The Arc History
1953 – Parents of children with mental retardation form study groups meetings in homes and churches
1959 – Parents form and incorporate the School of Hope for Mentally Retarded Children
1961 – Parents form and incorporate the Jackson County Association for Retarded Children (JCARC) and affilate with state and national organizations
1966 – JCARC purchase two acres on Valley View Drive, Medford (now the home of Living Opportunities) and open the first Sheltered Workshop in Southern Oregon.
1967 – JCARC opens the first pre-school in Oregon for children with DD
1968 – JCARC began plans for the Rogue Valley Opportunity Center on Valley View Drive
1970 – Rogue Valley Opportunity Center incorporates and opens as the complete workshop and training facility in Southern Oregon
1971 – Treasure II Thrift Store opened and continues to operate at 121 N. Central Avenue in Medford
1974 – A group from JCARC incorporates Living Opportunities (now a separate agency) and opens the first group home on Beatty Street in Medford.
1975 – JCARC changes to the Jackson County Association for Retarded Citizens (JCARC)
1980 – JCARC changes to the Association of Retarded Citizens of Jackson County (ARC)
1982 – Rogue Valley Opportunities Center dissolves
1991 – ARC began the Ken Wonderly Memorial Fund
1993 – ARC Office opened and the first Executive Director was hired
1994 – The Respite Care Program implemented and a Family Service Coordinator was hired
1994 – ARC changes to The Arc of Jackson County (The Arc)
1998 – Transition House leased to house four young men with developmental disabilities and a care assistant
2001 – The Arc hosts Lifespan Respite Network of Jackson County
2001 – The Arc begins coordinating bi-monthly social activities with seven agencies in Jackson County
2002 – The Arc sponsors Troy's Recycling Program (program disolved in 2006)
2003 – The Arc leases Sara's House
2005 – Lifespan Respite Cooperative begins
2005 – The Arc creates an art studio for people with developmental disabilities located at 121 N. Central Avenue (progam now housed at the Rogue Art Gallery in Medford as of 2007)
2009 – Creation of the Dance Theater Group in partnership with Artist and Choreographers Building Community— first performance ”Cinderella in Blue”
2010 – The Arc changes Lifespan Respite Network of Jackson County's name to Lifespan Respite after the State of Oregon dissolves funding for the program throughout Oregon.
2010 – The Arc of Jackson County implements the "School-to-Community Transition Project" targeting eight to 10 "at risk" students in SOESD's Transition Program through a sub-grant of The Arc of the United States.
2011 – The Arc of Jackson County formally changes its name to The Arc Jackson County and underwent rebranding. Treasures II Thrift Store now known as The Arc Thrift Store.
2011 – The Arc Jackson County implements a new program called "Families For Community" creating a diverse community among families who have children experiencing disabilities of all kinds.
