Tag: Board of Directors

Congratulations to The Newly Elected Officers of The Arc of California and Lifelong Champions

In early April the Board of Directors for The Arc of California elected its President and other three officers to serve as leaders of the organization and of the developmental disability movement statewide.  All four individuals were re-elected for another term in their same positions to lead the 37-person Board of Directors, fulfill the mission of The Arc of California and carry the torch of The Arc’s civil rights movement that dates back to 1950.  Each of the officers are a parent of a child with a developmental disability and fierce advocates that dedicate their time and passion to improve the lives of families across California.  Full bios of each of them can be found HERE.  Congratulations to the following:

  • President, Pat Hornbecker
  • Vice-President, Grace Huerta
  • Treasurer, Raymond Hampson
  • Secretary, Felisa Strickland

In addition to electing officers, The Arc of California also had an opportunity to recognize and celebrate two longtime champions of the developmental disability community.

Dwight Stratton received the Board Champion Award for serving on The Arc of California’s Board of Directors for 38 years, including serving as President from 2009 to 2013.  As a parent of a child with a developmental disability and as a representative for The Arc of San Diego, Dwight has been a leader and steady guide for The Arc throughout the decades.

Pat Hornbecker presenting award to Dwight StrattonTim Hornbecker received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of service and dedication to advocating for the developmental disability community across the country.  Tim has served in leadership roles at several Arc chapters including at The Arc of California, The Arc of San Francisco, and Desert Arc.  Tim’s constant commitment to community organizing and building power has inspired thousands of advocates in California to use their voice to advocate for change.

Tim Hornbecker accepting award

A Special Mother’s Day Message

By Pat Hornbecker, Board President, The Arc of California

Through the eyes of many generations, I see motherhood grow and change. I was fortunate enough to have my grandmothers in my life into my 30’s and my mother into my 60’s. And so, my three daughters and son Joseph were able to witness these all important and influential relationships. And the mother’s before me were also able to watch me move into motherhood with the exceptional experience of parenting a child with severe disabilities. He taught us all well! Now my daughters have kids of their own. I sit in the middle of this generational swing, observing the differences and similarities but most of all seeing the love that remains constant for all generations.

The expectations of mothers are different. We now can choose to become mothers, unless that right is taken away. We can expect acceptance for our choices without reprisal or shame. We can expect to have a career and motherhood run simultaneously with success. We can also choose to stay home to raise our children and expect respect. My grandmothers knew none of these choices and my mother only dreamed of the career she sacrificed as I came into her life as her firstborn child.

I see the mothers around me who have children like my Joseph, with great needs and gifts, and know that this experience binds us together. We support one another better now than ever before. We are building the infrastructure necessary to support our children and their siblings and communities. We have learned from our grandmothers and mothers that we are change-agents and the resource from which the future grows.

Mom, thanks for your strength and determination. Grandmas “Totsie” and “Nana” thanks for your lessons about family. Thank you to all the mothers who have taught me so much and given me strength every day.  Happy Mother’s Day 2023!

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