The Arc Advocate - LifeLong Advocacy

July/August 2013
The Arc Advocate
For people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities
Inside this issue:
Do You Know About...
2
Special Thanks
2
2nd Annual Sue Byrnes
Memorial Picnic
5
Weekly Activities
6
Special Points of
Interest:




Dine With The Arc
Annual Golf Outing
& Silent Auction
Update
Upcoming Events
Spotlight on
Associates
BACK TO SCHOOL
If you are or have a
student in need of
special education
advocacy services for
the upcoming school
year, take a proactive
approach and call the
Michigan Alliance for
Families today, at
800-552-4821, and let
them know that you
would like to work with
Tom Delia at The Arc of
Macomb County. If you
have any questions or
would like additional
information, please
contact Tom at
586-469-1600, ext. 122,
or by emailing him at
tdelia@arcservices.org
Information for Members & Friends of The Arc of Macomb County
Happy 60th
Anniversary to
The Arc of
Macomb County!
The Arc of Macomb County began operation in 1953 as a parent-inspired, grassroots
movement. Parents were concerned with the lack of community-based services for their
children with special needs and were looking for alternatives to institutions. On July 24,
1953, the National Association for Retarded Children officially recognized the Macomb
County Association for Retarded Children as its 278th local member unit. The agency
functioned as an educational facility until 1975, which brought the enactment of Public
Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (now known as Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA). When special education became law, the
programs offered by The Arc became more vocational in nature. For this reason, and to
meet the changing needs of the adult population served, the agency became the
Association for Retarded Citizens.
In 1985, the agency name was again changed, this time to ARC Services of Macomb, Inc.
to reflect its concern for all persons with special needs, to avoid labeling individuals, and
to emphasize the numerous services that were offered to individuals with special needs,
their families, and the community. Another name change took place in January, 2013,
when we became The Arc of Macomb County. The name change put the agency in line
with the state and national chapters of The Arc and allowed familiarity to consumers and
their families nationwide.
Today, The Arc of Macomb continues to emphasize community inclusion, personcentered planning, circles of support, and self-determination. It is the agency’s goal to
assist all individuals served to achieve recognition and acceptance as valued members of
their communities.
The Arc serves as an invaluable resource for those seeking assistance in Macomb
County. Contracted by Macomb County Community Mental Health and a vendor of the
State of Michigan, The Arc is a provider of services including vocational training both
within the work center and through community employment programs; community support
services including access to the community and assistance with life skills, activities of
daily living, and social skills; caregiver respite via the Shared Parenting Program; support
services such as guardianship and alternatives to guardianship; representative payee
services, whereby The Arc helps to ensure financial stability to those served; and
advocacy throughout the course of one’s life, from birth through death.
Looking back, we are amazed and honored when we realize the sheer number of people
we have had the pleasure of serving over the last 60 years. We extend our most sincere
(continued on page 3)
Page 2
Board of Directors
President: Sandra Williams
1st Vice President: Whitney
Swanson
2nd Vice President: Bruce
Manning
Secretary: Shari Fitzpatrick
Treasurer: Laurie O’Meara
Directors:
Tom Beardslee
Earl Bloomingburg
Gloria deBeauclair
Pat Nizza
Linda Paeth
Joseph Tinson
Erin Youngblood
Administrative Staff
Executive Director
Ronald Kimball
rfkimball@arcservices.org
Deputy Director
Lisa Lepine
llepine@arcservices.org
Carol Bommarito
Facility Services Coordinator
cbommarito@arcservices.org
Sue Camarata
Community Employment
Services Coordinator
scamarata@arcservices.org
Traci Comer
Adult Advocacy
tcomer@arcservices.org
Luanne DeGueisippe
Marketing & Labor Relations
luanned@arcservices.org
Tom Delia
Special Education Advocacy
tdelia@arcservices.org
Kelly Harrington
