December 14, 2011 Craft-Bilt Company Brings Holiday Cheer for 26th Year Photos by Bonnie Squires Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company executives and staff members delivered holiday gifts at The Arc of Philadelphia facility for the 26th straight year. (left to right) Amy Gabler, Vice President Debbei Stone, Santa Claus (Richard Ball), Mandy Gebbie, and Inger Stone, wife of company CEO Andy Stone. Bruce Hulick, Executive Director of the Arc and PDDC was on hand to welcome them.
Christmas arrived early for The Arc of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Developmental Disabilities Corporation (ARC-PDDC), thanks to the award-winning Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company of Souderton, maker of sunrooms and awnings. Craft-Bilt continues to carry on on a holiday tradition which they started in 1986.
On Wednesday, December 14, 2011, Craft-Bilt executives and staff members arrived from Souderton for the 26th year in a row to The Arc and PDDC, at 2350 W. Westmoreland Street, Philadelphia, in order to deliver gifts. Inger Stone, wife of company CEO Andy Stone, receives a list of needed items from the Arc and PDDC executives, and she shops at Kohl's to fill Christmas wishes. Then Craft-Bilt's Mandy Gebbie organizes a wrapping party, where all the employees team up to gift-wrap more than 70 sets of gift items, including sweaters, scarves, hats, team jerseys, CDs, comic books and toiletries. Craft-Bilt's Richard Ball, an account manager, dressed up as Santa Claus, and, after distributing wrapped presents to the clients of PDDC, he walks through the Training Center, distributing small stuffed animals and spreading joy to dozens of more people.	Inger Stone is delighted that the gifts she selected made such a big hit. Photo by Bonnie Squires
Since Debbie Stone, the daughter of the founder and the sister of Andy Stone, company president, had been a special education teacher in the Philadelphia School District for years before joining the family business, she had suggested a project involving the clients of the Arc of Philadelphia and PDDC to begin this tradition. According to Debbie Stone, the Craft-Bilt employees look forward to this special visit to the Arc and PDDC each year, and they enjoy having contact with their special people. The smiles and hugs were evidence of the delight which the Craft-Bilt gifts brought to the Arc and PDDC clients. Craft-Bilt also is a major sponsor of the annual Arc and PDDC Golf Outing, sponsoring several teams of Philadelphia School District students.

October 18, 2011
Letter of Response Regarding Recent News of Abuse

The Arc of Philadelphia and PDDC offer the following response to the recent news reports of the alleged criminal behavior against people with disabilities. Read More

October 6, 2011
The Arc meets with SE PA Representative



In this Photo from left to right is Adam Gattuso, Governor Corbett's SE PA Representative; Bruce Hulick, executive director of The Arc of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Developmental Disabilities Corporation (ARC/PDDC); Karen Stokes, Deputy Governor's Representative; and Lt. Governor Jim Cawley, meeting at the Bellevue state government offices to discuss the state budget and the mission and services which ARC/PDDC offers to hundreds of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

September 26, 2011
7th Annual Golf Outing



The Arc and PDDC would like to thank everyone who helped make this year's golf outing a success. Over 120 golfers were in attendance at the Bala Golf Club and over 50 sponsors contributed to make this event as well as the silent auction possible. Your generous donation supports us in our mission to educate our community regarding inclusion for all children and adults with disabilities. In this photo is the All Phase Electric Group. To see a list of our sponsors and friends CLICK HERE

September 16, 2011
Points of Transformation Award for Michael Gerkovich and Shalaine Wallace
Michael Gerkovich, a direct support professional for the Cultural Arts Center since 2009, and Shalaine Wallace, Clinical Director, were recognized at the Points of Transformation Awards presented by the Philadelphia Intellectual disAbilities Services in September. Everyday, Mike and Shalaine put PDDC’s mission into practice to provide meaningful experiences and a sense of community belonging to the people PDDC supports.

Mike uses his resources and creativity as a working artist to coordinate projects like theater performances, artists’ books, and gardening. Mike explains that watching the people in Cultural Arts become more self-sufficient by using the arts and the “do it yourself” ethos to help them learn valuable social and life skills, is what keeps him motivated, present and accountable to the artists and to his colleagues.

Shalaine has touched the lives of many people over the last ten years but it has been her recent efforts to help a particular person, J.B., that has had a profound, life-changing effect on her. After thoughtful consideration, she made a decision to begin the process of becoming J.B.’s life sharing provider. A huge step that she doesn’t take lightly, Shalaine explains that she is ready to embrace the next adventure in her personal life and her career. She believes she can make a real difference in J.B.’s life at home and in the community.

The bonds Mike and Shalaine have developed between their colleagues and the people they support can be seen in how people view each as collaborator, trusted confidant, and friend.

Congratulations, Mike and Shalaine!

