As long as I can remember my family and I have been involved with The Arc of Chester County. After eight years serving on the board, when the call came to let me know that the Governance Committee nominated me to serve as the President of the Board, I did not hesitate to accept the nomination. I was humbled to be elected by The Arc’s membership to begin serving a one-year term as the Board President of The Arc of Chester County beginning July 1, 2019.

As we began the fiscal year on July 1st the agency was full of hope and optimism and things were humming along until March 13, 2020 when everything changed. Instead of spring arriving in March a global pandemic arrived. It did not take long for everyone connected to The Arc of Chester County to spring into action. During the last three months of the fiscal year, the individuals and families we serve, our dedicated staff and board, loyal volunteers, members, donors, and community partners proved again and again that our mission and faith can be put into action. Together, we rallied against COVID-19 and were able to serve those in need of our programs and services. I’ve been inspired by the countless acts of bravery, kindness, and generosity that ensured not only our survival, but revealed the strength of our mission.

The challenges in 2019-2020 demanded that we pivot quickly, think outside-the-box, leverage technology, and find creative solutions to keep our essential and life sustaining services flowing. Arc preschool staff, and home-based interventionists, became well versed in tele- intervention using technology to keep children's progress moving forward. Our Advocacy staff continued providing advocacy services with remote help and guidance, ensuring no person, family, or caller was left behind without the support or guidance needed during the pandemic.

Arc Employment Training Specialists (job coaches) created new tools and technology supports for workers overwhelmed by the new demands of their jobs. Workers in roles such as grocery clerks and baggers faced new stressors and revised job responsibilities. Our job coaches helped them learn these new roles. Arc Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Support Service Professionals (SSPs) put themselves on the front-line to assume all necessary day-to-day tasks, from grocery shopping to delivering medication, keeping participants safe and healthy. Our administrative staff worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the facility and operations running smoothly in support of all our essential services and programs. The facility went through extensive renovations to meet new safety guidelines. All of our staff made sacrifices in their own lives to ensure the safety of fellow staff, the agency, and those entrusted in our care.

Special events also presented an opportunity to learn new skills. The Arc’s annual Walk & Run fundraiser went forward as a virtual event for the first time. The overwhelming generosity of peer-to-peer and corporate donors resulted in one of our top fundraisers to date. Together we ran and walked virtually and raised over $90,000. We may have walked and ran separately, but we were united in spirit, care, and commitment. Since then we have hosted many other successful virtual events.

I am humbled and grateful to the individuals, families, staff, fellow board, volunteers, businesses, and community partners whose generosity enabled The Arc of Chester County to keep supporting individuals with disabilities and their families, especially during this unprecedented time. Your hope and faith have kept us moving forward. This year’s annual report provides a reflection of that hard work and the strength of the human spirit. Thank you for your unwavering support, love, and continued well wishes. I look forward to remaining connected to The Arc of Chester County in the new year.

Sincerely,

Stephen D. Potts

Board President, The Arc of Chester County