The Arc of Stanly County, Monarch honored by The Arc of North Carolina

Monarch/The Arc of Stanly, two board members and staff members were honored by The Arc of North Carolina during its 2018 Annual Awards Dinner hosted as part of the Arc’s annual Rooted in Advocacy Conference held on March 23-24 in Winston-Salem.

During the event, the following Monarch/The Arc of Stanly recipients were among approximately 15 recipients statewide honored by The Arc of North Carolina.

The Monarch/The Arc of Stanly award recipients were:

Volunteer of the Year Award went to Larry and Brenda Hinson, Monarch Board of Directors, The Arc of Stanly Committee Members and grandparents of a person with disabilities, for their longtime support, service and advocacy for people with disabilities. The award recognizes volunteers who has given generously of his or her time and talents to further the mission of the Arc. The Hinsons, who live in Albemarle, have met with elected officials in Raleigh and Washington, D.C. about policies related to the disability community. They have also coordinated activities and events for residents of some of the homes that Monarch operates.

The I/DD Professional of the Year went to Kellie Staten, a member of the Long-Term Services and Support Best Practice Team, was honored for the incredible work she has done facilitating our Smart Home initiative, which helps people we support live more independently using assistive technology. Staten has become an expert and has presented on the topic during several conferences. Staten, of Swainsboro, the I/DD Professional of the Year award is presented to a person who has demonstrated the ability to provide outstanding support.

The Chapter Innovation Award winner was presented to recognize Monarch’s Support Inclusion Saturday campaign, which highlights businesses, brands and organizations that support inclusion for people with disabilities during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month held in March. In its second year, approximately 50 partner businesses with 96 locations featured on the campaign microsite InclusionSaturday.org.

The Arc of North Carolina also recognized The Arc of Stanly/Monarch as one of its 2018 Distinguished Affiliates. The Arc of Stanly/Monarch was named among 10 other coveted group of chapters that were honored for the dedication, commitment and professionalism of chapters of The Arc. A chapter that receives the distinguished Affiliate recognition has provided advocacy, instituted programs, encouraged diversity, participated in and supported activities that benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their local communities.

Established in 1958, Monarch provides support statewide to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance use disorders. The organization is nationally accredited by The Joint Commission and The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). Monarch operates The Arc of Stanly County, which is a chapter of The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of the United States. To learn more about how Monarch provides support, please call (866) 272-7826 or visit www.MonarchNC.org.

Pictured (l-r): Nathalie Santa Maria and Natasha Suber, of the marketing/communications team, accepted the Chapter Innovation Award for the Support Inclusion Saturday campaign; Monarch President/CEO Dr. Peggy Terhune was presented with the Distinguished Affiliate honor; Jeanette Wilhelm, accepted the Volunteer of the Year Award for the Hinsons, and Kellie Staten, was named the 2018 I/DD Professional of the Year.

Media Contact: Natasha A. Suber, [email protected] or (704) 986-1582.