The Arc of Loudoun in the News
2025
The Arc of Loudoun Celebrates Grand Opening at The National Conference Center
On Friday, September 26, The Arc of Loudoun officially opened its new home at the National Conference Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony joined by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, 100WomenStrong, Loudoun County Economic Development, the Town of Leesburg, and dozens of community partners.
The celebration capped months of uncertainty and hard work, marking a new chapter for the 58-year-old nonprofit that serves nearly 5,000 people with disabilities each year.
“Over the past few months, The Arc has faced some extreme challenges,” said The Arc of Loudoun CEO Lisa Max, as she welcomed more than a hundred supporters on a sunny afternoon. “But the flip side of unprecedented challenges is knowing that your community will be there for you. For almost 60 years, The Arc has been a place of healing and hope for families, and today we stand stronger than ever.”
The move brings the organization’s three centers of excellence under one roof: the Center for Adaptive Education (CAE), the Center for Adaptive Fitness and Wellness (CAFW), and the Center for Advancing Disability Advocacy (ADA).
Within CAE, the Aurora School provides quality, individualized education for individuals aged 5 to 22 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and reopened for students on September 15.
The Ability Fitness Center, a therapeutic wellness center for CAFW, relocated to an expanded space in early August and has introduced pediatric services for the first time.
The ALLY Advocacy Center, which offers free disability rights guidance and training for families and professionals, operated in public libraries and other spaces throughout the move.
Stephanie Nerantzis of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation praised Max’s leadership in making the transition possible.
“If you had told me in early August this move could happen in time for the school year, I would have said no way,” she said. “Lisa truly moved a mountain in opening the school when she did.”
John Walsh, vice president and general manager of The National Conference Center, reflected on the collaboration that transformed the space into a school and community hub in just a matter of weeks.
“In late August, Lisa and her team were in here demoing walls with our staff,” Walsh said. “By September 15, children were arriving. That’s magic, and it happens because of this community.”
Town of Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk, a former special education teacher, offered her congratulations while noting her city’s longtime connection to The Arc.
“While downtown Leesburg is sad to have lost the Aurora School, we are equally thrilled that it continues here in a new home,” she said. “As someone who worked in special education, I know how important this work is. These families depend on you, and you are making a difference every single day.”
Tony Howard, president and CEO of the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, pointed to the community’s rallying response as proof of The Arc’s enduring importance.
“This could have gone away, or been severely curtailed, but the board, the Claude Moore Foundation, so many Chamber members, and others, stepped up,” he said. “Lisa left behind a successful career in cybersecurity to follow her heart and lead this organization. Things happen for a reason, and there was a reason she was here for this moment.”
The Arc of Loudoun’s $1 million Empower Aurora campaign helps cover the costs of our relocation to The National Conference Center and to support our Aurora School, Ability Fitness Center, and ALLY Advocacy Center.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation ($300,000), 100WomenStrong ($50,000), The Arc’s Executive Committee, and many other generous donors, The Arc is already more than 75% of the way towards its goal of providing hope, stability, and opportunity for students, families, and the entire community.
Learn more and donate today: thearcofloudoun.org/empower-aurora/
With the new home now open, Max said, the work continues: “Where there’s help, there’s hope; and at The Arc of Loudoun, there’s always hope.”
Congratulations to the Graduates of the 64th Crisis Intervention Training Program!
We are honored to partner in initiatives that promote safety, dignity, and inclusion for people with disabilities and those experiencing crisis in our community. The Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program is an important part of that work, ensuring first responders are equipped with the tools to respond with empathy, compassion, and care.
We are proud to share the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office announcement of the 64th CIT graduating class and celebrate this milestone alongside our community partners.
Loudoun County, VA (September 19, 2025): The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is proud to announce the graduation of 20 sworn and civilian personnel from the 64th Basic Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program.
The CIT program equips first responders and partner agencies with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively and compassionately assist individuals experiencing acute emotional, psychological, or situational crises. By emphasizing de-escalation techniques, active listening, empathy, and culturally sensitive approaches, the training aims to minimize harm, provide immediate support, and facilitate recovery. The program promotes the safety and well-being of both individuals in crisis and the broader community.
Loudoun’s CIT training program is a collaborative effort among the LCSO, Loudoun County Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Developmental Health Services (MHSADS), The Arc of Loudoun, Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Northern Virginia, and the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
This graduating class included representatives from the LCSO, as well as the Fire Marshal’s Office, Leesburg Police Department, Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue Systems, Loudoun County Department of Community Corrections, Loudoun County Public School Security Office, MHSADS, Middleburg Police Department, and the United States Customs and Border Patrol.
The week-long training program was led by professionals from Loudoun MHSADS, certified LCSO CIT Sheriff’s Deputies, and other experts in the field. The curriculum covered the medical, social, psychological, and legal aspects of mental illness.
In 2019, in partnership with MHSADS, the LCSO conducted the first-ever three-day advanced CIT training in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, the LCSO became the first law enforcement agency in the state to hold Advanced CIT for School Resource Officers, focusing on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, especially children.
The Arc of Loudoun’s Aurora School Reopens at The National Conference Center
Students, Staff, and Families Celebrate a New Chapter in a New Home
Sept. 15, 2025 — After a summer of determination and extraordinary teamwork, The Arc of Loudoun’s Aurora School has officially reopened at its new location within The National Conference Center in Lansdowne, joining The Arc of Loudoun’s other programs Ability Fitness Center and ALLY Advocacy Center.
This milestone marks the start of a powerful new chapter for The Arc of Loudoun and its Centers of Excellence, rooted in community partnership, expanded access, and enduring mission.
“We are excited to welcome our students, and we can’t wait to see their smiles, confidence, and curiosity,” said Suhad Abdallah, Principal of the Aurora School. “We’ve created a calm, beautiful space that meets the needs of our learners, and we did it together, in record time. This is a testament to what a committed community can accomplish.”
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the swift action of partners, and the tireless dedication of staff, the Aurora School was able to relocate efficiently. The move was completed in just a few short weeks following an unexpected displacement.
“This is more than a reopening, it’s a triumph of resilience,” said Lisa Max, CEO of The Arc of Loudoun. “We are immensely grateful to our Board, staff, families, volunteers, community partners, and the students themselves, who weathered uncertainty with incredible grace. Thanks to their belief in our mission, the Aurora School has a wonderful new space in which all of our students can thrive.”
The transition to The National Conference Center unlocks new growth opportunities, not just for the Aurora School, but for The Arc of Loudoun’s entire ecosystem of care.
The Ability Fitness Center opened on August 4 at The National Conference Center, expanding its space from 1,200 sq ft to 5,000 square feet. This expanded space enables more clients to benefit from services. Clients are already enjoying the expanded space, and new clients are joining weekly. With the hiring of a Pediatric Physical Therapist last month, the Ability Fitness Center is able to serve children with individualized care for the first time.
The ALLY Advocacy Center is also fully operational, offering training and open office hours at The National Conference Center, while continuing to serve the community at Loudoun Hunger Relief and public libraries across Loudoun County. Our Advocates support people with disabilities and their caregivers by ensuring that each family receives all of the benefits and entitlements they’re eligible for.
Thank You to Our Community
The Arc of Loudoun extends deep thanks to The National Conference Center for their extraordinary partnership and flexibility, and to the Loudoun County Fire Marshal, Loudoun County Building and Development, and the Virginia Department of Education for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that our staff and students are safe.
A special thanks goes to Salty Dog Remodeling; Ace Handyman Services; Allegra Print, Signs, and Designs; HGA Architect and Design; Shawn Mitchell and the Rotary Club of Broadlands-Dulles South, all of whom donated time, talent, and materials to build out the new school’s space at light speed.
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter, as The Arc of Loudoun nears its 60th anniversary,” Max stated. “With room to grow, we are ready to welcome more students and clients, support more families, and fulfill our mission in innovative, exciting new ways. Where there’s help, there’s hope – and at The Arc of Loudoun, there’s always hope.”
“The resilience and fierce determination of the entire community have ensured that The Arc of Loudoun will endure. Our future is full of possibilities, and we invite you to be a part of it”, Board of Directors’ President Malcolm Cooke said. We’ve launched a new fundraising campaign, Empower Aurora, to propel The Arc into the future and ensure its success for decades to come.”
Empower Aurora Campaign
Empower Aurora is a $1 million campaign led by The Arc of Loudoun to support the relocation, reopening, and bright future of the Aurora School. The Aurora School serves more than 50 students with autism and other developmental disabilities, coming from eight school divisions in the region. The Aurora School provides specialized instruction in a nurturing, structured learning environment.
Through this campaign, The Arc of Loudoun aims to fund moving and outfitting costs for the new facility, guarantee resources for teachers and staff, and secure operational stability for all its programs.
Thanks to generous contributions, including $300,000 from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation and $420,000 from other generous donors, Empower Aurora has already surpassed the 70% mark toward its goal.
