Shocktober Opens its Doors for Two Nights in FEARbruary!
Shocktober Opens its Doors for Two Nights in FEARbruary!
LEESBURG, Virginia – February 4, 2019 – Shocktober’s Paxton Manor will open its doors for its fifth annual My Bloody Valentine event, two nights in February the weekend after Valentine’s Day: Friday the 15th and Saturday the 16th! It is Shocktober in … FEARbruary, the Carvers are looking for dates for the Valentine’s Day Dance Massacre, a terrifying twist to your typical Valentine’s date! Doors open at 7pm and the last tickets are sold at 10pm on Friday and Saturday.
This year we have amazing community partnerships and sponsorships including our own BLOOD red wine, “My Bloody Valentine Wine,” that is locally produced by Tarara Winery in collaboration with Shocktober, on sale this FEARbruary at our My Bloody Valentine 2-night event. Shocktober merchandise is also available to purchase online and on site.
Dates: Friday, February 15th and Saturday, February 16th
Hours: Friday and Saturday: 7pm-10pm
Location: 601 Catoctin Circle, NE, Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Cost: Tickets are sold online at https://shocktober.org/ and at the door. ONLINE ONLY SPECIAL: $60 for 2 people “Couples Pass” for My Bloody Valentine at Paxton Manor; General Admission $35 (online only) $40 (at the door) for one person. Group discounts available online only.
Although known for its frightening PG-13 tours among thrill-seekers and locals, all proceeds from Shocktober’s My Bloody Valentine benefit The Arc of Loudoun, a non-profit organization that advocates for and provides direct service to children and adults with disabilities, as well as their families, caretakers, and the professionals who work with them through its many programs: The Aurora School, Open Door Learning Center Preschool, ALLY “A Life Like Yours” Advocacy Center, Aurora Behavior Clinic and Ability Fitness Center.
If you have a family member with special needs, want to volunteer, attend our events, or support The Arc of Loudoun, visit www.thearcofloudoun.org .
Stroke Recovery – Northern Virginia
Stroke Recovery
Ability Fitness Center, located at The Arc of Loudoun in Northern Virginia, serves stroke survivors and people living with physical disabilities. At Ability Fitness Center, stroke survivors can exercise, develop skills to practice daily activities, and create friendships with others who may have similar disabilities.
The main goal at Ability Fitness Center is for each stroke survivor (or people living with other physical disabilities) to improve their quality of life and reach their maximum potential.
Specialized Equipment
Our specialized equipment is created for people living with physical disabilities.
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Bike – enables clients with very little muscle control to exercise using pulses of electrical current to stimulate their nerves
- NuStep – has an inclusive design and specialized adaptive equipment, making total-body strength and cardio work-outs possible for virtually any user, including many who use a wheelchair
- Lite Gait – allows client to comfortably walk in an environment free from falls, and also allows clients to learn to walk with proper upright posture
- Easy Stand Glider – active standing provides lower body range of motion and upper body strengthening. Users move the handles with their arms (or a caregiver can assist) which creates a reciprocal movement in the legs. The full range seat allows full leg extension while standing.
- Learn about all of our equipment here.
Testimonials
Meet Tony, a stroke survivor
“Back in August of 2016 I suffered a severe stroke. Doctors told me it was 9.5 out of 10. It was very severe. I came to Ability Fitness Center (AFC) for my recovery. One thing I noticed, I lost quality of life when I had a stroke. And AFC definitely improves quality of life.
When I first came to AFC, I was able to walk, but my walking form was not very good at all. Endurance was five minutes being able to stand, right now I’m standing for one hour. Now, my gait and posture has improved a lot. Before, I could only walk about ten feet before passing out, and now I’m able to walk about half an hour. It’s just been amazing. My speed has gotten to a point now, where I can almost walk a normal speed.
The progress I’ve made here has been tremendous. I would not be doing the things I’m doing now without AFC. I know that for a fact. I recommend Ability Fitness Center to anybody.”
Meet Debbie, a stroke survivor
Debbi suffered from a stroke 15 years ago and has been a member of Ability Fitness Center (AFC) since January 2018. Debbi loves attending AFC several times a week, where she uses a majority of the equipment. She says, “After only going to AFC for a couple of months, I’ve already seen such a difference in myself, which is is amazing! Even my 14 year old daughter has complimented the improvement in my walking! If I can get my teenager to notice you know I’m making real improvements!”
Learn more about Ability Fitness center here.
