(818) 762-4365Clients served by ARC are encouraged to build lasting friendships, explore recreational interests and hobbies.
Programs
ARC programs are designed to promote therapeutic recreation, education, socialization, and help individuals with developmental disabilities to break the cycle of isolation.
Adult Day Program
ARC’s Adult Day Program offers both center-based and community-integrated opportunities, Monday through Friday. In our welcoming program center, participants engage in clubs and sessions that are creative, educational, recreational, including social activities. Community-based components include volunteer opportunities, recreation, and skill-building in real-world environments. The program is designed to support participants in leading enriched lives and friendships while building community connections.
ARC Rainbow Garden
The ARC Rainbow Garden
The ARC Rainbow Garden was created in response to a growing need across the lifespan of the individuals we support to increase opportunities for time outdoors, improve mental health and wellness, and create meaningful spaces for learning, connection, and purpose.
Research continues to show that gardening and access to nature can positively impact overall health and well-being, including reducing stress and anxiety, increasing physical activity, supporting emotional regulation, encouraging social engagement, and promoting healthier eating habits. For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, gardening programs can also build confidence, strengthen daily living and vocational skills, and create opportunities for community participation and independence.
The ARC Rainbow Garden is both a therapeutic and skill-building program. Participants learn about healthy nutrition, sustainability, teamwork, and plant cultivation while building transferable skills that can serve as pathways to volunteering, employment programs, and greater community inclusion.
Our garden includes a vibrant outdoor space used not only for gardening, but also for activities, workshops, and social gatherings throughout the year. Each year, the Rainbow Garden is proudly featured during ARC’s annual Oktoberfest celebration, where Garden Club members welcome guests with tours showcasing the fruits, vegetables, flowers, and projects they have cultivated together. Support in both materials, education and technical support is offered by our partner 3R Garden Design since its inception in 2022.
The garden also features two hydroponic growing towers supported by a partnership with Cerca Cultivation, which provides technical support, education, and hydroponic growing pods. Produce grown in the garden helps support healthy eating initiatives within ARC’s independent living apartments and at Dolly House — Los Angeles County’s first memory care home specifically designed for adults with intellectual disabilities who are also impacted by dementia.
More than a garden, the ARC Rainbow Garden is a place where people build skills, friendships, confidence, and purpose.
Bell & Chime Choirs
ARC Hand Bell and Chime Choirs provide a community service and outreach by conducting inspirational performances at numerous community events throughout the year. The choirs also serve as an opportunity for ARC members to explore and develop artistic expression, gain confidence and self-esteem and be contributing members of the community.
If you would like one of the choirs to play at your next event call (818) 762-
Health & Wellness
Health & Wellness has become an integral part of program services with a focus on the long-term health and well-being for our members. Prior to the start of the Adult Day Activity Program and at the end of each day, ARC clients have a choice of physical activities such as stationary bikes, treadmills, fitness machines, weight training, and aerobics, basketball, among others. The overall Health and Wellness Program is designed to promote a quality of healthy living, improved self-care, and nutrition to create healthy habits. As part of Health and Wellness activities, ARC participates in community 5K walks including the Los Angeles Marathon and the Big 5K at Dodger Stadium.
Residential and Community Living
Dolly House – Memory Care Home (Adult Residential Facility, Level 6):
Dolly House is a pioneering memory care home specifically designed for adults with IDD who are also experiencing cognitive decline and dementia. As a Level 6 licensed Adult Residential Facility (ARF), Dolly House offers a higher level of staffing and support, enabling residents to live with dignity in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment. Dolly House is the first of its kind in our Los Angeles County region and exemplifies ARC’s commitment to aging with care, compassion, and purpose.
Levin Apartments: ARC apartments can offer four apartments and town homes, each offering either single or shared rooms depending on the person’s choice. Levin is staffed with 24-hour support, for those who choose to live as independently as possible. Person centered support includes such living skills as money management, meal planning and preparation, maintaining healthy strategies, and community opportunities.
Community Living Supports – ARC’s community living supports participants’ choice where they are living. ARC support staff provides person-centered planning and support, from assistance with menu planning, budgeting and money management, and community engagement opportunities.
Independent Living
ARC supports individuals who choose to live independently, either in our Levin Apartments or in homes they’ve secured on their own. ARC’s independent living focuses on skill-building and time-limited support to prepare individuals for greater independence. Supports include budgeting, meal preparation, health management, transportation, and more—always rooted in the individual’s goals and preferences.
Personal Assistance Services
ARC’s Personal Assistance program provides one-on-one support to individuals across a variety of settings, including at home and in the community. Services are highly individualized and may include help with daily living tasks, accessing the community, health-related routines, or maintaining social relationships. The goal is to promote autonomy and quality of life by meeting people where they are and supporting their unique routines.
Adaptive Skills Training
AST focuses on coaching and reinforcing practical life skills that support independence and self-sufficiency. Skills may include cooking, shopping, communication, safety awareness, and navigating public transportation. Adaptive Skills are also integrated into other ARC programs and are tailored to meet the developmental needs of everyone, fostering confidence and personal growth.
ARC team legacy
Over the past ten years, ARC has placed emphasis on the promotion of health and wellness as means to encourage our clients with developmental disabilities to lead healthy, balanced lives. We use the concept of Team ARC to transform all of ARC’s clients into athletes. Athletics and competition is a direct way for our athletes to address their health and wellness goals, while feeling a sense of accomplishment through a desired outcome: winning.
The Marathon Team
Whether it’s playing basketball, running track, or walking a 5K, the athletes of Team ARC train throughout the year with a “never give up” attitude that has produced many championship results. Rafael Adame and Tim Sathre are the first Team ARC athletes to participate in the 26.2 mile LA Marathon. Today, Tim and Rafael are considered by the LA marathon committee as “Legacy Runners” because they will be competing in their 12th consecutive race in 2018. Tim and Rafael are among the first runners with developmental disabilities to receive this honor.
In 2012-2013, Antoinette Mendoza, Angela Armenta, and Jennifer Valente made history by becoming the first women with Down syndrome to start and complete a marathon in the United States. Also in 2013, Jimmy Jenson was invited to New York to compete and become the first individual with Down syndrome to finish the New York marathon and was featured on the nationally televised “Today Show”.
5K Team
In addition to participating in Special Olympics events, Team ARC has an endurance sports team that trains more than 40 individuals with Developmental Disabilities to participate in various 5K runs/walks throughout the year. ARC is also an official charity of the LA BIG 5K and LA Marathon races and our dedicated staff and volunteers have trained athletes with Developmental Disabilities to compete the full 26.2 mile marathon.
Consider a donation to support Team ARC.
