A Message From the Chairman of the Board – Jeremy S. Jernigan, MBA, SHRM-SCP
Leadership is essential for any organization. Its presence and impact can be measured and defined in numerous ways.
For me, the essence of leadership can be summed up with one simple question: “Can you grow those around you?”
In the seven years serving as Executive Director, Ron Sharpe has been a true example of leadership. He has doubled the programming available to our clients, led the development of transportation and housing services, and grown the reach of the Arc of the Bay to eight different counties.
Under his guidance, the staff has grown professionally and personally. Clients have received life-changing experiences and services.
In light of the Arc’s tremendous growth, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce the promotion of Mr. Sharpe from Executive Director to the first ever President/CEO in agency history.
Additionally, Joan White, the Arc’s Associate Director, has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer. Joan has been, and will continue to be, an essential piece of the Arc’s success.
We are both thankful and excited to see where these two leaders take the Arc in this next chapter.
Jeremy S. Jernigan, MBA, SHRM-SCP
Donate Your myWalgreens Cash Rewards to The Arc of the Bay Thru 08/31/23
We’re participating in the myWalgreens donation program! You can donate your myWalgreens cash rewards to The Arc of the Bay thru 08/31/23. At Walgreens, you’ll earn unlimited 1% Walgreens Cash rewards when you shop and you can choose how much to donate. It’s that easy. Whether you’d like to contribute $1, $5, or more of your Walgreens Cash rewards you’ll be making a big difference. It really adds up!
URGENT: Advocate with Gov. DeSantis on Behalf of People with Developmental Disabilities
All of the Arc of Florida Chapters are asking All ‘Friends of Arc’ To Contact Governor Ron DeSantis And Ask Him To Support APD In Avoiding Impending Funding Crisis For People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities & Their Providers.
Dear Clients, Employees, Families & Friends at The Arc of the Bay:
The Arc of the Bay, and all providers of services to people with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), are facing an impending funding crisis if federal- and state-issued emergency coronavirus funding is not renewed. As of today this emergency funding, designed for short-term natural disasters, is set to end on August 1st. We ask all of our families and friends to support the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) and providers of services to people with I/DD (like The Arc of the Bay), by contacting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and advocating on behalf of our loved ones. Phone or email Gov. DeSantis with the following simple statement:
“Please support APD in their efforts to partner with Providers to solve the current financial crisis caused by the abrupt termination of COVID emergency funding scheduled to be defunded August 1st, 2020.”
Gov. DeSantis can be reached at [email protected] or at 850-717-9337.
Thank you for advocating on behalf of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Ron Sharpe, Executive Director
The Arc of the Bay
1804 Carolina Ave.
Lynn Haven, FL
(850) 381-7804
Vote for The Arc of the Bay in CIT Bank’s Act of Caring Campaign
The Arc of the Bay was selected along with nine other of charities in the US for $10,000 grant from CIT Bank. We now have the opportunity to double the grant total by receiving the most votes in the CIT Bank’s Act of Caring campaign. View the link below to vote now. The deadline for voting is July 19th.
This grant will help further our mission in providing life & job skills allowing individuals with HUMAN NEEDS lead a more productive & independent life.
Click Below to Vote Today (You may ONLY vote once during this contest):
https://bit.ly/citcares-aotb
Thanks in advance for your support.
Our Update on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
LAST UPDATED: Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
As you know, it was our goal to reopen our Adult Day Training Programs at both of our locations this Wednesday, July 1st. Well, again after further review & feedback from several other local providers, we have decided to remain closed, especially with the current spike in new COVID-19 cases.
As this is our 3rd attempt to make a sincere effort to reopen, we will not announce an exact date of reopening except to say that we will continue daily to closely monitor and will provide an update as soon as we can regarding a date for reopening.
We have been very fortunate that none of our associates have tested positive or shown all symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks in advance for your support.
With gratitude,
Ron
*Individuals will need to call ahead to reserve their attendance.
