When you purchase an Arc of the Arts Gratitude Tree Ornament you are helping fund an Arc of the Capital Area program that benefits our local citizens with developmental disabilities and their families. Each ornament, hand-painted by our artist will be displayed on The Gratitude Tree in The Traber Studio & The Cool Family Gallery. Ornaments can also be purchased in honor of friends and family as a lovely, lasting tribute.

Click HERE to learn more about the Gratitude Tree.  

Riley Jane is 9 years old and was born with multiple disabilities. By the time she was 7-weeks old, the doctors put in a tracheotomy and G-tube which were necessary for her to come home with us. While still in the NICU, she came down with RSV, a very dangerous respiratory infection which delayed her homecoming. Finally, at 3 months old Riley Jane came home for the first time. In addition to her low muscle tone and respiratory problems, she has severe scoliosis, visual impairment, seizures, oxygen requirement 24/7 and is non-verbal. But she has the world's most beautiful smile.  We always refer to her as the happiest person in our family. She brings great joy to her two brothers, Daddy and me.

We applied for the CLASS program soon after Riley Jane came home from the hospital, and we were placed on the waiting list. At the age of 7 her number came up and we were able to take advantage of the program.  We chose The Arc of the Capital Area as our service agency. Our insurance premiums were very high after 7 years of paying her medical bills.  And with the CLASS program, her primary insurance is now Medicaid, which relieves us of the high premiums. Also, our family insurance did not pay for home health nursing services. We hired attendants and trained them ourselves.  But now with the CLASS program, and case management through The Arc, we are able to have home nursing care, which makes a huge difference in her care. She also enjoys music therapy and massage therapy- thanks to CLASS.

Last March, we were able to purchase a converted van with wheelchair accessibility with help from the CLASS program.  Lifting my daughter in and out of her wheelchair and into the car is no longer a strain. It is an easier ride for Riley Jane, and it will save Mama's back for years to come! Finally, I am very appreciative of our case worker at The Arc, Sandy Lane. She has been so caring and full of helpful resources from the beginning of our relationship. I feel she truly loves Riley Jane. She has been a gift as we walk through this journey with our princess.

We cannot thank The Arc and CLASS enough for this program. Thank you on behalf of all the families that benefit from CLASS.

Sincerely, 

Gayle Clark

We want to thank The Topfer Family Foundation for their continuous support of the Arc of the Arts Program. To show our gratitude, the Arc Artists recently created a painting for The Topfer Family Foundation to display in their lobby. The painting is a glance into the world that The Topfer Family Foundation has made possible- a look into our art studio. The image is a self-portrait of our many talented artists proudly holding up one of the paintings they were able to create in the Arc of the Arts Studio and Gallery thanks to the support of The Topfer Family Foundation.

The Topfer Family Foundation was formed for the purpose of helping people connect to tools and resources to be more self-sufficient. We are grateful to have their support.

Rachel Mallernee comes to The Arc with over 15 years of professional experience. She has worked in the non-profit field for more than six years and was most recently the Development Director at the American Cancer Society. Rachel has a passion for our mission, as she has several friends and family members that have dealt with and are dealing with the challenges of having a loved one with a disability.

Rachel is married to Louie, who works in the Insurance industry and they have a lively three year-old daughter named Stella. Rachel loves to be with friends and family, enjoys cooking (and eating) and writing short stories. She could not be more thrilled to be here at The Arc and is looking forward to meeting everyone as soon as she can.

Please join us in welcoming Rachel to our amazing team of volunteers and staff.