Mobile Association-Retarded Citizens history

As Fort Myers grew, the population ballooned and in 1959, again from the school. came the cry for more space, more teachers – – more, more, more.

The Riverside School became a reality and held Open House in the Fall of 1960 with Annie Lee Johnson & Barbara Vandercook as teachers.

On June 20, 1962 the Sheltered Workshop began operation with six trainees.

The United States Government. in 1964, recognized a responsibility to the Mentally Retarded and physically handicapped individuals.

The Key Training Center was established in 1966 to unlock and open the door of opportunity for people with developmental disabilities.

In April of 1969, the SCRC met and voted to change its name to the Vallejo-Benicia Council for Retarded Children, Inc.

The DD Act (A History of the Developmental Disabilities Act from 1970 to Present)

In October of 1972, the Board of Directors voted to separate the organization into two units.

The association’s programming began on March 7, 1974, when a house was purchased to serve as office and co-op group home for six (6) adults.

Three years later, September 22, 1975, a brand new Riverside School opened its doors to the trainable retarded school age children at the Tanglewood Elementary School Campus.

In 1976, the house was closed and consumers moved into the community due to poor funding sources.

As the close of the fiscal year in April 1977 drew near, it was obvious that vendorization of the two programs was necessary fo r continued funding.

In 1979 a volunteer sponsored rummage sale was not successful, so the inventory became the start of a thrift store, in a building on LARC property.

On March 5, 1981, our name was changed to the Association for Retarded Citizens, Vallejo-Benicia Unit to conform to State and national identity.

While it was primarily an advocacy and funding organization, in 1983 PARCA started a group home for women.

In October of 1984, a proposal to serve adults with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and developmental disability was written.

In October of 1985, our adult services component, as well as our administrative section, moved to a large office building on Tuolumne Street.

The ACT (Alternatives in Curriculum and Training) began serving consumers in January of 1986.

A proposal was written to United Way for funding and, in May of 1987, The Giving Parent Support Group was formed.

In 1988 a decision to return to LARC was made where, together, they would function as one to realize their desired ambitions.

Our infant services remained at the Ohio Street location until June of 1989, when the Ohio Street property was sold and a small house on Tuolumne Street was leased for Leapfrog.

In 1990 the national organization changed its name from the National Association for Retarded Citizens to The Arc.

In March of 1993, The Arc-Solano saw a need for more space for programming and administration.

Both BAFS and The Arc-Solano moved into the building on June 30, 2000.