The Arc Westchester Hosts 70th Annual Membership Meeting
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. (PRWEB) July 09, 2019 -- The Arc Westchester, the County’s largest agency supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including those on the autism spectrum, and their families, hosted its 70th Annual Membership Meeting at The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center on June 11. More than 70 chapter members, invited guests, self-advocates, staff and board members were in attendance.
The Annual Meeting formally acknowledged changes to the organization’s board of directors. Of note, John Barrett, managing director of the investment sales division of RM Friedland, was named the newest board member. In addition, The Richard P. Swierat Self-Advocate of the Year Award, named after The Arc Westchester’s former executive director, was presented to Suzette Burgher, who attends day services at the organization’s Sheib Center in Yonkers.
One of the event’s highlights was the unveiling of the organization’s new values and overview of the resulting strategic plan.
“Over a year ago we surveyed our individuals and families to gain insight on the Top 5 values important for our organization to uphold in all our programs and initiatives,” said Tibi Guzmán, executive director and CEO of The Arc Westchester. “The families selected Independence, Safety, Relationships, Happiness and Health. Last year, we developed our three-year strategic plan and integrated these values in all our goals and objectives aimed to broaden our communication to families, staff and all our stakeholders, to develop innovative programs that foster wellbeing and to form initiatives that ensure long-term sustainability in this ever-changing environment.”
New to this year’s Annual Membership Meeting was a presentation from Helene Godin, president and CEO of By The Way Bakery. Her business has gone above and beyond in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities since becoming an Arc Westchester employer partner in 2016.
“Helene is one of our best program ambassadors who believes that giving those with special needs a chance to be a part of the workforce is aligned with her company’s mission to Bake the World a Better Place,” said Guzmán. “We are grateful that she was able to participate in our Annual Membership Meeting and share how hiring individuals with I/DD has positively impacted her business.”
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About The Arc Westchester
The Arc Westchester, founded in 1949, is the largest agency in Westchester County supporting children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum, and their families. Over 800 employees provide more than 2,000 individuals throughout the county with a broad range of innovative and effective programs and services designed to foster independence, productivity and participation in community life.
The mission of The Arc Westchester is to empower children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum, to achieve their potential by strengthening families and encouraging personal choices, abilities and interests.
The Arc Westchester is a chapter of The Arc and The Arc New York.
Kayleigh Lentz, Co-Communications, +1 9146660066, [email protected]
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