ARC in the News

New data reveals our nation is neglecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities! Survey findings from The Arc reveal nation‘s efforts fail to provide fundamentals for individuals and families. Click here to learn more about the survey, and to find out about The Arc‘s “Achieve With Us” contest to win a trip for two to Washington D.C.

Nathan Breeden Receives Arc Of Indiana Outstanding Citizen Award

Evansville resident, Nathan Breeden, was recognized at The Arc of Indiana’s annual award luncheon yesterday in Carmel, Indiana. Nathan received The Arc of Indiana’s Outstanding Citizen Award.

The Outstanding Citizen Award recognizes an individual with a developmental disability for outstanding participation in, or contribution to, the community. Nathan Breeden more than meets these criteria. Nathan Breeden is passionate about his work as a self advocate and is a role model for many, both with and without disabilities, in our community. Through his work as a self advocate, he shares his story with local legislators, school groups and college students and speaks to them about disabilities awareness. By sharing his personal story, he is increasing awareness and encouraging others with disabilities to advocate for their rights. Nathan has been involved with Evansville ARC since he was in high school. With support from Evansville ARC’s Community Job Link program, Nathan has been employed at Walmart for approximately three years in the maintenance department. Nathan has been involved with Best Buddies at the University of Evansville for three years and has been the Buddy Director for two years.  He works closely with the chapter to help organize monthly events.

In addition, Nathan began his first term on the Evansville ARC Board of Directors in January of 2011.  According to Deidra R. Conner, President of Evansville ARC, “Everyone who interacts with Nathan on the job knows him and recognizes him for his up-beat, positive attitude and his contagious smile.  Nathan feels passionately that he has a personal responsibility to make Evansville a better place to live, and he has a strong commitment to educating others in our community about Evansville ARC, our programs and services, and the opportunities available to people with disabilities.”

Alcoa Foundation and ARC Industries a Success

The Alcoa Foundation approved ARC Industries for a generous grant in the amount of $45,000 in 2008. Since then, we have been able to purchase grinders, dumpers and conveyers to help progress our grinding and recycling program.  Since the purchase of a large plastic grinding machine in 2009, ARC Industries has kept 7.6 million pounds of plastic out of landfills.  ARC Industries is a thriving manufacturing, distribution and recycling facility that offers employment and vocational training to more than 200 individuals with disabilities.

The material provided to be processed for recycling is post industrial scrap from a variety of local manufacturing companies.  The scrap is typically product that has been rejected due to print, mold and or manufacturing errors. ARC Industries is currently grinding for three companies and actively looking to take on more work.

Adding the grinding machinery was a win-win-win for ARC Industries as it provided an additional resource of income for the non-profit, allowed the organization to leave a green footprint, and provided several new jobs for people with disabilities. Over the past 3 years, the grant from the Alcoa Foundation allowed us to purchase the equipment and machinery we needed to enhance our grinding operation and to create a sustainable project.

Thank You!

Evansville ARC would like to thank Ellis Park, volunteers, and supporters of the Wiener Dog Races.  Thanks to your generosity, over $3,000 was raised!

Greg with his grandsons

Support our very own Ironman, Greg Hammer!

Greg Hammer has been an Evansville ARC board member since 1999.  Greg will be competing in a full Ironman race in Madison, WI on September 11, 2011, and is accepting mileage pledges to be donated to our Bayleigh Pauckner Endowment.

“ARC has had a huge impact on my life and my family’s lives. When our granddaughter died in 2001, we started the Bayleigh Pauckner Memorial Endowment, and the time and energy we’ve invested in growing the endowment has enriched our lives and hopefully will have a positive impact on the children of the Child Life Center for years to come. We’re always looking for new ways to raise money for the endowment, so when I decided to participate in an Ironman event this September, it only seemed natural to use that as a way to bring ARC’s message to more people and hopefully raise more money for the endowment.”

- To support Greg and the endowment, donate here or e-mail ARC.