By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – Nancy Hoffman, President and CEO of Arc of Wabash County, celebrated 40 years with the agency whose mission is to challenge, empower and support individuals with disabilities to reach their highest level of independence.
Hoffman, who has been the President of the agency since 1998, started right out of then Manchester College one month after graduating and she told MiBash News that has done every job possible at the provider. Arc of Wabash County currently has 49 employees and 90 individuals and their families are currently being served by the organization.
Her degree was in elementary education and she said that she had no experience at the beginning working with disabled people. In fact, she admitted that she was quite nervous at first being around people with disabilities. But she told MiBash News that perhaps God brought her Arc to find what can only be described as her life’s calling. Now, even after 40 years, she said she still looks forward to getting up in the morning to go to work.
She did admit, however, that she probably enjoyed her younger years with the agency more because she had more contact with the disabled individuals Arc serves. Now, Hoffman explained, her position as President of the organization is more about finding ways through all the federal red tape. Hoffman on why she stayed with Arc of Wabash County these 40 years.
Hoffman added that the agency still serves some members who were there in 1977 when she first began her job. She finished the interview by saving that she has no immediate plans on retiring. Linda Johnson, Program Director at Arc of Wabash County, on whether Hoffman has been an asset to the agency.
Supportive Living Supervisor Brittney Hernandez called Hoffman an awesome person and a wonderful boss whom employees can go to for anything.