Programs and Services: Success Stories

Success Stories

Individuals served by The Arc are working in a wide variety of jobs throughout Howard County. Their success stories are a great testament to the benefits of inclusion.

Lori Powell: Every Day's A Holiday

Every day's a holiday for Lori Powell. She loves her business designing, producing and selling greeting cards.

Like many people with developmental disabilities, she spent the first years of her work life in a job that involved repetitive, tedious tasks.

"I feel better about myself now," says Lori, who has cerebral palsy. "I feel glad and happy. Since I was a little girl, I've wanted to own my own business."

She knew, of course, that starting a business wouldn't be easy. But she never doubted that she'd succeed, with help from her parents and The Arc of Howard County.

Her advice for other budding entrepreneurs: "Believe in yourself," she says. "If you believe in yourself, you'll succeed."

 

Lauren Duffy and David Gold: Building Independent Lives

For Lauren Duffy and David Gold, owning their own businesses in shared space at The Document Mill is a dream come true. And that dream would not have been possible without help from The Arc of Howard County and their parents.

"I like the work," David says. "And I like being out in the community."

Lauren enjoys being able to work without supervision.

For people with developmental disabilities, that might be the best part of all.

"They're building independent lives," says David's father, Arthur Gold.

"Feeling like an equal," adds Lauren's mother, Marcia Duffy, "that's the beauty of this arrangement for both of them."

Bonnie Miles: Loving Work Beyond Retirement Age

At 66, Bonnie Miles is one of The Arc of Howard County's oldest employed clients. But retirement is the last thing on her mind.

"I really like it here," she says of her job at Lynn's Day Spa in Columbia.

Miles works in the day spa's laundry room, where she washes and folds towels and sheets and places freshly laundered robes on hangers, tying each belt just so.

Spa owner Lynn Shannon says Bonnie quickly become a favorite among employees. "She's just so sweet," Shannon says. "She just goes with the flow."

When she's not at work, Bonnie enjoys The Arc's programs for seniors. Her favorites: dancing, Bingo, and hitting golf balls at the driving range.

Timothy Raines: Finding The Perfect Match

Timothy Raines and Elkridge Furnace Inn owner and executive chef Dan Wecker could be the perfect match.

Timothy, who has developmental disabilities, likes to take initiative. Wecker likes "independent thinking and motivation. If you are a person who has drive and determination, you'll be successful here."

Timothy is a dishwasher at the Furnace Inn. But he also likes to clean and is good at organizing closets.

"Chef Dan doesn't have to tell me what to do much," he says. "I like working here, and every day there is something I can clean."

"This is a great match between employer and employee," says The Arc's job developer Mark Breaux. "When I found out Dan would be hiring, I knew he would be a great person to work with Tim."

Wecker agrees it's a perfect match. "I like Tim's spirit," he says, "and I appreciate his desire to be a part of what we do here."

Carleigh Shores: 'Cool Concepts' With Food

Carleigh Shores has a sunny disposition that radiates across her face as she works.

"She's so fun and outgoing," says her employer, Patty Waters. "And she likes her work to be systematic, which works out well for us."

Waters owns Fruit Flowers, a company that creates edible bouquets from fruit. Carleigh also works at Let's Eat, where customers assemble dinner components to take home for cooking.

"It's fun to be in two different places each week," says Carleigh, who has developmental disabilities. "Let's Eat is such a cool concept. I like working there."

And she loves working at Fruit Flowers.

"When I'm with Patty, I listen to her talk with the customers and everyone is very nice," she says. "I do lots of different things, like placing grapes on skewers or washing lettuce for the fruit arrangements. Everything we make is so pretty — I love that."

Bill and David Westerlund: 'There Aren't Any Limitations'

The genetic condition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy may have robbed Bill and David Westerlund of much of their muscle function, but it hasn't slowed down their creativity and ambition. And with help from The Arc's employment specialists, the two now own a business that unleashes both.

Habitat Productions makes computer-generated digital slide slows that turn their clients' random photos into compact or digital video discs with music and graphic images. But Bill and David hope that's just the beginning. Their dream is to turn their hobby, making comedy sketch videos, into a business.

"If we could make any money on that," says Bill, "it would be really cool."

Whatever happens next, the brothers are optimistic about their future.

"There are a lot of opportunities," Bill adds. "There aren't limitations. Whatever we want to do, we can just do it."

Kevin Long: Loving Work And Life

Twenty-two year old Kevin Long has a thousand-watt smile and the bright outlook to go with it.

An employee at Weis Markets' North Laurel store, he says "it's important to have a good attitude. I do whatever they ask me to do and I try to do it fast."

His sunny attitude and strong work ethic haven't gone unnoticed. Kevin, who has a developmental disability and is served by The Arc of Howard County, has even been named store employee of the month.

"He's a good kid and is very conscientious," says store manager Frank Lanciano. "We treat him like one of the gang. He overcomes everything having to do with his special needs. He never complains."

But Kevin doesn't intend to be part of the gang forever. His dream: to become a store manager someday.

Molly Peter: 'Part Of Our Family'

With her brown hair cut in a sleek pageboy and highlighted with soft streaks of natural blonde, Molly Peter could be a customer at Looks Spa and Salon. But Molly, who has Down syndrome, is there to work, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"The best part of my job is being with (manager) Briagh Strott and all my friends," she says. "I do what they ask me to do, like cleaning the glass shelves and organizing the shampoo bottles."

One of The Arc's employment specialists works with the salon manager and owners to ensure the employer/employee relationship is always on track.

It almost always is.

"Molly is always in a good mood, and she makes us laugh," says Strott. "She's part of our family — we like her so much."

Bucky Buchanan: A 'Shining Star' At Bob's BMW

Over the years, William "Bucky" Buchanan has become something of a celebrity.

He's been called the "Cal Ripken of Bob's BMW" for his longevity, and the motorcycle dealership's "shining star" for the loving dedication he brings to his job as a custodian.

"Bucky takes pride in his job and values the consistency of the tasks," says owner Bob Henig. "That's just the opposite of many workers."

"He's an inspiration to us all," adds Suzanne Henig. "Along with his incredible ability to get along with everyone, he's empathetic and compassionate."

Bob Henig had always wanted to hire a worker with disabilities. A newspaper article led him to The Arc of Howard County, and within days he'd met Bucky and hired him on the spot.

"I wanted someone who not only would take pride in the work, but who wouldn't be shy around customers," he recalls. "Bucky filled the bill perfectly." Seventeen years later, he still does.