Community Support Services
Coordinator
kharrington@arcservices.org
Vanessa Jones
Representative Payee
Services
vjones@arcservices.org
Sue Lind
Quality Assurance
Coordinator
suelind@arcservices.org
Bill Range
Community Employment
Services Coordinator
wrange@arcservices.org
Mary Scarsella
Guardianship Representative
mscarsella@arcservices.org
Richard Scarsella
Guardianship Representative
rscarsella@arcservices.org
Kaira Serdoner
Community Support Services
Coordinator
krserdoner@arcservices.org
Theresa Smith
Guardianship Representative
tsmith@arcservices.org
Shelly Taras
Representative Payee
Services Coordinator
Special Thanks
We would like to thank the following individuals, groups, and/or businesses for
their generous contributions, which are vital to The Arc’s mission:
Paul Gayan
Laura Marble
Christopher Mushenski
Knights of Columbus St. Jane Frances de Chantal Council, #13340
Knights of Columbus St. John Vianney Council, #11772
Knights of Columbus St. Therese of Lisieux Council, #11957
The following donations were made in loving memory of Roland Nieman:
Pastor & Mrs. David Allen
Phyllis & Stanley Chrabaszeski
Mark & Dena Davey
Donald & Gloria deBeauclair
Arlene DeGrandchamp
David & Darcy Filkoski
Jim & Sandy Gillis
Gail Holland
Kenneth & M. Kay Kuck
Denny & Debbie Laskowski
James & Carol Meza
Dale & Loraine Middleton
Henry & Corinne Scheper
William & Eleanor Schoenjahn
G. & J. Wilson
The following donation was made in recognition of the 25th wedding anniversary of Ken
and Kay Kuck:
Marilyn, Dale & Karen Nieman
Dine With The Arc on August 22nd
Enjoy a good meal for a great cause all day long on the fourth Thursday of each
month! Join us at Bath City Bistro, 75 Macomb Place, Mt. Clemens. Mention The Arc
of Macomb and Bath City Bistro will donate 10% of your bill to The Arc! Mark your
calendar now for lunch and dinner at Bath City Bistro every fourth Thursday!
Do You Know About...The Arc of the United States?
In 1950, a small group of parents and other concerned individuals came together to act
as voices for change. At the time, little was known about the condition of intellectual
disabilities (then referred to as “mental retardation”) or its causes. There were virtually no
programs or community activities to assist in the development and care of children and
adults with intellectual disabilities or to support their families.
It was common at that time for doctors to tell parents that the best place for their children
was an institution. Emboldened by their collective desire to raise their children in their
homes and their stubborn refusal to accept that institutionalization was the only option, The
Arc’s founders fought even harder. Like the parent of any child, they wanted more for their
children. They wanted their children to lead fulfilling lives in the community, not hidden
away in institutions. It was in that spirit that The Arc of the United States was born. At the
outset, the organization was committed to altering perceptions of children with intellectual
and developmental disabilities and to educating parents and others regarding the potential
of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc also worked to procure
services for children and adults who were denied an education, the right to attend day care
and preschools, and the right to work.
Over the last 63 years, The Arc of the United States has grown and adapted to the
changes that people with disabilities face throughout their lives. Like The Arc of Macomb
County, The Arc of the United States has made a number of name changes. Originally
(continued on page 3)
Page 3
thanks to our members and to the community for the confidence you have placed in us by allowing us to
work with you and your loved ones. We very much look forward to the growth, change, and yes, even the
challenges that are to come over the next 60 years and beyond.
The Arc’s original certificate of membership, dated July 24, 1953, reflects the needs of the community, as well as the accepted language
at the time. In September, 2010, Rosa’s Law was passed, which legislates the removal of the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally
retarded” from federal health, education and labor policy. The terms “intellectual disability” and “individual with an intellectual disability” are
to be inserted in their place. The changes continue to occur as laws and documents come up for revision.
