July 2026

The Arc Connection

As we begin a new fiscal year at The Arc of Buncombe County, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who joined us for our Annual Meeting and purchased their 2026–2027 membership. Your presence, encouragement, and continued support remind us that we are part of a community that believes every individual deserves opportunities to thrive.

If you were unable to attend, there is still time to become a member or renew your membership. Your annual membership is one of the many ways you help strengthen our mission and ensure that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families have access to advocacy, resources, and meaningful opportunities. (Be sure to use the membership link included in this newsletter.)

As we begin Fiscal Year 2027, we also have the opportunity to reflect on all that we accomplished together during Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026). I encourage you to take a few moments to explore our Annual Report and celebrate the impact your support has made possible. From advocacy and family support to educational outreach, community partnerships, and inclusive programming, every achievement reflects the dedication of our staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and community partners.

At our Annual Meeting, we were also proud to premiere our new organizational video, Empowering Lives. Strengthening Communities. Those four words beautifully capture the heart of The Arc's mission. They reflect not only what we do, but why we do it. Every day, our staff works alongside individuals and families to create opportunities, remove barriers, and build a stronger, more inclusive Western North Carolina.

As we look ahead to another year of service, we are excited about the opportunities before us and grateful to have you as part of The Arc family. Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us continue to empower lives and strengthen communities.

With gratitude,

Linda McDaniel, Executive Director

📸 View the Annual Meeting Photo Album
▶️ Watch Our New Video “Empowering Lives, Strengthening Communities.”

The Arc of Buncombe County is proud to partner with Vaya Health to administer the Hope & Healing Hurricane Recovery Housing Assistance Program, expanding our ability to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.

Funded by Vaya Health, this program provides housing assistance to eligible Vaya Health members living in the 19 designated Hurricane Helene-impacted North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians service area.

The Arc is honored to have been selected by Vaya Health to administer this important recovery initiative. This partnership reflects our longstanding commitment to supporting individuals with I/DD and their families while expanding our reach to connect more people with critical housing resources.

Eligible participants may receive assistance with:

• Rental payments

• Mortgage payments

• Utility expenses

Housing stability is essential to helping individuals and families recover and thrive. As the program administrator, The Arc is honored to connect eligible Vaya Health members with these important resources while continuing our mission of empowering lives and strengthening communities.

Think you or someone you know may qualify? Visit our Hope & Healing webpage to learn about eligibility, view the service area, and apply online.

Visit: www.arcofbuncombecounty.org/hope-healing