Annual Report
Exceptional People Delivering Quality Service
OUR VALUES
One
We work collaboratively towards a common purpose and shared goals
Human
We are genuine in our interactions and communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully.
Strive
We deliver that best possible outcome for our stakeholders and take pride in our work built on quality and integrity.
Growth
We embrace change and seek opportunities to advance our services for the benefit of our stakeholders and community.
Service
We acknowledge that our work matters and build a sense of belonging, acceptance, and support for those we serve.
Table of Contents
Letter from the Executive Director 2
Board of Directors 3
Mission, Vision, Quality Statement 3
Highlights 4
Industrial Support Services 5
WeCycle 5
Arnold Farms 6
Good Kitchen 7
Midland Fresh 7
Community Living Supports 8
Financials 9
Success 10
Community Employment 10
Staff Recognition 11
Donations 12
Safety 13
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I am honored to write this letter of introduction for this report. This last year has proven
challenging as we navigated a staffing crisis, high inflation, and the lasting effects of a
global pandemic. However, I must tell you that despite all those things…
Good Things Grow Here. People. Produce. Purpose.
Arnold Center participants have continued to thrive through our purpose-driven vocational
training and community activities. This is primarily due to our staff and the continued support
of our community employers and partners. I am inspired by the individuals I see walking through
our doors daily. Our staff members show up every day to provide meaningful interactions, training, and genuine care for those easily overlooked.
This organization is special, and not just because of what we do.
-
It is special because we have a Board of Directors that believe in our mission and their unwavering support of our participants and staff.
-
It is special because of the dedicated staff members that live our mission and provide countless hours of support for those we serve.
-
It is special because we have a leadership team that gives their all to support their departments in meeting our mission.
It is special because of all the individuals we serve who give us purpose.
Over the last couple of years, the Arnold Center has remained financially stable, which is demonstrated through our strong balance sheet, development of additional programming and continued success of our Social Enterprises; Arnold Farms, Good Kitchen, and WeCycle. Our partnerships with community employers have expanded our employment training and work opportunities into new sectors and increased the earning potential for individuals in our programs. These increased employment have also resulted in increased wages and career paths for our staff members. We realize that investing in our staff is an investment in the future of our program.
We have reviewed our policies and practices with our increased knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which has resulted in updates to ensure we are an inclusive environment and organization for all community members. I cannot be prouder of the steps we have taken to advance our environment that promotes people and purpose. I invite you, if you have not already, to learn more about the Arnold Center and to become part of what makes this organization exceptional.
Jennifer Grace
Jennifer Grace, Executive Director
OUR BOARD
We would like to extend our sincerest thank you to our Board of Director for another year of service. Our Board of Directors, has been united, in their commitment to valuing people’s strength, abilities and skill regardless of the challenges they may face. As a non-profit, Arnold Center is governed by a Board of Directors comprised entirely of volunteers who are share our mission and have committed to sharing their professional expertise and time. This time and energy devoted to Arnold Center’s planning and well-being is a gift that we are grateful to receive.
We would like to give a special thank you to Kyle Fahrner for his service as our Board Chair (2020-2022). With Kyle’s leadership we have been able to navigate through great challenges. A famous activist once said, wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing. Kyle has proven to be both wise and virtuous.
Kyle Fahrner
Chair
Kimberlee Baczewski
Vice-Chair
Tom Kreucher
Secretary
Matthew Granzo
Treasurer
Board of Directors
Regular Board: Bob Balzer, John Bunch, Maureen Donker, Mark Freed, Sam Howard, Lance Lewis Ph.D., Chrysa Milholland, Marcie Post, John Searles, Dave Szczepanski, Gregg Young
Emeritus Board: Tim Dyste, Kim Hohisel, Jim Hummel, Alice Strack
Mission
We empower individuals with disabilities and other barriers to independence through
enhanced vocational, social and life skill training and services that lead to greater
self-sufficiency.
Vision
The Arnold Center is the leading organization paving the way to maximize
opportunities and self development for individuals with disabilities and other
barriers to independence.
Quality Statement
Exceptional people delivering quality services.
FINANCIALS
Weinlander Fitzhugh Certified Public Accountants audited Arnold Center 2018/2019 financial statements in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and determined our fiscal practices to be compliant with generally accepted accounting principles.