The full community remains invited to participate in the final stretch of the Empower Aurora campaign as The Arc works toward its $1 million goal.
To contribute and get involved, please visit: TheArcOfLoudoun.org/Empower-Aurora
Grand Opening Celebration
A grand opening celebration is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 3 p.m. at The National Conference Center. We invite the public and media to attend and celebrate this milestone with us!
100WomenStrong Awards $50,000 Emergency Grant to The Arc of Loudoun to Support ‘Empower Aurora’ Campaign
September 15, 2025 — 100WomenStrong has awarded a $50,000 emergency grant to The Arc of Loudoun to accelerate the Empower Aurora campaign, ensuring stability and continuity for the Aurora School and The Arc’s vital services in Loudoun County and the region.
“We believe in the power of community to lift others,” said Karen Schaufeld, President and Founder of 100WomenStrong. “We saw firsthand the urgency of the Empower Aurora campaign, and we’re honored to contribute this grant to help ensure Aurora’s doors open strong in its new home.”
100WomenStrong is an influential giving circle of approximately 80 donor members, and is a component fund of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. To date, it has granted more than $5.3 million to Loudoun nonprofits.
Investing In Our Future
Empower Aurora is a $1 million campaign led by The Arc of Loudoun to support the relocation, reopening, and bright future of the Aurora School. The Aurora School serves more than 50 students annually with autism and other developmental disabilities, coming from eight school divisions in the region. The Aurora School provides specialized instruction in a nurturing, structured learning environment.
Thanks to generous contributions, including $300,000 from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, $50,000 from 100Women Strong, and $420,000 from other generous donors, Empower Aurora has already surpassed the 75% mark toward its goal.
“This gift from 100WomenStrong ensures that our students, teachers, and families have the stability and learning environment they deserve,” The Arc of Loudoun CEO Lisa Max explained. “This gift comes at a pivotal moment in the history of Aurora School.
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with 100WomenStrong as they live out their mission to make Loudoun County a stronger, healthier community.”
Why the $50,000 100WomenStrong Emergency Grant Matters Now More Than Ever
The grant from 100WomenStrong will be instrumental in closing the remaining gap to fully fund the move of Aurora School to its new home at The National Conference Center. It will help cover critical costs associated with the rapid relocation and allows the students and families that depend on The Arc and Aurora School to be welcomed back to a stable and nourishing environment.
Ultimately, this grant strengthens The Arc of Loudoun’s ability to preserve essential services for families in Loudoun County who depend on Aurora as a lifeline.
This incredible gift brings The Arc of Loudoun’s fundraising total to $770,000 to help meet the $1 million goal. This check presentation on Monday, September 15, 2025, aligned with the Aurora School re-opening for students and staff.
Next Steps
The Arc of Loudoun will use the grant immediately toward finishing moving logistics, welcoming back students and staff, and enhancing operational sustainability for the future.
The full community remains invited to participate in the final stretch of the Empower Aurora campaign as The Arc works toward its $1 million goal.
To contribute and get involved, please visit: TheArcOfLoudoun.org/Empower-Aurora
The Arc of Loudoun Receives $300,000 Grant to Relaunch Aurora School at New Location
August 28, 2025 — The Arc of Loudoun received a $300,000 gift from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation (CMCF), demonstrating CMCF’s continued public support. This gift will help the Arc of Loudoun stabilize its operations and relaunch The Aurora School at its new location at The National Conference Center in Lansdowne. The transformative gift comes at a pivotal moment for The Arc of Loudoun.
Last year, The Arc of Loudoun impacted 4,529 people across Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Arc has been working urgently to relocate, restore, and expand services for children and adults with disabilities.
“This is the ultimate gift at the ultimate moment, and we are so incredibly grateful,” said Lisa E. Max, CEO of The Arc of Loudoun. “The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation has always been a community leader and a long-time supporter of The Arc as a whole.
“Their generosity is more than financial. It is a statement that even though these past few months have brought challenges, this community will rally to ensure children and adults with disabilities are never left behind. We are deeply grateful for their belief in us and their investment in a brighter future.”
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation emphasized the importance of ensuring The Arc’s programs remain a vital community resource.
“We are pleased to support The Arc of Loudoun and recognize the urgent need to reduce the disruption this transition has upon the students and families that rely on the Aurora School,” said John H. Cook, IV, executive director of CMCF. “The Arc serves incredibly vulnerable members of our community who need and depend upon the continuation of this essential service. We hope our support reduces the interruption of care affecting their clients and strengthens The Arc’s long-term viability. We encourage others in the community to join us in standing with The Arc at this critical moment.”
The donation will be used immediately to support The Arc’s relocation to The National Conference Center, as well as to retain its 60 Aurora School teachers and staff and restore services that have been disrupted this month.
These efforts will ensure students can return to school, staff are supported, and families regain access to the specialized programs that make The Arc of Loudoun a lifeline for so many.
This leadership gift joins more than $400,000 already raised from a broad cross-section of the community, including The Arc’s Board Members, businesses, foundations, and individuals, as part of a wider campaign to rebuild services and restore continuity of care.
This $700,000 kickstarts the “Empower Aurora” fundraising campaign, with a $1 million goal to secure independent operations and long-term sustainability for The Arc of Loudoun. Everyone in the community is encouraged to give by visiting www.thearcofloudoun.org/empower-aurora
The Arc’s transition to the National Conference Center is already showing impact.
The Ability Fitness Center reopened in an expanded space in August and has the capacity to serve more clients than ever before, including pediatric participants for the first time.
The ALLY Advocacy Center has also relocated its operations, while continuing to host open office hours in public libraries and other convenient locations for families across the region.
Looking ahead, Aurora School’s move to The National Conference Center will enable it to operate with fewer space limitations, opening the door for future growth to truly meet the regional needs of families whose children live and learn with disabilities.
“This gift ensures Aurora School’s doors will open again soon, and that its next chapter will be stronger than ever,” Max said. “It is proof that when our community comes together, extraordinary things are possible.”
The Arc of Loudoun Inks a Lease to Relocate Aurora School to The National Conference Center; Files Suit to Protect Students Following Unlawful Lockout
August 15, 2025 — Today, The Arc of Loudoun shares two important updates:
First, with deep gratitude and great relief, we announce that the Aurora School will relocate to The National Conference Center (NCC) in Leesburg.
While this is likely not our long-term home, it allows our students to learn together once again under one roof, alongside the rest of our programs, in a safe and supportive setting.
We are indebted to NCC’s owners and staff for stepping forward to expand our partnership in this time of need!
Second, we filed a lawsuit in Loudoun County Circuit Court today against the Margaret Paxton Memorial for Convalescent Children and its trustees.
The Complaint details, among other things:
- how the trust has violated the requirements of the real property tax exemption;
- that it barred The Arc from the campus without serving a Notice to Quit or other notice;
- and that it is unlawfully preventing students with disabilities from attending class,
all of which may cause irreparable harm to The Arc of Loudoun and its students.
The Complaint further asks the Court to issue a temporary restraining order and preliminary and ongoing injunctions forbidding all of the defendants from barring The Arc’s access to the Paxton Campus.
Aurora School will remain closed to students through August 20th while the restraining order and injunctions are processed, staff can get into our buildings, techs can restore our IT network, our facilities’ team can methodically check every Arc space on campus for damage or missing assets, and to allow time for us to prepare the welcome back to campus that our students deserve.
We’ll also continue preparing for our move to our new space at NCC with the goal of relocating as quickly as we can.
We’re working closely with our partners at the Virginia Department of Education to ensure a smooth transition for all of our students, staff, and school systems.
To our community, please know this: The Arc of Loudoun is strong, our mission is unwavering, and we will not be deterred from doing what is right for the children and families we serve every time, all the time.
We are profoundly grateful to our partners, neighbors, and friends who have stood with us through this summer of uncertainty.
While there is a strong, sure path forward, we still need the community to rally around our students and families.
We invite you to:
- Share this message to spread awareness.
- Contact your elected officials and ask them to stand with The Arc of Loudoun.
- Collect packing supplies: Please begin collecting new or gently used moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Please do not bring these items to Paxton Campus or to The National Conference Center just yet. We will share updates soon about when and where you can deliver them.
- Volunteer: If you are willing to lend your time and energy once the dates for the move are finalized, please email info@thearcofloudoun.org so we can reach out when help is needed.
- Donate: Community support has always sustained The Arc of Loudoun. Your financial generosity today will help safeguard our programs and ensure a future for the families we serve. Please click this link and Donate to The Arc of Loudoun
Your support fuels our mission and reinforces these truths: that our students and staff belong in their classrooms, that our clients and families deserve the very best services and support, and that The Arc of Loudoun will do whatever it takes to bring about a just, equitable world for people with disabilities.
