Supporting Ontario ARC by Becoming a Member of the Agency

Membership growth and retention are essential to the survival of Ontario ARC and NYSARC, Inc. It fulfills many needs, including advocacy efforts on the state and local level, financial support, public awareness, volunteers for agency involvement, and other important activities of the agency.

As membership increases so does Ontario ARC’s voice and strength on local and state levels. Membership gives the agency, through NYSARC, the voice it needs to influence decisions made by state legislators and policymakers by effectively advocating on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Membership in Ontario ARC is open to all individuals who are interested in the welfare of persons developmental disabilities.

Your membership enables Ontario ARC and NYSARC, Inc., to:

• Fund person-centered programs and services for people with developmental disabilities.
• Provide advocacy to protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities and their families through state legislation and policy.
• Provide advocacy for people with developmental disabilities in your local community.
• Provide a base of volunteers for agency involvement.
• Inform and educate the public at large about people with developmental disabilities.
• Awareness is the first step in creating society-wide acceptance and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities.
• Bring people together who share our commitments.

Benefits of becoming a member of Ontario ARC include:

• Participation in NYSARC, Inc., the largest not-for-profit organization in the state (75,000 members statewide) for families and individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Participation in the national organization, The Arc US, which offers resource materials, in addition to a Legislative Action Center website (http://www.capwiz.com/thearc/state/main/?state=NY) for advocacy efforts.
• Participation in the affairs of Ontario ARC.
• Opportunities to contribute time and talent through volunteerism.
• Access to NYSARC’s Guardianship and Trust programs.
• Receipt of Ontario ARC’s newsletter, ARC Notes, with up to date information concerning the agency.

How can you become a member of Ontario ARC?
Membership in Ontario ARC automatically makes you a member of NYSARC, Inc. and The Arc U.S. Please call us at 585-394-7500 or email dauria@ontarioarc.org to join in our membership today!