(818) 762-4365
About
For more than 55 years, ARC has served individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from the greater Los Angeles area.
Our History
Dixie Henrickson and Mary Schallert were among Los Angeles County’s earliest community advocates for the rights later guaranteed under the Lanterman Act. In 1969, the same year the Act established the right to community‑based services—they founded ARC so their daughters and other children with developmental disabilities could grow up at home, participate in their neighborhoods, and live full, self‑directed lives. Refusing the era’s pressure toward institutionalization, they fought for their daughters with Down syndrome to be active members of their community, surrounded by family, friends, and opportunity. With the support of other parents, volunteers, and local leaders, these visionary founders built one of the first community‑based alternatives in Los Angeles, paving the way for individuals with developmental disabilities to access services that enrich their lives and help them reach their full potential.
ARC was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1975 through the dedication of family members who contributed legal and accounting expertise. Between 1985 and 2004, ARC expanded its footprint with the purchase of five adjacent North Hollywood properties, followed by a sixth property in 2014 that reflected the organization’s deepening impact and expansion into offering independent living supports.
In addition to providing direct services to individuals and their families, ARC advocates and brings awareness to the community about developmental disabilities. ARC also partners with community based organizations, colleges, high schools, Special Olympics, and other agencies to provide opportunities to over 350 volunteers each year. ARC volunteers bring a rich diversity to our programs and extend our reach in the community for educational and informative outreach opportunities.
ARC’s residentials programs include Independent Living, Supportive Living, and Dolly House an ARF level 6 home. Dolly House is the first memory care home for adults with IDD in Los Angeles County impacted by cognitive decline or dementia and was launched in April 2025.
Our Mission
We provide the resources, programs, education, and environment to support the independence and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
We partner with them towards fostering social relationships, cultivating their individual talents, allowing them to reach their full potential and a life filled with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Our Values
OUR
STORIES
Stories
ARC benefits from amazing volunteers
Stories
Team ARC’s Championship Legacy
UPCOMING
EVENTS
OUR
Programs
Adult Day Program
Adaptive Living Service
ARC RAINBOW GARDEN
Bell & Chime Choirs
Health & Wellness
Leadership
Board of Directors
2025 – 2026
Officers
Members of the Board
Activities, Recreation and Care
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Statement
Activities, Recreation and Care (ARC) is committed to serving diverse and rich Los Angeles and embrace that to be a person-centered organization and fully serve the whole person and their family we must understand and enjoy the intersection the whole person including one’s race, socio-economic background, abilities, various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In addition, we acknowledge that often the people we serve have not received justice in areas that are critical to achieving their goals such as education, housing, health and environmental justice. We recognize the importance of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) to best address the specific needs of everyone in the ARC community. Currently ARC utilizes the following definitions:
Justice: Refers to the fair and equal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society. It involves recognizing and addressing the systemic barriers that contribute to inequality, discrimination, and exclusion.
Equity: Involves ensuring that everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources, regardless of their background or circumstances. It recognizes that different individuals may require different levels of support to achieve the same outcomes.
Diversity: Refers to the presence of a wide range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, physical abilities, religious beliefs, and political beliefs. Embracing diversity means respecting and valuing these differences
Inclusion: Is the act of creating an environment where all individuals feel welcome, respected and enjoy a sense of belonging. It involves actively promoting the participation and contribution of people from diverse backgrounds.
Our effectiveness is enhanced, and our mission well served when JEDI is reflected in all aspects of the organization and activities are focused within each of the following areas:
Board Membership
Board membership and ongoing recruitment so we reflect the rich and growing diversity of North Hollywood and the larger Los Angeles communities served by ARC.
Programming
ARC creates and implements programming using our awareness of cultural differences and treats all participants with respect and dignity. We seek input from families, outside experts, colleagues, and board members. We engage a diverse group of stakeholders to ensure our programs are inclusive and utilize the most evidenced based and lived experiences.
Policies and Procedures
ARC’s commitment to utilizing a JEDI lens is captured in our continued effort to keep organization policies and procedures updated. JEDI is a critical part of our strategic plan, and our ongoing organizational goals.
Employment
We aim to be reflective of the community we serve, specifically our immediate North Hollywood neighborhood. We focus on recruitment to serve multiple cultures, languages and gender identities. We foster a work environment that respects each individual and the gifts they bring to the organization and aim to offer opportunities for each employee to contribute to the mission.
Donors
ARC’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion is shared with current and potential donors. We embrace being in partnership with others who embrace these practices.
ARC will continue on our JEDI journey, we are working to create an accessible, equitable, and inclusive organization, and understand we are at the beginning not the end of this work. We will continue to listen, learn, reflect and assess how we can continually put this into practice.
