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Our History

The Arc of Rensselaer County originated at a time when institutions were the primary service option for people with developmental disabilities. In 1950, when our Arc chapter was founded as part of the Capital District Chapter of the New York State Association of Retarded Children, it was a radical act to keep children with disabilities at home as opposed to shipping them off to an institution. Our Arc chapter was built on the hopeful visions of parents who saw their children as capable and contributing members of an acceptant and inclusive community - living, loving, and working beside neighbors, friends, and families.
The formation of our chapter provided an opportunity for parents to talk about and plan for ways to support their children who were excluded from typical places in the community such as schools and workplaces. At that time it was public policy to deny an education to children who were unable to “benefit” from public instruction. This led The Arc to create training or activity centers housed in donated spaces such as church basements and vacant community buildings. Acadia Building in Frear Park and School 10 in Troy, New York were sites that provided some educational instruction, but mostly crafts and recreation. These formative centers were not funded by government dollars, therefore parents and friends engaged in many fundraising activities such as bake sales to cover program expenses. In the wake of New York State’s initiative to close its abusive institutions, The Arc partnered with the Office for Developmental Disabilities (formally OMRDD) to create community options such as group homes and sheltered workshops.
We have since come a long way in supporting those with developmental disabilities live a life that they value. The form of service has morphed from group settings to individualized arrangements at work, at home and in integrated community settings. Residentially this appears in the shape of live-in, live-next to supports, shared living and paid neighbors as opposed to group homes. Supported employment and volunteering has taken the place of our sheltered workshops. At the edge of innovative assistance is self-determination, where we act as service brokers and fiscal intermediaries for individuals self-directing their funding and staffing resources. Ultimately, we envision supporting all individuals with developmental disabilities as active citizens of their communities.

Testimonials and Success Stories

When I first started working here over 20 years ago, I thought it wasn’t for me.  Since that time I have come to realize the people we support every day have taught me more than I could ever teach them.  They have shown me empathy, compassion, and understanding.  With that has come a deeper understanding of life and enjoying the small successes.  We sometimes tend to focus more on failures instead of celebrating what really matters.  

 - Michele A. Flaherty

Staff Development Specialist

Our Mission

Advocacy

The mission of The Arc of Rensselaer County is to advocate for the rights and safety of individuals of all ages who have an intellectual disability and/or a developmental disability or delay.

Resources

The Arc is a source of support, specialized knowledge, and available resources in assisting individuals and their families to meet their needs and goals.

Community

The Arc works to influence societal attitudes and governmental policy so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have access to the services, assistance, and opportunities they need for personal growth and development, and participation in the community.

The Arc of Rensselaer County
79 102nd Street, Troy, NY 12180-1125
(518) 274-3110

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