News: In the News

Raising awareness

The Arc welcomes opportunities to share stories about individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are living full lives in the community, as well as to celebrate the achievements of its staff and other news.

 

September 2009

The Business Monthly

State Funding Cutbacks Leave The Arc Clients With Cutbacks Of Their Own

The state’s economic shortfall and budget cutbacks touch all citizens of Maryland. But for some, who depend on the help of community nonprofits like The Arc of Howard County, the cuts are devastating.

So far this year, The Arc of Howard County has lost $239,000 in operating funds and another $56,000 that would have gone directly to families for support services.
“I have no clue what we’re going to do,” says Tonia Lewis of Columbia. “It’s devastating. I’m stymied.”

Lewis is the single mother of three children with disabilities. And as if caring for three disabled children wasn’t enough, she has health problems of her own and recently had to leave her full- and part-time jobs.

Over the years, she says, she’s received funds from The Arc for such services as respite care, summer camp and hearing aids for her kids. But The Arc’s state allocation for such funds is in jeopardy.

“I don’t know where to cut back,” Lewis says. “The Arc funds everything we need to have some quality of life.”

Without respite care and someone to watch the children, doctors’ appointments and running errands would be difficult because Lewis can’t leave the kids home alone. “These services are necessary,” she says. “They’re not special gifts. They’re not a treat. A lot of us are single parents. Marriages break up because of the children’s disabilities. The budget cuts are disgraceful. They’re heartless.”

After years of counseling the parents of children with disabilities and directing them to resources, Lewis suddenly finds herself with no resources of her own.

“They’re asking me to decide between survival or caring for my children,” she says. “I shouldn’t have to make those choices.”

Worried About The Future

Ann Zgorski of Glenelg laughs when she talks about her family’s search for a new van. “They’re all conversion vans with televisions and seats that turn into beds,” she says. They sound great for a family of five, but what the Zgorski family wants is space, not amenities. And with the loss of funds from The Arc, Ann and Bob Zgorski might have to postpone their purchase. While The Arc funds wouldn’t pay for the van, they would help move their children’s wheelchair lift from their old vehicle to the new one.

“In the past, we’ve been able to use money from The Arc to do those things,” Ann Zgorski says. The Zgorski’s have two children with profound disabilities. Amy is now 22. Her brother, Ben, is 18. Both require constant care.

Ann Zgorski thinks about life without respite care.“After 22 years of raising these children we want to have a life of our own,” she says. “You have to have a life of your own or you go crazy. Most people, when their kids are 18 or over, don’t pay for childcare anymore. We’re still paying and always will.”

But at the moment, the van is the Zgorskis’ biggest worry.“Twice, I’ve had to cancel the kids’ doctor appointments because the van wouldn’t start. If I was out on the road with two kids in wheelchairs and it broke down, then what?”

Diane Stewart of Ellicott City, too, wonders how her family would manage without help from The Arc.“We get no support from anyone else,” she says. “If funding from The Arc is cut back, there’s no other funding available to us for things like durable medical equipment. We really count on the money The Arc provides.”

Stewart’s sons, Aaron and Ryan, both had surgery in July and are still in the hospital recovering. Steward is currently on family medical leave. While the family’s insurance will cover some of the boys’ necessities, she’s not sure how they’ll pay for the rest. “I don’t know,” she says. “It’s very difficult. We’re pretty much on our own.”

 

May 2009

The Business Monthly

The Arc Seeks Platinum Certification for Green Home

By Janene Holzberg—Sometimes, what you don’t see is what you get. At least that’s the case with a house on Torrent Row in Columbia, a new “green” home operated by The Arc of Howard County that is likely to be the first residence in Howard County to achieve the highest level of certification in a rigorous environmental rating process.

To explain the home’s extraordinary but often indiscernible features, a community reception was sponsored by the project’s collaborators on Earth Day, April 22. County Executive Ken Ulman and County Housing Director Stacy Spann also attended.

While it incorporates universal design and other customized elements to meet the multiple physical needs of its male residents, the home doesn’t stop there.

The team of collaborators dared to ask “what if” and to envision features that go well beyond what is beneficial to the home’s inhabitants to what is beneficial to the environment – and that’s where the home’s bounty of hidden features lies.

The Oakland Mills structure is a single-story house erected over the course of seven months to replace an older home owned by Supportive Living, Inc. Funding for the project was provided by the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development.

