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!
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.St. Andrew Bay Center helps Clients Chase their Dreams
By ERYN DION, News Herald Reporter
PANAMA CITY BEACH — When the St. Andrew Bay Center asked their client, Shirley, what she liked in life and what her dreams might be, her answer was pretty simple — she liked money.She works at the center, a day training program for adults with mental and intellectual disabilities, most days, packing napkins and flatware for local restaurants and stuffing newspapers into plastic sleeves. She even takes home a paycheck, which she said she spends on clothes and shoes.
But Ron Sharpe, the center’s executive director, wanted to take Shirley’s dream a step further. Through their Dream Inspired Planning program, which gives clients a chance to spend a day working their dream job, Sharpe, and Centennial Bank, were able to let Shirley spend an hour behind the counter at their Panama City Beach Branch, learning how to be a teller and servicing the drive-thru window.
“All we’re really doing is helping them be more independent and more productive in their lives,” Sharpe said. “Trying to find their niche.”
Before Shirley was even given any assignment at the bank she was already making herself at home, asking the tellers their names, asking about their kids, and doling out compliments like candy. The bank employees took her under their wings, walking her through each transaction, letting her hold the money and collect receipts, all while giving a generous helping of high-fives and encouragement.
“It’s emotional, watching her,” Sharpe said. “I know on the ride back we’re going to be talking about it.”
Because of her limitations, Shirley wouldn’t be able to work as a teller at the bank, Sharpe explained, but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t do light janitorial work for them, or work as a greeter. It’s about the experience, he said, and while matching their clients and a sponsor can be a challenge, it’s definitely rewarding.
Last month, for instance, the St. Andrew Bay Center was able to help another client achieve his dream of being a truck driver like his father and brother.
“They will remember this for the rest of their lives,” Sharpe said. “They will talk about this every day they come back to the center.”
Bank Teller for a Day
The following is an Article from WJHG TV
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Have you ever dreamed of doing something but never got a chance to do it? Well the clients at St. Andrew Bay Center were introduced to “Dream Boards,” a creative way to for them to express their goals and aspirations using pictures and words for their possible future.
One of those clients got a chance to be a teller for the day at the beach location of Centennial Bank. She expressed an interest in learning about money and banking as a career after recently attending a training class titled “Dream Inspired Planning.”
Shirley’s dream board indicated that she would like to be a bank teller. Thanks to Brenda Marquis, Centennial Bank branch manager, along with entire Centennial Bank team, Shirley got the chance to chase her dream.
Ron Sharpe, Director of the St. Andrew Bay Center, said, “It’s a dream but by the same token is this and we’ll take Shirley for example. Shirley may not get a chance to work with money but as you saw with her personality there’s other things within the facility here that she is capable of doing.”
Several other St. Andrew Bay Center clients will be visiting other businesses next week as well, learning how to groom animals and another will be learning about bridal services. The program allows them to explore and experience their employment opportunities.
Dream Inspired Planning- St. Andrew Bay Center
Dream Inspired Planning is about about a person planning and visualizing future goals and dreams leading to employment . A Dream Board is a tool used in this process. It is a collage of images, pictures and affirmations of one’s dreams and desires, designed to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation, and to attain goals.We learned through Shirley’s Dream Board that she would like to be a bank teller. Brenda Marquis of Centennial Bank offered to show Shirley about banking through a visit to a Centennial Bank branch. Shirley will visit the Centennial Bank Branch located on 12141 Panama City Beach Parkway on Tuesday, May 9th at 10 AM. Many thanks to all the folks at Centennial Bank for helping Shirley to visualize her DREAM!!!
St. Andrew Bay Center has several clients visiting other businesses in the next few weeks to learn about grooming animals to bridal services. Ths allows clients them to explore and experience employment opportunities.
CityServe Helps Out at SABC
Amazing what we accomplished in 3 hours with our volunteers from Lynn Haven United Methodist Church during our annual City Serve! Kudos to ALL the volunteers, staff at LHUMC & Board Member Doris Hast for helping us make this a huge success!! George & Bill, two of our clients were instrumental to the success as well! FYI, the colors were picked by our clients!!
Recognizing Recent Special Support
Busy board of directors meeting today recognizing individuals & companies making a difference in the lives of our clients! Eric Myers, thank you for your help with the Condo Raffle Fundraiser! Katherine Duke Naumann & the Trane Company, Thank You for donating a 5 ton a/c unit for our Adult Day Training Center!! Charles Guy & Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, Thank you guys for the FREE installation on the 5 Ton a/c unit!! All of these made a direct positive economic impact on our agency!!
THANK YOU ALL!
Fun Run and 5k
Many thanks to so many who helped us today during our Inaugural Super Heroes 5K & FunRun!! So many winners, volunteers, over 130 runners! Thank you all!! University Academy, Margaret K. Lewis Exceptional School, Rob Delaney, Bill Kinsaul, Jill Boykin, Patrick Aaron Boykin, Doris Hast, Mathew Hill, Maggie Wattenbarger, Don Sirmons, Nathan Creel, Kohl’s Mary Lou Scott-Sersch, and Gulf Coast State College.
[kad_vimeo url=”https://vimeo.com/214583553″ width=”575″ height=”323″ autoplay=”yes”]