With help from United Way, Arc of Greater Boone County replaces roofs, upgrades technology

United Way grants helped The Arc of Greater Boone County replace aging roofs and computer equipment in 2021 and 2022.

The roofs were roughly three decades old. Ice dams formed in winter. Leaks had begun to seep.  

But in March 2022, The Arc of Greater Boone County was able to replace two aging roofs on their buildings in Lebanon with help from a more than $50,000 grant from United Way of Central Indiana’s Facilities Maintenance Fund. 

The Arc also received $32,500 from the Technology Fund in 2021, which in part allowed staff to replace old computer equipment and switch to a cloud-based server, improving security and making access easier for remote workers.  

“As a small provider, we obviously have a reasonably tight and small budget,” said Pam Verbarg, The Arc’s executive director. “These funds have really helped us to be able to do things that we would otherwise have to save for, sometimes over several years." 

Technology and Facilities Maintenance are two of six sector support initiatives United Way provides – with backing from Lilly Endowment Inc. – to help accredited nonprofits respond to emergencies, support staff, improve infrastructure and technology, and make both planned and unexpected repairs.  

Verbarg said United Way staff helped throughout the grant process, answering questions, conducting a technology assessment, homing in on The Arc’s top needs.  

As for facility maintenance, Gary Woodworth, United Way’s community impact director for infrastructure, visited the nonprofit to help staff figure out what to prioritize and connected them with vendors, Verbarg said.  

Incorporated in 1970, The Arc serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities – with the goal of helping people live as independently as possible. The nonprofit also assists pregnant women and families with children under age 5 through the WIC Program. In all, it reaches more than 800 people in Boone County and the surrounding areas. 

The Arc runs day programs and an art program, offers training in life skills, supports people in their own homes, helps adults get jobs and assists students in finding career paths. Work services participants there also make bird feeders for The Mr. Canary Company, a Carmel-based small business that sells the feeders throughout the country.   

The Arc replaced roofs on two buildings: one that houses its day services programs and another for work skills training, which includes production of Mr. Canary. Inside, clients drill, fill and package the bird feeders.  

Technology funding from United Way – along with a government grant awarded to The Arc in partnership with the city – also will allow the nonprofit to build a lending library program so participants can borrow tablets outside regular hours. They’ll take virtual classes using the tablets, learn skills in group sessions and socialize. Verbarg said people with disabilities are at greater risk of lacking access to technology. 

“Having that lending library is going to be a helpful way for those individuals to be able to access technology – and access other people,” she said. 

This story appeared in United Way of Central Indiana’s 2021-2022 annual report. For more stories of impact, view the full report online.