The house on Torrent Row has qualified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design home. To explain to visitors how the project came to be certified by the LEED program, a continuous presentation played during the recent open house. Photographs were also posted around the home to explain key elements.

Some of the home’s features are a rainwater recovery system, energy efficient insulation and appliances, and drought-resistant landscaping, to name a few.

“It’s an incredible place,” said Jim Greenfield, president of Columbia Builders, Inc., and the driving force behind the project. Greenfield arranged for many of the house’s subcontractors to either donate services or provide them at cost. All work by employees of his Columbia-based company was done without charge.

“My late son taught me a lot about giving and not expecting anything in return,” Jim said of Mark Greenfield, who died in February 2000 after many years of receiving services through The Arc.

“Building houses is what I know how to do, and so that’s how I can give,” he said.

The project’s collaborators are hoping to achieve the highest rating offered in the LEED program, which is managed by the U.S. Green Building Council. While the home’s final point tally isn’t completed, it had qualified for the gold designation and is just two points shy of securing the top-level platinum rating.

Don Taylor, principal of dw taylor associates, inc. in Ellicott City, said the project “took on a new sense of importance” as expectations were raised from achieving silver certification to gold and then on to platinum. Taylor’s firm was responsible for architectural plans and development.

“Knowing that this home will likely receive a platinum rating and that the residents will be provided the highest level of convenience available has turned a small project into one of our most rewarding ones,” he said.

Aside from its environmental aspects, the home is set up to accommodate the special needs of its residents, who require round-the-clock care. Individuals with developmental disabilities who are served by The Arc of Howard County will reside in the new home at their previous location.

And best of all the house will keep giving back in terms of energy efficiency and minimal upkeep, explained Jay Raksin, Facilities and Maintenance Manager at The Arc.

“It’s been a privilege working with this talented and dedicated team on this project,” Raksin said. “Everyone worked through the project’s challenges and is pleased with the outcome.”

March 2009

The Business Monthly

Man Served By The Arc Selected As Face of Civility

By Janene Holzberg—Ryan Swanson’s days are filled with names.

Sporting one of the most contagious grins around, he peppers his conversations with queries to old friends and new acquaintances alike as to whether they know this person or that person.

An individual long served by The Arc of Howard County, Ryan also enjoys collecting business cards, with their printed names and titles providing the only attraction. He keeps them in a pouch in his backpack so he can look at them now and again.

For his endless enthusiasm and perpetual positive outlook, Ryan was chosen by the Howard County Library recently to appear on a poster as one of their 15 “Faces of Civility,” a campaign which expands on the popular book of 25 civility rules by Dr. P.M. Forni, Choosing Civility.

“In the brief time I’ve known him, he has enriched my life just with his smile,” said Joseph V. Murray, who recommended him for the campaign. Ryan has cognitive and developmental disabilities.

Murray, president of The Arc’s board of directors and Community Relations Director for Ascend One Corp., said he met Ryan last year during “Disabilities Day” in Annapolis and remembered how friendly the 24-year-old was and how interested in discovering who knows whom.

“He’s the networking king,” Murray quipped affectionately.

Ryan will represent the rule, “Be inclusive” on his poster, said Kelli Shimabukuro, the library’s coordinator of community education and partnerships.

“It’s that whole idea of acknowledging and including others no matter what their abilities or disabilities,” explained Murray.

“We need to not only accept one another, but to see the goodness in each other,” he said, which paraphrases The Arc’s mission of providing full community life for all of its clients.

Ryan’s personality brings out the best in people, acknowledged his father, Phillip Swanson. Ryan won the Principal’s Award when he graduated from River Hill High School in 2003 and drew “the biggest applause” at the senior recognition assembly, he said.

But the largest part of Ryan’s life has to do with programming supplied by The Arc, a group that was started by parents 48 years ago and has gracefully matured into one of the county’s largest employers.

“As a parent, I used to feel there was not a whole lot for adult children with disabilities to do that was enriching,” recalled Swanson of his son’s life before moving to Howard County. Today, Ryan’s world is full of many social activities outside his part-time job, courtesy of The Arc.

He participates in a program called “Community Opportunities for Recreation and Enrichment,” or CORE for short, which is offered five days a week, year-round, said Janet Bowen, who began teaching the class in January.

