At the annual Girls Night Out party, Ibis Charities Foundation was delighted to recognize an outstanding leader from amongst the non-profit organizations in Palm Beach County. Each year, the Grants Committee helps identify a stand-out individual whose dedication to her work stands out. This year, our Woman of Accomplishment is Debbie Lee-Thomasset, Executive Director of The Arc of The Glades. After spending 15 years with The Arc of North Florida, Debbie was recruited to The Glades in 2019. For years, Ibis Charities has been providing grants to The Arc of The Glades and our committee members have seen for themselves how well participants in the program benefit from the services provided. The Arc of the Glades works to provide tools and experience for adults with developmental disabilities to succeed in living independently, be able to be employed, and learn about personal caretaking and money management.
Each weekday, The Arc’s clients enjoy breakfast and lunch and take a home a box of food for their families each Friday. Transportation is also provided to ensure they can participate. In recent years, Debbie has added fun opportunities for participants to experience cookouts, field trips to go shopping, and opportunities to volunteer in a work environment. She even created a luncheon and fashion show using donated clothing. Her commitment and passion for her work come through when you hear her speak of her work. You can learn more about The Arc of The Glades mission and programming at arcglades.org.