September 7, 2011
Shaky Shaky Planet at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival

Shaky Shaky Planet, a Fringe Festival performance opened at the Painted Bride Art Center to an audience of over one hundred. The Shaky Shaky Players’ unique theater project combined contemporary performance techniques, original music, and visual arts in a multi-media performance where genres and pop culture references collide with uproarious results. The project was a collaboration with the artists of the Cultural Art program and multi-media artists E. Schumacher, M. Gerkovich and E. Brintnall. READ FULL STORY

August 4, 2011
House Education Committee Hearings

House Education Committee hearings were held on Wednesday, July 27 on Temple University’s campus about charter schools, tuition vouchers, and other issues regarding funding of education which are only designed for students who attend private and religious schools.  Nofre Vaquer and Bruce Hulick testified on behalf of The Arc along with other nonprofits, educators, and school district and Philadelphia officials. In this photo are Nofre Vaquer, Director of The Arc, Rep. Jim Roebuck, Rep. Scott Conklin and Bruce Hulick, Executive Director of The Arc.

August 4, 2011
The Arc of Philadelphia is on WPHL 17’s In Focus August 13

Arc spokesmen, Bruce Hulick, Executive Director and Nofre Vaquer, Director discuss The Arc’s mission and vision, who we serve, what we do,  what programs and services we offer, and how people can get involved.
 READ STORY ..SEE VIDEO

March 14, 2011
Welcome University of Georgia Volunteers

UGA Students will spend their alternative spring break with The Arc/PDDC to complete a week’s worth of service projects and community activities. The students will be paired with a buddy from PDDC for the entire week and together they will be given a tour of Philadelphia. The students are also instrumental in assisting with the Spring Art Exhibition Opening Reception which is being held at Chestnut Hill College March 16th. This is the fourth year that UGA students have supported The Arc/PDDC. Go Bull Dogs!

Lieutenant Governor elect Jim Cawley visits The Arc/PDDC

December 21, 2010
Holiday Open House with Trevor Laws and Temple's Basketball Team

Trevor Laws, the Eagles defensive tackle along with Temple University Coach Fran Dunphy and the entire men's Temple basketball team; Swoop, the Eagles mascot; and the Hawk, St. Joseph's University mascot visited The Arc/PDDC for the annual Holiday Open House.

Gifts, games and art supplies which had been collected by Pamela Baker, Esq., and her committee at a toy drive at the Ambler Theatre were distributed.
 Full Story

December 4, 2010
“ A Day at the Movies”
The Ambler Theater hosted "A Day at the Movies", a gift drive and holiday fundraiser for over 350 children and their parents to support The Arc/PDDC and the Kisses for Kyle Foundation. Arc/PDDC supporter Pamela Baker organized the event and believes in the importance of giving by children during the holiday season.

“ I am so impressed with this event, I brought my nieces and nephews out today to show them the meaning of giving." said friend Jamie Paul.  All of the gifts and donations collected at the theater were distributed at The Arc's Holiday Open House. Gifts were also given to the new initiative Hawk Chalk, a literacy class run by St. Joe’s University volunteers.

December 9, 2010
The Arc/PDDC Holiday Blitz Fundraiser
The Arc/PDDC teamed up with the Philadelphia Eagles and hosted a holiday party at Chickie’s and Pete’s in South Philadelphia. Nearly 200 guests had the opportunity to mingle with Eagles stars Brent Celek, Todd Herremans, Jon Dorenbos and rookie Brandon Graham. Eagles alumni Bill Bergey and Tra Thomas were also on hand to sign Eagle's footballs.

Special recognition was given to Arc/PDDC supporter Pamela Baker, Esq. , who organized a toy donation at the Ambler Theater. Comcast Sportsnet’s Michael Barkann emceed the ceremony, and lamented-“these three individuals are sharing so much to those served by The Arc/PDDC. They are showing everybody what the true meaning of the holiday season
is all about- the gift of giving”. PHOTO ALBUM

August 19, 2010
Independence Hosts Arc of Philadelphia for Day of Friendship and Fun
U.S. National Team and Independence defender Heather Mitts is an active volunteer with Arc of Philadelphia, and The Arc group came equipped with a "We Love Heather" poster to support their favorite player. 
FULL STORY • PHOTO ALBUM

March 14, 2010
Peace ... Love ... Philly ... UGA Alternative Spring Break
For the third year in a row, 21 students from the University of Georgia dedicated their Spring Break to serving The Arc/PDDC family while getting the opportunity to immerse themselves in Philadelphia’s culture. The students were paired with a buddy for the week and worked alongside each other to complete several service projects.
PHOTO ALBUM • VIDEO

March 14, 2010
Art Exhibition at City Hall
The artists of the Cultural Arts program have been given a great venue to showcase their artwork at Philadelphia City Hall. On Thursday evening, March 8th an opening night reception was attended by over 200 guests including local politicians and luminaries from the art community. Guests enjoyed hors d’ oeuvres from ShopRite and the musical talents Jeff Torchon Jazz Trio. The art work will be on display in Philadelphia City Hall through May 21st.

January 28, 2010
Artist Dwayne Boone has lunch with Eagles tight end Brent Celek and his wife Susie along with PDDC's Associate Directors Linda Price and Michael Barnes to celebrate Brent's birthday. Dwayne presents the Celek's with 3 beautiful portrait paintings of Brent playing football and of he and his wife.

January 15, 2010
Health Care: Focus on Autism
Coverage of autism treatment a bumpy road, families find Philadelphia Business Journal - by John George Staff Writer
FULL STORY