Impact Story
It’s Off to Work I Go – Family Advocate Mike Dunn
Mike Dunn’s Story – Since I was young, I have always had a desire to be as independent as I possibly can be. As I approached adulthood, I had a strong desire to work. I am reminded of the song from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, “Hi ho hi ho, it’s off to work…
Remembering Ilene Younger Qualkinbush – Our Founding Mother
Ilene Younger Qualkinbush, the “founding mother” of The Arc of Indiana, passed away on May 14, 2020 at the age of 93. Inspired by her daughter Susan, who was born with severe developmental disabilities, Ilene helped establish The Arc of Indiana in 1956. Along with her friend and colleague, Dorothy Burnside, Ilene served as the…
In Difficult Times, Remembering a Founder’s Words
Many years ago, during one of our more trying days at the Indiana General Assembly, I made the trip to Rushville to speak at the Rush County Arc annual dinner. I must admit on that day I was weary, feeling the weight of the people who did not believe in what we were trying to…