October 2025

The Arc Connection

Friends,

As we mark one year since Hurricane Helene, our office is seeing more applications for support than ever before. Families are coming to us in critical need—seeking help with rent, mortgages, utilities, and transportation.

It is sobering to think about how difficult “bouncing back” has been for so many of us. For families caring for a child or adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those challenges are often multiplied many times over. Just as our streets and buildings still bear visible signs of the storm’s damage, our clients continue to carry invisible burdens. Their scars may not be seen from the outside, but they are very real.

The emotional toll of the past year—layered on top of the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic—has left many families struggling to find stability. We feel this deeply in our office as we listen to their stories during intake interviews and hear firsthand how overwhelming the needs have become.

Now more than ever, our mission matters. With your support, we can continue to be a steady presence for families facing unimaginable challenges and walk beside them on their path to recovery.

I am also deeply grateful for your participation in our Harvest of Hope Fundraiser. This year’s theme, Harvest of Hope, was chosen with great intention. It honored both the resilience of our community after Hurricane Helene and the legacy of our late president, Oscar Wong, whose unwavering hope and leadership continue to inspire The Arc of Buncombe County. Your support ensures that we can continue to stand with families during their most difficult moments and offer a path toward stability, healing, and hope.

Warm regards,

Linda

Bloom Fitness:
Leading with Heart, Moving for Life

When John Watson, founder of Bloom Fitness and Board Member of The Arc of BC, spoke at Harvest of Hope, he shared more than a fitness story—he shared a movement.

“Bloom’s first goal is always to make an emotional connection,” John explains. “We call it Leading with Heart. Whether it’s friendships, personal goals, or pure joy, we want every athlete to feel proud and motivated to move.”

Founded in 2016 with seven stationary bikes in Texas, Bloom has invested over $1 million to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) choose a lifetime of wellness. Today it serves athletes at 40 locations across six states through yoga, Pilates, cycling, strength, dance, and chair fitness—offered in person, on-demand, and live online.

Bloom keeps programs accessible, providing engaging, I/DD-specific fitness for as little as $2 per athlete interaction in later years—far below industry costs.

In Western North Carolina, Bloom partners with Reach for Independence, Blue West, the Autism Society of North Carolina, Open Hearts, AB Tech, and the Irene Wortham Center.

And the movement is still growing. “We’re expanding nationwide with better technology and more programs,” John says. “Everyone deserves the chance to move, connect, and thrive.”

John’s connection with The Arc of Buncombe County began with a simple act of kindness: joining the Operation Santa project. Missed the video at Harvest of Hope? Take a few minutes to watch, learn, and fall in love with Bloom Fitness!

Reliable Transportation:
A Lifeline for I/DD Families

At the recent Harvest of Hope fundraiser, Linda McDaniel shared a heartfelt special ask— to help provide crisis assistance in the area of transportation. For Linda and the team at The Arc of Buncombe County, this need is more than a convenience. It’s about dignity, independence, and opportunity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.

Reliable transportation changes lives. It means someone can get to a doctor’s appointment on time, attend therapy, go to work, or simply be part of community life. But when a loved one has I/DD, the stakes are even higher. A missed ride isn’t just an inconvenience; it can mean lost care, isolation, or missed chances to grow and connect.

Linda knows that in Buncombe County, public transit and specialized ride services are often limited. A sudden car repair, an unexpected medical trip, or the loss of a vehicle can quickly become a crisis. That’s why she called on the community to help bridge the gap—so that no family is left stranded and no individual is cut off from essential services and friendships.

Thanks to the generosity shown at Harvest of Hope, The Arc can respond when transportation becomes a barrier. This support ensures that people with I/DD remain connected to the care, work, and relationships that help them thrive.

Together, this community is making sure every person has a way forward.

Xpertech Car Care has worked with The Arc to support our clients with transportation needs.Their compassion for helping is evident in every interaction!

OCTOBER IS:

• ADHD AWARENESS MONTH

• DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

• DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH

• MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

• NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYEE AWARENESS MONTH

• SPINA BIFIDA AWARENESS DAY

OCTOBER

1ST - WORLD CEREBRAL PALSY DAY

Melissa Gunter, Vice-President, The Arc of BC Executive Board, and Assistant Branch Manager, State Employees Credit Union

Melissa has served on the board for more than three years. When asked about her “why” for supporting The Arc of Buncombe County, she shared: “Being part of an organization committed to serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is deeply rewarding. It is an honor to collaborate with passionate, dedicated people—fellow board members, staff, volunteers, and community partners—all working toward a common goal. Together, we can create meaningful change and make a lasting difference.”