The Arc of Katy participants and staff presented a framed “Thank You” to Frost Bank on Cinco Ranch Blvd. for their support and $5,000 donation. The Arc of Katy is proud to have Frost Bank as a business partner.

Poss Cheer, USA Ninja Challenge and Vibe Fitness donated the receipts from their Family Fun Night to The Arc of Katy. “We are pleased to support The Arc of Katy and the programs and services provided to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Katy community” said Stephanie Poss, owner of Poss Cheer. The Arc of Katy thanks each of these Katy businesses for their support.

Frost Bank marked the grand opening ceremony of their Cinco Ranch financial center on June 13 by recognizing The Arc of Katy as their Community Partner and presenting us with a $5,000 donation.

“We are so happy to be open and to not only be able to serve the Katy community but to partner with a great organization that strives to make Katy a better place to live,” said Joshua Black, assistant vice president.

Black presented the check to Fred Shafer, The Arc of Katy Board of Director President. Also participating in the presentation and event were Frost Bank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Phillip D. Green, Frost Bank Houston-Galveston President David LePori and several other Frost Bank corporate office and Katy Area leaders. The Arc of Katy was well represented with several participants, board members and staff in attendance. Also attending the Frost Bank grand opening celebrations to welcome the business to the Katy Area were government officials, other community leaders and members of local chambers of commerce.

The Frost Bank financial center in Katy’s Cinco Ranch community is located at 23701 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Suite 100, near the La Centerra shopping center.

The Arc of Katy recognizes all who contributed to success of our 2019 Gala Celebrating Hometown Heroes – sponsors, underwriters, volunteers and guests.

“We appreciate all who helped make our 2019 Gala a great success,” said Fred Shafer, President of The Arc of Katy Board of Directors. “We met all of our objectives, raising funds to sustain our day program, summer camp and socials for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We also celebrated our Katy Area hometown heroes and others who help make this a great community.

Funds raised from the gala, about $80,000 net this year, will help The Arc of Katy sustain current programs as well as purchase a mini-bus and hire additional staff so programs can be expanded to accept more participants.

“The funds raised at the Gala and other contributions we receive throughout the year are critical to our ability to provide high quality, affordable programs that provide life skills development, social, community service, physical fitness and recreational opportunities for adults with IDD,” Shafer said. “The Hometown Hero program, which is a feature of our annual gala, is one way we recognize and give back to the Katy Area, showing our appreciation that the community welcomes our participants and supports inclusion of individuals with IDD as respected and active members of our community throughout their lifetime.”

The Arc of Katy was pleased to honor at our 2019 Gala:
* Suzette Steward Coates, Katy Area Hometown Hero for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities;
* Rusty Wylie, Chick-fil-A Katy, Katy Area Hometown Hero for A Great Place to Live;
* Rhonda Johnstone, The Arc of Katy 2019 Ann Davis Founders Award; and
* Dennis and Jeanne Ann Combrink, The Arc of Katy 2019 Volunteers of the Year.

The Arc of Katy also recognizes and thanks the following for support of The Gala:
* The Arc of Katy Benefactor – Kingsland Baptist Church
* The Arc of Katy Leader – Kroger
* The Arc of Katy Supporters – Frost Bank, Houston Methodist West Hospital, Katy Family YMCAs, Mac Haik Chevrolet, Members Choice Credit Union, and Lewis & Chakilla White
* Gala Underwriters – Amber’s Designs Fine Jewelry, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More, Country Park Portraits, Curry & Co. Consulting, John & Jan Silliman, Petals by Design, Tide Dry Cleaners, The Entertainment Company, and Larry & Patricia Wright
* Friends of The Arc of Katy – Amy Campbell, Camp Journey Parents, Cherie & Ian Duddridge, Chick-fil-A Katy, Don & Ida Faye Elder, Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community, Fred & Patti Shafer, Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, Margaret & Steve Laney, Mike & Therese Lattal, Pat & Tiffany Doucette, Prosperity Bank, Rose Schwartzel, State Representative John Zerwas, and Westside Chevrolet Katy
* Master of Ceremonies – Art Rascon, News Anchor for ABC/KTRK TV Houston
* Live Auctioneer – Glenn Beckendorff
* Entertainment — The Arc of Katy program participants, Taylor High School Jazz Ensemble, and D.J. Ed Madanio
* Volunteers – The Arc of Katy Program Board of Directors, Participants, Family Members and Staff; Katy Independent School District teachers; National Charity League
* Event Coordinator – Joni B’s Events

