The Arc Westchester Foundation Raises Over $300,000 at
The funds support The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School for Early Development
Westchester County, N.Y. (October 6, 2022) – The Arc Westchester Foundation, which is dedicated to increasing public awareness and raising financial resources to support The Arc Westchester’s programs and services for children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities, recently hosted its 22nd Annual Golfing for Kids Outing and Tennis Mixer at Knollwood CC, Elmsford, NY. 150 golfers and tennis players and 230 reception attendees participated in the event, which raised over $300,000 to benefit children with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities supported by The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School for Early Development (Children’s School). Since its inception, Golfing for Kids has raised more than $3 million for the Children’s School.
This year’s event honored Polly and Ric Peace and the Country Children’s Center (CCC) with the Community Partner Award for their longstanding partnership with the Children’s School and shared commitment to supporting children with developmental disabilities, and their families.
The CCC, founded in 1967, is an independent, 501(c)(3) licensed day care center, providing affordable childcare to all families through a substantial scholarship program. Executive Director, Polly Peace, strongly believes in offering every child the opportunity to experience an environment that is safe and nurturing, with an academic basis of educational fun. Her commitment to quality daycare and her desire to create innovative program sites has been a team effort alongside her husband, Ric.
The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School partnership with Ric and Polly began in 1998 when the CCC opened their first site with an inclusion curriculum for children with developmental disabilities. This innovative model has made a difference in the educational and developmental trajectory of many children. By providing a special education preschool program at a critical period of their development, the students have been able to achieve a level of learning and academic success that would not have been possible without their participation in the inclusion program. Together, the Children’s School and the CCC have bettered the lives of countless families and made a lasting impact on their children.
“The Arc Westchester is thankful for its long and successful partnership with Polly, Ric and the CCC for everything they do to support the children with developmental disabilities enrolled in the Children’s School program,” said Nancy Patota, Executive Director, The Arc Westchester Foundation. “And, we are so very grateful to all of our sponsors, golfers, tennis players and reception attendees who came out today to celebrate our honorees and generously support our mission.”
About the Children’s School
The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School for Early Development provides educational, social and support services for children from birth to five years of age and their families. The funds raised by the Golfing for Kids Outing and Tennis Mixer help the Children’s School maintain its standard of excellence, while continuing to offer services to families at no cost. The program’s early intervention services are now delivered entirely in community settings, and more than 85% of the Children’s School graduates attend community schools, versus 16% nation-wide.
To learn more about The Arc Westchester’s Children’s School, visit www.arcwestchester.org.
About The Arc Westchester
The Arc Westchester, founded in 1949, is the largest agency in Westchester County supporting children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum, and their families. The organization’s 850 employees provide more than 2,000 individuals throughout the county with a broad range of innovative and effective programs and services designed to foster independence, productivity and participation in community life.
The mission of The Arc Westchester is to empower children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum, to achieve their potential by strengthening families and encouraging personal choices, abilities and interests.
The Arc Westchester is a chapter of The Arc USA and The Arc New York.
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