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The Arc of the Triangle wants to give you a glimpse into Jimmy’s amazing life. The Arc is asking for your financial support to ensure our ability to continue to support Jimmy and the hundreds of kids and adults with disabilities that The Arc of the Triangle serves.

Jimmy is known as one of the most confident and expressive participants supported by The Arc of the Triangle. However, he hasn’t always been that way. Jimmy used to spend his days at home, letting his limited verbal skills hinder his potential. He went years without interacting with anyone outside of his family, until he was connected with The Arc of the Triangle.

Fast-forward to today, and you will find Jimmy volunteering at Meals on Wheels, lending a hand at the Food Bank, exercising with his walking club at Crabtree Valley Mall, competing in a bowling league and eating lunch with friends at the senior center. At the age of 66, Jimmy is more active and social than ever. “Jimmy is meeting new people, going out into the community with confidence…he’s making friends” says Michelle Foy, Community Programs Director.

Thanks to our Supported Retirement Program, a therapeutic community service, Jimmy was able to return to society with pride, self-esteem and independence. His family is in awe of his progress. Especially to start his day with The Arc.

He’s meeting new people, going out into the community with confidence…he’s making friends.

Supported Retirement is just one of our many community programs and events. We are happy to provide this and other social opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. To learn more about our other programs and upcoming events visit arctriangle.org.

Gerald Baugh was born at the old Rex Hospital in Raleigh, the son of the late Roy and Eleanor Baugh and the brother of Tim Baugh. His dad worked for the railroad and his mom for Pine State Creamery. He grew up on Lyons Street and lived there until his mother died in 2001.

As a teen, he became one of the founding members of the Starnes Class at Hayes Barton UMC, where he was a beloved member for over 60 years. The class was started by Mrs. Starnes, one of the first special education teachers in Wake County. He was also one of the first members of the Tuesday afternoon Civitan bowling league for adults with disabilities, which started at the bowling alley on Capital Blvd and then moved to AMF Pleasant Valley. He was an avid bowler.

He worked in sheltered workshops and various restaurants and businesses and retired in 2000 to the Supported Retirement program of The Arc of Wake County (now The Arc of the Triangle). He volunteered at Meals on Wheels, Food Bank, and SPCA, went bowling, was in a walking club at Crabtree Valley Mall, enjoyed lunches/bingo/billiards/fellowship at the Whitaker Mill Senior Center and the Five Points Center for Active Adults, and participated in Special Olympics and Senior Games. He enjoyed attending several coffeehouses each month on Friday evenings at area churches and the yearly Hesed Retreat.

For many years, he went out every Monday with his cousin, Joe Currin, to eat at Sammy’s and take in a movie. He spent many holidays with Joe and his extended family.

After living in several apartments, he moved to the Hailey Drive group home operated by Residential Support Services in 2010 and then to Raleigh Rehab in late 2018, where he resided until his death.

Gerald was known for his many friends and his love for good food, bowling, golf, the Wolfpack, and movies.

A memorial service will be held at Hayes Barton UMC, 2209 Fairview Rd, Raleigh at 11 am on Saturday, July 20, to celebrate his life, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Arc of the Triangle’s Supported Retirement program in memory of our dear friend Gerald.

The Arc of the Triangle

5121 Hollyridge Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27612

To make a donation online, click here.

by Kylee Redmond, NC State Intern

March is National Developmental Disability Awareness Month and the perfect time to tell an Arc Story! We would like to take the time to recognize Maria N. for her continuous hard work and dedication.

The Arc’s Employment Specialist, Natasha Pratt, who supports Maria, had this to say about her: “Maria is a fun young woman that loves to make friends everywhere she goes. When I first started working with her, she didn’t have a specific direction for where she wanted to work.

“I was looking for businesses with “now hiring” signs near Maria’s house when I came across a local pizza shop. I spoke with the manager, explained who I was, and asked if they had any openings. Interest sparked and they asked if Maria could come in for an interview. Of course, after interviewing, management knew that she would be an asset so they offered her a position. Maria was ecstatic.”

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Maria lost her job at Johnny’s Pizza due to the restaurant temporarily closing. While Maria was out of work she said she was “always very bored and getting upset and angry because of it.” Then Johnny’s Pizza re-opened one of their locations and a friend of Maria’s and a previous co-worker started working there.

One day Maria decided to visit her friend at work and they started talking about how much Maria missed her job and working. Maria’s friend thought it would be a good idea for Maria to talk to this location’s manager about getting a position. So, that very same day, Maria met with the manager, advocated for herself, and won her job back! Maria is absolutely loving working again and meeting all her new co-workers. Maria said her favorite task to do is making the pizza boxes, but she also does so much more, like wiping down tables and cleaning the soda dispenser. Maria really enjoys getting to work again and being with old and new friends. Everyone at Johnny’s Pizza adores Maria and has nothing but good things to say about her!

When we asked Maria what her favorite thing about The Arc as she replied, “I love Natasha (Maria’s Job Coach) and when she visits with me!” We also learned that she even has a pizza named after her – the “Maria Special”.

The Arc of the Triangle is so proud of Maria and her determination to work again and can’t wait to see what all she accomplishes!

Sarah is 19 years old and loves school. She has a full schedule that includes learning new skills that continually challenge her. Sarah also has cerebral palsy. She uses a wheelchair for mobility and requires assistant for most of her day-to-day activities. When school is out this June, there are not a lot of options for her. 

Too many people like Sarah do not have access to a quality programming where they can be active participants: learning, playing, and living full lives. The Arc of the Triangle wants to change that. With your generous support we will create a summer experience for Sarah and her peers. A place where she can spend the day with friends, engaging in the activities that interest her. Whether it’s learning life skills, exercising, or creating art and music- Arc Triangle University will have something for everyone of all abilities. All of us need and deserve to live full, productive lives.  Sarah’s needs are not different.

AJ is 22-years old and graduated high school last year. He loves to listen to music, dance, and socialize. It was no surprise when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, things changed for AJ. He wasn’t able to spend time doing the activities he loved. AJ and his family wondered what would happen once he graduated in Spring 2021. Arc Triangle University Transitional Day program, funded by Wake County Schools provided hope for AJ.  AJ joined the program and has excelled! His favorite classes are cooking, music therapy, and art.  Unfortunately the program ends at the end of the school year.

What will AJ do when summer arrives? A summer experience modeled after ATU Day Program is just the answer.

“AJ has made more progress with Arc (Triangle) University than he has in years”. AJ’s mom told us “…your program came along, and your wonderful teachers and environment have so changed AJ’s outlook, it is amazing to watch. He is so much more independent, happy, relaxed and verbal, it is just life changing.” 

Join The Arc of the Triangle in creating an ATU inspired summer experience for teens and young adults like AJ and Sarah. We know we can provide a safe and engaging atmosphere. We are doing it right now. Curricula and programming will be based on our ATU Transitional Day Program. We are planning for programs in both Wake and Orange counties but we need your help to make it happen. 

We appreciate you choosing to make your End of Year Gift to The Arc of the Triangle. For over 65 years we have served the IDD community, and with your help we will continue to do so! Please click here to donate today!