History, Mission, Vision & Guiding Principals

History

The Arc of Orleans County is one of 58 chapters of NYSARC, Inc. (formerly known as the New York State Association for Retarded Children, Inc.) The State Association was incorporated in 1949 and the Orleans County Chapter was formed in 1970 by parents of people with mental retardation and/or other disabilities.

The initial program of The Arc of Orleans County was Camp Rainbow. Established in 1970, Camp Rainbow was opened to offer children with disabilities the opportunity for recreational and social interaction with other children. Located on Townline Road in Lyndonville, Camp Rainbow's property was donated by the Shenberger family.  Many volunteers spent hundreds of hours clearing the land and building cabins. In 1992 Camp Rainbow began to offer an integrated program. This new program opened Camp up to children without disabilities to help encourage friendships and understanding among children with and without disabilities.

In 1972, Rainbow Preschool opened and was housed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Medina. From then until the present many changes have occurred. Children today can receive services in their own home, day care center or nursery school, or attend the center base program. Over the years Rainbow Preschool has grown from serving six children to over 180 per school year. Currently the school has two center base sites - one located at the Arnold Gregory Complex in Albion and the other on Liberty Street in Batavia.

In 1979, the Agency's first Vocational program was opened. Orleans Industries, as it was originally named, started at the Academy Street School in Albion. Later it was moved to the Armory on Pearl Street in Medina and the name was changed to Orleans Enterprises. Needing a second site and wanting to offer greater opportunities to people with higher skill levels, a second site was opened on Washington Street in Albion. In the early 1990's the Armory site was phased out and all vocational services were integrated at the Washington Street site.  In the Spring of 1994 the Career Ventures Department was opened on Hamilton Street in Albion and provided supported work and a community integration project. 

Recreation and Leisure services were added in 1982. This program was designed for adults with disabilities to enable them to participate in recreational activities in the community. Participants form lasting friendships, learn new skills, and improve self esteem while having fun. Currently, recreational opportunities include bowling, day outings, weekend campouts, Genesee Community College's Recreation and Living Skills and BOCES College for Living.

Residential Services began in 1985 and, in the fall of 1986, the Stork Street 24-hour Supervised Apartments opened in Medina. March of 1987 saw the development of the Supportive Apartment program. In a joint venture with the Office of Mental Health, the West Avenue Apartments opened in July of 1989. The following September, Family Supportive Apartments became a reality under the Family Support Services Program. Later this program became part of Residential Services. These developments have opened up the options for people with disabilities to choose the residential setting they prefer. In 1993 the program underwent a name change and is now known as Community Living Services.

Family Support Services, which opened in 1985 under the Residential Services program, was later set up as a separate program.  Today this is the case management and advocacy program of The Arc, encompassing Family Care, Respite Services, Empowering Families, Camp Rainbow and Adult Recreation.

In 1985 the Volunteer Services Program was established. Volunteer positions are available in all program areas, as well as in public relations, fundraising, serving on committees and the Board of Directors. Currently these services are encompassed under one program area, the Community Relations Department.

Prior to 2000, adults with developmental disabilities had to go outside of Orleans County to receive therapy services.  All that changed when the Robert E. Waters Clinic was opened on Washington Street in Albion.  The Clinic provides a wide variety of services including speech, occupational and physical therapy, psychological, nursing and counseling services, as well as social work, behavioral interventions, and nutrition and rehabilitation counseling.

Over the years the name of the organization has changed. Originally founded as the Association for Retarded Children (ARC), the Agency changed the word "children" to "citizens" in 1987, feeling that it more accurately reflected the population being supported. Early in 1993 the Agency took a step forward and changed the name to The Arc of Orleans County. In the new name, the letters A, r, and c stand for no particular words like ARC did. There were several reasons for the change, including the fact that our self advocacy group was opposed to the word retarded because it has been so often used in a derogatory manner. Second, The Arc now serves people with many different types of disabilities and this name did not accurately reflect our services. Third, the Board of Directors adopted a policy of using 'People First' language. This concept focuses on the person, not on their disability.  With passage of this policy, our old name did not follow the premise of People First. Along with the policy the Board adopted a tag line that coordinates with our new name. It is "Advocating for resources in the community for people with disabilities."

Since The Arc''s inception, the goal has been to providing persons with disabilities the same opportunities for education, training, rehabilitation, competitive employment, housing and a place in society as is afforded to all citizens.

Mission

The Arc of Orleans County is a not-for-profit human service agency that offers support, advocacy and a variety of services and opportunities primarily for individuals with disabilities and their families to pursue their desired quality of life.

Vision

The Arc of Orleans County is a partnership of the people we serve, volunteers and staff working to improve our community through empowerment/opportunities, holistic approach, natural support, teamwork, productive employment, advocacy, self-sufficiency, appropriate technology, rights recognized by all, ownership, community membership, innovative approaches and valuing diversity.

Guiding Principles

Encourage Community Membership....People have the opportunity to work and/or volunteer in settings which are both socially and physically integrated.  They perform different social roles and participate in the life of the community.

Encourage and Build Relationships....People make and have friends and remain connected to natural supports.

Protect Individual Integrity and Rights....People exercise their rights and are free from abuse and neglect.  The Arc respects cultural and religious beliefs.

Promote Individual Choice and Shared Responsibility....People have meaningful choice both in their daily life and in planning for their future.

Ensure Health and Security....People experience the best possible health and are kept reasonably safe from harm.

Encourage Teamwork....Staff and/or volunteers work together in a seamless effort for the good of the person receiving services to provide the best combination of service and support available.