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.