Contact us:
Email: hparker@thearcofloudoun.org
Phone: 571.439.1520
Fax: 703.777.1935
Letter of Solidarity
An Open Letter to all Employees, Volunteers, and Board Members of The Arc of Loudoun:
I am honored to lend my full-throated support to the statement released by Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc of the US, calling for swift and substantial action in our society and from our nation’s leaders to dismantle racism, end discrimination, and to honor, protect, and enforce the civil and human rights of all people.
The ongoing violence and police brutality against Black and Brown people in our country is unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with every person and community that is appalled by the homicides of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others before them. We stand in solidarity too with those who are taking action against the systemic racism that underlies this behavior. Racist attitudes and behavior should have no place in America.
Tragically, the historical and everyday reality is that the lives and humanity of people of color, and members of other marginalized communities, are too often not valued and respected. The Arc of Loudoun, in conjunction with The Arc of the US, renews its commitment to social justice and the dismantling of the systems of oppression and discrimination that further this violence and neglect.
We must all step up and speak out, including our nation’s leaders, to uphold the rights of communities of color to be free from over-policing, police brutality, misconduct, harassment, and racism.
To be silent is to be complicit. I am enormously proud that The Arc of Loudoun is neither.
I am confident that you will join me in reflecting and reaffirming our collective commitment to policies that work against racism and racial bias and promote efforts that offer empathy, compassion, and healing to our Black community and to all communities of color.
Together, we will bring about the change we wish to see.
Lisa E. Kimball
Chief Executive Officer, The Arc of Loudoun
Click here for a PDF version of the letter.
Spinal Cord Injury Recovery – Northern Virginia
Spinal Cord Injury Recovery
Ability Fitness Center, located at The Arc of Loudoun in Northern Virginia, serves people living with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities. At Ability Fitness Center, people living with a spinal cord injury can exercise, develop skills to practice daily activities, and create friendships with others who may have similar disabilities.
The main goal at Ability Fitness Center is for each client living with a spinal cord injury (or other physical disabilities) to improve their quality of life and reach their maximum potential.
Specialized Equipment
Our specialized equipment is created for people living with physical disabilities.
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Bike – enables clients with very little muscle control to exercise using pulses of electrical current to stimulate their nerves
- NuStep – has an inclusive design and specialized adaptive equipment, making total-body strength and cardio work-outs possible for virtually any user, including many who use a wheelchair
- Lite Gait – allows client to comfortably walk in an environment free from falls, and also allows clients to learn to walk with proper upright posture
- Easy Stand Glider – active standing provides lower body range of motion and upper body strengthening. Users move the handles with their arms (or a caregiver can assist) which creates a reciprocal movement in the legs. The full range seat allows full leg extension while standing.
- Learn about all of our equipment here.
Testimonials
Meet Eric who is living with a Spinal Cord Injury
In late 2015 Eric suffered from a bicycle accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury. In January 2018, Eric joined Ability Fitness Center. Since Eric first joined, he has seen tremendous progress! In February 2018 he walked for the first time on the treadmill with assistance. Four months later, in May 2018, Eric was able to independently initiate the movement of his legs. He started by walking 7 steps and can now walk 15 total steps (see video below).
Here’s what Eric has to say about Ability Fitness Center, “The thing I like about Ability Fitness Center is that I get to come here as many times as I wish. And for the past month or so, I’ve been coming four times a week. I get about 16 hours of work out! I feel more challenged everyday. Moreover, I look forward to coming here!” Check out Eric’s YouTube channel, where he tracks his progress.
Meet MJ who is living with a Spinal Cord Injury.
“My life changed November 20, 2016 when I was riding a horse that was a little bit tricky and was starting to buck. I was planning my dismount, and I pulled my feet out of the stirrups, and I was a little too far behind the vertical. His butt was coming up and my back was coming down. I collided with the back of the saddle. I sustained an immediate first fracture of my L1, and I hit the ground paralyzed.
Traditional physical therapy couldn’t give me the amount of time and energy that I needed in order to recover, so I came to Ability Fitness Center. At Ability Fitness Center, I can come here as often I want, and as long as I want. I’m not limited to one hour a week.
What I like about Ability Fitness Center is the environment, the other members, and the interaction that we have. I also love the energy and attitude of the people that work here. It’s really positive and upbeat! The staff has really helped me identify some of the asymmetries in my body. As a result, I can figure out what I really need to work on, on my own.
I can definitely tell I’m getting stronger and there’s more function and strength in my legs. In addition, I’m seeing muscles I thought were dead, come alive!
Ability Fitness Center has given me a lot of hope. Coming here has made me so much more optimistic about my future.” – MJ, who is living with a spinal cord injury
Learn more about Ability Fitness center here.