“Ryan is so friendly and engaging,” said Bowen, who works three days a week in the afternoon program that is held on the campus of Howard Community College. “I enjoy introducing him and his classmates to new experiences.”

Using the computer lab is one of everybody’s favorite activities, she said, but the group spends their time in a variety of ways. Often the programming is educational, but they students also go to movies, swimming and other recreational outings. All 12 enrolled in CORE have jobs, too.

“The program provides respite for the families,” pointed out Bowen, “but it’s really nice that these clients are able to get the opportunity to interact in the community.”

Bruce Gapp, one of Ryan’s four adult companions who are employed by The Arc, said Ryan’s social life is “really full,” and he keeps busier than most people he knows.

“They don’t come any more social than this guy,” he said, with a nod in Ryan’s direction.

Each companion goes out into the community one night a week with Ryan, said Phillip Swanson, who described the foursome as Ryan’s second family.

“Bruce is a father figure, Darlene is motherly, Jenny is a like a sister to him and Owen acts like a brother,” said Swanson. “It’s great.”

“The amazing thing is his mother and I were told when Ryan was born that he would never talk or walk,” said Swanson.

“The civility rule that Ryan is supposed to read for the library’s campaign is ‘A stranger is a friend I haven’t met yet,’” continued his father. “Isn’t that just perfect for him?”

March 2009

The Business Monthly

Christine Towne: The “Voice” of The Arc of Howard County

By Janene Holzberg—In this time of automated telephone answering devices, it’s always refreshing when a live person replies at the other end of the line.

It’s especially nice when it’s Christine Towne.

Callers, as well as visitors, to The Arc of Howard County are greeted promptly and pleasantly most mornings by Towne, who could be called the voice of that organization.

The best part is that Towne is not only an employee, but is also served by the 48-year-old nonprofit, which has its offices in Ellicott City.

“Christine is always friendly, is well-liked and always ready to help,” said Linda Essenmacher, director of quality enhancement for The Arc.

“Her computer skills are excellent and she has significantly reduced the paperwork for our staff,” Essenmacher said. “I enjoy working with her very much.”

The feeling is mutual for Towne, 21, who has been employed as an administrative assistant by The Arc for about four years and has been served by staff for about three years. She has intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I really like the people I work with,” said Towne, who lives with her family nearby and is a 2005 graduate of River Hill High School.

She is the daughter of Steve and Ann Towne and has two brothers. Mike, 17, is a junior at River Hill High, and Rob, 19, is a student at Brigham Young University in Utah. Her sister, Julie, is married and lives in Arizona.

When Towne is not sitting at the front desk of The Arc headquarters on Homewood Road, she keeps very busy, especially with courses at Howard Community College. She said she has taken classes in Spanish, writing and music appreciation, to name a few.

Currently, she is enrolled in voice lessons at the Columbia campus and will have a role in the annual musical put on by the county department of recreation and parks.

The performing group, which is known as No Boundaries, will be mounting a summer performance of “Mamma Mia,” the smash Broadway play and Meryl Streep film that has been captivating audiences.

Towne has seen “Mamma Mia” three times in theatre and nine time on DVD, and she saw the musical at the Hippodrome in Baltimore. She had the lead role of Tracy Turnblad last June in the musical Hairspray, which deals with racial integration on a 1960s TV show.

Another of Towne’s interests is horseback riding and she plans to compete in the Special Olympics in June. She also enjoys running in track and field events and playing soccer. Aside from athletics, she loves to hang out with her boyfriend, Bruce. Shopping, eating dinner out and going to the movies fill in any empty spaces in her schedule, which are few and far between.

Not all of her free time is spent recreationally. Towne is involved in People Power, a self-help advocacy group of which she is secretary. She also participates in Disability Day, an annual event where state residents with disabilities travel to Annapolis to talk with legislators about important issues.

“One of the best things about Christine is her positive attitude – it’s contagious,” said Clair Duhigg, Towne’s job coach at The Arc.

Towne said Duhigg is one of her favorite people, but then the administrative assistant likes just about everyone she comes across.

“I think The Arc hired me for my job because they thought I was a natural,” said Towne. With her friendly demeanor and efficient work ethic, she knows what she’s talking about.

Employers who are interested in hiring a person with disabilities and helping to fulfill The Arc’s mission of guaranteeing full community life for all, should contact Bonnie Cronin, director of employment, at 410-730-0638.