Enjoy a fun family night out and help support The Arc of Katy. Join us June 15th at The Katy Gym for a family fun night of Ninja Course Challenges, Tumbling, Trampolines, Foam Pits, Food and Movies.  The fun begins at 5:30 p.m and family movie at 7:00 p.m.  Food trucks will be onsite for dinner – $3.00 per adult, $2.00 per child. All proceeds go to support The Arc of Katy.

The Katy Gym
22570 Franz Road
Katy, Texas 77449

Enjoy a night out at Willie’s Grill and Icehouse and help support The Arc of Katy.  Spirit Night at Willie’s Grill and Icehouse for The Arc of Katy is Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 4:00 pm to closing at 19905 Katy Fwy. Houston, TX 77094.

When ordering or paying for your meal mention you are dining in support of The Arc of Katy and Willie’s will donate 15% of your check.

What A Deal!!!  Great food and a great way to support The Arc of Katy.

See you at Willie’s Grill and Icehouse on May 28^th from 4:00 to closing.

The Arc of Katy recognizes significant contributions to our success by Rhonda Johnstone, The Arc of Katy 2019 Ann Davis Founders Award recipient, and Dennis and Jeanne Ann Combrink, 2019 Volunteers of the Year.

Rhonda is being recognized with The Arc of Katy Ann Davis Founder’s Award for a lifetime of service to individuals with IDD.  “As a child, the words ‘be a friend to everyone’ surfaced in my mind and I feel like God has impressed upon me to do that,” she said.

Rhonda started her career as a recreational therapist in Beaumont, Texas, for high school students with emotional disabilities and also developed day activity camps for students with developmental disabilities. Her career took her to Enid, Okla., and then to the Briarwood School in Houston and finally to Katy ISD.

Rhonda helped launch The Arc of Katy Day Program and after retiring from Katy ISD, also served as executive director of The Arc of Katy. Today, she continues her work as an instructor with The Arc of Katy’s Be Strong Program which provides water therapy, water aerobics, weight training and various other exercises for participants of the day program who wish to enhance their health and well-being.

The Combrinks will be honored as The Arc of Katy Volunteers of the Year for their many years of service to the organization. They served on the social committee for several years prior to their daughter Joy’s death in 2006.

“Joy was born with Down Syndrome, so we wanted to be involved in her activities as much as possible,” said the Combrinks. “After we moved to Katy, we were thrilled to find The Arc of Katy. Joy was always very sociable and especially enjoyed attending the day camp and social events with her friends.”

Dennis and Jeanne Ann continued work with the social committee after their daughter’s death, serving as co-chairman of the committee since 2015.  Dennis also is a member of The Arc of Katy Board of Directors and the Program Committee.

All honorees will be recognized at The Arc of Katy’s 2019 Gala Celebrating Hometown Heroes on May 3 at the Omni Houston Westside. Registration to attend or sponsor the event can be found here.

Excitement is building for The Arc of Katy 2019 Gala Celebrating Hometown Heroes on Friday, May 3.  Registration is open through Tuesday, April 30!  Get your tickets here and be sure your friends have signed up, too!

