Archived News/Press

In commemoration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) and Dominion Resources, Inc. co-hosted the first annual Disability Employment Champions Awards Breakfast on October 24, 2006 at Virginia Crossings Resort in Glen Allen, Virginia. The statewide event was the culmination of a series of local events held by DRS throughout the Commonwealth to honor individuals and organizations in public, private, and non-profit sectors that have helped further DRS’s mission to empower individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence and full inclusion into society. As the first winner of the new award, Governor Timothy M. Kaine was among nine awardees honored at the breakfast for “championing” the employment of people with disabilities. Read More

ARC is pleased to announce that Dr. Colleen Kraft, the Walter E. Bundy Professor and Chair of the Division of Community Pediatrics at Virginia Commonwealth University, has joined ARC as the new Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) medical director. Dr. Kraft practices pediatrics with Pediatric and Adolescent Health Partners, P.C., where her interest is in caring for children with special healthcare needs. She is also the Medical Director at Medical Home Plus, Inc., a 501(c )3 non-profit organization that connects families to community resources. Read More

The annual ARC golf tournament benefiting the Infant and Child Development Services of the Greater Richmond ARC has a new name: “A Round of Good,” which is fitting since it also set a new record in terms of attendees and funds raised: 29 teams and $17,000.

The fundraiser was held September 25 at Richmond Country Club in Manakin-Sabot. Major sponsors included The Haskins Family, Haynes Jeep, The Greater Richmond New Car Dealers’ Association, Coca Cola, Dominion Youth Services, Uptown Color, Graphics Gallery and Mulligan’s Golf Shop.
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CARF (founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) announced in August 2006 that the Greater Richmond ARC has been accredited for a period of three years for its employment services in the areas of community employment, job development, job supports, job-site training, employee development services and organizational employment services. The accreditation will extend through June 2009. The achievement is an indication of ARC’s dedication ad commitment to improving the quality of the lives of those ARC serves. Read More

A record number of summer campers attended Camp Baker in 2006. Some highlights of the ’06 summer camp season include a record number of residential and day campers at Camp Baker – 429 up from 386 in summer ’05 and from 305 in summer ’04.
Camp Baker also offered 2-week sessions for first time – one for children & adolescents, one for adults. However, the adult session was better attended, and staff is currently assessing whether youth session should be offered later in the summer to accommodate younger campers.

Staff also took a one-week mid-summer break for first time while another group leased the camp. Counselors who have worked other summers recommend keeping this model because it significantly decreased “battle fatigue” and improved accident/injury avoidance.

Davison Chapman, 3, gripped his walker tight and stomped his tiny feet in time to “We are the dinosaurs,” a children’s song by the Laurie Berkner band. He and his mother, Blake Chapman, were singing one of his favorite tunes on a sunny Tuesday afternoon on the playground of Trinity United Methodist Church in Richmond’s west end.

“He loves to stand in his walker and sing and dance along,” said his father, Keith Chapman, director of clinical engineering at MCV Hospitals in Richmond. Chapman smiled broadly as he watched his son clap at the end of the song.
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The two spring Ladybug events – a wine dinner held Sunday, March 19th at Old Original Bookbinder’s Restaurant and the Ladybug Winetasting & Silent Auction held at Plant Zero on May 13th – raised more than $123,000. The silent auction, directed by ARC Board Member Don Stevens, brought in just over $28,000, more than double the 2005 amount.

A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to Featured Wineries, Select Restaurants and Community Sponsors and all who supported the Ladybug Fund events in 2006. Your kind generosity and support helps young children with developmental disabilities and delays achieve to their fullest potential.

Save the date: The 2007 Ladybug Winetasting & Silent Auction held at Plant Zero on Saturday, April 28, 2007.

Dr. Joe and April Niamtu, longtime ARC advocates and parents of ICDS graduates Joey and Evan Niamtu, were named as honorary ARC Spokescouple at the annual Ladybug Fund wine dinner held at the Old Original Bookbinder's Restaurant on Sunday March 19th.

The Niamtus will appear in an ARC TV commercial that will begin airing In April on WWBT Channel 12 and selected Comcast Cable channels. The TV spot is designed to raise awareness of ARC and its four core service areas: Infant & Child Development Services, After School & Day Support, Civitan Vocational Services and Camp Baker in Chesterfield County (to view TV spot, click the TV link in the left-hand margin of this Web page).

