Around The Arc Summer 2026

See What's Happening Around The Arc!

It is the unwavering dedication and outpouring of love and support from everyone connected to The Arc of Chester County that helped carry us through another successful year and I could not be more grateful.

This year began with optimism for those we supported in our five main programs: Children’s Early Learning Services & Programs, Family Support Services, Comprehensive Employment Services, Agency with Choice and Advocacy. We were honored to have touched the lives of more than 5,530 people with direct services, volunteer opportunities, education, resources & referral and those requesting help and support. We were grateful to have had 1037 volunteers help us to fulfill our mission.

I am thrilled to report that we are on track to close this fiscal year with similar or higher numbers and below are just some of the amazing highlights from the past year:

In August, we celebrated all the accomplishments of the preschool students as they graduated and prepared to transition to kindergarten and continue their successful educational journey that started right here at The Arc.
Like years past, we were thrilled to participate in many partnership events like the Chester County Down Syndrome Interest Group Buddy Walk, The West Chester Chili Cookoff, lots of resource fairs, job fairs, legislative visits, and attending other agency partners fundraising events that get the word out about The Arc while also supporting our other valued community partners’.
In October, our audit of 2025 showed that 92.6% of every dollar that came to The Arc went directly to services & programs and only 6.6% went to administration expenses and .8% less than 1% went to fundraising expenses.
In December, the annual Holiday Giving Program collected over $4,000 from staff, the board and committee members and supported over 90 individuals and families with financial support at the holidays.
The Annual Holiday Fun Fest held in December hosted nearly 200 people in early December with many of our staff and board along with the Upper Main Line Rotary and Conestoga High School Interact Club there to volunteer.
By the end of December, The Arc completed two years of its The Arc’s Five-year Strategic Plan, and we are pleased to share that we accomplished the goals and many of the tactics we set.
The Arc kicked off the new year with the annual satisfaction survey which showed that 98% of the participants and families that responded said that the services they received from The Arc enhanced the quality of their lives, 95.6% said they would refer The Arc to a friend, and 95.4% said they were satisfied with the services provided to them. Equally important to note is that we had a 45% return rate on this survey!
During February, The Arc held its Annual Food Drive and collected an entire van of food for the West Chester Area Senior Center to restock their food cupboard for some of our participants and families and many seniors living in our community who need our help with food insecurity.
During the month of March, we celebrated Disability Awareness Month and held two dine & donates to raise awareness about individuals with disabilities, The Arc, and our services to benefit those we serve.
In April, we continued our newly formed partnership with Partners in Outreach for Operation Easter Basket, and we provided 145 beautiful baskets for the children, teens, and adults we support.
As spring fully bloomed, we welcomed volunteers from Jackson Cross who come annually to help us with indoor and outdoor projects that make the property and facility look beautiful, and clean.
The Arc spent the spring season visiting with local, state, and federal legislators advocating for services, funding and legislative action that will continue to protect the rights of people with disabilities and their families and will enhance the quality of lives.
May was host to the 23rd Annual Bubble Walk & Fun Day event which welcomed more than 350 people and raised more than $129,000 from sponsorships, crowdfunding and registrations. We were also excited to partner again with Greystone Elementary school whose 5th grade held their own mini-Bubble Walk.
We hit or exceeded all our development goals, raising over $600,000 dollars with the help of over 900 donors and loyal partners, like you.
Once again, The Arc was able to make significant building improvements thanks to critical grant funding. The entire facility has received new LED lighting, exterior windows and major upgrades to the building intercom system. The team is also making plans to resurface the 25-year-old parking lot.
And most importantly, throughout the entire year, we continued to honor and celebrate every person and family that we have been blessed to share their lives with. They are the heart and soul of our mission, and we are so grateful to have had the privilege to support them this year.

The Arc of Chester County is pleased to report that it ended this fiscal year in a solid financial position despite the continued chronic underfunding in the state payment rates for many of the services we provide. As we begin the process of closing this fiscal year and prepare and look forward to beginning another, we will continue to honor and remember our founders, those that have led before us, those we have served and those we have lost. We are humbled by all of them. Their fierce advocacy, unwavering commitment and dedication continue to be our guiding star.

It continues to be an incredible privilege and honor to work with such a talented group of professionals, board members and partners and to know that the work we do every day with and for individuals with disabilities and their families is making a real difference in their lives and futures. Please know that I will continue to serve as the CEO until a new CEO has been named and a smooth transition occurs.