**We will be following all CDC/FDOH COVID-19 safety guidelines.
We appreciate your patience, understanding and prayers as we navigate our future plans for the special individuals that we have the privilege to serve.
We will continue to keep you abreast of any updates and changes.
Most sincerely,
Ron
Other COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Call Center available 24/7 +1 (866) 779-6121 or email [email protected]
For more detail on Florida resident cases, please visit the live DOH Dashboard here.
* Florida residents that are diagnosed with COVID-19 and isolated out of state are not reflected on the Florida map.
** Total cases overview includes positive cases in Florida residents and non-Florida residents tested in Florida.
More Information on COVID-19
To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website. For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, please visit the travel advisory website.
For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to [email protected].
Fashion for Charity – Charity Fashion Show – Thursday July 19, 2018
Fashion Show to Benefit THE ARC OF THE BAY
Celebrating 61 years of providing supports and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
THURSDAY JULY 19, 2018
Holley Academic Center – FSU PC Campus
6:00 PM – Fashion Show Starts – Seating is Limited – Donations for Entry
Fashions Provided by: TJ MAXX
For More Info, call 850-265-2951
Sponsorships Available – Ask about a V.I.P. Table that includes Heavy Hors d’oeuvres & Wine
Dining For a Cause – Every Friday in March – Click for Location and Date Information
Come join us for good food, good fun, and a great cause. Each Friday in March, you can visit the locations below and each participating business will donate a portion of their proceeds from the day to The Arc of the Bay. Together, we are furthering our mission to provide the critical supports & services to adults with disabilities in our community.
March 2
VICTORIA’S LAST BITE (832 Florida Ave., Lynn Haven, FL)
March 9
CHARLIE CORAM’S PLACE (2729 W. 23rd St., Panama City, FL and 6204 Hwy. 2301, Panama City, FL)
March 16
ST. PADDY’S LUNCHEON FUNDRAISER AT THE ARC OF THE BAY (1804 Carolina Ave., Lynn Haven, FL)
Corned beef and cabbage provided by Beef O’Brady’s Lynn Haven
March 23
JIMMY JOHN’S LYNN HAVEN (2205 FL-77, Lynn Haven, FL)
March 30
TAZIKI’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE (103 W. 23rd St. E7, Panama City, FL and 15463 PCB Pkwy Unit B, PCB, FL)
SABC is Now The Arc of the Bay
St. Andrew Bay Center is now The Arc of the Bay and is proud to join The Arc’s national brand in the spirit of energy and a renewed commitment to providing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, (I/DD) and their families.
This dynamic new logo is the new face of The Arc of the Bay and will be on our publications, web site, signs, community events and more. The logo will unite our affiliated chapters across the country under the banner “Achieve With Us,” a call to move forward and take the road leading to progress, inclusion and respect.
“Our new brand identity represents a new day for The Arc of the Bay and the mission of The Arc. The new logo is bringing the work of a strong and energetic organization front and center and is a bright reminder that we provide opportunity: Opportunity for Hope, Opportunity for Growth and an Opportunity for Change,” said Executive Director, Ron Sharpe.
The Arc is the Nation’s largest and leading organization for people with I/DD and their families with 67 years of promoting and protecting the rights of people with I/DD and providing them the opportunity to live full, satisfying and self-determined lives as valued and contributing members of their communities. The Arc is an agent of change and over the past six decades, The Arc has been on the front lines advocating for legislation to improve the lives of people with I/DD in health care, education, employment, housing and more.
Victoria’s Last Bite Fundraiser – Success!
Victoria’s Last Bite was another huge successful fundraiser with community engagement for SABC!! Our goal was to raise $1,000 by selling 100 tickets at $10 while getting our clients involved in culinary skills. Looks right now that we raised $1562 with expenses coming in around $100 for flyers, croissant bread…we ran out & tea.FREE Summer Camp for Kids