Photo: Dr. Joe, Evan, Joey and April Niamtu enjoy some family time at home.

Download a copy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch article on the Niamtus below. Read More

On Sunday, March 19th, the Ladybug Fund wine dinner was held at Old Original Bookbinder's Restaurant. A record 178 guest attended this year's dinner, the first of two annual Ladybug fundraising events held each March and May. Dr. Joe & April Niamtu, ARC parents and newly-named honorary ARC spokespeople, presented the first annual Ladybug Award to the ICDS "Power Moms," a.k.a. Karen Manning Horsey, Carol Finberg, Elizabeth Hazelton, Fran McDermott, Cindy Weinstock and Vicki Beatty. The Power Moms were honored for their meritorious service to children with special needs and their families.

The second spring Ladybug fundraising event, the Ladybug Winetasting & Silent Auction, will be held at Plant Zero on May 13th. 600 guests are expected this year, so please hurry and order your tickets ($75 per person) by calling 358-1874. Together, we can ensure that Ladybug Fund scholarships are available for ANY family who needs ARC's Infant and Child Development Services.

Photo - ARC "Power Moms" honored: Vicki Beatty, Karen Manning Horsey, Elizabeth Hazelton, Carol Finberg, Cindy Weinstock and Fran McDermott.

Gwaltney Fleming, a Richmond architectural, design and general contracting firm, will renovate at no cost key areas of the Greater Richmond ARC's headquarters on Westwood Avenue. These include the organization's lobby and Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) offices.

In particular, ARC is interested in updating its ICDS offices to provide a friendly, supportive atmosphere for both children and their families, many of whom are working for the first time with a development disability. ICDS, an important part of the Greater Richmond ARC, provided specialized services for approximately 370 children and their families in 2005.

Photo: ICDS Director Lisa Cox and Gwaltney Fleming Lead Architect Asli Uluaydin hold samples of carpet and tile that will be used in the ARCspace '06 pro bono remodeling project. Read More

The ARC's Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) is currently offering "Write On! Right Away", an eight-week program that teaches handwriting skills to children from pre-Kindergarten through the 5th grade. Using the popular program, "Handwriting Without Tears," children participate in a weekly 1 ½ hour group session. The program is adapted for each child according to their specific handwriting skills. Read More

The Greater Richmond ARC honored the Loyal Order of The Moose, Richmond-Manchester Lodge #699, during a ceremony at the Lodge's February meeting. The Richmond-Manchester Moose Lodge #699 donated a total of $8,700 to ARC's Camp Baker in Chesterfield County in 2005, mostly through Bingo proceeds. Pat Robson, ARC Board member, presented the award after giving a presentation to Manchester Moose leadership on ARC and Camp Baker. The award reads, in part, "With Deep Gratitude and Affection for Your Many Years of Loyal Support."

Pictured (L to R): Buck Walden, Manchester Moose Governor; Pat Robson, Greater Richmond ARC Board of Directors; Ray Chalkley, Manchester Moose Administrator

Richmond, VA – February 21, 2006 – Ten area women have been selected as the 2006 Outstanding Women by the YWCA of Richmond. This year's winners are Jo B. Kennedy, Paula Paster Gulak, Nancy Wright Beasley, Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary, Delores L. McQuinn, Aradhana Bela Sood, M.D., Lynne B. Hughes, Anne B. Holton, Martha Franck Rollins, and Geraldine Byrd Story.

Pictured: ARC Board member Mrs. Geraldine Story (right) the recipient of the YWCA Outstanding Women Award for Community Volunteerism. Her sister, LaVerne Byrd-Smith (left)was a past honoree in the area of Communications. Read More

In late 2005 the ARC Westwood Avenue After School staff began calling various nonprofit organizations in the Richmond area to determine the viability of volunteer opportunities for the older children in our program.

They soon discovered one of the best places the children could help others also happened to be right around the corner: the Richmond SPCA on Hermitage Road. Read More

Virginia House of Delegates Republicans today committed to improving mental health services by continuing their efforts to restructure the delivery of mental health services in Virginia. Delegates Phillip A. Hamilton (R-Newport News), Del. R. Steven Landes (R- Weyers Cave), Del. Samuel A. Nixon (R-Chesterfield) and Delegate Vincent F. Callahan, Jr. (R-Fairfax) made the announcement at a press conference at the Patrick Henry building adjacent to the Capitol.

