A huge thank you to Bank of America for awarding a $15,000 grant to The Arc of Delaware in support of our Employment program.

This grant will be used to grow the program, which helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find and keep employment while improving economic mobility. The Arc works with state Divisions of Vocational Rehabilitation and Developmental Disabilities to identify jobs based on skills, ability levels and choice. We also develop intern and volunteer opportunities for people who need help building their marketable skills.  With this grant, we expect to not only increase the support hours we can provide to current individuals but also expand the number of people we can accept from referring agencies.

“The average person in our program has been employed for 15 years,” says Susannah Eaton-Ryan, executive director of The Arc of Delaware. “We are proud of our success rate, which is a direct outcome of the intensive, individualized nature of our services, made possible in large part through grants such as this. We truly appreciate the ongoing support from Bank of America today and for more than 20 years in working together to drive economic mobility for employees with disabilities.”

The grant is part of Bank of America’s philanthropic giving efforts to drive economic mobility and strengthen local communities. Awardees were selected for their commitment to addressing basic needs and workforce development for individuals and families.

“The Arc of Delaware is a leader in connecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to the opportunities they need to grow their skills and find stable, meaningful work,” said Chip Rossi, President, Bank of America Delaware. “We look forward to continuing this longtime partnership as we work to build a stronger and more inclusive workforce.”