What does it mean to be a member of The Arc of Delaware County? What is the value of an Arc membership? How is The Arc relevant to my life, my situation, my family member?

 

The Membership Services Committee of The Arc of Delaware County is asking these questions of DELARC members right now, in conversations, at committee meetings, and at membership meetings. These are important questions for any membership organization to pose to its membership. The answers to these questions help to shape the future direction of the organization, to assure that members experience directly the value of their membership.

One way to think about membership in The Arc is to think of the:

A as representing Advocacy; the R as Resources; and the C as Community.

For instance:

Advocacy is the core mission of The Arc. It's often most real when you or a family member needs individual advocacy service, to fight for educational rights, to negotiate needed services, or to get help figuring out the health care Insurance system. The Arc has two full-time advocates, one for children and their families, and the other for adults and their families. Advocacy also means working for systemic change, to bring about a more responsive community service system. Many members tell us that our Legislative Advocacy is key to bringing about needed changes.

Resources are a by-product of the advocacy The Arc is engaged in, and something The Arc strives to make available to its membership. Resources take many forms, from the information and referral information and lending library materials of the Family Resource Center to the social and recreational opportunities available to children and adults with disabilities. The Arc of Delaware County provides leadership in the larger disabilities community, through our collaborative partnerships, to generate new resources for all.

Community has always been the heart and soul of The Arc of Delaware County. A membership organization is by definition a community of people with shared interests, The Arc builds community in the ways in which we connect families with each other and the ways in which we inspire communities to embrace the unique contributions of its members with disabilities. Anyone who has attended an Arc Dance or banquet or social event has witnessed community-building as its best. It is in community that people thrive, share resources, and advocate for each other.

Advocacy, Resources, Community--One of the many ways to define the value of membership in The Arc of Delaware County.

Here are the Membership Fees for 2008:

 

Individual: $20.00*

Family: $25.00*

Lifetime Membership: $500.00

*yearly dues

● Free advocacy & services for children, adults, and their families.
● The Arc of Delaware County's Quarterly Newsletter.
● Membership to The Arc of PA & USA.
● Information and resource referrals.
● Information & support for future planning including special need trusts.
● Social & Recreational activities.
● Training & education opportunities for self-advocates, family members & professionals.
● Independent Monitoring for community based supports & services.

(Membership Application) *PDF format

To become a member of The Arc of Delaware County you may download our application online (above), print your information, then send (your appilcation) with a check to:

The Arc of Delaware County
740 S. Chester Road. Suite G
Swarthmore, PA 19081