Our Story
Our History
We have come a long way in the past seventy years, but sometimes as we dream and believe what is yet to be, we need to remember our earliest beginnings. Imagine for a moment, a time in the early 1950’s when a new and radical story began to take hold within the nation regarding opportunities and hopes for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It was during this time that a group of loving Midland parents formed The Arc of Midland as a grassroots response to the lack of educational opportunities for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These “pioneer parents”, as they became affectionately known, did it all. They operated the school, hired the teachers, made children’s lunches in the cafeteria, and helped to create new and enriching programs for their kids.
From their strident beginnings and earnest efforts, the “pioneer parents” became a positive force of change within our community. Public support services were developed. The public school system began to offer integrated curriculum for their children with disabilities. As their efforts grew and evolved, new programs and services were developed.
Today, we find ourselves once again at the forefront of change, as we dream, believe and remember all of the great things an inclusive community is capable of and able to accomplish when we all work together.
Meet Our Team
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Laurel Bucci
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
- Harriet Tubman
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Rebecca Rekeweg
“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”
– Henry David Thoreau
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Wendy Cook
“Kindness is FREE, sprinkle that stuff everywhere!”
- Unknown
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Lexi Rapanos
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”
- A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
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Cassidy Tucker
“Win the day!”
- Unknown
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Christina Halabrin
“Let your smile change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile.”
-Connor Franta
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Cathleen Conley
“Nothing is impossible.”
-Unknown
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Melina Bucci
“A whole new world. I believe in helping people!”
-Melina Bucci
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Tiffany Burge
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
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Archie Cook
“Another paw-fect day at the office!
― Unknown
Board of Directors
Megan Anderson (Dow), President
Vice President, TBD
Dallas Rau (Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Partnership), Past President
Julie Beall (CPA), Treasurer
Secretary, TBD (Rebecca Rekeweg serving as interim)
Directors
Blain Anderson (Bone Insurance Agency)
Carol Boothroyd (Still Water Counseling)
Anthony Gates (Midland Public Schools)
Dr. Mary-Ellen MacPhee (Northwood University)
Michaele Malecki (Community Member)
CJ Mikkelsen (City Employee / Former Firefighter / EMS)
Sarah Murchison (New Perspectives)
Matt Rapanos (Ayre Rhinehart)
Mike Williams (Isabella Bank)
Meaghan Woodward (Dupont)
Liaison to The Arc of Michigan Board
Sarah Hubble – Independent Community Living, Cottage Creamery