ARC S.D. ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO LEAD NONPROFIT

Group supports residents living with disabilities

The Arc San Diego Foundation has announced its new board of directors that will lead fundraising efforts for the organization.

The board’s officers slate is comprised of Carlsbad resident Paul La Bounty as chair, Chula Vista resident Rachelle Tubongbanua as first vice chair, Carlsbad resident Mike Lichtenberger as secretary/treasurer and La Mesa resident James O. Reynolds as past chair.

Other board members are Solana Beach resident Ron Blair, Chula Vista resident Jorge Ceballos, Oceanside resident Donald Molloy, Poway resident Edward C. Walton, La Jolla resident Norma Hidalgo-del Rio and Carmel Valley residents Esther Coit and Tim Himstreet.

The Arc San Diego Foundation, established three decades ago, supports the

Arc of San Diego by raising funds to support its programs.

Arc of San Diego is a private, nonprofit organization that supports children and adults living with disabilities in San Diego County. Every year, the organization serves about 2,000 people with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

The organization’s services include employment assistance, independent living support and training, residential homes for adults with disabilities and respite care to support caregivers.

Through Arc’s Early Intervention Services, children age 3 and under deemed at risk for or determined to have delayed development are supported through programs focused on strengthening motor skills, social interaction, language, selfhelp and cognition.

“Not only do we provide the impact on early education, but we provide ongoing support for children and adults with disabilities within that community,” Tubongbanua said.

While the foundation previously focused much of its fundraising toward the development of buildings to support Arc of San Diego’s programs and clients, the current board will focus on helping clients access technology and transportation, La Bounty said.

The board hopes to purchase as many as 500 ipads for clients so they have reliable, consistent access to technology.

La Bounty said the board is also hoping to increase the organization’s fleet of vans to help clients access Arc’s programs or commute to work.

“Most people don’t really think about or realize is that the public transportation cannot accommodate wheelchairs much of the time and they’re often left behind at a bus stop,” he said.

Arc of San Diego has about 300 clients who are transported in its fleet of 79 vans daily. La Bounty said they’re hoping to fundraise to buy 11 more.

lauren.mapp@sduniontribune.com