With gratitude,
Lisa Max
CEO, The Arc of Loudoun
Alert: An Update on Aurora School Opening
August 13, 2025 —To The Arc’s staff, students, families, clients, donors, partners, and supporters:
On Aug. 12, we submitted a revised proposal to the Trust to secure use of part of the Paxton campus for the 2025–26 school year but have not yet received a response from them. We know you’re all as anxious as we are to confirm our return to school as planned on Monday morning, August 18th, and we are working feverishly to achieve that goal. The Arc’s leadership is assertively working toward our goal of ensuring full continuity of services for our staff, students, and families.
We will let you know as soon as we receive a response from the Trust.
In the meantime, we are working to ensure that our corporate data and students’ and clients’ records are protected. This weekend, without warning, the trustees changed door locks on campus buildings, chained the gates, and hired 24×7 guards to bar The Arc from the property. Our network has been down since Sunday, and our requests to allow IT technicians to have escorted access to the equipment to troubleshoot and restore service has not been granted. With the network down, our VoIP phone system doesn’t work. Luckily, Georgia Graves of Bridgman Communications came to our aid by rerouting our calls through their network so we can again receive calls and access voicemail. Thank you, Georgia! You are truly an Arc Angel!
I’d appreciate another moment of your time, please, to correct the record on the terms of The Arc’s lease with the Paxton Trust, as it has become a sticking point in the public discussion. The Arc’s 2008, 20-year, triple-net lease never required rent payments, but “no rent” does not mean “no cost”. The Arc has invested millions of dollars in leasehold improvements and spends hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to maintain the campus.
Over the past several years, we have repeatedly offered to pay rent or purchase the property outright to ensure the stability of service for our staff and the thousands of people that we’re honored to serve. Each time, those offers have been ignored or declined.
If paying rent were the issue, The Arc would never find itself in this situation.
We will continue to keep you updated. Thank you for your patience, your advocacy, and your belief in The Arc’s mission during this challenging time.
With gratitude,
Lisa Max
CEO, The Arc of Loudoun
Alert: New Information about Paxton Campus
August 9, 2025 — On Saturday afternoon, the Paxton trustees (Melinda Hetzel Hartman, Paige Buscema, and Mary Louise Leipheimer, along with their advisor, Peter Burnett) had their attorney, Jay Chadwick, dispatch a security service and a locksmith to campus with instructions to change all exterior door locks and padlock the front and back gates. We were informed of the activity on campus by neighbors who witnessed the action.
At 5:53 on Saturday evening – well after locks were changed and gates padlocked shut – Mr. Chadwick sent an email to some of The Arc’s Board members informing them that the trustees were ending The Arc’s tenancy on campus effective immediately and without notice. We were told by the security personnel that nothing was removed from any of the buildings, but we remain very concerned about the trustees having unmonitored access to employee, financial, student, and medical files.
In the trustees’ public letter to The Arc’s parents and families on June 20, 2025, they stated: “The Arc will be required to relocate its programs from the Paxton Campus before the next school year starts this fall.” The sudden lockout on August 9th is not only a breach of basic decency—it is a contradiction of their own publicly-stated timeline, further eroding trust and inflicting unnecessary harm on our students, families, and staff.
As you know, The Arc was forced to close Open Door Learning Center preschool and Aurora Behavior Clinic in order to vacate some of the buildings on campus. We bid farewell to our ODLC and ABC students, clients, families, and staff yesterday, Friday, August 8th. We relocated Ability Fitness Center to The National Conference Center last week. The trustees can do no further harm to our preschool, clinic, and fitness center clients, families, and staff.
As we’ve repeatedly shared, zoning, special exceptions, and Virginia Department of Education regulations make finding a new home for the Aurora School extremely challenging, especially given the lack of available real estate in Loudoun. As we’ve reported to the trustees’ attorney each week, we aggressively pursue alternate locations to house the Aurora School while – per the trustees’ requirements – we consolidate school operations to one corner of the campus, making today’s unconscionable action utterly unjustifiable.
Aurora School is closed for August Break next week (8/11 – 8/15) and our legal team will file to stay the trustees’ hands first thing Monday morning. Our intent is to welcome our students and staff back to campus after break on August 18th. We are also working with The National Conference Center to create temporary space for the school as quickly as possible until we can secure a permanent, safe home for all of The Arc’s programs to reunite and thrive.
We’ll send updates and additional information as they’re available.
The Arc of Loudoun was started in 1967 by parents who created the services and support their children needed. Their tenacity and determination are exceeded only by today’s Arc Family.
We are enormously grateful to all of you for standing by us, advocating for us, and adding your indignation to ours. With your continued assistance and support, The Arc of Loudoun will emerge stronger than ever and endure for generations to come.
Best regards,
Lisa E. Max
The Arc of Loudoun’s Ability Fitness Center Relocating to The National Conference Center, Expanding Services and Access
LEESBURG, Va. — July 1, 2025 — The Arc of Loudoun announced today that its Ability Fitness Center (AFC), an innovative therapeutic fitness and wellness program serving individuals with neurological and developmental disabilities, will relocate to an expanded facility at the National Conference Center this summer.
The expansion to the National Conference Center will grow AFC’s footprint nearly fivefold, from 1,200 square feet to almost 6,000 square feet, eliminating the longstanding waitlist and making room to serve more clients with life-changing services as they work toward ongoing progress on their individual goals.
The expanded location will also provide the opportunity to add a much-needed pediatric program, which will be the first of its kind in Loudoun County.
This unique resource is run by expert clinicians, featuring specialized equipment that provides access to innovative, customized, play-based therapy and activity-based interventions that increase functional ability for individuals with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, balance disorders, developmental disabilities, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, and other neurological conditions.
Ability Fitness Center offers ongoing monthly memberships that allow individuals with neurological conditions to continue their progress long after completing traditional therapy.
“This move demonstrates our unwavering commitment to creating sustainable, long-term solutions for our programs and the people who rely on them,” said Lisa Max, CEO of The Arc of Loudoun. “The National Conference Center stepped forward as a true partner to help ensure that Ability Fitness Center continues to be a community of hope, health, and healing.”
Freddie Hetzel was one of the AFC founders and currently serves on The Arc’s Board of Directors. He was there when the group started fundraising in 2012, when it opened for service in 2017, and expressed his excitement for the next stage of growth.
“The Ability Fitness Center empowers people to see and experience what is possible after a life-changing accident or diagnosis. You see progress every day, not just in mobility, but in independence and spirit,” he said. “I am thrilled to be a part of the expansion of Ability Fitness Center and look forward to welcoming more clients.”
“Moving into a larger space will give us the opportunity to help provide more individualized care and allow more time for clients to spend utilizing our therapeutic equipment,” said Dr. Helen Parker, clinical director of Ability Fitness Center. “This move not only expands our physical footprint but also broadens our ability to grow the friendships created within our community.
We will now be able to serve more people, provide more resources to the community, and touch even more lives.
She added: “Our intensive interventions are aimed at generating the greatest level of independence and recovery possible. Our team is especially excited to expand into pediatric care, so children can build strength and confidence early in life and improve their independence. We are looking forward to serving people of all ages now that we have the space to make that possible.”
The National Conference Center, a longtime partner of The Arc of Loudoun, is an award-winning corporate training facility in Lansdowne, Va., that has operated for more than 50 years.
The center contains 250 conference rooms and comprises 265,000 square feet of meeting space.
“We are proud to support The Arc of Loudoun’s mission and welcome the Ability Fitness Center to our campus,” said John Walsh, general manager of the National Conference Center. “This partnership reflects our commitment to serving the broader community in meaningful ways.”
“This is an investment in a stronger, healthier community,” Max explained. “We are grateful to our partners at the National Conference Center and proud that we can expand services to people of all ages.
“If you’re ever in need of our services, please reach out to us. Where there’s help, there’s hope—and at The Arc of Loudoun, wherever we are, there’s always hope.”
The Arc welcomes donations to support financial assistance for clients and the purchase of new equipment in the expanded space. To learn more, please visit afc.thearcofloudoun.org.
The Arc of Loudoun Responds to Paxton Trust Announcement, Requesting Community Support Amid Ongoing Transition
Leesburg, VA — June 23, 2025 —Last summer, The Arc of Loudoun’s thousands of supporters persuaded the leaders of the Paxton Trust to come to the table and negotiate new lease terms with The Arc of Loudoun, a nonprofit dedicated to the education, service, and support of people with disabilities and their families.
Last Friday, The Arc of Loudoun’s staff, Board, clients, students, legal team, supporters and the public were shocked to learn through social media posts and a press release that the trustees had unilaterally declared the end of mediation and announced that The Arc would need to leave its home of over 16 years with just over a month’s notice to vacate.
The announcement, which sent shockwaves through the entire community, not only ended the mediation process prematurely but also contradicted mediated agreements to date, particularly regarding the future of the Aurora School, a vital community resource that provides 1:1+ education and related services to students throughout the region who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly those with autism.