Contact us:
Email: hparker@thearcofloudoun.org
Phone: 571.439.1520
Fax: 703.777.1935
The Arc of Loudoun Launches Return-to-Brand Initiative
The Arc of Loudoun Launches Return-to-Brand Initiative
Leesburg, Virginia, December 4, 2018 – The Arc of Loudoun, a Loudoun based non-profit organization, is returning to its 50+ year old brand identity. While its logo, colors, and font are all-new, the organization will now be referred to exclusively as The Arc of Loudoun, rather than The Arc of Loudoun at Paxton Campus or Paxton Campus.
The Arc of Loudoun is delighted to continue serving needy children, their families and caregivers from the ‘17-acre safe haven’ belonging to The Margaret Paxton Memorial Trust (informally known as Paxton Campus). The return-to-brand allows us to embrace the national branding’s rich 65-year history and national credibility, so familiar to many families who have loved ones with special needs. This also gives us the opportunity to collaborate with the greater Washington area Arc Chapters to help all people with special needs and their families.
In returning to our brand, The Arc also reaffirms its commitment to advocate for persons with disabilities by promoting individual support and equitable participation with their non-disabled peers in all aspects of community life, including education, residence, vocation and healthcare. As a local chapter of The Arc National, our goal is to secure the full range of human and civil rights for children and adults with disabilities.
Lisa Kimball, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Loudoun states, “We’re confident that this return-to-brand process will not only help us to continue to grow as an organization, but that it will enable us to better serve our community, supporters, and partners.”
Through The Arc of Loudoun’s five programs on campus, we will continue to be THE community resource for families that have children and adults with disabilities in Loudoun County. There are more than 244,223 children 0-19 with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the greater Washington area with 18,890 in Loudoun County alone–The Arc of Loudon’s goal is to empower, engage, and embrace every one of these children and adults with disabilities in Loudoun County.
For marketing related purposes, the organization shall be referred to simply as The Arc of Loudoun. The new website (thearcofloudoun.org) and social media handles (@TheArcofLoudoun) will also reflect The Arc of Loudoun’s brand.
The Arc of Loudoun is a non-profit organization that advocates for and provides direct service to people with disabilities, as well as their families, caretakers, and the professionals who work with them through its many programs: The Aurora School, Open Door Learning Center Preschool, ALLY “A Life Like Yours” Advocacy Center, Aurora Behavior Clinic and Ability Fitness Center. The Arc of Loudoun celebrated 50 years of serving people with disabilities in 2017 and is also the charity behind the fan favorite Shocktober.
Aurora Behavior Clinic Grand Opening Celebration on November 14th, 2018 at The Arc of Loudoun
Aurora Behavior Clinic Grand Opening Celebration on November 14th, 2018 at The Arc of Loudoun
Leesburg, VA – The Arc of Loudoun is pleased to announce the grand opening of the Aurora Behavior Clinic (ABC) in its new location in the Stone Barns on The Arc’s campus in historic Leesburg. ABC, which provides individualized therapeutic options for children with autism and other related disabilities, will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, November 14th at 5:00pm with a ribbon cutting, followed by an open house and light refreshments.
Aurora Behavior Clinic opened in October 2017, and moved into the Stone Barns in August 2018. Kendra McDonald, Clinical Director of The Arc of Loudoun and a behavior therapist explains, “As a parent of a son with autism, I would’ve loved for something like Aurora Behavior Clinic to exist when my son was growing up. We’ve taken the expertise of what we do at The Arc’s Aurora School and Open Door Learning Center preschool and created the clinic for children in the community that need intensive therapy. Moving into the Stone Barns allows us to serve even more of these children!”
The clinic has a specialized curriculum focused on verbal behavior and increasing social interactions using ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, a type of therapy that uses positive reinforcement to increase wanted behaviors and decrease challenging behaviors. The clinic’s specialized team of therapists work on clients’ social skills, communication skills, and appropriate behavior. Lisa Kimball, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Loudoun states, “There is nothing else like Aurora Behavior Clinic in Loudoun County. What makes the clinic so extraordinary is that it is a one-stop-shop. The clinic has a highly-trained team of diagnosticians, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and ABA Therapists all at one place.”
Kendra goes on to say, “The clinic is so unique in the fact that we also offer preschool ‘push-in.’ Pre-school aged clients can practice what they’re learning at the clinic, in a real classroom setting at The Arc’s preschool on campus, Open Door Learning Center. In addition, we also help parents of children with disabilities by offering support, guidance, and access to training to empower families as they reinforce the skills their children learn in the clinic at home.”
