The Arc Baltimore's Fund the Mission Campaign Approaches $75,000 Goal to Support Disability Services

The Arc Baltimore's Fund the Mission campaign, titled "From the Foundation to the Future," is approaching its $75,000 fundraising goal as the organization celebrates 75 years of service to people with developmental disabilities. This campaign honors The Arc's extensive history while supporting the critical services that enable children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to pursue their dreams of education, employment, and independent living.

For more than seven decades, The Arc Baltimore has evolved from a grassroots movement started by four sets of parents into a powerful force advocating for inclusion and opportunity. The organization has consistently worked toward creating a world where every person with developmental disabilities is valued and included in community life. Kathleen McNally Durkin, The Arc Baltimore's Chief Executive Officer, explains that the foundation laid in 1950 has grown into a movement that continues to create futures filled with possibilities for people with disabilities.

Durkin notes that while significant progress has been made toward inclusion becoming the expectation rather than the exception, the organization's work remains unfinished. The ongoing need to ensure that every child, adult, and family receives the necessary support and opportunities extends beyond basic survival to enabling true thriving within the community.

Donations to the Fund the Mission campaign serve a crucial function by filling funding gaps not covered by public sources. These contributions support essential programs including employment training and support services that help individuals develop workplace skills and secure meaningful employment. The campaign also funds day and residential services that provide structured activities and living arrangements tailored to individual needs.

Additional services supported by the campaign include family support and education programs that equip families with resources and knowledge to better support their loved ones. Treatment foster care provides specialized care for children with developmental disabilities, while assistive technology services ensure individuals have access to tools that enhance communication and independence. Respite care offers temporary relief for family caregivers, and public policy advocacy continues The Arc's long-standing work to influence legislation and policies that benefit the disability community.

Those interested in supporting The Arc Baltimore's mission can visit https://www.thearcbaltimore.org/donate to contribute to the campaign or explore other giving options. The continued success of these fundraising efforts ensures that The Arc Baltimore can maintain and expand its comprehensive support system for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families throughout the Baltimore community.