Advocacy & You: Now Is The Time!!!

Please consider joining one of our new Advocacy Impact Teams - if you haven't already - and take advantage of an education program on January 19th at 6:30, Advocacy and You: Now's the Time!, to learn more about the challenges we can expect in the upcoming General Assembly and how you can be an advocate for the funding, programs, and policies affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 
Both of these opportunities are intended to strengthen our impact on the legislative process during the upcoming MD General Assembly (running from January 13th-April 11th) - and prepare for Developmental Disabilities Day in Annapolis on February 10th (if you can plan to attend).
 
Also, note the actions required to participate  -- contact information to sign up for the impact team on the flyer and rsvp for the education program. 



Developmental Disabilities Day In Annapolis
 
Please join us as citizens with developmental disabilities, families, providers and advocates convene in Annapolis to meet with legislators about critical disability issues at Developmental Disabilities Day in Annapolis.
 

Thursday, February 19, 2015
 
8:30 AM - 11 AM - Registration & Cont. Breakfast,
                                   Legislative Briefing & Program
 
11:30 AM - Meetings with Legislators
 
We will make appointments for participants registered through The Arc Baltimore.
 
Loews Annapolis Hotel- Atrium & Ballroom
126 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
 
If you would like to attend or need more information, please contact Nina Georgopoulos at 410-296-2272 ext. 5210. If there is enough interest in transportation, we will provide a bus to Annapolis. Please be sure to let us know if you are interested.

Holiday Shopping At The Arc
  
The holidays are a special time of year and we are grateful for all the contributors who made it possible for families connected to The Arc Baltimore to enjoy a wonderful holiday with their loved ones. Some picked up gifts that were donated by groups who "adopted" them and purchased something for everyone. Others came in to see the room full of donated toys and clothes for kids and adults, and they are selecting items for their families. We were able to help over twenty-five families this holiday season. The wishes of many of the families were fulfilled.  Thank you from us to you!
 
Sibshops  

Please come and join us for our free monthly peer support workshop, Sibshops.  Each workshop allows brothers and sisters of children with special needs to participate in a fun, energetic, and activity driven experience.  Sibshops intermingles discussion activities, games, play, food, and most of all peer support.


Saturday, January 16, 2016
The Arc Baltimore
7215 York Road, Baltimore 21212
10:30am-1:30pm (ages 6-13)

Next Session - February 20, 2016
  
For more information or to register, contact Kelly Bell: 410-296-2272 ext. 5319 by January 14, 2016.

Parents Day Out
  
We invite you to take advantage of our Parents' Day Out respite program.  Take some time to restore yourself and leave your children with disabilities and their siblings in the trained and qualified hands of volunteers for a morning of fun.  See below for upcoming opportunities in 2016.


100 Church Lane, Cockeysville 21030

If you have any questions and to register, please contact Traci Moore, Support Coordinator, at 410-296-2272 ext. 5322.  
Happy New Year!
 
Resolution anyone? Start the New Year off with a resolution to support the work of The Arc Baltimore. Make a gift now, or join our Circle of Giving monthly giving program. Designate a SMALL gift for electronic transfer from your credit card or checking account and by the end of the year, it will have a BIG impact. Click here for the form to enroll in monthly giving.


Sprout Film Festival
 
The Arc Baltimore and Towson University will co-host their 4th annual Sprout Film Festival that showcases entertaining and memorable films featuring and created by people with developmental disabilities. All ages are welcome to take part in a screening of shorts, music videos and documentaries.
 
Saturday, April 23, 2016
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Towson University

Tickets available soon

Parent Support Groups

Join us each month to laugh, cry, and share stories with other parents of children of all ages with developmental disabilities as they discuss the joys and challenges that they and their child face.

Moms Understand

Moms of children of all ages with developmental disabilities meet on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Please RSVP to Dianna Morgan at 410-296-2272, ext. 5311.

Moms Understand II
Moms of adult children with developmental disabilities meet on the third Thursday of every month from 12:30 - 2:30 pm. Please RSVP to Swanisha Hinton at 410-296-2272 ext. 5306.

 

Guy Talk

Dads of children of all ages with developmental disabilities meet on the fourth Thursday of the month. Please connect with us. Please RSVP to Mercedes Thompson at 410-296-2272, ext. 5318.

All meetings are held at the main office at The Arc Baltimore, 7215 York Road, Baltimore 21212.

Don't Miss Out on Planning for the Future?
 
Planning for the future of an only child? Or helping prepare siblings or other family members to take over in future years? Want to protect your child's future benefits? If you couldn't attend the November education program on Futures Planning, make a point to look up these two important organizations that can help with these kinds of questions and more. 
 
For more information, click on By Their Side and First Maryland Trust.
The Arc Wants To Know .....


Are you interested in becoming a foster parent? 
  
We offer competitive stipends, monthly training, and 24 hours a day support. The Arc Baltimore in partnership with the state's Department of Human Resources and Social Services, provides children with special needs throughout the Greater Baltimore area with treatment foster care services.
  
For more information, please contact Misty Jones, 443-279-3157. 
Enews Subscription
  
The Arc has three monthly enewsletters (Catalyst, Reaching Families, and Volunteers & Interns) and an Advocacy Network with as-needed alerts. Subscribe to one or all. 
 
  
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