While the trustees’ requirements for The Arc to continue to operate all of its programs on campus had been ever-changing and largely untenable throughout the mediation process, the trustees consistently maintained that the Aurora School would remain on campus.
“Aurora School is a year-round special education private day school licensed by the Virginia Department of Education and accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF). We partner with public school systems from Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. and have already executed contracts with eight of them for the upcoming school year, which begins on August 18th”, The Arc of Loudoun’s CEO, Lisa Max, reported. “We are shocked by the Trust’s sudden withdrawal from what had been a productive—though challenging—mediation process.
“On June 14th, our attorney shared the most recent status of our efforts to significantly reduce The Arc’s footprint on campus to comply with the trustees’ requirement. We had not received any response from the Trust on that update, then we were blindsided by their public release just five days later,” Max continued.
A Complex Transition With External Dependencies
The Arc of Loudoun is a community resource serving students, clients, and families throughout the Washington, D.C. region. It operates highly specialized programs, each with unique space, licensing, and accreditation requirements.
To comply with the trustees’ requirement to contract The Arc’s operations into a small sector of the campus, families and staff were notified on June 14th that the preschool and clinic will close as of August 8, 2025. The Arc continues to work feverishly to support everyone affected by these closures, and where possible, to realign services through partnerships and under other Arc of Loudoun programs.
A new off-campus location has already been identified for the Ability Fitness Center, and details will be shared as soon as the agreement is finalized. Until Friday, it was believed that the Aurora School would remain on campus.
Relocating fully-accredited schools and therapy clinics is not as simple as finding a new location. The process requires site inspections, state approvals, medical insurance authorizations, and physical modifications that take months to complete. Because of this, The Arc’s preschool and Clinic must discontinue services to meet the trustees’ deadline to contract programs on campus. These closures have devastating consequences for the families we serve and our staff.
“This is not a new initiative for The Arc of Loudoun. For more than four years, we have actively sought alternative locations,” explained Malcolm Cooke, Board President of The Arc of Loudoun. “The challenge isn’t a lack of effort; it’s the specialized nature of our services and the shortage of facilities that can legally, safely, and appropriately house them. Even if a suitable site were identified for the Aurora School today, we could not reasonably expect to gain the required regulatory approvals to begin the new school year in August.”
“The trustees are well aware of these limitations because the situation has been discussed in great detail with them for the past several years, which makes their Friday announcement all the more difficult to understand. It unnecessarily jeopardizes these essential services and goes against the missions of both organizations, putting vulnerable children and their families at risk.”
Once Again, Community Support Is Needed
Until Friday, The Arc of Loudoun was committed to the mediation process and focused on best serving the needs of its students, families, and clients. Now, the priority has shifted to operational continuity for our 5,000 students and families.
To ensure stability and continuity for students from school systems throughout the region, The Arc is asking our supporters to implore the Paxton Trust to allow the Aurora School to remain on campus for the 2025–2026 academic year with the understanding that the other programs are relocating in August 2025 or are being closed until alternate locations are in place.
In parallel, The Arc of Loudoun is appealing to the broader community to join our Mission.
“We need real estate partners who understand the unique needs of special education programs and are able to offer the long-term home our students and families need”, Max said. “We also need funding partners to support the capital investments and relocation costs associated with moves of this scale.”
Cooke added: “We’ve been transparent, responsible, and deeply committed to families across the region throughout this process. Now, we need our community to stand with us, so we can continue building a future where people with disabilities are not just served but truly seen and deeply supported.”
To show your support or make a contribution to The Arc’s relocation and continuity efforts, please visit thearcofloudoun.orgor email info@thearcofloudoun.org
The Arc of Loudoun Celebrates Service and Announces Bold New Initiatives at Annual Meeting
ASHBURN, VA – On June 12, The Arc of Loudoun hosted its Annual Meeting at Lost Rhino Brewing Company, bringing together community members, partners, and supporters for an evening of celebration, live music, and impactful announcements.
Guests enjoyed performances by Rob Hoey, enjoyed delicious food from Lost Rhino, and took part in recognizing three outstanding individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on the disability community:
• Sean Plummer, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office – Beth Mills Service Award
• Lisa Soiland, volunteer at Ability Fitness Center – Mary B. Tett Volunteer of the Year Award
• Daniel Carter, Educational Lead at Aurora School – Rick Berry Professional of the Year Award
While Daniel Carter was unable to attend, Suhad Abdallah, Principal of Aurora School, accepted the award on his behalf. Carter received his award at a later date.
In addition to the awards, The Arc of Loudoun’s Board of Directors conducted official business, including elections and the welcome of new board members who will help lead the organization into its next chapter.
CEO Lisa Max Addresses Challenges and Strategic Direction
During the meeting, Lisa Max, CEO of The Arc of Loudoun, addressed growing concerns in the nonprofit and disability services sectors, citing federal uncertainty and structural changes including the potential shuttering of the Department of Education and proposed Medicaid cuts.
“The Arc of Loudoun is preparing, not panicking,” said Max. “We’re educating and training and lobbying and learning. We’re working hard to fill the gaps. Our job is to stay ready, informed, and proactive so that no matter what lies ahead, our commitment and ability to serve people with disabilities remains steadfast and unwavering.”
She continued by reinforcing the importance of advocacy and collaboration:
“We are working hand in glove with The Arc of the US, The Arc of Virginia, The Arc of Northern Virginia, all of our community partners, and our federal, state, and local elected leaders to ensure that our voices are heard, loud and clear. We’re shouting from the rooftops on behalf of those who aren’t able to speak for themselves.”
A Bold Vision for the Future
Despite these challenges, Max said The Arc of Loudoun is not retreating, rather advancing as she announced the creation in the coming year of three new strategic initiatives designed to expand the organization’s capacity and deepen its community impact:
• The Center for Advancing Advocacy – Providing a multifaceted approach to federal, state, local, and individual legal and educational disability support.
• The Center for Adaptive Education – Offering holistic, highly personalized early intervention, education, and related services.
• The Center for Adaptive Fitness and Wellness – Delivering innovative and customized activity-based interventions that improve functional ability and quality of life.
“Together these Centers will develop new modalities to ensure fair and equitable treatment of people with disabilities in their communities; will deliver therapies that reset neural circuits; will improve the foundations for learning, behavior, and health; and will challenge students and clients to achieve personal excellence and independence,” Max said.
She emphasized that the organization’s mission is not just about services, but about creating lasting opportunity:
“Our staff and Board are approaching all of these with entrepreneurial enthusiasm and intellectual rigor—because The Arc of Loudoun doesn’t just provide services. We provide opportunities for a lifetime.”
“Behind every one of our goals is a person, a family, a community – and in the coming year you’ll see The Arc of Loudoun take extraordinary steps to exceed every, single one,” Max concluded. “We don’t do anything alone. It takes a village to accomplish what we do, and ours is one of the best villages in the world.”
The Arc of Loudoun Celebrates Graduates of Loudoun County’s 63rd Crisis Intervention Training Program
Leesburg, VA — The Arc of Loudoun congratulates the 23 first responders who graduated Friday May 23, from Loudoun County’s 63rd Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Program.
These graduates represent nine public safety and community agencies and are the latest to join a growing group of professionals equipped to respond with compassion, safety, and understanding in moments of crisis.
This weeklong, intensive training equips law enforcement officers, firefighters, school safety officers, and mental health professionals with the tools they need to respond effectively to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
Through a curriculum rooted in de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, and respectful communication, participants learned how to prioritize the dignity and well-being of every person they serve — especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities or mental health conditions.
Graduates in this class represent:
• Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (9)
• Leesburg Police Department (4)
• Loudoun County Fire and Rescue (2)
• Fire Marshal’s Office (2)
• Loudoun County Public School Security Officers (2)
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (1)
• Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, WV (1)
• Mental Health/Substance Abuse/Developmental Services (1)
• City of Fairfax Fire Department (1)
The CIT program is a long-standing collaboration between The Arc of Loudoun, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Mental Health Services, Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, NAMI Northern Virginia, and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
Since its launch in 2012, more than 1,100 public safety professionals have completed the program, strengthening Loudoun County’s commitment to community-focused, trauma-informed crisis response.
With each new graduate, Loudoun takes another step forward in building a safer, more inclusive community where individuals in crisis — particularly those with disabilities — are treated with the compassion and care they deserve.
The Arc of Loudoun Receives Visit Loudoun’s Diversity in Travel Award for “You Belong Here: Hospitality Training for an Accessible Loudoun”
Leesburg, VA — The Arc of Loudoun is honored and grateful to be recognized with the Diversity in Travel Award at Visit Loudoun’s 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Tourism Awards, held Friday, April 25, 2025, at Lansdowne Resort.
Visit Loudoun President & CEO Beth Erickson said “By breaking down barriers, The Arc of Loudoun will help tourism & hospitality businesses gain access to a large and often underserved market. Providing visitors and residents with disabilities—both seen and unseen—along with their families and caregivers, with a more inclusive and frictionless experience, they will truly enjoy all that Loudoun has to offer.”
Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk congratulated The Arc of Loudoun “Congratulations again for helping to make the business environment for the disabled a better, more accommodating place.”
The Arc of Loudoun received the award for its innovative program, You Belong Here: Hospitality Training for an Accessible Loudoun, which equips Loudoun’s hospitality industry professionals with tools to create a more welcoming environment for people with disabilities.
“Thank you to Visit Loudoun for championing the incredible work happening across our community to make all tourism and hospitality businesses accessible, and for recognizing The Arc of Loudoun’s commitment to creating an inclusive and vibrant Loudoun for everyone,” said Lisa Max, CEO at The Arc of Loudou
Launched in 2024, You Belong Here provides industry-specific disability awareness education, proactive accommodation strategies, and inclusive customer service practices. The training is customizable for restaurants, breweries, wineries, hotels, retail shops, transportation services, and event venues.
Participants receive hands-on guidance, training materials, a certificate of completion, and a “You Belong Here” window cling to proudly display their commitment to accessibility.
Since its launch, the training has reached over 60 people representing over 30 hospitality businesses across Loudoun County.
Why Accessibility Matters
According to CDC, more than 26% of Americans identify as having a disability. Disability is the only category of diversity that every individual will experience at some point in their life.
Accessible businesses not only add customers by adding access for people with mobility, sensory, and other challenges, but also benefit when implementing accessibility enhancements designed for people with disabilities because they improve experiences for all visitors, including customers with dementia, parents with strollers, and travelers with luggage.
The Arc’s You Belong Here initiative helps local businesses tap into this underserved market, grow customer bases, and strengthen Loudoun’s reputation as a welcoming destination for everyone.
Looking Ahead
The next You Belong Here training sessions are scheduled for July 31, 2025, with sessions at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Registration is now open for hospitality businesses interested in advancing their commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
Register Here: www.thearcofloudoun.org/youbelonghere
The Arc also offers Awareness and Accessibility training for many other businesses and industries. Contact info@thearcofloudoun.org to schedule training specific to your needs.
Since 2019, The Arc of Loudoun’s strategic vision has been to establish a world-class training center for inclusive practices. The Arc of Loudoun is refining its strategic plan to align our goals with emerging opportunities, ensuring we remain at the forefront of advancing justice, education, and advocacy for people with disabilities.
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Parents Share Early Intervention Impacts at The Arc of Loudoun
Parents told the stories of their path to get support for their young children with disabilities at an event celebrating the Claude Moore Center for Early Intervention at The Arc of Loudoun.
The small celebration brought representatives from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, which supports The Arc of Loudoun’s early intervention services, together with some of the families those services have helped to hear their stories.
Maria Tariq said when her daughter first started at a different preschool, her daughter would cry for hours.
“We didn’t have the call saying, ‘oh, she’s been crying for three hours, can you come pick her up,’ or ‘she’s been crying all day,’’” Tariq said. “The staff is really very supportive, and it was a relief. That mommy guilt went away. My child’s secure, and not just that, there’s the experience of learning that I’ve seen here. It’s absolutely brilliant.”
And she said at Open Door Learning Center, her daughter has flourished. Her daughter was known as a quiet child at a previous daycare.
“She’s a chatterbox like the teachers now,” she said. “She can speak all day long, she’ll sing, and she’s got a voice.”
Similarly, Rob Carkin said after struggling at a previous preschool, his son is now excited to get to school in the morning, and is receiving services at both the preschool and clinic.
“The one-on-one time that he gets, the attention he gets, the sensory room, makes all the difference,” he said. “We see that he’s extremely happy and actually himself, instead of being checked out, since he’s been here. So we plan on keeping him here until he goes into kindergarten.”
Pam Masango said she has seen the difference in children who receive early intervention services first-hand as both a foster parent and adoptive parent. Like many parents she said remembered driving her daughter across the county to multiple appointments in a day while keeping up with an eight-hour workday.
“I’ll use the words my neighbor told me after we moved here,” she said. “He said The Arc is this community’s hidden gem, and it truly is. It is so impactful, and I wish every community could have a place like this… If I could, I would make it bigger to ensure that every single child gets an opportunity to have this, especially for children who have invisible disabilities.”
“We would be lost, completely lost, without this group of people. And it takes a village,” Buchbauer said. “It takes more than a village when you have a neurodivergent or disabled child who needs specific resources that are not easy to get sometimes, and to be able to get them all in one place is just life changing. It’s changed our entire world.”
After support at Open Door Learning Center, Aurora Behavior Clinic and The Arc of Loudoun’s other resources, she said her son, who was previously largely nonspeaking, reached an unexpected milestone.
“He said ‘I love you’ for the first time,” she said. Due to his disability, she didn’t believe he’d ever be able to say the word “love.”
“’I love you, mommy,’ And it’s just like, gosh, it’s been four years, he’s six, but to hear that is just such a full circle moment,” she said.
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation awarded a $260,000 grant to support early intervention at The Arc of Loudoun and has been a longstanding supporter of the Claude Moore Center for Early Intervention at The Arc. As part of this grant cycle, the foundation provided funding to 20 organizations, distributing nearly $2.4 million in total, including support for The Arc of Loudoun.
“The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation believes that access to high-quality early intervention services can be life-changing for children and their families,” Claude Moore Charitable Foundation Director of Giving Stephanie Nerantzis said. “The stories shared are a testament to the incredible impact of The Arc of Loudoun’s programs. We are proud to support their mission and help ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
“Hearing stories like these is such a great reminder of why we do this work,” The Arc of Loudoun CEO Lisa Max said. “We can’t thank the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, or any of the people who make our work possible, enough. We are fortunate that we get to work toward a just, equitable world for people with disabilities.”
The Arc of Loudoun’s early intervention services include Open Door Learning Center preschool and daycare, which serves children both with and without disabilities; Aurora Behavior Clinic, which offers individualized therapy sessions with Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology; ALLY Advocacy Center, which connects families to resources both at The Arc and in the community along with free consultations, referrals, events, training and workshops; and Bridge the Gap funding to help qualifying families afford those critical services at The Arc. Learn more at thearcofloudoun.org/earlyintervention.
The Arc of Loudoun Wins $21K from Reeve Foundation for Adaptive Exercise Equipment
The Arc of Loudoun, a Leesburg not-for-profit organization serving people with disabilities across the region, is proud to announce that it has been awarded $21,780 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) 2024 Direct Effect 1st Cycle Quality of Life grants. Seventy-three grants totaling $1,472,579 were awarded. The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations empowering individuals with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 3,800 grants totaling $44 million have been awarded. Funding for this program was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living.
The Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center has several grants under the Quality of Life program awarding grants in different category areas, varying in different amounts.
“These grants are dedicated to restoring independence to our community members,” stated Dan McNeal, Director of the Quality of Life Grants Program at the Reeve Foundation. “Our primary mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with paralysis. We are honored to collaborate with numerous committed organizations that tirelessly ensure accessibility and inclusivity and are integral to their programs.”
The Arc of Loudoun’s Ability Fitness Center used the grant to help fund the purchase of a LiteGait 400D rehabilitation device, a powered, robotic harness system helping the center’s clients exercise and increase their functional ability. Ability Fitness Center picks up where healthcare and insurance coverage leaves off, enabling people with paralysis, mobility-related disorders and neurological conditions to continue to exercise and heal with expert clinicians and specialized, state-of-the-art equipment.
The LiteGait is already installed and in use at the center. It’s a crucial addition to one the center has used successfully for years, and which has been one of the most popular pieces of equipment in the center.
“The new LiteGait device means our clients and staff can make the most of their time here, since our clients won’t have to wait for their turn to use this piece of equipment,” Ability Fitness Center Clinical Director Helen Parker, DPT, said. “We pride ourselves on providing the state-of-the-art services and equipment that our clients need. We all thank the Reeve Foundation for helping us provide this life-changing therapeutic exercise. It is already making a real difference to the people we serve.”
This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as part of a financial assistance award totaling $8,700,000 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS.
2024
Parents’ Generous Donation Transforms Open Door Learning Center’s Sensory Play and Learning Spaces
Students at Open Door Learning Center preschool and daycare now have a refreshed sensory play area, a refreshed outdoor playground and new classroom materials thanks to one student’s parents, Sir and Janae Wheeler, who donated more than $2,000 of new equipment and toys.
As owners of VVS Events & Marketing, the Wheelers decided to leverage their relationships to source funding for their refresh project. In partnership with nonprofit Elev8 Today and Foresters Financial, they secured $2,200 in grant funding to refresh not only the sensory play equipment, but provide classroom resources like laminators, craft supplies, and educational toys.The Arc of the US on Outcome of Election and Path Forward for People With Disabilities and Their Families
Loudoun, Leesburg, Purcellville, State Honor The Arc of Loudoun
Leesburg Town Council Joins Calls for Mediation on The Arc of Loudoun’s Lease
Aug. 14, 2024 — Leesburg, VA — The Leesburg Town Council has joined The Arc of Loudoun’s call for its landlords to agree to independent mediation, as elected leaders, current and former staff and clients, and the community rally behind the nonprofit while its landlords’ demands threaten to push it off its campus in Leesburg.
