Announcing a partnership with The Arc for local cooperation in pursuit of our common missions
Civitan International and The Arc have entered a strategic partnership to increase awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, and to connect those families to volunteer activities and resources.
Read the press release.
About The Arc: The Arc advocates for and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy, and other diagnoses. Founded in 1950 by parents who knew their disabled children deserved more, The Arc is now the largest grassroots organization for people with IDD with nearly 600 chapters in 47 states and Washington, DC.
“Too often, people with IDD are left out of volunteer opportunities in their community. This partnership is about changing that. When Civitan members show up and stand alongside people with disabilities, it sends a powerful message: you matter, and we’re in this together. The Arc is proud to join forces with an organization that’s not just talking about inclusion—they’ve been doing the work for generations.”
Katy Neas,
CEO of The Arc of the United States
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“Civitan’s mission to serve is made even stronger through this partnership with The Arc. By combining our efforts, we can promote more inclusive communities where individuals with disabilities are not just accepted but celebrated for their unique contributions. We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that will benefit the millions of people with IDD and their families across the nation and beyond.”
Mark Eisinger,
Executive Vice President of Civitan International
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Through this partnership, we aim to:
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Increase awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with IDD and their families.
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Offer more meaningful volunteer opportunities for members of both organizations.
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Facilitate collaboration between Civitan clubs and local chapters of The Arc on joint projects and fundraising efforts.
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Provide an opportunity for each organization to provide speakers presenters for each other’s meetings.
Ready to bring this partnership to life?
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Find a Chapter of The Arc near your Civitan club.
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Start a conversation using use this introductory letter to open the conversation. – CLICK HERE!
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Hold a brainstorming meeting with local club leaders and chapter leaders of your local chapter of The Arc to discuss ways to partner together.
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Civitan in Action
Rocky Mountain Civitan Club and The Arc
The Rocky Mountain Civitan Club gives monetarily to the Think Tank at The Arc as well as to hands on projects at the local chapter. The club provides The Arc Bowlers each year with a Halloween Party and a Christmas party, where they give each bowler a gift bag with hygiene items, towels, blankets, hats, gloves, etc. The Arc Ambassadors have projects every month and they vary.
The latest project with The Arc Ambassadors was providing items for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and their caregivers. The Arc Ambassadors also have a monthly class, called Arc University (Academy), where there are around 50-75 ambassadors who attend and get credits for their participation. There is a diploma given at the end of the year to individuals who complete the courses. Ambassadors are Arc Thrift Store employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Everything that is special about these members is embodied in these amazing, vibrant people who are the heart of The Arc family.
Greater Silver Springs and The Arc
Shortly after being chartered in late 2017, the GSSC formeda close partnership with The Arc Montgomery County in Maryland. The first project that the club undertook in connection with The Arc Montgomery County was supporting The Arc’s Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC). The group, half of whom have I/DD, gathered each week at the Barnes & Noble in Rockville (and via Zoom during COVID) to read together in a public space until late 2024.
The GSSC donated funds to purchase the club’s books, and GSSC members celebrated them with gifts for finishing the books and for their leadership in promoting local literacy. Shown above are some of the other projects that have been undertaken by the GSSC in conjunction with The Arc Montgomery County.
Over the years, the GSSC has also co-hosted or sponsored seminars, panel discussions, and other events with The Arc to promote awareness and support people with I/DD in the community. The Arc Montgomery County’s Executive Director Daria Cervantes joined GSSC in 2021 and served as our club’s Board member to the FCIDD from 2022 to 2024.
