Help Us Unify Our Name!

October 27, 2011

Many positive and significant changes have been taking place within Arc and Matson Community Services in the last couple of years. 

• Phase I of our capital campaign is complete, which has allowed our vocational folks to move into a bright, clean production area with many new jobs
• We are working hard to finish our capital campaign
• Our community based day services and our day habilitation program are thriving and new referrals are being received weekly
• Our residential programs are responding quickly and with sensitivity to the ever changing needs of the folks we support

Once the building on Main Street is renovated, we will fulfill our dream of having all staff under one roof.  This move will help us get closer to our goal to unify the agency and will allow us to work more effectively on behalf of the individuals we support and their families.

There is another change that must occur.  Right now we have three names:  Matson Community Services, Arc Community Services and, to connect the two, Alliance for Resource Management.   Having three separate names is very confusing for those in the community, as some people do not know who we are and do not realize that the three are connected. We MUST choose one name to go forward so that we have a solid identity. 

It is completely understandable that some of you have had ties to the agency for many years (much longer than me!) and have strong feelings about what the agency should be called.  Some of you newer people may have strong feelings, too!  For that reason, we want to hear from you.  If you have a good idea of a name for the agency, please send your idea to Mary Heafy, President and CEO at m.heafy@arc-matson.org.  The Board of Directors will review all submissions before approving a final name.  Those that submit their ideas to Mary by October 31^st will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Walmart gift card.

***PLEASE *** keep the following information in mind when suggesting a name:

1. We receive much needed legislative advocacy, education and support from the state and national Arc.  It is their wish that each Arc have a name that begins with “the Arc of ________________.”  While it is not mandatory, using this type of name will help us to be more recognizable to the public. 
2. The other important thing to keep in mind is the amazing work of Matson over the years and how important that name has been to honor the legacy of the founder, Mrs. Eunice J. Matson, who had a dream to create a better life than that of the institution for developmentally disabled people of the state. She knew that disabled people should live in their own communities. Because of her beliefs, she worked tirelessly throughout her life to ensure that developmentally disabled individuals had the chance to realize their human and legal right to live in the community with freedom and dignity.  We will need to decide if we keep “Matson” in our name and if not, we will need to come up with another way to continue to honor Eunice, possibly through naming opportunities (we could name a room in the building after her, or a scholarship fund, or name an event that we have, etc.).
3. There are many other people of historical significance to the Arc organization whose names are not formally recognized, including Coula Veros, who gathered the original founders of the Arc in 1952.

The decision of a new name is a big decision that we do not want to make without your feedback.  We welcome your assistance.

The following is a list of suggestions that we have so far:

Arc-Matson of N. Central

Arc of Northern Worcester County

Arc of Central Mass

Arc of North Central Mass

Arc of Fitchburg

Twin City Arc

Johnny Appleseed Arc

North County Arc

Arc of Worcester County

Keep three names: ARC Community Services of Fitchburg, Matson Residential and Community       Services,   Employment and Community Day programs

Arc Angels

The Arc of Opportunity

The Arc of Central Massachusetts

Arc-Matson of North Central Mass

Arc-Matson Human Services of Ma

Arc-Matson Community Services of Ma

Arc-Matson of Ma

Arc and Matson Community Services of Ma

Matson-Arc Human Services of Ma

Matson-Arc Community Services of Ma

The Arc – Matson Alliance

The Arc of Matson

Thank you for all that you do,

Jennifer LaBaire

Chair, Board of Directors