History of The Arc
1963
Dorothy Bass-Tolberg places an ad in the weekly Potomac News seeking other families of children with developmental disabilities who had no educational opportunities in our community.
1964
Eight families begin the Retarded Children’s Training Center in Woodbridge and incorporate a local chapter of the Association for Retarded Children.
1965
The Didlake School is founded by a group of parents living in the Manassas area; they incorporate as the Manassas Association for Retarded Children.
1967
Retarded Children’s Training Center moves to the old Bethel School and is dedicated as the Muriel Humphrey School.
1971
Our first program for adults with developmental disabilities begins, the first in Prince William County.
1974
Our first group home opens in the Evansdale section of Dale City with six women and a new corporation, INSIGHT, is formed to oversee development and operation of residential services.
1975
The two Associations turn over the education of all children with disabilities to the county school system and donate the Ann Ludwig School and the New Dominion School to the county school system.
Muriel Humphrey changes to a developmental child care center and Didlake becomes an incorporated work program for adults.
1980
Supported Living Program begins.
1982
Spinaweb, our weaving shop in Occoquan, opens for business.
1984
The two Associations for Retarded Citizens merge to serve our citizens more effectively.
1987
Robert Day Child Care Center opens in Manassas.
1995
First Circle of Support Conference conducted.
2004
Renovation of and addition to the Triangle Vocational Center (VOSAC and Little Creek) completed.
2009
Board of Directors votes to construct addition to Muriel Humphrey Center to meet the growing demand for services.
2012
U. S. Department of Justice signs a settlement with the Commonwealth of Virginia; part of that settlement calls for closure of state institutions, including the Northern Virginia Training Center.
2013
Three story addition to Muriel Humphrey Center and renovations completed; building opened with no mortgage. We open our first group home for residents leaving the Northern Virginia Training Center.
VOSAC II opens.
2014
50th Anniversary of The Arc
2016
VOSAC III opens
2019
55th Anniversary of The Arc
2024
We will celebrate our 60th anniversary!
Present Day
Our transportation fleet now includes 43 vehicles.
Our recreation program provides a mix of virtual and in-person events. The program offers Bingo, birthday parties, book club, microwave cooking classes, dances, art classes, movie club, and more.
We now serve 76 individuals in 17 group homes (2 more opening in 2024) and 6 supported living sites.
Family support (through virtual workshops, information and referral, and workshops serves over 1,000 every year. The Circle of Support Conference will be held in person at Hylton High School on November 2, 2024.
Spinaweb is one of the longest continuously operated businesses in Occoquan and now sells merchandise worldwide.
Muriel Humphrey and Robert Day Child Care Centers continue to serve those children who cannot receive services in traditional centers.
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