A Message from Chief Executive Officer
Jeanne Meikrantz
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It has been, once again, the dedication and outpouring of love and support that has helped carry The Arc of Chester County through a year filled with uncertainties and challenge. It was also a year filled with incredible acts of kindness and generosity. Despite the many challenges thrown at us, we celebrate this year’s many accomplishments both as an agency and for the individuals we support.
I am pleased to report that we will end this year in a solid financial position despite the significant challenges we faced.
Here are just some of the highlights from this past year:
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Our preschool has remained open successfully since September 2020 and all of our essential services continued in person since the pandemic began.
- The walls of The Arc were vibrating with jack hammers as three new, accessible bathrooms, a new server room, and the final phase of the lobby were completed.
- Thanks to two major grants totaling $225,000, our 20-year-old roof, rain gutters, roof siding, porch beams and sheds were completed replaced.
- Family Support Services group and recreational services returned to in-person activities much to the delight of our participants and staff!
- We helped over one hundred participants and families at the holiday through our Holiday Giving Program and we collected an entire van of food for the West Chester Senior Center as well as our participants and families.
- We continued to collaborate with legislators and our community partners on new funding and made some progress on increased government payment rates.
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We kicked off our 70th Year Anniversary! And the board approved a 70th Anniversary Capital Campaign that will span the next 18 month to raise over one million dollars for additional capital improvements needed to our facility.
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We held a successful in-person Walk & Fun Day on May 15th raising over $116,000 and held three dine and donates to benefit The Arc's programs and services.
- We hit our fundraising goals!!
- The Arc remained extremely efficient and fiscally responsible organization with 94% of all funding going directly to programs and services.
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The 2021 Annual Agency Satisfaction Survey showed that 93% of respondents indicated that they were satisfied with the program(s) and service(s) they received, 94% of respondents indicated that they would recommend The Arc to a close friend or associate and 96% of respondents indicated that The Arc service(s) improved or enhanced the quality of the lives of the recipient of the service(s).
Most importantly, we celebrated the individual and important milestones of those entrusted in our care each, and every day. And, we have kept the legacy of our early founders as our guiding star, “to never give up and when times get tough, the tough need to keep going!” Keep going we did –thanks to all of you.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer!
With gratitude,
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Jeanne Meikrantz
Chief Executive Officer
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Arc Spotlight
Recreation and Community Inclusion Program
At The Arc of Chester County, The Recreation and Community Inclusion Program is designed to foster friendship and independence through social events and activities. Caregivers can find comfort in knowing their loved ones are enjoying events and activities while they enjoy personal time off from their caregiving responsibilities. The Arc’s Recreation and Community Inclusion services are provided by skilled and trained staff and volunteers to meet each person’s individual needs. Recently, participants of the Recreation and Community Inclusion Program enjoyed a day down the shore in Ocean City, New Jersey, a nature hike and water squirt gun battle in Ridley Creek State Park and a Philadelphia Phillies watch party where they enjoyed hotdogs, popcorn and cornhole. Check out all the fun they had!
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The Arc of Chester County Welcomes New Board President, Adam Lamb
On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, The Arc of Chester County welcomed a new board president and honored donors and businesses for outstanding service and generosity to individuals with disabilities and their families at its Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony. Out-going Immediate Past President, Stephen Potts, Esq. of Herr, Potts & Potts officially ushered in the new slate of officers and announced new and on-going terms for The Arc of Chester County’s 2022-2023 Board of Directors.
The Arc is proud to welcome Adam Lamb, CEO of the Brandywine Valley SPCA, as its new Board President effective July 1. Adam joined the Board of Directors in May of 2015 and since has served as an officer on the board for the last five years serving as Secretary, Second Vice President, and First Vice President. A native of Florida, Adam has dedicated his career to the health and welfare of animals.
“Adam has been a true advocate for The Arc, and we are so privileged to have his expertise and compassion leading our organization. Both he and the Brandywine SPCA have been excellent agency partners and friends and we couldn’t be more excited to have him at the helm for the next year," said Arc CEO, Jeanne Meikrantz.
The Arc of Chester County is pleased to acknowledge the 2022-2023 installed officers and directors as voted by the membership:
Officers:
Adam Lamb, Board President
Lisa Albany, First Vice President
Jonathan Light, Second Vice President
Dan Wesolowski, Secretary, Vanguard
Jessica Straghan, Treasurer
Matthew Holliday, Immediate Past President,
Directors:
Mary-Ellen Allen, Ashley Fox. Sonal Gandhi and Robert Siegel
Returning Members to The Arc's Board of Directors:
Pat Biswanger, Paul Cardell, Erica Cline Reading, Karen Hayes, and Paige Meacham
Stephen Potts, Esq. was also honored for his 13 years of continuous service and dedication to the Board of Directors by out-going President, Matt Holliday who presented him with the 2022 President’s Award.
