Arc GLOW makes a big difference for many local families

Editor:

My name is Marlene Hill, and I am a Board of Directors member of the Arc GLOW. However, more importantly, I am the mother of an individual the Arc has served for 42 years.

Starting at 9 months old, our son has participating in many programs at Arc GLOW. Without the help of the Arc’s amazing staff, I do not know how we could have ended up with a person that is happy and well-rounded. We’ve had opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise.

Arc GLOW has been serving the community for over 60 years, and now covers the entire GLOW region; roughly 2,400 square miles, geographically the largest Arc chapter in New York state. It serves around 2,000 individuals and employs over 1,100 people in order to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) meet their full potential and find full potential and find fulfillment in learning, personal relationships, employment, volunteerism, recreation, the arts, and more. Arc GLOW’s goal is to eliminate barriers and help individuals engage in the world.

With March being Developmental Disability Awareness Month (DDAM), we are seeking to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

Arc GLOW needs your help advocating for the people we support. Decades of inadequate funding has caused severe staff shortages and left nonprofit providers agencies, like Arc GLOW, struggling to maintain facilities and provide the high-quality of care New Yorkers with disabilities deserve.

Without action, this lack of funding will continue to compromise the quality and sustainability of services for New Yorkers with disabilities. We are advocating for fair wages for direct support professionals, and capital funding to align with state climate goals, and you can help by visiting The Arc New York Advocacy Center (https://p2a.co/N6MgSBE)

I encourage you to visit ArcGLOW.org and view the advocacy page to learn how you can join their advocacy efforts. Another way you can show your support is by becoming a member of Arc GLOW, which only costs $1 per year.

Becoming a member shows New York state you are an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and want positive changes for them. Start with Arc GLOW to talk about how we can help find support services for people with disabilities, more information can be obtained by emailing them at info@ArcGLOW.org.

Sincerely,

Marlene Hill

Medina