Join us to celebrate hometown heroes, our founders and special volunteers, and help us raise funds to support programs for people with IDD and their families

Master of Ceremonies Art Rascon, ABC 13’s Emmy-Winning news anchor will direct the program and we will celebrate:

Suzette Steward Coates,
Katy Area Hometown Hero for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Rusty Wylie, Chick-fil-A Katy
Katy Area Hometown Hero for A Great Place to Live

Rhonda Johnstone
The Arc of Katy 2019 Ann Davis Founders Award

Dennis and Jeanne Ann Combrink
The Arc of Katy 2019 Volunteers of the Year

 The Gala begins at 6 pm with cocktails in the newly-renovated ballroom of Omni Houston Hotel at Westside.  The evening will be packed full of fun, great food, dancing, photo opportunities, great live and silent auction items, jewelry raffle and games — all to raise funds for The Arc of Katy.

Glenn Beckendorff will lead the live auction – so plan your strategy for bidding on:

• Breckenridge, Colorado Getaway in vacation cabin that sleeps up to 12 as featured in the HGTV hit show House Hunters
• Crawfish Boil for 26 of your family and friends
• Silver Oaks Cellar experience and wine country getaway
• Luxury backyard makeover
• Katy Firehouse dinner for six
• Houston Art House tour for 10 guests with author of Outsider Art in Texas
• Paintings by The Arc of Katy program participants
• An all-inclusive 5-Star getaway to Azul, Jamaica

Program participants from The Arc of Katy will perform a tribute to honorees and we will enjoy the Taylor High School Jazz Ensemble during our reception.  D.J. Ed Madanio will keep us moving on the dance floor until 11 pm.

Be a hero.  Join the fun.  Register here.

* * * * * *

Thank you to our amazing sponsors!

The Arc of Katy Benefactor

Kingsland Baptist Church

The Arc of Katy Leader

Kroger

The Arc of Katy Supporters

Frost Bank      Houston Methodist West Hospital      Katy Family YMCAs

Mac Haik Chevrolet      Members Choice Credit Union      Lewis & Chakilla White

Gala Underwriters

Amber’s Designs Fine Jewelry      Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More

Country Park Portraits      Curry & Co. Consulting      Petals by Design

Tide Dry Cleaners      The Entertainment Company      Larry and Patricia Wright

Friends of The Arc of Katy

                        Amy Campbell      Camp Journey Parents      Cherie & Ian Duddridge

                    Chick-fil-A Katy       Don & Ida Faye Elder

                   Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community

                          Fred & Patti Shafer                 Katy Area Chamber of Commerce

                         Mike & Therese Lattal             Pat & Tiffany Doucette

                         Prosperity Bank                          Rose Schwartzel

                        State Representative John Zerwas       Steve & Margaret Laney

                                                    Westside Chevrolet Katy

                                  * * * * * *

Chick-fil-A franchise Owner/Operator Rusty Wylie and Camp Journey owner Suzette Coates have been selected as the Katy Area Hometown Heroes to be recognized by The Arc of Katy in 2019.

The Arc of Katy launched the Katy Area Hometown Heroes program in 2018 to demonstrate the organization’s pride in the community and to recognize those who make it a great place to live for its program participants, members and families.

The dictionary defines ‘Hero’ as one who is admired for achievements and noble qualities; one who shows great courage. Both Wylie and Coates were selected by a committee of Katy area citizens as individuals who fit that definition.   The Arc of Katy will celebrate them at the organization’s 2019 Gala on May 3 at the Omni Houston Hotel Westside.

Also to be honored at The Arc of Katy’s annual gala are Rhonda Johnstone and Dennis and Jeanne Ann Combrink. Johnstone has been selected by the organization’s Board of Directors to receive The Arc of Katy 2019 Ann Davis Founder’s Award and the Combrinks have been named as the organization’s Volunteers of the Year.

Wylie is being honored as the Hometown Hero for A Great Place to Live for community service, support of numerous non-profit organizations in the Katy area and the contributions by his three Chick-fil-A restaurants.  The organizations that Wylie and the Katy area Chick-fil-A stores support regularly include Compassion Katy, Clothed by Faith, Katy Christian Ministries, Grace Fellowship, Kingsland Baptist Church, The Fellowship of Cinco Ranch, Second Baptist Church, Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD) Education Foundation, Katy ISD schools, Faith West Academy, The Ballard House, Living Water, Young Life, Hope Impacts, Friends of Sundown and others.

