GATE Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

Media Contact:
Sara McMillan
904.355.0155
[email protected]

Jacksonville, FL, March 1, 2017 – The Arc Jacksonville Village was chosen as the beneficiary for the 21st annual GATE Foundation Charity Golf Tournament held last October 2016. Although many of the tournament events were cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew, the generous sponsors of the tournament continued their support. On March 1, The GATE Foundation presented The Arc Jacksonville Village with a check for $90,000 from the tournament proceeds. Since inception of this golf tournament, GATE has donated more than $1 million to charitable organizations.

“We are pleased to have partnered with such a praiseworthy organization. The impact of The Arc Jacksonville Village on the lives of these individuals is incredible,” states Kathy Brady, Executive Director of The GATE Foundation. We can’t thank our registrants enough for fulfilling their commitments even when the tournament was cancelled due to the hurricane.

“This generous gift will directly support the 121 residents living independently at The Arc Jacksonville Village, which just opened last spring. By hosting this annual charity golf tournament, The GATE Foundation is changing countless lives inour community.” Jim Whittaker, President and CEO of The Arc Jacksonville.

“The Arc Jacksonville has helped me to become more confident in my ability to do more things for myself,” says Jermaine, Arc Village resident. “Living on my own makes me feel free to make my own choices.”

The Arc Jacksonville Village was created at the request of young adults, and their families, for a safe environment where those who need some lifestyle support could independently establish a home. The Village is an apartment-style, affordable neighborhood for 121 adults age 18+. It has become a national model for custom design to promote socializing and sharing among residents plus engagement throughout the surrounding community. Village residents enjoy the camaraderie of living among peers and choose the educational, employment and recreational opportunities they wish to pursue in greater Jacksonville. The Village opened in May 2016 and was fully leased by August 2016.

The Arc Jacksonville advocates for and serves community members with diagnoses including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other conditions of developmental delay. Arc promotes and actively supports the full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes of all persons without regard to diagnosis of a disability.

The Arc Jacksonville not-for-profit corporation seeks support from the Northeast Florida community to operate a full complement of residential, educational, training, pre-employment and employment initiatives.

Mission: To serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential to participate in community life.

Vision: A community where disability is a distinction without a difference, where individuals will have choices on how they live, learn, work, worship, and play.

Editors Note: The Arc Jacksonville is not an acronym and Arc should never be in all capital letters. When referring to the organization, please use The Arc Jacksonville, not The ARC, The ARC Jacksonville and never ARC. The Arc Jacksonville should be considered as a title or phrase.

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