Thomaston Savings Bank has donated a 2019 Chrysler Pacific Touring L minivan to the Arc of Litchfield County (LARC) for the agency’s Project SEARCH program.
The Project SEARCH Program is a unique, business led, nine-month internship program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program is hosted by Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, where interns complete three rotations with the main goal of gaining the necessary skills to obtain competitive employment. Since its roll out in 2018, LARC has continually pursued ways to strengthen and extend the reach of Project SEARCH to make it more accessible to the community.
Transportation is a vital component to providing access to the program. The lack of reliable transportation to the program site is often a barrier to many qualified candidates who want to participate but don’t have reliable transportation. During the Project SEARCH workday, interns in the program need transportation between hospital departments which are off campus, such as Cardiovascular Medicine and Community Health & Development. (full article in link)
The Project SEARCH Program is a unique, business led, nine-month internship program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program is hosted by Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, where interns complete three rotations with the main goal of gaining the necessary skills to obtain competitive employment. Since its roll out in 2018, LARC has continually pursued ways to strengthen and extend the reach of Project SEARCH to make it more accessible to the community.
Transportation is a vital component to providing access to the program. The lack of reliable transportation to the program site is often a barrier to many qualified candidates who want to participate but don’t have reliable transportation. During the Project SEARCH workday, interns in the program need transportation between hospital departments which are off campus, such as Cardiovascular Medicine and Community Health & Development. (full article in link)
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Mary Ellen Kunz (left) and Michael Menard (center) from the Arc of Litchfield County are joined by Cheryl Lindstrom and Stephen Lewis from Thomaston Savings Bank.
The bank donated the minivan to the agency. |
Northwestern Connecticut YMCA to purchase Camp MOE - Wednesday, March 22, 2023
The Arc of Litchfield County (LARC) and the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA are pleased to announce that Camp MOE will continue to be a summer camp thanks to the agreement recently reached by the two organizations. The Y is purchasing the Tall Timbers, a 174-acre property, located on Brandy Hill Road in Torrington, from LARC.
“We are tremendously relieved to finalize this agreement between LARC and the YMCA,” said Michael Menard, LARC Executive Director. “It was always the outcome sought by LARC’s Board of Directors and Leadership Team, not only because we value our relationship with our friends at the YMCA but also because it will remain, not just a camp, but Camp MOE!”
“This was always our hope, when we were given the opportunity to operate Camp MOE last summer,” Says Greg Brisco, CEO of the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA. “Camp MOE is too important to too many children and families for it not to continue.”
Equally important to LARC, the signage recognizing donors to the camp improvement campaign will remain in place on the property. “So many friends in the community supported the long list of improvements required to make the property safe and the camp competitive,” Menard shared.
“Our compliments to LARC for all of the work the agency undertook after purchasing the property to improve it, make it safe and competitive. It’s a beautiful facility and fits very well with the Y’s mission to serve its communities building healthy spirit, minds and bodies,” says YMCA Board of Directors President, Bob Teittinen. “It was important to the Y’s Board of Directors that the name Camp MOE, programming and the many donations that resulted in the camp’s improvements would remain in effect for the continued benefit of all.”
In this spirit, LARC’s Special Olympics athletes will continue to practice at Camp MOE. The athletes practice bocce on the courts that were funded by Special Olympics CT and utilize the property for a variety of activities throughout the year. “Just because property ownership is changing, it doesn’t change the commitment to serve everyone in our community,” says Brisco.
“LARC’s Board has for the past two years valiantly attempted to find a solution that would result in Camp MOE’s continuing to run every summer. With the purchase of the property by the YMCA, we feel we’ve found an organization that will continue to build on the strong foundation that has been created,” said Dorothy Beckley, LARC Board of Directors President.
The Y’s staff, including returning Camp MOE Director, Julie Deile, have been planning camp for this summer in the hopes it would be possible. The Y has plans to add a sports camp and various specialty camps to the options for families. A few new camp features for 2023 are also being developed.
To find out more information or to register go to www.campmoe.org or email campmoe@nwcty.org or call 860-618-2800 or 860-489-3133 x128.
“We are tremendously relieved to finalize this agreement between LARC and the YMCA,” said Michael Menard, LARC Executive Director. “It was always the outcome sought by LARC’s Board of Directors and Leadership Team, not only because we value our relationship with our friends at the YMCA but also because it will remain, not just a camp, but Camp MOE!”
“This was always our hope, when we were given the opportunity to operate Camp MOE last summer,” Says Greg Brisco, CEO of the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA. “Camp MOE is too important to too many children and families for it not to continue.”
Equally important to LARC, the signage recognizing donors to the camp improvement campaign will remain in place on the property. “So many friends in the community supported the long list of improvements required to make the property safe and the camp competitive,” Menard shared.