(continued from page 2)
known as the National Association for Retarded Children (NARC) from 1953-1973, the name was then changed to the
National Association for Retarded Citizens (NARC). That name was in place from 1973-1981, when it was changed to the
Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC). In 1992, the organization became known as The Arc of the United States. Though
the name has changed, the mission of the group has always remained a constant: to assure that those with intellectual
disabilities are valued members of their communities. Throughout the years, The Arc has advocated for the passage of state
and federal legislation on behalf of people with disabilities and established a broad network of state and local chapters that
range from small groups of volunteers to large, professional organizations.
From its humble beginnings as a small group of parents gathered in Minneapolis, MN in 1950, The Arc has been a major
influence in the development of legislation, programs, and services for individuals with intellectual disabilities across the
nation. In the 1950s, The Arc became the first organization to put money into research on intellectual and developmental
disabilities. The Arc helped to expose the link between lead poisoning and brain damage in infants and children, and also
opened a Governmental Affairs Office in Washington, D.C. in the 1960s. The 1970s brought the enactment of Public Law
94-142, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which guarantees a free appropriate public
education for all children with disabilities, and The Arc was there then, too. In the 1980s, The Arc helped create the Civil
Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act, which gave the U.S. Justice Department statutory authority to protect the rights of
institutionalized individuals, and they successfully pushed Congress to add disability as a protected class under the Fair
Housing Act. The Arc was a leader among national disability groups to advocate for the landmark Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990. Also in the 1990s, The Arc launched a national media and advertising campaign to raise awareness about the
dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. As a result of these efforts, the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention and
Education Act was passed by Congress. The Millennium brought additional challenges to be addressed, as The Arc
supported the passage of the American with Disabilities Act Amendments which restored lost protections stemming from
Supreme and lower court decisions. The organization played a key role in stopping Medicaid cuts, worked to expand
Medicaid supports for low and middle-income families, and participated in the drafting of the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Arc also won expanded provisions in IDEA and in the Higher Education Act,
which help students move from public schooling to higher education, employment and adult life.
The rich history leading to successful outcomes would not be possible without the significant number of dedicated parents,
family members, volunteers, staff and other advocates from all over the nation who share The Arc’s vision, including those
involved with The Arc of Macomb County.
Find the information contained in this article and additional facts, testimonials and historical accounts at www.thearc.org.
Click on “Who We Are” and then “History.”
Page 4
Annual Golf Outing & Silent Auction Update
The Annual Golf Outing & Silent Auction was held at the beautiful Sycamore Hills Golf Club on Saturday, May 11th.
The day concluded at the clubhouse with prizes, raffles, the silent auction and a delicious steak dinner. Many of the
prizes awarded were generously donated by local businesses.
The Arc gratefully acknowledges, with sincere appreciation, the support from the following special sponsors of this
year’s event:
Corporate Sponsor
Rx Specialties NH Pharmacy
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Lori “Woj” Dillard, D.O.
Hole-In-One Sponsor
Mobility Works
Major Contributors
Allied Insurance Managers, Inc.; Citizens Bank; Owen Barba; LGK & Associates PC; Mid American Supply;
Linda Paeth; Brad Raymond.
Tee Sponsors
The Alberti Family; Allied Insurance Managers, Inc.; American Cleaning, LLC; Arc Friends from Bingo; Creative
Solutions Group, Inc.; Davis-Vandenbossche Insurance Agency; Donice Breza, Century 21 Town & Country;
Harold W. Vick Funeral Home, Inc.; J & J Sheet Metal; J. Spagnuolo & Associates, PC; LGK & Associates, PC;
LifeLong Advocacy; Metro PCS, Hall Rd. & Clinton Township locations; Mid American Supply; Motor City
Co-op Credit Union; Novelty House; Petitpren Inc.; Springhill Housing Corp.; Total Sports; Triangle Vending
Service; UAW Local 600.
