative and helpful. In addition to his work with The Arc NCR, Ben is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Harford Community College. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Moi University in Kenya, and a Master’s Degree from Montclair State University in New Jersey. In his acceptance speech for this year’s Most Outstanding Employee Award, Ben stated that he is grateful for simply being alive and healthy and having the opportunity to help others.
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of all of our programs at The Arc NCR. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.
Sephora
Awardee of both Harford County’s Commission on Disabilities 2023 Employer of the Year and Maryland Works 2023 Employer of the Year, Sephora Distribution Center is championing inclusion in the workforce, making space for people of all abilities to contribute and earn a paycheck. The team is understanding of various support needs as well as accommodations that can be made to encourage the greatest success. The Arc NCR’s Employment Services team has a great partnership with Sephora, where 5 people are currently employed, and celebrates how Sephora goes above and beyond to see that people have what they need to be successful. Melissa, Accessibility Program Supervisor for Sephora shares that, “Sephora is honored to be in partnership with the Arc NCR and share a common goal of workplace inclusion for people with differing abilities. We will continue to strive towards this goal and are committed to continuing our initiative to promote an inclusive environment.”
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of all of our programs at The Arc NCR. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.
John
John, who has been employed at the Bel Air Outback Steakhouse for 26 years, is being celebrated during this milestone 70th Anniversary of The Arc NCR. John has commuted to work on a bicycle for all 26 years. He has lived in two locations over those years, but each has been within a mile of Outback, so he has always had a route to safely bike to work. Congratulations to John for his reliability, persistence and independence.
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of our programs, such as Employment Services. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.
Neill
An advocate, board member, blogger, speaker, donor, leader, producer, employer, employee, volunteer, social media promoter, diversity panelist and photographer describe some of the roles that Neill has participated in for The Arc NCR, but perhaps it’s best to introduce Neill as a person first. As an active participant in the People First Advocacy Group of The Arc NCR, Neill is an advocate for interacting with people of any ability as people first — starting with names and prioritizing the person over labels. When you prioritize getting to know a person rather than the labels that are associated with them, meaningful conversations happen, and those kinds of conversations can change lives. Neill’s 20-year connection with The Arc NCR started with such a conversation — 15-minutes with a Job Developer seeking an employment partnership for those supported by The Arc NCR with his employer Acadia Windows and Doors. From that brief conversation grew an amazing employment partnership, which continues to flourish to this day, as well as Neill’s personal connection with The Arc NCR which has grown exponentially to all the roles listed at the top of this article. This November, Neill and his wife MaryEllen joined the Ruth Miller Legacy Society, which provides a meaningful gift toward the future of The Arc NCR. In their application to join, they wrote, “The opportunity to participate in The Ruth Miller Legacy Society will allow us to be a part of a group, of like-minded people who have seen the value of supporting the organization and contributing to its continued success.”
The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of all of our programs at The Arc NCR. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking below to donate.