The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties (The Arc) is proud to announce the 2023 One Step Forward Celebration - the Lehigh Valley’s signature inclusive awards gala!

The One Step Forward Celebration, held annually by The Arc, celebrates the accomplishments, triumphs, and victories of local children and adults with IDD, their families, and inclusive local businesses that help to build a more inclusive Lehigh Valley and support people with IDD in our communities. The 2023 One Step Forward Celebration, presented by Air Products, will be held at DeSales University Conference Center on Thursday, May 18, 2023.

The Arc’s 2023 Celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, the event’s renowned ‘hybrid’ silent auction, and new this year, a wine wall. At 7:00 p.m., The Arc will kick off the evening’s award ceremony, which honors each of the five distinguished guests. Returning as the outstanding emcee of this year’s event will be Laurie Hackett, Director of Community Relations and Philanthropy at Air Products.

“Every year, we have the tremendous opportunity as an organization to celebrate the achievements of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and those who work to create a community where everyone belongs and has the resources and support to achieve their best. The annual One Step Forward Celebration highlights the very core of what The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties is all about. It also generates a healthy competitive spirit at the silent auction tables, where many of our most popular cultural offerings, restaurants, hotels, and event experiences are well represented from the Lehigh Valley and beyond. It's a good time all around,” said Matt McConnell, Chair of The Arc’s Board of Directors.     

 Last year, The Arc raised over $64,000 to advocate for and serve local individuals with IDD and their families through the One Step Forward Celebration, and they are looking to exceed that goal this year! All proceeds from the 2023 One Step Forward Celebration benefit The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties’ Advocacy Department and their work to advocate for, educate, and provide free-of-charge resources and support to individuals with IDD and their families through 1:1 advocacy and a variety of resource coordination services.

The Arc’s Advocacy Department fills a crucial need here in the Lehigh Valley, supporting hundreds of children and adults with IDD and their families in addressing the challenges they face every day as they navigate the special education system, waiver system, the transition to adulthood, and much more. As the region’s only provider of high-quality and completely no-charge resource coordination services, education, and individual advocacy support for people with IDD, The Arc is often the first stop for families. Events like the One Step Forward Celebration help ensure that local people with IDD have the resources, support, and advocacy guidance they need to live fully inclusive lives of choice as valued members of our community.

The community can get involved with the One Step Forward Celebration by doanting to the silent auction and/or wine wall, registering to attend, purchasing a sponsorship or program advertisement, or making a donation in support of The Arc and the 2023 One Step Forward Celebration.  For more information, pleaes visit www.arcoflehighnorthampton.org/osfc2023 or contact Lori Gallagher, Director of Events and Marketing, at lgallagher@arcoflehighnorthampton.org or 610-849-8076, ext. 314. To learn more about The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties and their available services, please visit www.arcoflehighnorthampton.org.