Donors
Achatz Pie Co., Chesterfield; AM-DYN-IC Fluid Power, Chesterfield; AMF Rose Bowl Lanes, Roseville;
Applebee’s, Roseville & Utica; Kathryn Baker; BD’s Mongolian Grill, Sterling Heights; Belle Tire Corporate
Office; Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, Shelby; Brann’s Steakhouse, Macomb; Buca DiBeppo, Utica; Buffalo
Wild Wings, Chesterfield & Mt. Clemens; Carrabba’s, Sterling Heights; Cheeseburger In Paradise, Sterling
Heights; Ciccarelli’s Sports Bar, Shelby; The Country Inn, Clinton Twp.; Creative Solutions Group, Clawson;
Dave and Buster’s, Utica; Detroit Tigers, Inc.; Dick’s Sporting Goods Corporate Office; Dooley’s, Sterling
Heights; Dunham’s Corporate Office; Engine House, Mt. Clemens; Famous Dave’s, Roseville; Filipo Marc
Winery, Clinton Twp.; Glitz & Ears Boutique, Clinton Twp.; GolfSmith Corporate Office; Henry Ford Macomb
Hospitals; Hooter’s, Roseville; Home Depot, Macomb & Chesterfield; IHOP, Sterling Hts./Lakeside Mall;
Jawor’s Golf, Roseville; Jimmy John’s, Chesterfield & Macomb; Christine Kerney; Lowe’s, Chesterfield;
Luciano’s, Clinton Twp.; MacRay Harbor, Harrison Twp.; Maggiano’s Little Italy, Troy; Mark Ridley’s Comedy
Castle, Royal Oak; Susan McIntosh, RN; Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester; Morley Candy, Clinton Twp.;
National Coney Island, Utica, Macomb Twp. & Macomb Mall; Nestle Toll House, Partridge Creek; Pat Nizza;
Olive Garden, Sterling Hts./Lakeside Mall; Outback, Shelby; Panera Bread Corporate; Pantry Restaurant,
Clinton Twp.; MJR Partridge Creek Digital Cinema 14; Pei Wei, Sterling Hts./Lakeside Mall; PF Chang’s,
Clinton Twp./Partridge Creek; Ray Wiegand’s Nursery, Macomb; David Schultz; Sherwood Brewing Co.,
Shelby; Slagle Family Wellness, Shelby; Stacy’s Golf Center, Warren; Starbuck’s, Clinton Twp./Partridge Creek
& Shelby; Stevi B’’s Pizza, Chesterfield; Straiger’s Sunbright Flowers, Clinton Twp.; Sunrise Sunset Saloon,
Grosse Pointe Park; Whitney Swanson; Sycamore Hills Golf Club, Macomb; Target, Macomb; Texas
Roadhouse, Roseville; TGI Friday’s, Utica.
Upcoming Events
2nd Annual Sue Byrnes Memorial Picnic: September 28th. See page 5 for details.
Annual Fall Garage Sale: October 12th-13th. Please consider donating items. Items may be dropped off at The Arc
Mon.-Fri. from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. For the safety of our volunteers, please wrap all glass/breakable items.
Special Education Fair: October 19th. 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD),
44100 Garfield, Clinton Twp.
Mom-to-Mom Sale: November 9th. Registration information will be in September Advocate. Vendors welcome
(Mary Kay, Lia Sophia, Pampered Chef, etc.). Donations accepted at The Arc Mon.-Fri. from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Texas Hold ‘Em: November 23rd-26th. Held at Big Beaver Tavern, 645 E. Big Beaver, in Troy. Tables are open for
cash games and tournaments from 4:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. each date; tournaments begin promptly at 4:00 and 7:00.
Annual Gift Wrap at Macomb Mall: “Black Friday” (November 29th) through Christmas Eve (December 24th). Save
tons of time around the holidays by bringing your gifts to Macomb Mall where, for a nominal fee, our volunteers will
wrap them for you.
Page 5
Please join us as we celebrate our 60th Anniversary and show our appreciation
for our consumers, their families and our community in conjunction with
The 2nd Annual Sue Byrnes Memorial Picnic
When: Saturday, September 28th at 1:30 p.m. (Food service begins at 3:30 p.m.)
