January 2012

Dear Contra Costa ARC Friends and Families,

As the New Year begins, it is heart-warming to stop and think about the good things that happened in 2011 for the families, children, and adults with special needs who are served in our programs. Here are comments from two of them:

From the mother of a child at Lynn Center:
"When Sally first came to Lynn Center, she was shy, clung to me, and was afraid to have me leave. She has been at Lynn  Center for five months, and we are thrilled at her progress! She is talking, and joins other children to play. We love the staff at LynnCenter, and wish every child could have this opportunity!"

From a mother at Care Parent Network:
"My child was born with a complication at birth. The medical options were straightforward, but the hardest thing was there was nobody to talk to about it." Care Parent Network connected this mother with a Mentor Parent, whose child has a similar condition. "The Mentor Program has been a blessing."

And here is a comment from the social worker of a woman who lived most of her life at Agnews State Development Center and recently moved into the community: "Since Patty has been part of ARC Access, her success has been huge, and the improvement is tremendous."

Comments like these give us inspiration and determination to keep our programs operating, in spite of the many challenges we face. And with your support, great things continue to happen.

This past year, Care Parent Network has been able to continue parent support groups, in spite of losing county funding for that program in July. We were able to complete an emergency relocation of our Lynn Center from Pittsburg to Oakley. We are now in the final phase of the building improvements on the 40 year-old buildings at our George Miller Center in Concord. All of this is possible because of you. With your help, and with the amazing commitment of our staff members, who have not had a raise since 2006 and whose already low salaries had to be reduced in 2009, we are continuing to fulfill our mission.

We deeply appreciate all of your support in 2011.  We will continue to do our best to be worthy of your confindence, to be careful stewards of our resources and to assist those we serve in realizing their goals and dreams.

Thank you again, and please accept our sincere wishes for good health, peace and prosperity in 2012.

Sincerely,

Frank Davis, Board President
Barbara Maizie, Executive Director