As to why they support so many organizations, Wylie said, “We want to be an indispensable blessing to our community. Katy is our home. We want to be part of the Katy story of giving and serving others.”

Serving others is also an attribute for Coates. Through her 15 years of work with individuals with special needs, Coates is being honored as a Katy Area Hometown Hero for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Coates operates Camp Journey that offers several programs for individuals with IDD and other disabilities.

She reports that the inspiration for her work generated from a friendship in elementary school with a young boy with Autism.  “He would come over on his bike and play a little with our friends and that always touched my heart, and I felt the need to befriend him,” said Coates.  “I feel like it’s my calling in life, my life’s passion.”

Coates began her career in 2004 in the Special Education Department of Katy ISD. While still teaching in Katy ISD, Coates started Camp Journey in 2008 and later expanded it to include summer camp and after school programs. For her work, in 2013, Coates won “Teacher of the Year” honors from the LIVE with Kelly and Michael television show. In 2015 she began to work full time on Camp Journey.

Johnstone is being recognized with The Arc of Katy Ann Davis Founder’s Award for a lifetime of service to individuals with IDD.  “As a child, the words ‘be a friend to everyone’ surfaced in my mind and I feel like God has impressed upon me to do that,” she said.

Johnstone started her career as a recreational therapist in Beaumont, Texas, for high school students with emotional disabilities and also developed day activity camps for students with developmental disabilities. Her career took her to Enid, Okla., and then to the Briarwood School in Houston and finally to Katy ISD.

Johnstone helped launch The Arc of Katy Day Program and after retiring from Katy ISD, also served as executive director of The Arc of Katy. Today, she continues her work as an instructor with The Arc of Katy’s Be Strong Program which provides water therapy, water aerobics, weight training and various other exercises for participants of the day program who wish to enhance their health and well-being.

The Combrinks will be honored as The Arc of Katy Volunteers of the Year for their many years of service to the organization. They served on the social committee for several years prior to their daughter Joy’s death in 2006.

“Joy was born with Down Syndrome, so we wanted to be involved in her activities as much as possible,” said the Combrinks. “After we moved to Katy, we were thrilled to find The Arc of Katy. Joy was always very sociable and especially enjoyed attending the day camp and social events with her friends.”

Dennis and Jeanne Ann continued work with the social committee after their daughter’s death, serving as co-chairman of the committee since 2015.  Dennis also is a member of The Arc of Katy Board of Directors and the Program Committee.

All honorees will be recognized at The Arc of Katy’s 2019 Gala Celebrating Hometown Heroes on May 3 at the Omni Houston Westside. Registration to attend or sponsor the event can be found here.

The Arc of Katy’s new Empowerment Through Knowledge series continues with free sessions for caregivers on March 28 and April 25 focused on effectively accessing services and education programs of benefit to individuals with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities from childhood throughout their lives. The evening education sessions are designed to enhance knowledge and skills of persons who care for, live with, educate or otherwise serve individuals with I/DD and other special needs.

Each session will be held from 6:30 to 8 pm in Meeting Room A at Kingsland Baptist Church, 20555 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, TX 77450, accessible through Parking Entrance #3.

Register here for Navigating the System: Accessing Services for Your Child Now and for the Long Term to be presented on March 28 by Mary Jane Williams who serves as the Executive Director for Family to Family Network. Family to Family Network provides resources, trainings, and networking opportunities for parents of children with a disability. Ms. Williams will discuss long term services and supports and how they can be accessed when trying to navigate a system that is confusing and filled with unfamiliar acronyms and terms.

Register here for Navigating the Special Education Process to be presented on April 25 by Fred Shafer, Chairman of the Board for The Arc of Katy with 40 years of special education experience in the public school setting, and Marchelle Peters, who serves as an Instructional Officer for LIFE Skills and Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities for the Katy Independent School District Special Education Department. Participants will gain information on navigating the special education process including evaluations, eligibility, IEP development, ARD meetings, and effective communication and collaboration with the school.