Arc ready for bright future

LAURA MCFARLAND

Managing Editor

ASHLAND – A long-lasting Hanover nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is embracing a new lease on life.

Having served its members and their families since it was started in 1974, The Arc of Hanover is not a newcomer in the county by any means. But with a new executive director settling in at the helm, the Arc Thrift Store providing a steady stream of income and a plan for growing programming and advocacy opportunities, supporters are thrilled about the local nonprofit’s future potential.

After more than a year and a half without an executive director, Diane Gallegos took on the position on Feb. 15 and said she couldn’t be happier with her new role at The Arc and the freedom it brings. With much of her professional career spent working for Community Services Boards in Henrico and Hanover counties, she said she is looking forward to helping families meet their needs without some of the barriers often erected by government systems.

“One of the biggest things that The Arc does – nationwide, statewide and our local chapters – is advocacy for people with disabilities to ‘live a life like yours.’ And that is something I am really passionate about – that people understand that just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean they aren’t as important and as vital a member of the community as everyone else,” she said.

Six weeks into the job, one of her first goals as executive director has been to remind people that The Arc of Hanover is still here and active providing programming, advocacy and opportunities for full participation for Hanover

A notice will be mailed to residents with mortgages on their properties that will contain the bill information sent to their mortgage company, with a line item showing the value of the tax abatement.

The value of the abatement equals $4 million, or two cents on the county’s real estate tax rate of 81 cents per $100 valuation.

Hanover County Administration, the County Attorney’s Office, the Commissioner of the Revenue, the Treasurer and the Department of Finance and Management Services have developed this proposal at the board’s direction.

The board’s April 5 public hearing on the county administrator’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024 will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held in the Board of Supervisors meeting room at Hanover Courthouse.

The board is expected to adopt the budget on April 12.

Information submitted by Tom Harris, Hanover County Public Information Officer.