December 2008

The Business Monthly

Lynn's Day Spa is 'Right Match' for Woman Served by The Arc

By Janene Holzberg—As the sounds of a bubbling brook fill the air, patrons enter Lynn's Day Spa in Columbia with plans for a pedicure or time in the sauna. For them, their visit is simply about relaxation.

But Bonnie Miles has no plans to unwind when she arrives at the salon, which is located off of Little Patuxent Parkway. Employed by the spa through The Arc of Howard County, she's come to work in the laundry room.

At 66, she's one of The Arc's oldest employed clients. She stays busy washing and folding towels and sheets, and is nothing if not precise and task-oriented.

Lynn Shannon, the spa's owner, said when she heard that The Arc was continually looking for jobs for its clients, she arranged an interview. "Bonnie was just the right match," she said. "She seemed like she would be a hard worker."

And she has been. Employed only since June, she already has expansion of her job duties in mind, and has put in a request to make the laundry room larger, said Shannon.

Before coming to Lynn's, Miles retired from NSA, where she worked for 19 years as an employee in the agency's kitchen. Following a party given there in her honor in December 2007, Miles kept asking when she could start a new job, Breaux said.

While Miles continues to take the bus to commute to her job, her new place of employment is only a four-mile ride away from the home in Oakland Mills where she lives with others individuals served by The Arc. Her home is managed by The Arc's residential services department, one of many residences the nonprofit is charged with maintaining.

When not at work, Miles participates in The Arc's seniors program, where she enjoys dancing, bingo and hitting golf balls on the driving range.

One of her consuming passions is making silhouettes of her friends' faces from metal clothes hangers. Done entirely by hand, the resulting artwork is intended to be stuck into a potted plant.

"It only takes me three seconds to memorize someone's face," said Miles, while sizing up a visitor's profile. She has handcrafted the wire sculpture for Shannon. But the best part of her life is her job, and the best part of her job is her boss, Miles said. "I really like Lynn Shannon - she's the best boss I've ever had," she said. The Arc of Howard County was founded in 1961 by parents of children with cognitive and developmental disabilities and is continually seeking job placements for its clients who want to contribute to their communities. For more information, contact Bonnie Cronin at 410-730-0638.

November 2008

The Business Monthly

Commission on Disability Issues Awards to Winners Who Make a Difference

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and the Commission on Disability Issues have announced the winners of the county's 14th Annual Disability Awards Program, which spotlights people and advocates who have made significant contributions to full inclusion in community life for all citizens.

The ceremony was held at the Bain Center at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way in Columbia. The winners in seven award categories were as follows:

Employer: River Hill Sports Grille. The River Hill Sports Grille was nominated for its commitment to advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Howard County. The restaurant values diversity, as evidenced by hiring practices that welcome people with disabilities.

Service Provider: The Arc of Howard County. The organization was nominated for providing the necessary support for full community participation, specifically in the area of employment. The Arc works diligently to find job matches where individuals will flourish and increase their skills, resulting in greater independence for the people they serve.

Educator: John Wyseman. A work study/transition teacher at Reservoir High School, Wyseman was nominated for demonstrating creativity and flexibility, as well as developing instructional methods customized to meet each student's learning style. He has a unique gift for creating customized educational solutions.

Accessibility/Universal Design: Jay Raksin. Raksin was nominated for creating barrier-free solutions resulting in improved daily life for people with disabilities. For the past 15 years, Jay has worked for The Arc of Howard County to assist the aging population to comfortably age in place by renovating their homes as needed.

Individual Achievement: Deanna Green. An outstanding role model, mentor, community advocate and educator, Green is employed as the Consumer Program Coordinator for the local National Alliance on Mental Illness in Howard County. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership as a local, state and national spokesperson for people who live with chronic mental health diagnoses.

Individual Youth Achievement: Mirza Rayyan Baig. Rayyan Baig was nominated for achievements and involvement in a variety of school and personal development activities. A 2008 graduate of Atholton High School, he was on the honor roll during his senior year and was an active member of the varsity cheerleading squad. He is currently enrolled at Howard Community College.

Commission Achievement: Joanne Piersall. Piersall was nominated for bringing extraordinary passion, leadership, vision and skill to her position as vice chair of the Commission on Disability Issues. She helped coin the tag line, "Celebrate the Possibilities."