“Our compliments to LARC for all of the work the agency undertook after purchasing the property to improve it, make it safe and competitive. It’s a beautiful facility and fits very well with the Y’s mission to serve its communities building healthy spirit, minds and bodies,” says YMCA Board of Directors President, Bob Teittinen. “It was important to the Y’s Board of Directors that the name Camp MOE, programming and the many donations that resulted in the camp’s improvements would remain in effect for the continued benefit of all.”
In this spirit, LARC’s Special Olympics athletes will continue to practice at Camp MOE. The athletes practice bocce on the courts that were funded by Special Olympics CT and utilize the property for a variety of activities throughout the year. “Just because property ownership is changing, it doesn’t change the commitment to serve everyone in our community,” says Brisco.
“LARC’s Board has for the past two years valiantly attempted to find a solution that would result in Camp MOE’s continuing to run every summer. With the purchase of the property by the YMCA, we feel we’ve found an organization that will continue to build on the strong foundation that has been created,” said Dorothy Beckley, LARC Board of Directors President.
The Y’s staff, including returning Camp MOE Director, Julie Deile, have been planning camp for this summer in the hopes it would be possible. The Y has plans to add a sports camp and various specialty camps to the options for families. A few new camp features for 2023 are also being developed.
To find out more information or to register go to www.campmoe.org or email campmoe@nwcty.org or call 860-618-2800 or 860-489-3133 x128.
The Arc of Litchfield County received a grant of $20,000 from Torrington Savings Foundation to fund a program that serves teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
According to Nerissa Casanova, coordinator of LARC’s Autism Resource Center, the grant will support a new after-school program for high school students.
“We are so thrilled to receive this support from Torrington Savings Foundation,” said Ms. Casanova. “We plan to address the social needs of youth with ASD and provide resources and supports to students and families.” (full article in link)
According to Nerissa Casanova, coordinator of LARC’s Autism Resource Center, the grant will support a new after-school program for high school students.
“We are so thrilled to receive this support from Torrington Savings Foundation,” said Ms. Casanova. “We plan to address the social needs of youth with ASD and provide resources and supports to students and families.” (full article in link)
The Arc of Litchfield County has been awarded a grant from Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation to fund a performance and movement workshop at The Warner Theatre.
The workshop, put on by Education @ The Warner, starts September 13 and will run for 12 weeks. Participants will be introduced to a variety of movements to improve flexibility, balance, and strength, all while listening to music amidst the grandeur of the theater. Through demonstrations, individualized attention, and free flow, participants will explore the various methods to engage with the music and express themselves. Individuals are encouraged to move at their own pace. All materials, props, etc. are included. (full article in link)
The workshop, put on by Education @ The Warner, starts September 13 and will run for 12 weeks. Participants will be introduced to a variety of movements to improve flexibility, balance, and strength, all while listening to music amidst the grandeur of the theater. Through demonstrations, individualized attention, and free flow, participants will explore the various methods to engage with the music and express themselves. Individuals are encouraged to move at their own pace. All materials, props, etc. are included. (full article in link)
The Arc of Litchfield County was recently awarded a capital grant to purchase and install an air conditioning unit for the agency’s 314 Main Street office and events building. According to a statement, the air conditioning system at the location was installed in 2005, when the building was constructed and is no longer functioning effectively.
According to LARC Executive Director Michael Maynard, “A reliable air conditioner is an absolute necessity to keep our program participants and support staff comfortable and safe during the warmer months.” (full article in link)
According to LARC Executive Director Michael Maynard, “A reliable air conditioner is an absolute necessity to keep our program participants and support staff comfortable and safe during the warmer months.” (full article in link)
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The Arc of Litchfield County (LARC) has been awarded a grant from Union Savings Bank Foundation in support of the interactive socialization program for pre-K children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
According to Nerissa Casanova, coordinator of LARC’s Autism Resource Center, the grant will support program expansion to better meet the need of the community. “We are so thrilled to receive this support from Union Savings Bank Foundation. As our programming grows to better meet the needs of our community, our staffing needs also increase. “This grant will allow us to increase the number of children in our Social Interaction Playgroup,” Ms. Casanova explained. (full article in link) |
Sarah Langlois, LARC Board Member and Union Savings Bank Manager, Nerissa Casanova, Mary Ellen Kunz, Michele Bonvicini, Executive Director of the Foundation
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The Project SEARCH Program, offered through the Arc of Litchfield County, is a business led, nine-month internship program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Interns in the program complete three rotations at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington, CT, with the main goal of gaining the necessary skills to obtain competitive employment. (full article in link)
The Arc of Litchfield County has been awarded a grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation to fund the acquisition of 20 iPads to equip job coaches who support individuals working in the agency’s Vocational Program.
