January 5, 2019
Dear Member and Friend of The Arc Maryland,
The Arc Maryland was formed in the 1950s by a group of families who wanted a better life for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Since its formation, the movement and membership in The Arc has grown exponentially nationwide. In Maryland, there are 10 local chapters and 1 state chapter of The Arc providing daily supports throughout Maryland to over 25% of all Maryland citizens with I/DD who access services. We are extremely proud of our accomplishments in 2018 as we expand our advocacy and programmatic initiatives in 2019.
As we have in past years, The Arc Maryland has partnered with the Maryland Department of Disabilities, The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Maryland State Department of Education to offer the “Together We’re Better” Inclusive Education Campaign. This campaign includes educational resources and outreach to schools, aiming to raise awareness of the value and importance of full inclusion and to promote awareness of disabilities as a critical part of our rich diversity. Last year we reached over 1,900 students by providing disability awareness training. This past December, over 200 artwork entries were received from 15 separate elementary and middle schools representing Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Fredrick, Howard Counties as well as Baltimore City! Disability awareness assemblies are also happening in area elementary and middle schools throughout the state.
In early 2019, The Arc will offer even more resources, training and opportunities with our matching grant awarded by the Developmental Disabilities Council for the Partners in Policymaking® program. We have enrolled a full class of participants who will spend the year learning to be the best advocates they can be for people with I/DD in Maryland.
Our 2019 Annual Convention will be held on May 17 at Turf Valley Resort. With our theme, OpportUNITY, we will build on the success of last year’s Convention by offering a full day of speakers, vendors and statewide leaders who will educate attendees about the best practices in transforming our community into a place where everyone is a fully participating member. Please plan to join us!
When you are part of The Arc family, you are part of the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the rights and quality of life of persons with I/DD and their families. We are united in our advocacy, our commitment to family support and preservation, our belief in the right to full inclusion and choices, and in our belief that everyone benefits when children and adults of all abilities have the opportunity to live, learn, work and play together!
In 2018, The Arc Maryland in partnership with our chapters and members, testified and tracked over 180 bills that would impact individuals with I/DD, their families and Direct Support Professionals. Our grassroots advocacy proved successful on several key bills, and passed legislation included a repeal of an alcohol ban for individuals with I/DD, positive changes to the ABLE Act, and a budget that fully funded the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
The Arc Maryland will be working for you every day during the 2019 Legislative Session as we advocate for the vital interests of our constituency, from state budgets to proposed legislation that touches the lives of persons with I/DD. Because The Arc Maryland does not use government funds for our legislative advocacy, we count on the generous donations of our supporters to keep our presence strong at the legislature. This is the only campaign when we approach our members for financial support for our statewide public policy and advocacy efforts.
You are The Arc Maryland’s most important partner. You allow us to maintain our financial stability and our united and nimble grassroots presence with elected officials, and thus you are our strength. Come… Achieve with us! If you have not yet had the opportunity to support our annual giving campaign please consider making a contribution today. Donations may be made securely through our website at www.thearcmd.org and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Thank you!
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Thank you!
Sincerely,
Laura Carr, President Ande Kolp, Executive Director