arc-spokane.org

Incorporation (1950) - Parents of children with developmental disabilities and concerned citizens in Spokane incorporate The Spokane Council for the Retarded Child on October 2.

Founding a School (1950) - The Spokane council was the first organization in Washington State to advocate for educating children with special needs in place of institutional care. Shortly after incorporation, the council bought a house at 1005 E. Sinto, hired a teacher and started a school for children with special needs. Four volunteer assistants helped with learning activities.

Affiliation with The Arc (1951) - The Spokane Council caught the attention of the Association for Retarded Children and the Washington Association for Retarded Citizens who welcomed the new group as a new affiliate in June. The Arc recognized the determination and vision of the Spokane Council from its resolve to build a school for children who were excluded from public schools.

Public Administration of Special Education (1951) - In September of this year, for the first time in Spokane history, Spokane Public Schools took charge of educating children with developmental disabilities. New funding from the state legislature made this possible.

The Spokane Council Becomes The Arc (1959) - In January The Spokane Council for The Retarded Child changed its name to The Spokane County Chapter of The Washington Association for Retarded Children (WARC).

1960s

United Way Support (1960) - In January The United Crusade (now United Way) made the Spokane Chapter of WARC a member agency, providing essential operating funds.

Our First Home (1960) - On April 25, the Spokane Chapter opened its first office in the Realty Building downtown with Jean Hamlin as the our first paid office secretary.

The First Day Nursery (1960) - Under the sponsorship of four guilds associated with the Spokane Chapter of WARC, the first day nursery school for children with developmental disabilities opened in September at the Westminster Cowley Youth Memorial Building.

Vocational Training (1960s) - Throughout the 1960's the Spokane Chapter supported efforts at Goodwill Industries to provide a vocational training program for people with developmental disabilities.

Our First Executive Director, Roger Blue (1967) - In the spring, the Spokane Chapter hired its first Executive Director, Roger Blue.

A New Activity Center and Sheltered Workshop (1968) - In February, plans began for a new activity center and sheltered workshop, a type of program then seen as a major priority by the state.

A Group Home (1968) - In October, a large bequest of Standard Oil Stock enabled the organization to buy land for the purpose of building a group home.

1970s

A Pre-Vocational Training Center Opened (1971) - In April, after several years of planning, the chapter opened The Pre-Vocational Training Center, hiring A.J. Winer as the first Executive Director. Winer reported to a separate board of directors.

"Special Friends" Program (1974) - In the spring, the agency launched a citizen advocacy efforts with its "Special Friends" program.

A New Name (1974) - In May, the organization changed its name to The Spokane Chapter of The Washington Association for Retarded Citizens.

An Employment Contract for Youth (1974) - In July, the chapter received a contract from the State Employment Securities Department to provide placement services to young adults with developmental disabilities.

Volunteer Coordinator (1976) - This year the chapter added a Volunteer Coordinator and a Guardian ad litem.

"Education for All" Passed into Law (1977) - Public Law 91-142, the "Education for All Act," took effect, extending public education to children with developmental disabilities. At this time the chapter had 8 staff members and 130 clients.

A New Name (1979) - This year the organization became The Spokane County Association for Retarded Citizens (SARC). In July, SARC received a large contract from The City of Spokane Private Industry Council to hire 38 employees and launch a number of new community based programs and services, including:

The People's Place Activity Center (located at the YMCA)
A Representative Payee program
A full-time guardian ad litem
A full-time advocate
Staff for the Special Olympics
Human service aids

Sunray Boarding Home (1979) - In November, SARC opened Sunray, a boarding home for 12 residents with special needs.

1980s

Willa Johns, Executive Director (1982) - On April 1, Executive Director Frank Noren retired and Willa Johns became the new Executive Director.

Daystar Group Home (1983) - In May,SARC opened a second group home, Daystar, which served eight residents.

People's Place Moves (1983) - In the spring, People's Place moved from the YMCA to The Northeast Community Center.

The First Annual Icebreaker Fun Run (1984) - In March, SARC sponsored the first Annual Icebreaker Fun Run.

New Funding (1984) - In November, state and federal grants became available tor fund employment programs.

Nova Enterprises Sheltered Workshop (1986) - In the spring, SARC provided a home for the Nova Enterprises Sheltered Workshop.

Sunray Tenants Move into Their Own Home (1986) - In July, SARC sold the Sunray boarding home, and its residents moved to duplexes of their own. Under a state contract, SARC provided the residents Intensive Tenant Support services.

Hewlett Packard Enclave (1986) - In fall, SARC opened its first employment enclave at Hewlett Packard (later known as Agilent), followed two years later by a second enclave at Washington Water Power (now known as Avista). The Agilent enclave closed in March of 2003. The Avista enclave continues to this day.

New Location on Boone Avenue (1987) - In December, the SARC office moved to a larger location at 127 W. Boone. At that time the organization had 26 staff and 400 clients.

1990s

Nova Enterprises Separates (1990) - In the spring, Nova Enterprises became a separate organization from SARC.

Boone Building Purchased (1991) - In May, SARC purchased the building on Boone.

Name Changed to The Arc of Spokane (1991) - In the fall, the Association for Retarded Citizens changed its name to The Arc.

People's Place Closed (1993) - This year, People's Place moved to it's current location on E. Indiana Avenue. The valley People's Place closed.

A Capital Campaign for Our Indiana Building (1998) - In the fall, The Arc formed a partnership with Inland Empire Residential Resources (IERR) and purchased an 18,000 sqare foot building on W. Indiana Avenue. Together the two organizations launched a capital campaign, raising $1 million to purchase and renovate the building. The resulting facility currently houses IERR offices, The Arc Community Center and other Arc programs. In 1998, The Arc of Spokane had 84 employees and 1,237 clients

2000s

New Executive Director, Greg Falk (2002) - In April, Willa Johns retired and Greg Falk became Executive Director.