“This grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation will greatly improve the documentation and reporting required of the coaches,” said Michael Menard, executive director of LARC. “Equipping the Vocational team with iPads will make the required documentation and reporting they do more streamlined, timely, and accessible.” (full article in link)
“This grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation will greatly improve the documentation and reporting required of the coaches,” said Michael Menard, executive director of LARC. “Equipping the Vocational team with iPads will make the required documentation and reporting they do more streamlined, timely, and accessible.” (full article in link)
The Arc of Litchfield County, also known as LARC, has been awarded a grant from the Eva M. Coty Fund, a fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, Inc., for a new generator at one of the agency’s group homes.
The generator replaces an old model which stopped working last summer. An essential piece of equipment, the generator will allow the residents to remain in their home when there is a power outage in the area.
The generator replaces an old model which stopped working last summer. An essential piece of equipment, the generator will allow the residents to remain in their home when there is a power outage in the area.
LARC Board Member Writes Book: My Path to Independence, A look into life through the eyes of a person with a disability
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Chad Widing, a long-time member of LARC’s Board of Directors, recently finished writing a book of his life as a person with Asperger’s. Mr. Widing explains that the book is intended to “inspire those with disabilities and their families...to never give up in their quest for independence.” Chad intends for the book to “possibly help others with similar problems” to those he experienced in his lifetime. He explains that it took a few years to write the book as he was not working on it consistently. Chad persevered and is now an author of an inspiring account of the struggles he overcame. His hope is that his self-published book will be picked up by a publishing company. For now, the book is available by contacting Halis Genao at LARC (hgenao@litchfieldarc.org). A donation of $15 will help Mr. Widing cover the cost to print the books.
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LARC has been awarded a grant from Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation to fund an art workshop at the Five Points Center for the Visual Arts. Twelve individuals in LARC’s Day Support Option (DSO) attend a one-hour weekly class at Five Points’ new arts center on University Drive in Torrington. The classes are taught by Noel Croce, associate director, who has been with Five Points Gallery for many years.
LARC has been awarded a Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation grant made possible by the Edwin M. Stone and Edith H. Stone Fund, a fund of the Foundation to purchase and install a lift at one of the agency's group homes in Torrington.
LARC has been awarded a grant from Torrington Savings Foundation to support the new Autism Resource Center located at the agency’s 314 Main Street office building in Torrington.
May 2021 - Our 2021 annual meeting, which shares some of the successes and challenges of the previous year, is being shared electronically. Our hope is that you will take a few minutes to watch the recording. Thank you for your support during this past year. We are deeply grateful.
LARC hosted a vaccine clinic at our Main St. office this past Friday. Listen to this interview with some of the participants.
The Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant, and Thomaston Savings Bank and Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation have awarded a $3,000 grant to LARC, the Arc of Litchfield County, the nonprofit agency that serves people with disabilities throughout northwest Connecticut.
The two grants will enable the agency to purchase software that is going to allow staff to complete required training online and on demand. (click link above for full article)
The two grants will enable the agency to purchase software that is going to allow staff to complete required training online and on demand. (click link above for full article)
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LARC has been awarded funding of $150,000.00 from the Robert Rosenheim Foundation for the creation and development of an autism resource center in Torrington. The funds will be paid out over three phases in a three-year period. “We are very happy to support the work that the resource center will provide to Litchfield County youth and their families,” noted Michael Samartino, board member of the Robert Rosenheim Foundation.
“LARC is deeply gratified for the support from the Robert Rosenheim Foundation,” said Michael Menard, LARC executive director. “This certainly is one of the most important projects for the city of Torrington and surrounding towns. We are honored to have the support of the foundation.” (click link above for full article) |
Diane Libby, Robert Rosenheim Foundation board member, with LARC Executive Director, Michael Menard.
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LARC has been awarded a grant to purchase laptops from the Connecticut Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Waterbury. The laptops will be provided to staff who frequently work remotely. The equipment enables staff to work more effectively as they support individuals in various locations. The laptops will make communication throughout the agency more efficient for many essential employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement.
“We are very grateful for the support from Connecticut Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Waterbury,” said Michael Menard, Executive Director at LARC. “The laptops are essential to employees who are working remotely, supporting individuals and interacting with co-workers throughout the day.” (click link above for full article)
“We are very grateful for the support from Connecticut Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Waterbury,” said Michael Menard, Executive Director at LARC. “The laptops are essential to employees who are working remotely, supporting individuals and interacting with co-workers throughout the day.” (click link above for full article)
LARC was recently awarded a grant from Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation to purchase two disinfectant fogger machines and disinfectant to deep clean the agency’s vehicles, which are used to transport individuals in LARC programs, according to a statement.