Currently Aurora Behavior Clinic serves more than 50 clients in the community. Kendra states, “I’ve already seen astronomical success in clients who went from not communicating at all–to being able to read text, sign words, and talk vocally! Our goal is to continue to grow and reach more people in the community that can benefit from our clinic.”
The Arc of Loudoun is a non-profit organization that advocates for and provides direct service to people with disabilities, as well as their families, caretakers, and the professionals who work with them through its many programs: The Aurora School, Open Door Learning Center Preschool, ALLY “A Life Like Yours” Advocacy Center, Aurora Behavior Clinic and Ability Fitness Center. The Arc of Loudoun celebrated 50 years of serving people with disabilities in 2017 and is also the charity behind the fan favorite Shocktober.
If you have a child with special needs, want to volunteer, attend our events, or support The Arc of Loudoun, visit https://thearcofloudoun.org/.
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IFSP Application Training – September 17, 5:30-7:00pm
Individual and Family Support Program (ISFP) Application Training
Learn about the IFSP online application process at The Arc of Loudoun!
Monday, September 17, 2018 | 5:30pm-7:00pm
At The Arc of Loudoun
601 Catoctin Circle, NE
Leesburg, VA 20176
Register for the training HERE.
What is ISFP funding?
The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP)Funding provides cash assistance for services, supports, and items for individuals with a developmental disability that enhances or improves their quality of life and promotes independence and community-based living.
Who can apply?
Individuals with a developmental disability or their family member and who are on the DD waitlist.
For more informationn about the waiver waitlist, please visit or contact your local community services board (CSB).
Just like last year, all applications must be submitted on‐line using the IFSP Application web portal located at https://ifsponline.dbhds.virginia.gov.
September 10, 2018 is the first day to save an application draft. You will be able to review the application, fill in your information, and save a draft copy. If you need to make changes, you will be able to correct or edit your information. You will not be able to submit your application before the submission date.
On October 10, 2018 at 9:00 am, applicants will be able to submit a completed application. You will not be able to submit your application before the submission date. Remember, the IFSP Funding Remember, the IFSP Funding Program provides assistance on a first‐come‐ first‐served basis. Early applications are encouraged
All applications must be submitted online by November 8, 2018
Register for the application training HERE.
Shocktober 2018 Press Release
Leesburg’s Award Winning Haunted House, Shocktober, Opens for its 9th Season on October 5th
LEESBURG, Virginia – August 28, 2018 – Shocktober’s Paxton Manor will open its ninth season this year with a new theme, packages, and attractions. Paxton Manor is a 150-year old mansion located in Leesburg, Virginia, that has been transformed into a professional haunted house that raises funds for The Arc of Loudoun, a nonprofit providing services to people with disabilities and their families. Shocktober is a major production that raised over $400,000 for The Arc of Loudoun in 2017 (about 50% of The Arc’s fundraising revenue), and had more than 12,000 attendees last year.
This year, the haunt will have a new theme, along with new packages and attractions, which will make Shocktober better than ever!
New Theme: This year, we have created a brand new theme, “Paxton Hall,” a haunted boarding school with a dark past. Attendees will experience new rooms and characters. “The story of Paxton Hall centers around an evil and terrifying headmistress, which results in the school students rebelling,” says Matt Smith, Director of Facilities for The Arc and evil creative genius of Shocktober.
New Trail of Terror Passport Guide: Shocktober’s Trail of Terror is a 3-day passport guide to Loudoun County restaurants, wineries, breweries, places to stay, and special experiences (with a haunted twist) during the Shocktober 2018 Season. Businesses on the Trail of Terror guide include: 14 Loudoun, Black Olive, Delirium Café, Exit Plan, Ford’s Fish Shack, Ghost Hunt of Leesburg, Leesburg Public House, Notaviva Vineyards, Old Ox Brewery, Paisano’s Pizza, Tarara Winery, Vanish Brewery, and Zephaniah Farm Vineyard. Hotel partners include Lansdowne Resort and Spa and The National. The more places patrons visit on the Trail of Terror, the more prizes they can win!
New Fears and Beers Package: “Get shocked in luxury.” This year, Shocktober attendees can enjoy a mini brewery tour of Loudoun County and experience Shocktober all in one night! We’ve partnered with Reston Limousine, where passengers ride in a limo or van to Old Ox Brewery, Delirium Café, and Shocktober. The $140 van ticket and $199 limo ticket includes: a 6 hour van or limo ride to the breweries and Shocktober, a R.I.P. (Really Important People) Shocktober fast pass, a flight of beer at Old Ox Brewery and Delirium Café, and a Shocktober t-shirt.
