Breaking Ground

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) was founded in 1961 by parents who wanted equity, access, and opportunity for their children. At the time, their belief that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) deserved the same opportunities for self-determination and self-advocacy as any other community member was groundbreaking. We are proud to say that six decades later, The Arc continues to move the needle forward as an innovative community leader dedicated to building the services that people with IDD tell us they need to live the life of their choosing.

When it comes to expanding and enriching our services, we continue to grow and lead the way across the region, and the state. While we provide Arc-facilitated services such as Living Options & Services, Workforce Development, and Behavioral Health for roughly one-third of the state, we also support participants self-directing their services statewide.

Our current strategic plan, Leading Boldly, continues to guide and support this ongoing growth across the organization. Over the last five years, The Arc has transformed how services are delivered, increased opportunities for leaders at every level to collaborate, and deepened our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

At The Arc, we are still ‘breaking ground’, not just literally with Port Street Commons, The Arc’s new Eastern Shore Headquarters, but as an economic leader in the region, a service provider revolutionizing what high-quality services look and feel like, and as a compassionate and inclusive employer that sees the value and potential in all our employees.

Being at the cutting edge of what’s possible in our communities and in people’s lives has been our driving force since 1961, and it is still the driving force that keeps this organization thriving today. Our strength is our ability to imagine new initiatives, possibilities, and futures.

As you read this year’s annual report, you will see that The Arc’s ongoing legacy of breaking ground is one we proudly continue, and we are grateful for your ongoing partnership along the way.