The Leesburg Town Council passed its resolution unanimously Tuesday, Aug. 13. The Arc of Loudoun’s requests to its landlords, the Margaret Paxton Memorial for Convalescent Children or “Paxton Trust,” to meet or to agree to mediation have been rejected. The Paxton trustees had once again declined The Arc’s offer for independent third-party mediation on Aug. 6. Through their attorney, the Trustees replied that they will not meet, including with an independent mediator, unless The Arc first agrees to their terms or goes without a lease—the current lease expires at the end of August.
Arc of Loudoun Brings Back iCan Bike Camp for Sixth Year
Jun 28, 2024 — Leesburg, VA — The sixth annual iCan Bike camp that teaches children with disabilities how to ride a bike wrapped up Friday at Tuscarora High School with five different graduation sessions.
The weeklong camp, hosted by The Arc of Loudoun in collaboration with iCan Shine, an international charity that provides recreational activities for individuals with disabilities in 35 states and Canada brought riders from Loudoun, Arlington and surrounding states to learn how to ride a two wheel bike.
Visit Loudoun, The Arc of Loudoun Announce ‘You Belong Here’ Disability Training for Businesses
May 17, 2024 — Leesburg, VA — Visit Loudoun and The Arc of Loudoun have partnered to help hospitality businesses open their doors to a group that represents up to a quarter of all U.S. adults—people with disabilities.
The Arc of Loudoun’s “You Belong Here” Disability Awareness and Accessibility Training will help businesses and their staff realize, understand and address the barriers people with all types of disabilities may face when they try to shop, stay or work at those businesses, and help businesses understand how people with disabilities might look for when finding and choosing a place to visit, shop or work.
‘Sensory Santa’ Wins Outstanding Volunteer Team Award
May 16, 2024 — Leesburg, VA — The Arc of Loudoun “Sensory Santa” has been recognized with a Loudoun Cares 2023 Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Among other community leadership, Bobbi, a.k.a. Special Agent Bobbi, is a real estate agent, a member of The Arc of Loudoun’s Board of Directors, and mother of a child with disabilities. She coordinates promoting, scheduling, and running the sessions as well as providing goodie bags for those with a disability that attend.
The Arc of Loudoun is one of the first Loudoun nonprofits now coordinating and streamlining referrals through Unite Virginia, thanks to a group of local funders led by 100WomenStrong.
May 15, 2024 — Leesburg, VA — Last year, Inova announced it had joined the Unite Virginia network, in which partner organizations use the Unite Us platform to send and receive secure, electronic referrals. 100WomenStrong, Inova, the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation and the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties teamed up to fund grants for Loudoun human services nonprofits to train on and use the platform.
The Arc of Loudoun is one of 13 nonprofits using the platform as it’s rolled out in Loudoun! We’re joined by Crossroads Jobs, Dulles South Food Pantry, Good Shepherd of Northern Virginia, Insight Memory Care Center, LAWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, Loudoun Free Clinic, Loudoun Hunger Relief, Loudoun Serenity House, Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers, Northern Virginia Family Service, The New Ag School and Youth for Tomorrow.
Read more about Unite Us from 100WomenStrong. Thank you to our generous funders for making this possible!
April 12, 2024 – Wheelchair Users to Vie for Medals, Prizes in New Run the Greenway Roll 5K
Wheelchair users for the first time will have their own race category in this year’s Run the Greenway Saturday, May 4 at Loudoun Station, putting them in competition for medals, glory and prizes. First, second and third place overall finishers in the new Roll 5K category will win medals and a gift card to PR Run & Walk. That’s welcome news to the team at Ability Fitness Center at The Arc of Loudoun, the nonprofit that partnered with the Dulles Greenway to make Run the Greenway wheelchair accessible two years ago. Many of the competitors on the Ability Fitness Center team use assistive technology such as wheelchairs to complete the race—including Anthony Ringenberg, the first wheelchair finisher in both years of Run, Walk or Roll the Greenway. He said the best part of the race is the finish line.
As part of updating its Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, the county is taking input on the accessibility of its programs and services—everything from getting a permit, to paying a fee, to taking part in a parks and rec program. Comments can be submitted online at https://www.loudoun.gov/FormCenter/Public-Affairs-14/Americans-with-Disabilities-Act-ADA-Self-397. The deadline to submit comments is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.
The county will also take comments at a meeting Thursday, Feb. 15 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the boardroom of the county Government Center, 1 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg. Anyone who requires reasonable accommodation for any type of disability or who needs language assistance to participate in the meeting may contact the Office of Public Affairs and Communications at 703-777-0113 or send an email for assistance.
More information about the Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan is online at loudoun.gov/adastudy.
January 30, 2024 – Leesburg, VA – The Arc of Loudoun has published its January newsletter! Packing 150 sensory comfort kits, a successful end-of-year fundraiser, Crisis Intervention Team training, a look into what life is like for our behavior analysts, ways to get involved with shaping federal policy around autism—there’s a lot going on in this month’s newsletter. Click here to find out what’s going on at The Arc of Loudoun!
January 30, 2024 – Leesburg, VA – The Arc of Loudoun is proud to unveil our new website, featuring a sleek design for easy navigation and dedicated sub-sites for each program. This update enhances user experience, offering a centralized hub for information on our diverse range of empowering initiatives. Explore the site to connect with us, discover volunteer opportunities, stay informed about upcoming events, and access valuable resources supporting individuals and families in our community. We’re excited about this step forward in fostering inclusivity and providing a user-friendly platform for our supporters.
2023
November 30, 2023 – Arc of Loudoun offers hope in Virginia childcare crisis – As families grapple with the challenges of finding and paying for childcare in Northern Virginia, The Arc of Loudoun’s Open Door Learning Center has become a beacon of support for families.
The Leesburg preschool caters to both typical children and those with developmental delays. It was approved to participate in the Virginia Child Care Subsidy program, which provides support to families based on income level.
Leesburg mother, Kathleen Timothy, has sent all three of her children to the preschool. Her 4-year-old, Gabe, is currently in the program.
“Dropping them off, you see the environment, you see the classroom, and how he’s greeted by his teachers,” she said. “He’s just ready to go and happy to hop in the classroom and learn.”
November 20, 2023 – Leesburg, VA – At the Open Door Learning Center, an inclusive, all-day preschool at the Arc of Loudoun’s Leesburg campus, children ages 2 ½ to 7 years old learn together in mixed classrooms of students with and without disabilities. The combined classrooms, resources for students with disabilities and specially trained teachers make the preschool a unique and supportive environment, staff and parents say.
» Read the full article here: ‘IT’S A FUN, CREATIVE, HAPPY, LOVING PLACE’ Open Door Learning Center offers inclusive, affordable preschool
November 30, 2023 – Leesburg, VA – The Arc of Loudoun’s Fiscal Year 2023 report is now available to the public, offering a glimpse at our impacts and growth.
The report, designed to be easy to read, offers a brief overview of our five main programs and their impacts, along with a few highlights and milestones along the way.
» Read the report here.
October 19, 2023 – Leesburg, VA – Former Loudoun Now Deputy Editor Renss Greene and longtime nonprofit development professional Robin McGlothin recently joined The Arc of Loudoun as Director of Marketing and Communications and Director of Development.
» Read the full article here: https://www.loudounnow.com/giving_back/mcglothin-greene-join-the-arc-of-loudoun/article
August 1, 2023 – Leesburg, VA – The Arc of Loudoun is pleased to announce that its on campus preschool Open Door Learning Center (ODLC) was voted one of Northern Virginia’s Best Preschools of 2023 by Northern Virginia Magazine’s readers.
» Read the full Press Release: The Arc of Loudoun’s Open Door Learning Center (ODLC) Preschool Named One of NOVA Magazine’s Best Preschools of 2023
July 24, 2023 – Leesburg, VA – With regret, The Arc of Loudoun will discontinue their Project Horse Virginia program effective August 31, 2023. The Arc of Loudoun’s immediate attention is on ensuring that clients, horses, and staff have a soft landing as the program comes to an end in Virginia.
» Read the full Press Release: The Arc of Loudoun will discontinue its Project Horse Program in Virginia effective August 31, 2023
July 5, 2023 – The Annual bike camp in Leesburg produces inspiring outcomes for students with special needs. For the fifth year, a partnership with The Arc of Loudoun and iCan Shine has provided an opportunity for youth with special needs to learn how to ride a bike in a week at Tuscarora High School in Leesburg.