Resources Earned
United Way Allocations $ 104,804.00
Other Revenue & Income $ 23,119.00
Government Fees & Grants $ 209,749.00
Product & Commercial
Service Sales $1,622,349.00
Total $1,960,021.00
Resources Expended
Cost of Product &
Commercial Service Sales $1,410,799.00
Depreciation $ 162,330.00
Occupancy Costs $ 169,418.00
Administration $ 602,708.00
Other Operating
Salaries, Wages, Benefits,
& Payroll Taxes $2,488,862.00
Total $4,834,117.00
HIGHLIGHTS
Delivering sweet treats during Midland Neighboring Week
A Participant demonstrating the skills he is learning while working in Industrial Services to a group from Midland Youth Leadership.
Saginaw Valley students spent time volunteering with our participants and offering valuable health related information through presentations and hands on demonstrations.
Northwood students and a group from Dow were just two of the volunteer groups that offered their time and energy to the Arnold Center this year, learning about our programs and providing work hours to assist in Arnold Center projects.
TOURS AND OPEN HOUSES
Our Arnold Center Ambassador Team provides guided tours and presentations to large and small groups in our area. Our guests get a tour of our facility, the opportunity to see what we do from Arnold Farms to the Good Kitchen along with everything in between. We offer refreshments made by our cooking class participants, and participant artwork created in the Kaleidoscope art program is displayed and sold during events.
We were honored to be one of four businesses to have the opportunity to host participants in Northwood University's Peace Through Business Program. Women from Afghanistan and Rwanda toured our facility spending time learning about our disability services along with our success with Social Enterprises.
-
85,000 lbs. of paper recycled per month
-
28,000 lbs. of cardboard recycled per month
-
55 recycling sites
-
4 Driver’s Assistants employed in Gladwin
-
8 Driver’s Assistants employed in Midland
-
76 Sorting/Shredding in Midland
-
$76,618 paid in Wages
For more information on how we can meet your recycling needs visit arnoldcenter.org/wecycle or contact Karen at
INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Access Midland provided paid vocational training to 88 individuals who earned $125,844.49 in wages.
Gladwin Co. provided paid vocational training to 31 individuals who $30,250.00 in wages.
Arnold Farms is a fully organic, non–GMO, indoor hydroponics farm. Hydroponic farming is a soil-less, water-based farming process. Temperature, nutrients, and PH levels are all computer monitored to ensure the ideal growing conditions for our crops 365 days a year, ensuring our ability to deliver the finest quality produce in a sustainable, climate friendly environment.
Arnold Farms’ 3,000 square foot indoor facility has the capacity to grow 12,000 plants. Our mission is to provide a training environment where our participants can earn a paycheck while learning diverse and valuable skills for careers in the agricultural industry or any field they choose.
Many of the greens grown at Arnold Farms can be found not only in our own Good Kitchen’s menu, but also in local restaurants, local grocers, and at the Midland Farmer’s market.
Dow volunteers learn the growing process from preparing the trays to weighing the produce for packaging.
SAFETY
We are committed to safety and thanks to concerted and consistent safety education, training and best practices, the number of Injuries and/or illnesses remains low.
Good Kitchen at the Arnold Center is a fully operating commercial kitchen with the mission to train and prepare individuals for employment in the food services industry. Participants learn food safety, safe kitchen skills, customer service, how to use a cash register, have the possibility of earning ServSafe Certification, and so much more.
The Good Kitchen is designed to help our participants earn wages while expanding their opportunities for future employment.
The Good Kitchen provides meals to staff and participants. It is also a fully functional catering service, offering services to individuals and businesses. Check out their menu at the Arnold Center website arnoldcenter.org/goodkitchen or contact Maegan Nowak 989.631.9570 ext. 228 for more information.
-
Provided Starter plants for the Community Garden in our system
-
3 pallets, plus harvests from community gardens distributed each week
-
7 locations: Combined locations and partnered with other local organizations to increase impact
Distribution Locations:
Coleman Family Center
North Midland Family Center
Green Hill Apartments
Cleveland Manor
ARC of Midland
Open Door
Shelter House
COMMUNITY LIVING SUPPORTS
Midland County:
62 individuals through group services
15 individuals in their homes
Gladwin County:
14 individuals through group services
12 individuals in their homes
Our Community Living Support Services provide services and activities tailored to support individuals living independently and in supported living situations.
