Greetings

A Message From The President, Glenn C. Rappleyea

At the Annual Meeting of the Delaware Co. ARC, the newly elected Board of Directors receives a round of applause from over 200 guests.  (Left to right, front row) Hamden Town Supervisor Wayne Marshfield and Emory Pomeroy administered the Oath of Office for Ginger Blackman, Vice President Luella Rogers, (back row) President Glenn Rappleyea, Treasurer Timothy Crain, Robert Rothenberg and Thomas Banks.  Also elected but unable to attend were Secretary Ruth Vitale and Mary Jane Giarrusso-Wilkin.

Winds of (positive) change are occurring at the Delaware Co. ARC.  From the proposed new group home in Walton to the new resources being pursued through the OPTS (Options For People Through Services) initiative of the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the people we serve are the beneficiaries of the vision, the passion and the caring of the staff and administration.  (I have never met a more caring, sincere group.)

One example of this breath of fresh air is the story of Ginger Blackman.  Her hard work has led her to gain self-confidence and a new outlook on life.  She loves working at McDonald's in Sidney, needing minimal support from her Job Coach, and she is proud to use her paycheck to provide for herself.  Now she can spend more time with her kids and volunteer as a member of the ARC Board of Directors where she can advocate for her peers and herself.  

This is only one example of the tremendous success stories coming out of the Delaware Co. ARC.  The OPTS proposal is pending approval, but if approved it will bring individual-centered care to a higher plane.

"The times they are a changin'," said Bob Dylan and the winds of change are blowing hope and promise for all the children and adults we serve.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support and prayers.

To  request a paper copy of the ARC Newsletter:  Contact Us.  

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