Sunday, December 6, 2009

Where does your money go?


The Arc of Katy's mission is to create opportunities for all children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities that enable each person to be a participating and respected member of our community. Current activities include educational programs for families, monthly socials, and the Adult Activity Day Program. Our current dreams include after school day care, respite care and increasing the types and range of disabilities that can attend the Day Program.


Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the Katy Community for its past generosity which has allowed us to expand our Day Program from 8 participants in 2005 to 30 this year. This year's enrollment is a 50% increase over last year's. We are very excited about the rapid growth we are experiencing, but are even more excited about the endless possibilities the future holds.


Our Day Program provides our participants meaningful activities in a safe environment, gives them the chance to improve their social and communication skills, and allows them to contribute back to the community. They have maintained flowerbeds in downtown Katy, decorated a local restaurant for the Christmas holiday, made toiletry bags for the residents of Katyville Nursing Home, packed goodie bags, folded church bulletins, labeled and stamped mail outs and entertained or volunteered at various community events.


This year we must locate a permanent Arc of Katy facility with adequate space for all our programs including the Day Program. We have been extremely blessed to have the use of the YMCA Camp Cinco over the past several years as well as Living Word Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kingsland Baptist Church, Memorial Lutheran Church and William's Elementary in Katy ISD. The inconsistent availability of these facilities, the need for additional programs, and the increase in our members dictate that we find a permanent facility. Each year we move furniture, sports equipment, computers, games and supplies from location to location a minimum of 10 times. Rather than spend our time moving, we want our members to enjoy additional days in our programs.


We invite you to come meet us and visit. Let us show you how important our programs are to our "kids". Call us at 832-754-9802 and we will make arrangements for you to visit.


Ways that you can help are:

1. Make a one time or monthly donation to The Arc of Katy by clicking on the donate button in the right hand column of this page.

2. Volunteer! Sign up for activities or duties that will help The Arc of Katy. Contact Pam Chapman ( hspschapman@aol.com ) if you are interested in volunteering your time or talent.

3. Attend or contribute to our upcoming "Together We Can!" ~ Gala Event that will be held in February. Contact Pam Chapman or Suzanne Winkler for more information. (hspschapman@aol.com or s.d.winkler@earthlink.net )