Privacy Policy

At The Arc, your privacy is our priority. We are committed to protecting your privacy at all times, in all situations. The information we collect about you when you become a donor or constituent, is used to process your order, donation, sponsorship or request for information and referral, and to provide you with appropriate recognition.

How Do We Use the Information We Collect?

When you become a donor of The Arc, we ask you to fill out a form that requests (or we otherwise seek to collect), your name, address and e-mail address, and telephone, as well as some of our programs may collect demographic information such as gender, age, and information about your family. Your name and address information is used solely to process your sponsorship, donation, order, or request for information and referral. By policy of The Arc, this information will never be sold, given, rented or traded to others for purposes other than providing you member benefit opportunities. Your demographic information (gender, age, etc.) is used for several purposes: Demographic information is provided back to our corporate partners (companies that provide member benefit opportunities) in an aggregated way. For example, we may tell a partner that 25% of our members are male, while 75% are female. We never release individual demographics to any party. The Arc also uses demographic information in aggregate terms for reporting purposes – annual reports, funding sources, charity-watch agencies.

Our Use of Website Log Files

When you visit our Web site (www.arc-gateway.org) we automatically log your IP address, your browser type and your access times. We utilize this information to conduct site performance evaluations, to see where visitors are coming from and to keep track of click stream data (the screens our users visit on our site). This data helps us to determine what content our members find most appealing so that we can maximize your usage of the site. To opt out of the collection of this demographic information from Google Analytics Demographics and Interest Reporting, you can use the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

File Security

All employees of The Arc take your personal information very seriously. All employees must learn and obey our security policies. Access to donors’ personal information is limited to key management personnel and our donor services departments. The information is ID and password protected. Our Web security is reviewed regularly.

Use of Intermediaries

The Arc utilizes the services of intermediaries – United Parcel Service (UPS), FedEx, and various direct mail firms to process and/or send out to our donation renewals, solicitations, newsletters and orders. To our knowledge, these intermediaries do not store, retain or use the information in any way.

Links to Other Sites

The Arc’s website (www.arc-gateway.org) contains links to other websites. Please note that when you click on one of these links, you may be leaving The Arc site and entering another website. These sites may independently collect or request information about you and we encourage you to read the privacy statements of these linked sites as their privacy policy may differ from ours.

Communication

From time to time we may send out email messages soliciting your support, prompting a call to action, or alerting you of what’s new at The Arc. In addition, you may receive communications from us if you have contacted us for a particular reason, and/or to receive the information or service you have requested.

Our Use of Cookies

Cookies are pieces of information that your browser stores on your computer’s hard drive which, for some sites, identifies you when you enter. The ability to select or download information on our site is not cookie-driven.

Your Consent

By becoming a sponsor, donor or constituent of The Arc, and/or by using our website, you consent to the collection and use of the information you provide to us as described above. If we make any material changes in our privacy practices or in how we use your personally identifiable information, we will post a prominent notice on our website prior to implementation of the change.

Refund Policy

All donations to The Arc Gateway support the mission of the organization to provide the best possible life experiences for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc Gateway manages a number of fundraising initiatives and local programs to make every donation go further to assist children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We will carefully consider the needs of the organization and use your gift where we determine it is the most needed. Restricted gifts made by donors to The Arc Gateway will be used for the purposes for which they were given as long as they fall in line with the organization’s Gift Acceptance Policy. To review this policy, please call the advancement department at 850-434-2638. For donations made using the online donation form on the www.arc-gateway.org webpage, if you have made an error in making your donation, we will honor your request for a refund made within 7 days of the transaction. To request a refund, please call 850-434-2638 and ask to speak with a representative from the advancement team.

Our Commitment to Our Donors

We will not sell, share or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by The Arc Gateway, both online and offline, on any Platform (“Platform”, includes The Arc Gateway website and mobile applications), as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications. To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.

Terms and Conditions

Copyright

All content included on this site, such as text, graphics, logos, photographs, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the sole and exclusive property of The Arc Gateway and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of The Arc Gateway, unless otherwise indicated.

Trademarks

The Arc Gateway’s trade names, trademarks, trade dress, and service marks, including those marks indicated on our website are the sole and exclusive property of The Arc Gateway including, without limitation, designs, logos, page headers, button icons and scripts (“Marks”). The Arc Gateway’s Marks and trade dress may not be used in connection in any way not expressly authorized in writing by The Arc Gateway or in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among the public, or in any manner that disparages or discredits The Arc Gateway. All other trademarks not owned by The Arc Gateway that appear on this site are the property of their respective owners.

License and Site Access

The Arc Gateway grants you a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable, and revocable license to access and make personal use of this site and not to download or modify it, or any portion of it, except with express written consent of The Arc Gateway. This license does not include any resale or commercial use of this site or its contents; any collection and use of any information, images, content or photographs or any derivative use of this site or its contents; any downloading or copying of information for the benefit of another; or any use of data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools. This site or any portion of this site may not be reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold, visited, or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose without express written consent of The Arc Gateway. You may not frame or utilize framing techniques to enclose any Marks, photographs, content or other proprietary information (including images, text, page layout, or form) of The Arc Gateway’s website without express written consent. You may not use any meta tags or any other “hidden text” utilizing The Arc Gateway’s website name or Marks without the express written consent of The Arc Gateway. Any unauthorized use terminates the permission or license granted by The Arc Gateway to access this site. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY THIS SITE IS PROVIDED BY The Arc Gateway ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. The Arc Gateway MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE OPERATION OF THIS SITE OR THE INFORMATION, CONTENT OR MATERIALS INCLUDED ON THIS SITE. YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THIS SITE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. The Arc Gateway DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THIS SITE, ITS SERVERS, OR E-MAIL SENT FROM The Arc Gateway WEBSITE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. The Arc Gateway WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS SITE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.