“We are so grateful for the support from Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation,” said Michael Menard, Executive Director at LARC. “The grant enabled LARC to purchase two foggers and disinfectant, which is helping us deep clean the vehicles for the safety of our staff and individuals. Safety is our top priority.” (click link above for full article)
“We are so grateful for the support from Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation,” said Michael Menard, Executive Director at LARC. “The grant enabled LARC to purchase two foggers and disinfectant, which is helping us deep clean the vehicles for the safety of our staff and individuals. Safety is our top priority.” (click link above for full article)
At work, it’s what people CAN do that matters.
The Arc of Litchfield County, Inc. (LARC) has been delivering that message through its Vocational Program for more than 54 years, and it bears repeating in 2020 as the spotlight focuses on two key anniversaries for the disability community. (click link above for full article)
The Arc of Litchfield County, Inc. (LARC) has been delivering that message through its Vocational Program for more than 54 years, and it bears repeating in 2020 as the spotlight focuses on two key anniversaries for the disability community. (click link above for full article)
LARC has been awarded a grant from Torrington Savings Bank Foundation to purchase laptops that will enable staff to work more effectively as they support individuals during this pandemic. The agency was able to purchase 10 Chromebooks with the grant. The laptops will make communication throughout the agency more efficient for many essential employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.“
We are so grateful for the support from Torrington Savings Bank Foundation,” said Michael Menard, Executive Director at LARC. “The grant will provide much-needed funding to purchase equipment that will indeed make it easier to work remotely.” LARC staff are supporting individuals in group homes, vocational sites, and in private homes. Having a reliable computer makes it far easier for essential staff to support individuals--many of whom are working in jobs such as grocery stores and other businesses that did not close when the pandemic hit. The laptop computers are essential to keeping connected to individuals and co-workers, and working remotely. “Torrington Savings Bank Foundation has made a tremendous and impactful difference in the lives of many--not just our staff but the individuals who depend on them on a daily basis.”
We are so grateful for the support from Torrington Savings Bank Foundation,” said Michael Menard, Executive Director at LARC. “The grant will provide much-needed funding to purchase equipment that will indeed make it easier to work remotely.” LARC staff are supporting individuals in group homes, vocational sites, and in private homes. Having a reliable computer makes it far easier for essential staff to support individuals--many of whom are working in jobs such as grocery stores and other businesses that did not close when the pandemic hit. The laptop computers are essential to keeping connected to individuals and co-workers, and working remotely. “Torrington Savings Bank Foundation has made a tremendous and impactful difference in the lives of many--not just our staff but the individuals who depend on them on a daily basis.”
LARC is beginning a phased reopening of the agency’s Vocational and Day Services programs over the next several weeks.
The agency, which closed March 20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, formed a reopening committee in May to begin planning for a strategic phased-in reopening, according to a statement. (read more)
The agency, which closed March 20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, formed a reopening committee in May to begin planning for a strategic phased-in reopening, according to a statement. (read more)
LARC has been awarded a grant through the Workers’ Compensation Trust Safety Grant program to purchase and install lifts in two of LARC’s Day Service Option programs as well as one of the organization's group homes in Torrington. LARC was one of 61 organizations awarded a grant out of a pool of 116 organizations that applied for a 2020 safety grant.Many of the individuals served by LARC have very limited mobility. Several are in wheelchairs and have limited or greatly diminished strength. The organization continually assesses the positioning and mobility needs of individuals in the programs or residing in group homes and responds accordingly. Recently, it was determined that new adaptive and patient lifting equipment was needed to replace existing equipment.
“We are so grateful for the support from Workers’ Compensation Trust,” said Michael Menard, Executive Director at LARC, in a statement. “The safety of individuals in our programs and our staff are priority and we are always assessing equipment and upgrades to accommodate evolving needs. This grant will enable LARC to purchase and install the necessary equipment to safeguard individuals and staff.”
“We are so grateful for the support from Workers’ Compensation Trust,” said Michael Menard, Executive Director at LARC, in a statement. “The safety of individuals in our programs and our staff are priority and we are always assessing equipment and upgrades to accommodate evolving needs. This grant will enable LARC to purchase and install the necessary equipment to safeguard individuals and staff.”
Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the LARC Annual Meeting is taking place through an agency wide COVID-19 Update which shares some of the heroic work that staff have continued to do. Our hope is that you will take a few minutes to read the report and see how the agency is responding during this unprecedented and difficult time.
Grant Donation from Eversource Energy Foundation - April 29, 2020
LARC has received a grant of $1,500 from Eversource Energy to fund the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff working on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though LARC’s offices remain closed with staff working remotely, many are caring for individuals in group homes while others are supporting individuals who continue to work in the community at grocery stores and other locations. On a daily basis, large quantities of face masks, disposable gloves and protective gowns are keeping LARC staff and individuals safer amidst the COVID-19 virus.
The Arc of Litchfield County, Inc. | Privacy Notice | Title VI Compliance
314 Main Street, Torrington CT 06790 | 860-482-9364 | larc@litchfieldarc.org | EIN 06-6075006