New Escape Room Attraction: Located in the haunted manor, Shocktober attendees can race against the clock in “Escape Paxton,” our five minute escape room of sheer confusion. Open only during Shocktober, Escape Paxton can be booked online for up to six people at $5 per person.
Partnerships: This year we have amazing community partnerships and sponsorships including our own special brew, the Oxorcist II, that is brewed by Old Ox Brewery in collaboration with Shocktober, for sale directly at Old Ox and distributed throughout Northern Virginia. Tarara Winery is creating a brand new wine in collaboration with Shocktober and on sale at Shocktober. Paisano’s Pizza and Chick-fil-a will be on sale at Shocktober. We thank Loudoun County and Virginia Tourism Corporation as our tourism destination sponsors. We thank Ford’s Fish Shack as a Scary-Good sponsor, The National as a Shock-tacular sponsor, and Cuccinelli Greiger as a Ghoulishly Great sponsor.
Grants Program Giving Back: We Scare Because We Care Mini-Grants Program, is an opportunity for human service nonprofits in Loudoun to serve more children. It is The Arc of Loudoun’s mission to maximize the potential of children while supporting families and individuals with disabilities so that they may thrive in the community and this program will be impacting more families by providing five $1,000 mini-grants to human service nonprofits in Loudoun County.
Shocktober Attractions include: Three levels of Paxton Manor, and its basement, Carnival of Souls.
Dates: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from October 5th through November 4th
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays: 7-10pm; Sundays: 7-9pm
Location: 601 Catoctin Circle, NE, Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Cost: ONLINE: $35 including the 3 levels of Paxton Manor and its basement, the Carnival of Souls; TICKET OFFICE: $40 including Paxton Manor and its basement, the Carnival of Souls
Tweet about Shocktober by copying and pasting the following tweet: Loudoun County’s destination haunted house, the terrifying @ShocktoberHaunt is open every weekend from 10/5-11/4! Buy your tickets now: https://shocktober.org/ #PaxtonHall #Shocktober2018
Follow and tag Shocktober on our social media handles: Facebook – @Shocktober Twitter/Instagram- @ShocktoberHaunt
Although known for its frightening PG-13 tours among thrill-seekers and locals, all proceeds from Shocktober benefit The Arc of Loudoun, a non-profit organization that advocates for and provides direct service to children with disabilities, as well as their families, caretakers, and the professionals who work with them through its many programs: The Aurora School, Open Door Learning Center Preschool, ALLY “A Life Like Yours” Advocacy Center, Aurora Behavior Clinic and Ability Fitness Center. The Arc of Loudoun celebrated 50 years of serving people with disabilities in 2017 and is also the charity behind the fan favorite Shocktober, opening October 5 for the 2018 season.If you have a child with special needs, want to volunteer, attend our events, or support The Arc of Loudoun, visit www.thearcofloudoun.org .
2018 LEAP Grant Applications Open
LEAP Application
HSC Foundation has once again named The Arc of Loudoun a Community Partner in their Life Enrichment Awards Program (LEAP). As a community organizations partner, we work with the HSC Foundation to carry out the LEAP program, making it possible for more youth and young adults with disabilities to transition to their next step, whether it is more school, training, or a job.
The purpose of the Life Enrichment Program (LEAP) is to enrich the lives of youth and young adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This program is supported by a grant from The HSC Foundation”. LEAP provides goods and services that facilitate youth transition planning and for which resources are usually not available from public service and government agencies. These goods and services are not covered by Medicaid or private insurance and are not considered “medically necessary”.
Transition planning means a focused effort on improving the academic and functional achievement of the youth with a disability to facilitate the movement to post-school activities, including post secondary education, vocational education, integrated employment, continuing and adult educations, adult services, independent living, or community participation.
Applicants must reside in one of the following areas: Alexandria, Arlington County, Clarke County, Culpepper County, Fairfax, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Prince William County, Rappahannock County, Spotsylvania County, Stafford County, Warren County.
• Must be between the ages of 14 and 26
• Must not have received a LEAP grant within the past three years
• Must have a documented disability
• Requested goods and services must be directly linked to transition planning and implementation (Examples may include tutoring, laptops, career development, independent living skill development, skills camp, behavioral therapy, etc.)
• Maximum grant amount request must not exceed $1000
The application Deadline is Monday, September 17, 2018. Applicants will be notified of results by phone and/or email by September 24, 2018.
For more information or to ask questions about the application process, contact Nyteisha Stith, Disability Advocate at 703-777-1939 ext. 200 or email nstith@paxtoncampus.org