» Read the full article here: https://www.loudounnow.com/news/annual-bike-camp-in-leesburg-produces-inspiring-outcomes-for-students-with-special-needs/article
June 29, 2023 – Leesburg, VA – The Arc of Loudoun held its Annual Meeting on Thursday June 29, 2023. It was a joyous evening celebrating The Arc of Loudoun with Board Members, staff, and community members.
» Read the full Press Release: The Arc of Loudoun held its annual meeting on Thursday, June 29, 2023 – 2023 board members were voted in, and three awards were announced
May 24, 2023 – Loudoun’s 100WomenStrong announces $567K in grants to 46 nonprofits. ounty. Since 2009, Leesburg-based 100WomenStrong has provided grants to local nonprofits totaling $4 million and this year 46 nonprofits will receive a total of $567,000, according to a press release.
» Read the full article here: https://www.loudounnow.com/news/loudouns-100womenstrong-announces-567k-in-grants-to-46-nonprofits/article
April 18, 2023 – Annual Run the Greenway 5K and 10K set for May 6. The third annual Run the Greenway race will kick off at Loudoun Station on May 6 and will benefit 17 local nonprofit organizations, according to a press release.
» Read the full article here: https://www.loudounnow.com/news/annual-run-the-greenway-article
January 18, 2023 – Claude Moore Foundation awards $2.6 million in grants. The trustees of The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation announced last week the approval of $2,638,860 in grants to nonprofit organizations in Virginia and Washington, D.C., according to a press release.
» Read the full article here: https://www.loudounnow.com/news/claude-moore-foundation-awards-article/
2022
December 14, 2022 – The Loudoun Impact Fund celebrated the award of $112,000 in grants to 14 nonprofit organizations serving Loudoun County. This included The Arc of Loudoun with a $10,000 grant to support people with disabilities and their families in Loudoun County who need emergency financial relief. Read the full article here: https://www.loudounnow.com/giving_back/loudoun-impact-fund-awards-122k-to-nonprofits/article_97a77f36-7bc8-11ed-a339-f3393507d5ef.html
September 14, 2022 – Thank you Karen Graham of Loudoun Times Mirror for sharing our announcement of Claude Moore Center for Early Intervention, our six-program, “one-stop shop” approach to support children ages birth to 8 years old with IDD and their families. https://www.loudountimes.com/news/early-intervention-highlighted-by-arc-of-loudoun-claude-moore-foundation-at-summit
September 14, 2022– The Claude Moore Center for Early Intervention – a “one-stop shop” for children birth to 8 years old with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays – officially launched. Thank you to Claude Moore Charitable Foundation for investing in this critical, much-needed service in our community. To receive the Early Intervention Summit presentation and handouts, please sign up for our newsletter. Read the full article here: https://www.loudounnow.com/2022/09/14/arc-of-loudoun-launches-one-stop-early-intervention-program/
July 28, 2022 – They Might Be Giants Concert To Support The Arc Of Loudoun In October (Patch.com)
2020
Seeing the silver linings: While coping with the new reality, special education community longs for person-to-person engagement, Loudoun Times Mirror, May 29, 2020
Loudoun County Nonprofit Adjusts Services to Help Adults and Children with Disabilities – Amy Metaxa and Lisa Max on WJLA Channel 7, May 18, 2020 Virginia Calls for COVID-19 Volunteers – The Arc of Loudoun’s CEO, Lisa Max on Fox5 News, April 15, 2020.
How Lisa Max turned her resume upside down to run the Arc of Loudoun
Claude Moore Foundation grants $2.4M to Loudoun organizations for 2020
$250K Claude Moore Grant to Boost Arc of Loudoun’s Early Intervention Preschool
Kidd Around Town: My Bloody Valentine Event to benefit The Arc of Loudoun
2019
Leesburg’s Award Winning Haunted House, Shocktober, Opens for its 10th Season on October 4th
Shocktober Wins Twice at Annual Tourism Awards, 10 May 2019, Loudoun Now, 10 May 2019, Loudoun Now
Singing to Help Others: Loudoun Musicians Give Back with Performances Saturday, 10 May 2019, Loudoun Now
The Arc Celebrates Efforts to Help Disabled Residents Enjoy ‘A Life Like Ours’, 23 March 2019, Loudoun Now
Loudoun Chamber Foundation Awards $24K to Nonprofits, 10 January 2019, Loudoun Now
2018
The Arc of Loudoun returns to its original brand, Karen Graham 5 December 2018, Loudoun Times Mirror LightUP Festival Proceeds Benefit The Arc of Loudoun, Molette Green 29 November 2018, NBC4 Washington The Arc of Loudoun Celebrates Opening of New Aurora Clinic, Renss Greene 16 November 2018, Loudoun Now The Arc of Loudoun’s Shocktober Scares for Kids, 12 October 2018, Local DVM
Haunted House Stop #1: My Paranormal Experience at the Only Real Haunted House in Northern Virignia, 12 October 2018, Our Community Now
Do You Want Scary Good Fun This October? Hit Up DC’s Top Haunted Trails, 9 October 2018, DC Fray Four Levels of Terror, Escape Room Part of Shocktober at Paxton Manor through Nov. 4, 7 October 2018, Loudoun Tribune Haunted Mansion Delivers Scares in Service to Kids with Disabilities, 5 October 2018, WTOP Everything you need to do in DC this weekend, 5 October 2018, Thrillist The Arc of Loudoun’s Shocktober Returns Beginning October 5, 29 September 2018, Loudoun Tribune We Scare Because We Care: Shocktober, Oct. 5, 14 September 2018, Fairfax Times
Shocktober to Take Over Loudoun With New Theme, Partners, Renss Greene, 29 August 2018, Loudoun Now
Shocktober to terrorize patrons in Leesburg starting Oct. 5, 29 August 2018, Loudoun Times Mirror
Leesburg Zip Trip: The Arc of Loudoun, 24 August 2018, Fox 5 The Arc of Loudoun’s Ability Fitness Center Changes Lives, Rebecca Burnett, 6 June 2018, Local DVM iCan Bike Camp comes to Leesburg for second year, Rebecca Burnett, 27 June 2018, Local DVM Ability Fitness Center boasts a special kind of gym culture, Michael Balderston, 2018 June, Northern Virginia Magazine iCan Bike Camp Grows in Second Year, Renss Greene, 25 June 2018, Loudoun Now Moving Beyond Expectations at Ability Fitness Center, Beth Rasin, 1 June 2018, Middleburg Life Mother Helps Hundreds of Kids After Learning How to Care for Her Autistic Son, Leon Harris, Michelle Rivera, Perkins Broussard, 1 June 2018, NBC Washington A photo emerges and a Va. school system’s use of seclusion comes under scrutiny, Debbie Truong, 26 May 2018, The Washington Post Leesburg Fitness Center with the Ability to Change Lives, Leonard Shapiro, 23 May 2018, Country Spirit Supervisors Approve $25k in Grant Applications , Renss Greene, 22 May 2018, Loudoun Now
Music at the Manor May 19 Supports Arc Of Loudoun Programs, by Joseph Dill, 15 May 2018, The Loudoun Tribune
All Abilities Night at iFly Loudoun: Uplifting and Charitable Experience, by Joseph Dill, 7 May 2018, The Loudoun Tribune
100WomenStrong Announces Grants for 28 Loudoun Programs, by Danielle Nadler, 2 May 2018, Loudoun Now Physical therapy and spinal cord injuries on WUSA9, 17 April 2018
Get involved with the Ability Fitness Center on WUSA9 17 April 2018
Ability Fitness Center: Improving life for those with disabilities on WUSA9 17 April 2018
Moose Supreme Governor Visits Leesburg, by Renss Greene, Loudoun Now, 6 April 2018 Ability Fitness Expands Potential, Floor Space, by Renss Greene, Loudoun Now, 5 April 2018 Ability Fitness Center: A gym for those facing neurological conditions, by Diane Helentjaris, Loudoun Times Mirror, 4 April 2018
Sheraton Tysons to host All-Star Comic Con, Fairfax Times, 30 March 2018
Parents Share Stories of Isolation for Special Needs Children, by Renss Greene, Loudoun Now, 27 February 2018 Arc of Loudoun: What Is It?by Joseph Dill, Loudoun Tribune, 22 February 2018 My Bloody Valentine: February Haunted House Experience Aids Arc of Loudoun Programs, by Joseph Dill, Loudoun Tribune, 5 February 2018 Love is Always in the Air in Loudoun , by Jennifer Sigal, Destination Hotels January 2018
2017
