WHEREAS, The Arc of Northern Virginia, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, was named a 2021 Melwood Ability Awards honoree during a virtual ceremony on October 7, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Melwood, a renowned nonprofit organization that has provided jobs and opportunities to individuals with disabilities in the Greater Washington, D.C., area for more than 50 years, presented The Arc of Northern Virginia with its inaugural Resiliency Award in recognition of the organization's extraordinary efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, in bestowing its award, Melwood particularly noted The Arc of Northern Virginia's success in helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities adapt to a more virtual world, navigate the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic, acquire vaccinations, and receive economic impact payments, among other accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, The Arc of Northern Virginia is a local chapter of The Arc of the United States, the nation's largest community-based organization supporting and advocating for the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, and it has a service region that includes the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax and the Counties of Arlington and Fairfax; and

WHEREAS, The Arc of Northern Virginia primarily serves the community through its Transition POINTS program, a compendium of guidebooks, resource materials, webinars, and workshops designed to advise individuals, families, and caregivers on the disability-related issues they will encounter throughout their lives; and

WHEREAS, through the steadfast dedication of its volunteers and staff and the visionary leadership of its board, The Arc of Northern Virginia has made the Commonwealth a more welcoming and friendly place for all; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend The Arc of Northern Virginia for receiving the 2021 Melwood Ability Award; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Elizabeth John, president of The Arc of Northern Virginia, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's contributions to the Commonwealth.