2022 President’s Award: Stephen Potts, Esq. The Arc of Chester County President’s Award honors a local corporation or individual that has significantly enhanced the Arc mission, through dedicated support and loyal partnership. Long-time Arc supporter and Immediate Past President, Stephen Potts, Esq. was the recipient of this distinguished award for his outstanding and long-time service to The Arc including serving for 13 consecutive years as a Board of Member and Officer.
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“Steve Potts and the entire Potts Family have been extraordinary advocates and ardent supporters of The Arc of Chester County for more than four decades. The Arc of Chester County has been built by leaders and volunteers like Steve and his family and we owe them an incredible debt of gratitude on behalf of those entrusted in our care,” shared Matt Holliday, Board President.
“The Arc of Chester County has enjoyed tremendous success, growth, and financial stability thanks to strong leadership, and we are so thankful to have had Matt Holliday serving as our President for the past two years. He has been a very dedicated and strong leader as well as a valuable advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families,” said Meikrantz.
Congratulations to The Arc of Chester County's 2022 Arc Annual Award Recipients and look for their full stories in The Arc's Annual Report this Fall:
Corporate Partner of the Year - Your Office Connection
Agnes Grady Chesko Family of the Year - The Pettia Family
Ruth Wood Philanthropic Leadership Award - Fred & Kathy Hoge
Employer of the Year - Bistro on Bridge
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Congratulations to Kerri Walton Employee of the Year 2022 |
Each year, Arc employees nominate a team member to receive the Employee of the Year Award for outstanding service to the organization, its participants, and the team.
Kerri Walton was awarded the 2022 Employee of the Year. Kerri came to the Arc in December of 2013 and is serving as its Database Administrator. Her many nominations described her as positive, helpful, dedicated, committed and fun! Congratulations, Kerri!
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The Arc’s Inclusive Preschool Program is taking Applications TODAY!! Open Enrollment has begun. |
Operating year round and designed for children ages two years, seven months through the age of five and/or when they transition to kindergarten. The inclusive preschool supports children with and without disabilities to learn and grow together. Government funding partially supports our services for children with developmental delays and disabilities, while families in need of financial help with typical children have come to rely on The Arc of Chester County as one of the few nonprofit preschool programs offering a year-round, five-hour day, four days a week licensed preschool in Chester County. Our staff are committed to working collaboratively with you. For questions or more information about The Arc’s home-based or preschool programs, please contact the Director of CELSP at 610-696-8090 Ext. 217 or email [email protected].
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Hiring Extravaganza Held at The Arc of Chester County |
On June 17, 2022 The Arc of Chester County held it's first Hiring Extravaganza. It was a huge success. If you have ever wondered what it was like to work for The Arc of Chester County, The Arc’s Director of Family Support Services, Ashley Cabry, has been a part of The Arc family since she was three years old. Check out her story HERE.
Full Time and Part Time Positions are still available. Click on the image below for more information .
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Our Annual Bubble Walk & Fun Day was a HUGE success and raised over $116,000 for individuals with disabilities and their families supported by The Arc. Nearly 300 attendees came out on Sunday, May 15th to West Goshen Community Park to enjoy the beautiful day full of carnival games, face painting, bingo, dance performances, a DJ, dancing and of course BUBBLES. At 11:30 am walkers set out on a one mile walk around the park and then enjoyed a delicious picnic while checking out the fire truck from Goshen Fire Company, a police car from the West Goshen Police, a live pet adoption from the Brandywine Valley SPCA and much more! Click Here to read more about this momentous day!
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2023 BUBBLE WALK AND FUN DAY
Sunday, May 21, 2023
West Goshen Park
West Chester, PA
Details To Be Announced
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Ways to Give
Donors have many options when it comes to making gifts. The method of giving depends on both your financial situation and your philanthropic goals. The Arc of Chester County accepts:
Outright Gifts – are gifts of cash, check, credit card, or from donor-advised funds (DAF) and/or pledges that are paid over a fixed number of years.
Appreciated Securities - in the form of stocks, bonds, securities, annuities, or other tangible property such as real estate, artwork, vehicles, etc. provide immediate support.
Bequests – in writing a will or living trust, where you specify The Arc of Chester County as the beneficiary of all or part of your estate can provide a legacy of your support.
IRAs & Qualified Retirement Plans – where you make a gift from your IRA or designate The Arc of Chester County as the beneficiary of your required minimum distribution or the remainder balance of any retirement fund.
Life Insurance – which is an economical way to give a larger and more lasting gift without drawing on your assets now or depleting your estate by designating The Arc of Chester County as the beneficiary of all or part of your life insurance.
Planned Gifts - such as Charitable Gift Annuities or Trusts which are partnership planned gifts that benefit you and The Arc of Chester County today and in the future.
Contact
Susan Vanscovich at 610-696-8090 Ext 202 or by email at [email protected] to learn more.
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Phone: 610-696-8090 Fax: 610-696-8300
900 Lawrence Drive, West Chester, PA 19380
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