The Arc of Butler County's efforts on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has earned it a Community Champion award.

The Arc began as a grass-roots initiative by concerned families and community leaders creating services and support for those with those disabilities.

Today, the Arc has a long history of advocacy for adults and pushing for right to an education on behalf of preschool and public school-aged children, said Stan Kosciuszko, president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, which started the Community Champion Award in 2003.

“The award goes to a nonprofit organization where they have collectively accomplished something impactful on Butler County,” said Kosciuszko.

The Arc of Butler County was founded in 1957, said its Executive Director John Link, and one of its first acts was the creation of a sheltered workshop.

Nearly 100 individuals at the workshop fill jobs for employers such as AK Steel and Armstrong Utilities, he said.

“This award is very important to the sheltered workshop,” said Link. “It recognizes how hard they work. It's very important to the parents and to their own sense of self worth. They don't get recognition very much.”

The Arc continued to provide services for its clients, which today number nearly 200.

It opened one of the first community residences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Western Pennsylvania in 1984 and continues to provide this service through its Community Living Arrangement Program.

Link said the program has grown to 50 individuals living in 23 group homes throughout Butler County.

Another program, Career Opportunities for the Disabled, helps 55 individuals with disabilities obtain and retain competitive employment within the community.

Its Family Living Program offers foster care families for individuals. “We have 25 living with 18 families right now,” said Link.

And Link said, Arc's Supportive Housing Program provides staff support for 60 adults with these disabilities who live in the community, ensuring these individuals receive the adequate support to live on their own.

And the Arc continues to expand its program offerings, said Mary Krewduk, the nonprofit's fundraising specialist.

Its location at 316 N. Main St. has started an after-school program called AERO (for abilities employment readiness opportunities).

She said the program is open to Butler High School ninth-graders through seniors and teaches skills such as filling out a job application and creating a resume.

Link said, “We are going to expand that program in the fall to the South Butler County School District.”

All of the Arc activities drew the attention of the chamber.

Kosciuszko said, of the Community Champion Award process, “We get nominations from the general public, chamber members and board members.

“Then a committee made up of board members and past presidents meets and decides on a winner,” said Kosciuszko.

“The winner gets a nicely designed framed certificate. It's a nice award, and we are really proud of what they do for the community,” he said.

Kosciuszko said, “Nonprofits are a big business in Butler County when you look at the number of people they employ. They have a big impact on a community and employees and citizens.”

And the Arc of Butler County could have a future impact on the county's employment rate.

The nonprofit is looking to hire at least 20 staff positions to its present staff of 175, said Tiffanie Rodgers, the Arc's chief financial officer.

“All they need is a high school diploma. We do the training,” said Rodgers. Email arcjobs@arcbutler.org, she said, or check the website http://www.arcbutler.org/employment-oportunities/.

WHO: Butler County Chamber of CommerceWHAT: Community Champion Award luncheonWHEN: 11:30 a.m. July 17WHERE: Diamond SquareINFO: There is no fee to attend, but reservations are requested by calling 724-283-2222 or emailing Jennifer@ButlerCountyChamber.com.