The Arc Gateway

11/12/2025

We are incredibly grateful to MenPact of Pensacola for selecting The Arc Gateway as one of the inaugural grant recipients at their First Annual Night of Giving. Their generosity and support mean a great deal to us, and we are honored to be part of the work MenPact is championing in our community.

This $10,000 grant will support important improvements to our Senior Adult Program facility. The project includes the installation of new flooring to support accessibility and reduce fall risk, interior and exterior painting to refresh and brighten the space, and the creation of an adaptive fitness room with yoga mats, mirrors, lighting, and sound equipment to promote physical movement, sensory integration, and therapeutic engagement. These updates allow us to continue providing a safe, functional, and inspiring environment for those we serve.

The individuals in our Senior Adult Program bring so much joy and heart to our campus each day. They deserve a space that feels welcoming and comfortable, and this grant moves us closer to that goal. Thank you again, MenPact, for your commitment to our mission and for helping us enhance the quality of life for those in our care.

11/11/2025

Today and every day, we honor those who have served our country. To all veterans in our community, we see you, we thank you, and we appreciate the strength and dedication you’ve given. Happy Veterans Day.

11/10/2025

Getting out to places like Bruce Beach lets our LIFE Program clients connect with the world around them, feel the energy of the community, and be fully in the moment with the people around them.

Days like this remind us how good it feels to slow down, take in the view, and appreciate the simple moments that make life brighter.

11/07/2025

We asked Tonya Zimmern: If you had to choose a theme song for The Arc Gateway Foundation Board, what would it be? She chose Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, because it's “upbeat and gets things done.”

That also does well to capture who Tonya is herself. Tonya leads the Zimmern Team Residential Division and is “proud of building a high-touch team that closes consistently and makes transactions smooth for clients.” She also shared that “seeing the direct, positive impact The Arc Gateway has on families made it an easy yes” to get involved. Tonya is deeply involved in community and volunteer work, always showing up and staying connected across the Pensacola area. We’re very grateful to have her on our Foundation Board. She brings a genuine passion that strengthens our mission to support meaningful belonging and connection in our community.

11/06/2025

We’re so excited to share that Gulf Breeze Will Do has awarded our South Santa Rosa Program a grant to create a brand-new sensory room! This generous support will allow us to transform an underutilized room into a safe, calming, and engaging environment.

The sensory room will feature soft seating, gentle lighting, soothing wall décor, and interactive sensory stations designed to calm, comfort, and re-engage individuals. These elements will provide participants with ways to regulate their emotions, whether through quiet relaxation, gentle visual stimulation, or tactile experiences that promote focus and well-being.

A heartfelt thank-you to Gulf Breeze Will Do for making this project possible, and to Across the Board Therapy Group for guiding us with their expert recommendations on what to purchase, helping ensure every item truly meets the needs of those we serve. We can’t wait to bring this space to life!

11/05/2025

Important Announcement for Individuals and Families!

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is hosting a Regional Forum for anyone in our area who has received an offer letter to join the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Comprehensive Managed Care Program (ICMC).

This is a valuable opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from both APD and DCF to learn more and determine if the ICMC program is the right fit for you.

🗓 Friday, November 7
🕘 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 160 West Government Street, Suite 412, Pensacola, FL 32502

At The Arc Gateway, we truly appreciate all that APD does to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We encourage everyone who received an offer letter to take advantage of this important event!

Regional Forums for the APD Florida (Agency for Persons with Disabilities) iBudget Waiver Enrollment start this Friday, November 7 in the Central and in the Northwest Regions. These are to assist families who recently received offer letters and is an opportunity for to meet one-on-one with APD and the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Find your area and make plans to attend.

11/04/2025

Thank you to the Navy Federal Credit Union team who joined us for a fun afternoon in the art room!

They spent a couple of hours helping mold clay pumpkins and bead wind chimes that clients later painted into colorful finished pieces. Several clients stopped in to enjoy the afternoon, meet the volunteers, and share in the creativity.

We’re so appreciative of this group for spending their time with us and for bringing such a kind, happy-to-help spirit to The Arc Gateway.

11/03/2025

“Really, my heart just wants to serve this community the best I can.” Those were the honest, heartfelt words of Petrea Tomko when asked what first inspired her to get involved with The Arc Gateway. She also shared that the other members of the Foundation Board genuinely inspired and encouraged her through their shared commitment to the mission.

Petrea is a retired Physician Assistant who worked at West Florida Rehabilitation Institute and in Internal Medicine prior to that. Her career was marked by compassion and care, values that continue to shine through in her volunteer work today. In addition to her role here, she is a member of the local Haute Collage group, volunteers regularly with the Pensacola Opera, and serves on the Advisory Council to the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra.

One dream she has for our community’s future is “for each person to treat each other person with dignity, kindness, generosity, respect, and patience, and for us to listen well to each other.”

We’re so grateful to have Petrea on our Foundation Board. She brings warmth, positivity, and a genuine heart for others to everything she does.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from all of us at The Arc Gateway! Our clients filled the halls today for multiple rounds of trick-or-treating. The building was full of candy and full of laughter. Lots and lots of fun!!

10/30/2025

A big thank you to Leslie and Kim for presenting at the Florida Blue Partnership Celebration yesterday at the Florida Blue Center!

We’re so grateful for Florida Blue and all they do for The Arc Gateway. They’ve been a big, big supporter of our mission for several years now, and their care for our programs and the people we serve always shines through. This year, we’re thrilled to have them as a Silver Sponsor for our Wreaths of Joy event, and we can’t wait to celebrate with them again soon!

10/29/2025

Here are some of our favorite costumes from the Halloween Dance Friday night!! We loved seeing everyone come out and have some fun together. The costumes, music, and friendly energy made it such a nice night.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the evening so special! And a big, big thank you to the Zelica Grotto for letting us use their venue and treating everyone to free pizza!!