New Ability Fitness Center Serves Loudoun’s Physically Challenged, by Danielle Nadler, Loudoun Now, 20 November 2017 Paxton Breaks Ground on Aurora Behavior Clinic, by Renss Greene, Loudoun Now, 11 October 2017 Advocates Say Disability Forgotten in Nonprofit Assessment, by Renss Greene, Loudoun Now, 9 October 2017 At Shocktober, Scaring Is Caring by Jan Mercker, Loudoun Now, 4 October 2017 Extraordinary Collaborations, Loudoun Now, 25 May 2017 Arc of Loudoun Paxton Campus Announces New Executive Director, by Veronike Collazo, Loudoun Tribune, 25 May 2017 Arc of Loudoun holds first Pathways to Justice training , Shaheed Morris, Local DMV 24 May 2017 Loudoun Criminal Justice System Receives Disability Training, by Veronike Collazo, Loudoun Tribune, 23 May 2017 Easy on the Senses: Inova Loudoun Rolls Out Specialized Approach for Autisic Patients, by Norman K Styer, Loudoun Now, 14 May 2017 Autism-friendly pediatric E.R. unveiled at Inova Loudoun Hospital, Chantalle Edmunds, Loudoun Times Mirror, 12 May 2017 Loudoun Volunteerism Celebrated with Awards Ceremony, Loudoun Now, 28 April 2017 Ability Fitness Plans Paxton Service Center, Readies for Golf Fundraiser, Loudoun Now, 14 April 2017 School Funding, Employment Services Take Center Stage at Budget Public Hearings, by Renss Greene, 06 March 2017 New Pilot Program Helps Individuals With Special Needs, by Sierra Fox, 23 Feb 2017 The Arc of Loudoun Executive Director Lassiter Resigns, by Danielle Nadler, Loudoun Now, 12 Jan 2017 Old Barn Gets New Life Helping Children with Disabilities, by Renss Greene, Loudoun Now, 12 Jan 2017
2016
VIDEO – Paxton Campus strengthening the community, interview with Eileen Whelan on GOOD MORNING WASHINGTON, WJLA7, 15 Nov 2016 VIDEO – Paxton Campus helps disabled give back to community, interview with Eileen Whelan on GOOD MORNING WASHINGTON, WJLA7, 15 Nov 2016 Deputies Train to Spot Mental Illness and Avoid Tragedies, by Renss Greene, Loudoun Now, 20 Oct 2016 Loudoun deputies learn how to identify, respond to people with autism, by Jim Barnes, Washington Post – Loudoun Local Section, 10 Oct 2016 Sheriff’s Office and Paxton Campus Push New Program to Help People with Disabilities, by Veronike Collazo of The Loudoun Tribune, 5 Oct 2016 (Shocktober) There’s A Haunted House In Virginia That’s So Terrifying You Have To Sign A Waiver To Enter, Beth Wellford, 18 Aug 2016 Old Ox Brews the Flavor of Shocktober, by Renss Greene, Loudoun Now, 12 Aug 2016 Jamming for a cause in Leesburg, by Alison Cuevas, Loudoun Times-Mirror on 4 Aug 2016 Community Action Results in New Home for Leesburg Mother, Son,Loudoun Now, 2 Aug 2016 (Shocktober) My Bloody Valentine offers fear, romance in Leesburg, by Tiffany Arnold, WTOP.com. 12 February 2016. (Shocktober) VIDEOS: Shocktober’s ‘My Bloody Valentine’ Feb. 12-14, with Eileen Whelan of WJLA News Channel 7. 11 February 2016 (Shocktober) Dare to scare for a unique Valentine’s Day, by Adrienne West, Northern Virginia Magazine. 9 February 2016. (Shocktober) A bloody Valentine’s Day adventure at Paxton Campus, by Hannah Dellinger, Loudoun Times-Mirror. 29 January 2016 PRESS RELEASE: Shocktober Opens its Doors for Three Nights in February and One Night in March!
2015
Young People With Disabilities Thriving In Job Opportunities, by Mike Stancik of Leesburg Today on 3 Nov 2015.
(Shocktober) BLOG: Halloween haunt review: Shocktober (Paxton Manor): Warning: Just reading this post may scare you! Read at your own risk! by Patricia Hall,FairfaxFamilyFun.com. 17 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) D-Line, Linebackers Reflect On Getting Super Scared This Week At ‘Shocktober’, Jake Kring-Schreifels, Associate Writer, Redskins.com, 16 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) VIDEO: Shocktober’s Paxton Manor in Leesburg, Va., By Meaghan Mooney at WUSA9’s Great Day Washington, 16 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) Redskins linebackers tackle haunted house in Va., By Michelle Basch | WTOP 16 October 2015
How I … Give people the creeps for a good cause: Leesburg’s The Aurora School turns into haunted house to raise wicked amounts of money, by Chase Cabot of Washington Business Journal on 16 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) Redskins’ Linebackers Get Spooked In Leesburg, by Danielle Nadler, Leesburg Today, 15 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) Redskins defensive line got very scared at a haunted house, by Extra Mustard |Sports Illustrated, 14 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) Redskins’ defensive line visits haunted house, gets scared, Scott Allen, Washington Post, 13 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) Redskins’ D-Line Gets A Good Scare At ‘Shocktober’, Stephen Czarda, Redskins.com, 13 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) Even Redskins D-linemen get scared at haunted houses, CSN Mid-Atlantic, 13 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) BLOG: Shocktober is a Spooktacular Haunt Supporting a Great Cause! Amy Pope Fitzgerald of Twingles Mom Blog, 10 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) Halloween 2015: Shocktober’s Paxton Manor haunted house in Leesburg, Virginia, Examiner.com, 9 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) These 12 Haunted Houses In Virginia Will Terrify You In The Best Way (Paxton Manor #4), Only In Your State, 9 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) Shocktober Aims To Scare For A Good Cause, by Mike Stancik, Leesburg Today, 7 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) VIDEO: Haunting Season Begins at Virginia Estate: Paxton Mansion Begins New Season, by NBC4 News. 2 Oct 2015
(Shocktober) VIDEO: DIY Zombie Makeup on Let’s Talk Live on Channel 8 News. 2 Oct 2015 (Minute 19:25)
Stolen Paxton Campus Golf Cart Back In Service, by Mike Stancik of Leesburg Today on September 15, 2015 VIDEO: Community Rallies to Help Paxton Campus, by NBC4 on September 15, 2015
Leesburg Thrift Shop Donates To Nonprofits, by Mike Stancik of Leesburg Today on August 15, 2015
4 NBC WASHINGTON: Vandals Strike the Heart of a Leesburg Non-Profit Click for Video Click for Story Community Rallies to Aid Paxton after Golf Cart is Stolen Melissa Heifetz named Director of Advocacy at ALLY Advocacy Center (page 31) Adults with Autism May Be Loudoun’s Next Agribusiness Workforce Visit Loudoun celebrates its 20th anniversary at annual awards ceremony Loudoun’s tourism champions honored at Visit Loudoun awards Paxton Campus Launches May Concert Series With Voodoo Blues Area Dancers Donate $12,000 to Local Charities
Paxton Campus Holds Annual Celebration Monday
2014
Paxton Campus Dedicates School To Longtime Supporter
Constructing a legacy: The Aurora School in Loudoun dedicated to “Butch” Miller Open Door Learning Center at Paxton Campus
2013
Radio-Thon Ready to ‘Ring In’ the 28th Annual Chain of Checks! Maggie’s Closet in Leesburg turns 2
Maggie’s Closet Marks Two Years Of Service
This Holiday Season, Gift For Good
Remember Gifts for Good this holiday Willowsfordramblings: Paxton Manor Experience Paxton Mansion in Leesburg will squeeze one more Halloween fright from you this weekend Haunted Paxton Manor’s Shocktober Scaring Up A Crowd 28th Annual Chain of Checks beneficiaries announced Paxton Campus Joins Monarch Butterfly Initiative Aurora School celebrates 10-year anniversary Paxton Campus Won the 2013 Leesburg Patriot Cup The Battle to Educate the Autistic
100 Women Strong Announces 2013 Grant Recipients
2013 Leesburg Business Award Nominees Announced The Arc of Loudoun Raises Autism Awareness Autism awareness walk set for April 7 in Leesburg Claude Moore Charitable Foundation awards $889k to Loudoun charities
2012
UPDATE: Paxton Manor Transforms into Haunted Attraction Students, Staff Celebrate Grand Opening of Paxton Attraction Art Exhibit and Live Auction to Benefit Paxton Manor Paranormal Sleepover to Take Place at Paxton Manor Run for Independence 8K to Benefit Arc of Loudoun
Sterling Women Hosts The Arc of Loudoun Director
Autism Bill Unanimously Approved
2011
Interview with Jennifer Lassiter, Executive Director of Paxton Campus Maggie’s Closet Holds Open House Maggie’s Closet Prepares For Those in Need Governor appoints Loudoun residents to boards Paxton Manor Prepares for Halloween Non-Profit Boot Camp Offers Networking, Learning Opportunities
2010
Paxton haunt a success Paxton Manor in Leesburg turned into haunted house for Halloween
2008
Aurora School Targets 2009 Opening At Carlheim
Mansion to Again Serve Needy Aurora School To Move To Paxton In Leesburg Aurora School Inks Deal For Paxton Center; $9M Renovation Planned