On behalf of the staff and board, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for your support, friendship, partnership and love. Have a safe, happy, and peaceful summer. I look forward to seeing you soon, Around The Arc!

Mary-Ellen Allen Named President of The Arc of Chester County Board of Directors

The Arc of Chester County has been honored to have Mary-Ellen as a member of its Board of Directors for over 13 years. She currently serves as Associate General Counsel at Olympus Corporation of the Americas. Prior to her current role, Mary-Ellen was a Partner and Co-Chair of the Labor and Employment Department at Lamb McErlane from 2001 through 2024. She has a BA in Government and Law from Lafayette College and a Doctor of Law from Villanova University.

Mary-Ellen has extensive experience in handling employment law issues both in and out of the courtroom. She has represented employers before federal and state courts, arbitration hearings and administrative agencies. She has defended claims of unlawful discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, unemployment compensation, breach of contract, trade secret violations and whistleblower complaints. For her talents, Mary-Ellen was recognized as a 2024 ‘Best Lawyers’ in America©, a 2023 ‘Super Lawyer’, Main Line Today ‘Top Lawyer’, a ‘Top Attorney’ by Suburban Life Magazine and a ‘Best Lawyer’ in Chester County.

An active community member, Mary-Ellen is also a member and Past President of the Board of Directors of the Chester County Bar Foundation, and the Chester County Art Association. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Uwchlan Ambulance Corps and Board of Directors of Greenbriar Civic Association. Mary-Ellen currently lives in Chester Springs with her husband and two children.

The Arc of Chester County installed Mary-Ellen Allen as President of the Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony in June. The following list represents the new appointments and members of The Arc’s Board of Directors effective July 1st for the 2026-2027 year:

Officers:
President: Mary-Ellen Allen
Immediate Past President: Lisa Albany
First Vice-President: Robert Siegel
Second Vice-President: Jodi Dill
Treasurer: Jessica Straghan
Secretary: Dan Wesolowski

Members
Pat Biswanger Sonal Gandhi
Karen Hayes Bill Keenan
Paige Meacham Joe Passarelli
Dustin Polis Erica Cline Reading

Congratulations to Marlena Walker! We are proud to recognize Marlena Walker, Program Manager in The Arc of Chester County’s Agency With Choice program, for being named a 2026 VISTA NextGen Superstar. This prestigious honor celebrates emerging leaders who are making a meaningful impact in our community through their dedication, innovation, and service. Marlena’s commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families exemplifies The Arc’s mission, and we congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.

Jillian Simmons is a compassionate, dedicated, and highly respected leader whose work reflects the heart of The Arc’s mission. Through her knowledge, kindness, and steady commitment to the individuals and families she supports, Jillian has made a lasting impact on the AWC program, her colleagues, and the broader community. Her leadership, professionalism, and genuine care make her truly deserving of The Arc of Chester County’s 2026 Employee of the Year Award.

The Arc of Chester County is honored to present the 2026 Employee of the Year Award to Jillian Simmons!

July, August and September

Holiday Fun Fest 2026: Saturday, December 5, 2026

Our 23rd Annual Bubble Walk & Fun Day was a huge success and raised over $129,000 for individuals with disabilities and their families supported by The Arc. More than 350 attendees and 49 volunteers came out on Sunday, May 18 to West Goshen Community Park to enjoy the beautiful day full of carnival games, face painting, BINGO, a DJ, dancing, Balloon Animals and of course BUBBLES! Thank you to West Pharmacueticals and CTDI and ALL of your sponsors for their leadership and support for this annual event. To read more about this amazing day, click HERE.

Save the Date for the 2027 Annual Bubble Walk & Fun Day - Sunday, May 16

Donors have many options when it comes to making gifts. The method of giving depends on both your financial situation and your philanthropic goals. There are many ways to make a difference for the The Arc of Chester County. Click the button below to learn more about it.

The mission of The Arc of Chester County is to advocate, educate and provide services to empower individuals with disabilities and their families to enhance the quality of their lives. The official registration and financial information of The Arc of Chester County may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. The Arc of Chester County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization-contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

The Arc of Chester County is affiliated with The Arc of Pennsylvania and The Arc of the United States.