We Provide:
-
Medication Management and Monitoring
-
Health maintenance and personal care
-
Safety monitoring and training
-
Social recreation and relationship building activities
-
Activities of daily living support
-
Transportation
-
Creative Arts Classes
-
Money management and budgeting
-
Attendance at medical appointments
-
Respite Services: Respite care provides short term relief for primary caregivers. It can be arranged for just an afternoon or for several days or weeks.
-
Home Chore Services: Services include light housework, shopping, transportation, meal preparation, laundry. Service is funded through Department of Health and Human Services.
-
Community Educational Presentations
SUCCESS
JJ worked on skill building for several months before beginning placement services. He worked on skills like number recognition, communication skills, and problem solving in the workplace. He also considered what type of work he would like to do. He decided on maintenance / custodial, because he takes pride in maintaining a high level of cleanliness and organization in his home and surroundings, and enjoys helping fix things. He then created his resume and practiced interviewing skills.
JJ applied to several jobs and went on two interviews before applying to Taco Bell. He attended the interview ready to work, and it showed. He was hired the same day, and has worked at the North Saginaw Rd. Taco Bell five days a week, for nearly a year now. He started out with a job coach, every day, for every hour of his shift, and now works independently, with weekly check ins for support, to trouble shoot when necessary, and
and assist in communication with home staff, etc.
It is the cleanest Taco Bell in Michigan. JJ's manager has said of him, that Taco Bell's motto is "The Best on the Block", and that JJ's performance and work ethic demonstrate that every day. JJ has developed several great natural supports in the workplace, and gets along great with his managers and coworkers. In fact, He is planning to ask his boss for additional hours and increased job responsibilities.
COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT
Our Community Employment Programming offers vocational training and paid training opportunities to work in the community. Services include application and interview assistance, resume building, transportation, and assistance with linking to other employment support services.
We offer:
-
Customized Competitive Community Employment Job Development
-
Supported Employment
-
Job Coaching
-
Micro-Enterprise development and support
-
Social Enterprises
-
Transportation services and school districts and state vocational rehabilitation service to transition students from school into community employment
-
Benefits Guidance with a Work Incentive Practitioner
-
Skills Lab: a program for individuals looking to hone their skills for community employment, learn computer skills, or are looking to start their own business
STAFF RECOGNITION
ART LETOURNEAU AWARD 2022
Lead Service Coordinator, Kelli Swett, received the Art Letourneau Award form the Board of Directors of Community Mental Health of Central Michigan. Kelli was nominated by Gladwin community members and recognized for her service to individuals with disabilities in Gladwin County.
41 YEARS WITH THE ARNOLD CENTER
The Arnold Center celebrates Greg Knopp for 41 years of valuable service to the organization and our participants.
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Arnold Center Direct Support Professionals were recognized by Community Mental Health of Central Michigan
for their outstanding performance. Individuals were nominated by their supervisors and received gift certificates
along with a letter of appreciation.
GRANTS AND DONATIONS
Thank You! Together We Make a Difference! With the support of our many community partners, we have provided a better quality of life for many of our community residents. Arnold Center, Inc. would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their support.
Goad Family Donation
Young Family Donation
Doan Family Grant (Regeneration Project)
Hummel Family Donation (Regeneration Project)
Knights of Columbus (Gladwin Upgrades)
GLBI (Skills Lab Development)
Give Local MCF
DCECU Grant (Regeneration Project)
Herbert H & Grace A Dow Foundation (WeCycle)
United Way Midland (Service)
PHIP/CMH Staff Stabilization Grant
Amanda Palumbo
Anita Whitney
Ashawn Acker
Cindy's Tax Consulting
Coyne Oil Corporation
David and Cathy Carr
Janet Benchley
Jeffery Kosch
Kevin M Kane
Kevin M Kane DDS PC
Kristine and Roger Szeszulski
Lauri Kalnvach
Louis Garl
Mark Freed
Maryann Gilbert
Midland Area Community Foundation
MIWorks
QRP
Ray Grass
Richard G Young
Stephanie Mitchell
Trinseo