The Arc of Chester County Helps the Disabled
Taking care of those in the community who have mental and developmental disabilities is the mission of The Arc of Chester County, a West Chester organization that advocates public education and community inclusion for children and adults with special needs. Each year, the organization enhances the lives of more than 3,500 individuals and their families.
“The key is that we are empowering individuals and their families,” says Arc Executive Director Diane Carey.
Founded in 1952 by a group of West Chester parents, the organization set out to improve the lives of the community’s mentally and developmentally disabled by keeping them out of institutional settings. The agency has provided a lifetime of service to some community residents with disabilities.
One significant service offered is the Early Intervention program, which serves about 350 children annually by diagnosing and seeking treatment for developmental delays such as autism.
“The range of services we offer is quite broad, and they touch people in various ways,” Carey says. “People are living real lives out there. In some cases, we even help people with disabilities find employment.”
Another important service is the Respite Program, which offers monthly breaks for family members who have loved ones with a disability living at home.
All services are made possible through the help of countless volunteers. Arc’s board of directors consists of 17 volunteers who put in hundreds of hours of service annually. Overall, the organization has 200 volunteers throughout the year.
Arc has a budget of more than $4 million annually, most of which comes from government funding, with 20 percent generated through private donations.
“The Chester County community is very supportive and very philanthropic,” Carey says. “We could not survive if we didn’t have the support of the community. People are always looking for ways to jump in and help.”