"Virginia has long struggled with finding the right balance between the need for and funding of community and facility care for individuals with mental disabilities in Virginia," Delegate Hamilton said.

Pictured: Delegate Phillip Hamilton (R-Newport News) is flanked by House GOP members Del. Steven Landes (R-Weyers Cave) and Del. Samuel A. Nixon, Jr. (R-Chesterfield) Read More

ARC is gearing up for its 6th annual Ladybug Fund winetasting events. The Ladybug Fund Sponsors' Wine Dinner will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 19th at The Old Original Bookbinder's (2306 E. Cary St.) and the Ladybug Fund Winetasting & Silent Auction will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, May 13th at Plant Zero (Zero E. Fourth Street).

Tickets for the wine dinner are $150 per person; tickets for the winetasting are $75 per person. Reserve yours now! Call 358-1874. Sponsorship opportunities are still available - contact Kim Jeremiah at kim.jeremiah@RichmondARC.org or Ladybug@RichmondARC.org Read More

Jacqueline Allen and Pamela Linsey, two Greater Richmond ARC crew leaders working at the Defense Supply Center-Richmond (DSCR), were recently invited to perform the honors of raising and lowering the American flag each day at the large military base in Chesterfield County.

"ARC is a great organization of professional people who do a wonderful job," said Bruce Butcher, base public safety office chief. "ARC and DSCR are already partners in several ventures on base." Butcher said the flag detail partnership is an excellent match and that DSCR is happy to entrust the patriotic responsibility to ARC employees. Read More

The Greater Richmond ARC and Trinity United Methodist Church hosted a holiday party for children in ARC's Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) program at the Church located at 903 Forest Avenue on Tuesday, December 13th.

This year's party was particularly exciting because of the amount of donations collected: over 300 new books and $170 in cash contributions.

"Because of the growth of the party over the past few years, we would be unable to love our kids this way without the help of Trinity United Methodist Church, their youth group and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. We are so grateful to celebrate with our children through the community's generosity," said Lisa Cox, Director of ARC's Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) program. Read More

The Knights of Columbus, Bishop Ireton Council #6189 recently built on their long standing relationship with the Greater Richmond ARC through significant contributions to Camp Baker in 2005. The Knights of Columbus, Bishop Ireton Council #6189's total contributions to Camp Baker totaled $10,150 for the year. Grand Knight Gene Zimmerman says the Knights raised most of the funds through Bingo games, organized by club member Bobby Brodzinski. Mr. Zimmerman presented the $10,500 check to Marshall Butler, president of the Greater Richmond ARC. In return, Mr. Butler presented a plaque to Mr. Zimmerman in recognition of the work that the Knights of Columbus have done in support of people with disabilities. Read More

$500 million initiative builds on efforts to boost community-based & institutional care

Governor Mark R. Warner announced Tuesday, December 6, proposals that will take the next significant steps to help Virginians seeking treatment in the Commonwealth's mental health and mental retardation care system. The initiative begins long overdue improvements to the state's system of residential treatment, and continues investing in the Commonwealth's network of community-based mental health services.

(Pictured: Greater Richmond ARC clients Paula Jones and Marco Inniss with Governor Warner at the State Capitol). Read More

Civitan Vocational Services has undertaken a "down time" jewelry-making project that is proving to be not only rewarding for program participants, but potentially profitable.

In between paying Civitan contract projects, program participants are stringing multi-colored beads and sterling silver blocks bearing various letter combinations to make a beautiful customized bracelets and necklaces for men and women. Depending on preferred color schemes and letter combinations, the jewelry can be customized for area businesses, organizations and schools/universities. The most popular versions so far are purple-beaded bracelets bearing the sterling silver "A" "R" "C" initials. Read More

Camp Baker's Emergency Respite Program enters its second year serving children and adults who are in immediate need of respite care. 27 children and adults have been served in 2005 as of October 1.

Dozens of individuals with disabilities have used Camp Baker for respite when their parents or caregivers have needed us in emergency situations. We have also provided emergency respite care to many awaiting permanent placement in a home or facility. Read More

Thrirteen ARC personal computers and monitors, recently retired from service after an IT upgrade, were donated to Potter's Digital Wheel, an outreach ministry of Sherbourne United Methodist Church in Chesterfield County. Cindy Ray, a spokesperson for Potter's Digital Wheel, was thrilled with the donation. Read More

The Greater Richmond ARC literally took their winning contest slogan "Always Responding with Compassion" to the streets on Saturday, October 1 in Richmond.