The Arc Gateway’s Privacy Policy contact: 

Jenni Perkins, Director of Marketing

jperkins@arc-gateway.org

Dawn VonStein

Pollak Training Center Program Manager

A native of Pensacola, Dawn VonStein graduated from the University of West Florida with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education.  She began working at The Arc Gateway in 1993 as a support specialist for the Women’s Training Center where she felt she could use her teaching background to help teach daily living skills to the women at the group home. When asked why she has made her career at The Arc Gateway she says it is, “because there are few other places I could work where every day is different, I feel like I’m making a difference in someone’s life, and I am truly loved by those I serve.”

Dondie Roper

PALS Program Director

Dondie is an innovator with more than 15 years’ experience driving results in program management, marketing, and media production. In addition to her studies in Journalism and Communication Arts at the University of West Florida, Dondie has received certification in Nonprofit Management. Dondie is very active in the community serving on board of directors for area nonprofit organizations, secretary/treasurer for UWADA, Loaned Executive with United Way, and volunteer with Special Olympics.

Jennah White

Special Projects Manager

Jennah began her journey with The Arc Gateway in the fall of 2016 as an assistant to Human Resources. During her time with the agency, Jennah has acquired her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology along with a Certificate in Human Resources both from The University of West Florida.  Jennah can be considered a “jack-of-all-trades” thus securing her role as the Special Projects Manager (Office Manager). She also takes an active role in her community as a member of Pensacola Young Professionals.

Níta J Hooks

Senior Adult Program Manager

Níta started working at the Arc Gateway in January 2019 as the Senior Adult Program Manager. She began working in the Developmental Disabilities field in 2015 as a Support Coordinator and has worked as Supportive Living Coach and a QMRP. Níta earned an Associate Degree in Pre-Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling. She also worked as a Licensed Clinical Mental Therapist in Mississippi with all populations. “It is a joy to get up each morning, come into the program and work with such a wonderful group of people who keep me on my toes. I wouldn’t trade this job for anything in the world.”

Amanda Holtzhower

Human Resources Manager

Bio 

Rebecca Baron

Residential & Community Service Director

Rebecca is a Pensacola native who graduated from the University of West Florida with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She has been a part of The Arc Gateway team for over 2 decades, starting her career with us in 1997. Rebecca’s first position with The Arc Gateway was a Support Specialist in the Pal/Ace program. From that role she became a Group Home Manager with one of our female group homes, then moved into her current position as Director of Residential and Community services. “I love making a difference in the lives of people we serve and assisting them to achieve their goals and gain skills toward independence.”

MaryAnn Bickerstaff

Children’s Services Director

MaryAnn Bickerstaff began her career at The Arc Gateway in 1986 as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist soon after completing an internship with the Pearl Nelson Center’s Early Intervention and Preschool programs at the completion of her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education at the University of West Florida. After working in this role for four years, MaryAnn became the Early Intervention Coordinator and in 1990 assumed the position as Children’s Services Director. During this time, she is proud of the program’s growth and diversity in funding, including grants and fundraising activities, but she is most proud of the impact her team is making in the lives of children every day. MaryAnn is very engaged with community partners and serves on the Board of the Early Learning Coalition and the Operational Support Team of Achieve Escambia among others. MaryAnn is a proud to be a native of Pensacola.

Stephen Rampersad

Chief Advancement Officer

Stephen Rampersad lives in Pace, Florida, with his beloved wife and two sons. He’s deeply involved in community advocacy, but cherishes the role of fatherhood above all else. Stephen’s commitment to community engagement shines through various roles such as Chief Advancement Officer at The Arc Gateway, Board President of Hope Above Fear, and Ambassador for the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. When he’s not busy with his professional responsibilities, Stephen enjoys spending quality time with his family and finding peace in the tranquility of fishing. He values life’s simple pleasures and approaches each day with gratitude.

Lea Farrington

Chief Financial Officer

Lea joined The Arc Gateway in 2021, bringing with her over 18 years of experience in finance and accounting.  Lea earned her Bachelor’s degrees in accounting, finance and management at the University of Mobile in Alabama and a Master’s in Business Administration at the University of West Florida. Lea is also a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Florida. For several years, she has worked in the nonprofit industry, both domestically and internationally. As a Pensacola native, Lea is passionate about meeting the needs of the Northwest Florida community. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her family and living up to her “boymom” title.

Cathy Lauterbach

Chief Operating Officer

Cathy Lauterbach has shared her talent with The Arc Gateway for over two decades. A California native, Cathy obtained a bachelor’s degree in management from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California. She began her employment with the agency in 1995 as an employment specialist. From that role, she became the program manager at the Pollak Training Center before moving into the position as director of Residential and Community Services, and now her position as COO overseeing adult programs at The Arc Gateway.

Melissa Rogers

Chief Executive Officer

Missy has been working in the field of developmental disabilities since 1997.  Throughout her career she has performed in a variety of roles including direct care, case management, fundraising and administration.  Her extensive knowledge base and experience allows her a unique perspective and understanding of issues facing the disabled community.  Missy’s passion and dedication can be felt in her decision-making process as she always puts the best interests of those being served by the agency first.  In her spare time, she can be seen acting with a local dinner theater acting troupe. Missy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Elon University in North Carolina and is originally from Virginia.