Where: Lake St. Clair Metro Park, in Harrison Twp. at Metro Pkwy. & Jefferson
(Parking is $5.00 per vehicle; free with Metro Parks Pass. Picnic will take place in the southeast area of the park.)
Food & Activity Tickets:
$1.00 each
Six for $5.00
Ticket Bundle $15.00
(bundle contains 12 food tickets,
2 game/event tickets, & one raffle ticket)
*Moon
e
Bounc
*Face
g
Paintin oss
T
o
g
g
a
*B
r Ball
*Ladde le
b
*Inflata ll
a
B
e
e
k
S
*Ha
*Ho mburg
*Co t Dogs ers
*Sn tton C
*Co ow Co andy
o
nes
Dec kie
ora
ting
*Tin Can Raffle
*50/50 Raffle
Sponsored by:
The Arc of Macomb is a non-profit organization. Please consider making a tax-exempt donation today.
Spotlight on Associates
This month the Spotlight is on Luanne DeGueisippe. Luanne has been at The Arc longer than almost anyone else;
her longevity is surpassed only by The Arc’s Executive Director, Ron Kimball. When Luanne joined the administrative
staff she brought with her a host of professional experiences and an impressive educational background. She holds
an Associates of Arts degree from St. Clair County Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Family and
Children’s Services Specialty Certificate from Eastern Michigan University, and a Master of Social Work degree from
Wayne State University. She also holds a Clinical and Macro Social Work License from the State of Michigan. In
addition, she has professional teaching experience, having served as a field instructor for student interns, a guest
lecturer for college mental health courses, a symposium facilitator member, and a member of the Speaker’s Bureau.
Throughout her 36-year tenure at The Arc, Luanne has held a variety of positions including Behavior Specialist and
Job Development Specialist. She presently serves as the Marketing and Labor Relations Manager. Her current
responsibilities include labor relations, public relations, supervision of the facility-based vocational services, special
education advocacy, and quality assurance. Luanne has also organized the agency’s Annual Golf Outing & Silent
Auction for the past seven years.
Luanne reports that it has been an incredible journey from 1977 to 2013. She witnessed firsthand the transition from
deinstitutionalization to the success and independence currently being experienced by the individuals we serve.
Luanne reports that it has been both a privilege and an honor to have helped people establish the lives of their
dreams and achieve their goals while working at and with The Arc of Macomb County.
The Arc of Macomb County
44050 N. Gratiot Avenue
Clinton Township, MI 48036-1308
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage Paid
Mt. Clemens, MI
PERMIT #155
CURRENT RESIDENT
Weekly Activities
Phone: 586-469-1600
Fax: 586-569-4338
www.arcservices.org
facebook.com/ARCServicesofMacomb
@ARCSvcsmacomb
Bingo
Where:
Warren Plaza Hall (SW
Corner of I-696 and
Schoenherr)
When:
EVERY TUESDAY
Morning Bingo: doors open
at 8:30 a.m.; games begin
at 10:30 a.m.
Evening Bingo: doors open
at 4:00 p.m.; games begin
at 6:30 p.m.
Dance Exercise Class
ARC Raiders Bowling
Where:
CC Plus (300 N. Groesbeck
Hwy, Mt. Clemens)
Where:
Sterling Lanes Bowling
Center (14 Mile and
Schoenherr)
When:
Wednesdays
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Cost:
$28 (prepaid) for 8 sessions,
or drop-in for $4 per session.
All fitness levels welcome!
When:
Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.
Cost:
$5 per Week
Contact Information:
Betty (586) 575-9798 or
Barb (586) 790-9813
About The Arc of Macomb County
For people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities
The Arc of Macomb County is a CARF accredited, 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association
composed of people with disabilities, parents, friends and professionals involved with
supporting people with disabilities in Macomb County, Michigan. The Arc exists to assure that
people with disabilities are valued and that they and their families can participate fully in, and
contribute to, the life of their communities. We are committed to securing, for all people with
disabilities, the opportunities to choose and realize their goals and dreams regarding where
and how they learn, live, play, and work.