The Richmond ARC chapter joined other statewide groups in a march from Mayo Island to the State Capitol grounds to publicize the need for additional funds for those with mental retardation and other related developmental disabilities. The event was organized and hosted by the Virginia State ARC. Read More

The Knights of Columbus, Bishop Ireton Council recently built on their long standing relationship with ARC through its significant contributions to Camp Baker. Grand Knight Gene Zimmerman says the Knights raise their funds through Bingo games, organized by club member Bobby Brodzinski.

"We really depend on this organization and others, like the Manchester-Richmond Moose Lodge. They truly are long-time supporters," said Demis Stewart, ARC Executive Vice President. "We extended summer camp an extra week in 2005 because of the volume of applicants. We wouldn't have the resources to serve these additional families with out their help." Other's who support the camp's scholarship program include St. Paul's Church Home, Hon Industries and the Innsbrook Rotary Club.

The Sixth Annual Greater Richmond ARC Golf Tournament benefiting the Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) program was held at Richmond Country Club in Manakin-Sabot. The weather was perfect for a fall golf outing and players were enjoyed a day of friendly competition and fun. A record 29 teams participated with a number of corporate sponsors, hole sponsors and team sponsors pitching in to make this year's tournament a success. Read More

Campers from around Virginia enjoyed the 45th session of summer camp held at Camp Baker in Chesterfield County. The 2005 session was highlighted by fun-filled, rewarding camp activities and good times were enjoyed by 386 campers of all ages. Read More

New in 2005, a employee committee of Kraft Foods selected Camp Baker as the recipient of a Kraft Cares Grant. The grant, which supported the Camp's summer food program, was awarded to promote a healthy lifestyle for campers.

Said Kraft spokesman Larry Campbell, "At Kraft, we believe we have the responsibility and the commitment to give back in support of the communities where we live and do business. Sharing our resources in this way has been part of our heritage. And, we're pleased to be able to support the excellent work done by The Greater Richmond ARC on behalf of children with special needs."

Raymond Hall, Chief of Installation Management/Chief Engineer at the Defense Supply Center-Richmond (DSCR), was selected for a National Industries for the Severely Disabled (NISH)-East Region "Outstanding JWOD Service Award-2005." The award was presented to Ray by William Smith (NISH East Region) and Marshall Butler, President of The Greater Richmond ARC and staff on July 11, 2005. Read More

Times-Dispatch business columnist and writer Bob Rayner covers the successful conclusion of the "What Is ARC?" online contest, part of ARC's public awareness campaign. During the three-week contest, ARC received approximately 150 unique entries. Rick Wilkinson of Richmond is the contest winner with "Always Responding with Compassion."

Presented by The Market at Tobacco Row, ARC's Annual Ladybug Dinner and Winetasting raised over $100,000 for The Greater Richmond ARC's Infant and Child Development Services' Ladybug Fund this spring. The Fund helps pay for tuition for children who need ICDS services, but whose families have trouble paying for them. Read More

Business columnist and writer Bob Rayner of the Richmond Times-Dispatch covers the launch of ARC's first-ever awareness campaign designed to raise ARC's profile in Greater Richmond. "What Is ARC?" is the campaign theme and features an online contest.

The 5th Annual Greater Richmodn ARC Ladybug Fund Winetasting & Silent Auction held at Tredegar Ironworks is featured in the Sunday Flair section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch by Flair editor Susan Boisseau.

Melvin Jackson, an employee at The Jefferson Hotel's T.J.'s Restaurant in Richmond, was honored with an "Excellence of Service" award by the Governor's Commission on Hospitality & Tourism at a ceremony held in March in downtown Richmond. Read More

This past spring, ARC undertook two very important new projects: an identity makeover and the launch of its first-ever public awareness campaign. The new logo reflects the marketing name change from the Richmond Area ARC to The Greater Richmond ARC. We're looking to staff, volunteers, board members and friends of ARC to tell the Greater Richmond community that, in partnership with families, we serve individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities that cover the lifespan. The public name change also reflects the growing community we serve. Read More