Gabriel Palko couldn't wait for Friday night. He was going to a dance. You see, Gabe loves to dance. He loves hanging out with his friends. He can't think of anything he likes better than that after a hard day's work at CTC Manufacturing, Inc.

He dressed with care in a nice clean shirt and was ready to dance the night away.When the DJ began playing the first song, 67-year-old Gabe was right there on the dance floor, front and center, with his arms around his favorite dancing partner, his sister, Rita Palko.Soon the Nesquehoning Recreation Center was filled with Gabe's friends and they danced the night away.Sadly, it may be the last dance for Gabe, and the other members of The Arc Northeastern Pennsylvania who fall under the category of having intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc may lose its funding and the monthly dances, and other recreational services in Carbon County, will be cut."They will be devastated," says Maryclaire Kretsch, deputy executive director of The Arc Northeastern Pennsylvania chapter based in Scranton.According to Kretsch, in the 2012-2013 Pennsylvania Executive Budget, there is a Human Services Development Fund Block Grant proposed. It wants to transform the relationship between the state and local governments in the delivery of critical human services programs by consolidating multiple human services programs into a single block grant. This will provide counties with the flexibility to move funds where each locality needs them most and will generate savings of $168.4 million.But, Kretsch explains, this would mean a 20 percent cut for The Arc."We've been told that if the block grant happens, The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania will no longer provide recreational services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And no summer camp," says Kretsch."We're not opposing the block grant, just the 20 percent cut. Some of these services are the only social activities that these folks get and it would devastate them. Plus, these types of services provide a short respite time for their families," she says.Kretsch becomes animated as she talks about how upsetting this news is and she wants to send a message to Harrisburg: "Don't balance the state budget on the backs of Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens."She adds, "Gov. Corbett vowed that the core responsibility of the government was to protect citizens with intellectual disabilities. He's breaking his promise."Mari Pizur, The Arc Recreation Services coordinator is also upset about this news."Our guys look forward to this socialization. For some, this is often the only recreation they get. We also have a bowling league that meets once a week. Not only that, we're in the community spending money on movies, bowling, visiting local restaurants. We go shopping. It will be a domino effect and those businesses will lose our business."It would also be a loss of six part-time employees in Carbon County if the block grant is passed.The Arc provides door-to-door service for recreational purposes three times a month, which includes the once-a-month dance at the Nesquehoning Recreation Center.There are currently about 40 people in Carbon County who rely on funding from the state to be able to enjoy these services.Gabe's sister, Rita Palko, attended the dance in support of her brother, who lives with her in Cresco. She feels so strongly about blocking the block grant that she has started a petition and so far has 226 signatures."They're all people who know Gabe and want to show him and The Arc their support," she says.Palko can't say enough good things about The Arc.As she points to her brother out on the dance floor she talks about how he wasn't like that years ago."He was very introverted and sat home and watched TV. Now he goes from one activity to another. He's just grown through the years and a large part of that is The Arc. He looks forward to these events. He wouldn't be able to go to summer camp if the funding is cut. He would be so upset," she says.She becomes emotional as she asks, "How would these legislators like to see their loved ones be denied this?"The consumers are very much aware that funding for their recreation may be cut and several voiced their thoughts.Marvin Kunkel of Weatherly loves coming to the dances every month."If I couldn't come to the dance, I would feel bad. It gives me a chance to be out with my peers," he says.Mike Weaver, Nesquehoning wants to save The Arc."I hope it keeps going a long time."Mary Hallissey likes coming every month to the dances because she can have fun with her friends.Janelle Eckhart, Jim Thorpe, likes the dances and outings with The Arc because "It makes me feel good."This month's dance is a luau. Everyone is wearing a lei and some have on sunglasses. Their non-alcoholic drinks are served with festive little umbrellas. The room is noisy with singing, dancing and laughter.But there are some who feel the walls closing in on them.Marsha Macalush, director of Vocational Services at CTC came to the dance in support of The Arc's services because she works with a lot of the consumers and knows how much the recreational services mean to them.Linda Leonard understands how important these services are to those with intellectual disabilities. She has a granddaughter with Down syndrome and is a product line reader at CTC and attended the dance to show her support."I love them. We work with them every day from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and they love to exert energy when not working. This is a great outlet for them. If they lose this, they will be devastated. There wouldn't be anything for them. They don't get out much and this is chance to be in a social setting outside of work."CTC is a private nonprofit corporation established in 1970 as the Carbon Training Center, Inc. by a group of parents of children with disabilities.Originally located in Jim Thorpe, CTC moved to a larger facility in Beaver Meadows in late 1980. It provides job training and employment for adults with disabilities.Also attending the dance in support of The Arc were state Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-122nd Legislative District) and Carbon County Commissioners Wayne Nothstein and Tom Gerhard."We're very disappointed with the 20 percent cut that is being proposed," says Gerhard."We realize the governor has to make cuts, but $168 million in Human Services across the commonwealth is just not right. He made a pledge not to raise taxes, but he puts it on the communities to do it."This is my second dance I've been to and I love seeing all these smiling faces. They want to be able to go out and socialize with their friends. We certainly will do what we can to oppose the cut," he added.Kretsch knows that some may say it is just recreation "but the state has already imposed a 10 percent reduction in funding to the community service for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Admissions to state centers have increased since the governor took office. This isn't acceptable."The Arc of NE Pennsylvania will not stop advocating for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities to live and enjoy life in their community. The simple message is ... call your state representatives and say 'No' to the Block Grant proposal."Because Gabe, Marvin, Mike, Mary, Janelle and all their friends, would really like to keep on dancing.