Jupiter, Fla. (June 23, 2021) – The Arc of Palm Beach County has been chosen as the Nonprofit of the Year. The Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce recognized The Arc’s positive impact on the community at the Chamber’s Annual Leadership Awards on Thursday, June 17, at the Pelican Club in Jupiter.
The Nonprofit of the Year Award honors an organization that uses its vision, passion, and perseverance to create new approaches and overcome obstacles to achieve its mission. During the past year, The Arc’s team harnessed its creativity, developing innovative programs to ensure people with developmental disabilities were cared for and connected to the community throughout the pandemic. Kimberly McCarten, The Arc’s president and CEO, and Russell Greene, CFO, accepted the award.
“The Arc believes in people. And that all people want the same thing – to feel connected, accepted, and included,” said McCarten. “If we see each other for who we really are and recognize each person’s talents, real connections form, minds are opened, and the world changes.”
The Arc of Palm Beach County is a proven leader in the disability community. This year, they created a Champions of Change Learning Series, investing in their team’s personal and professional growth and well-being to combat compassion fatigue and burnout. The nonprofit also spearheaded a statewide campaign to raise awareness about critical funding gaps for disability providers. The collective effort gained recognition on the House floor, elevating the voices of those with disabilities and bringing them into the conversation.
The Chair of The Arc’s Board of Trustees was also honored at the event. Kurt Gehring, the founder, president, and CEO of the Gehring Group, received the Gaeta Chairman’s Award of Excellence for playing an essential role in building the Palm Beach North community. Gehring joined the board at The Arc in 2008, and will serve as the chair for the next two years.
About The Arc of Palm Beach County
The Arc is changing the conversation around disabilities by defying definitions, inspiring possibilities, and improving the lives of the people we serve, their families, and our community. Since 1958, The Arc has envisioned a community where every person feels welcome, connected, and accepted.