History of The Arc | The Arc of Greater Prince William - Support for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

The Story of The Arc of Greater Prince William is filled with hope and opportunity. As we look back at over 60 years of milestones, we anticipate a future with even more good things to come.

1960's

1963

Dorothy Bass Tollberg has an article 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.

1970's

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.

1979

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors approves group homes in all residential communities.

1980's

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.

1985

Robert Day Child Care Center opens in Manassas.

1990's

1995

Our first “Circle of Support” Conference is held.

2000's

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.

2010's

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 and still are one of the few agencies that serves medically complex individuals.

Therapeutic services (speech and physical therapy) begin.

VOSAC II opens.

2014

We celebrate The Arc’s 50th Anniversary.

2016

VOSAC III opens.

2019

55th Anniversary of The Arc

2020's

2020

The Arc never shuts down during the Covid pandemic.

2024

We celebrate our 60th Anniversary.

Our transportation fleet now includes 45 vehicles.

We have nineteen group homes and twelve supported living sites in our residential programs.

Family Support serves over 1,000 every year through workshops, information & referral, chair yoga classes, and the Circle of Support Conference.

Recreation continues to offer nearly 150 activities every year and has expanded to provide transition activities in local high schools.

Spinaweb is one of the longest continuously operated businesses in Occoquan.

Muriel Humphrey and Robert Day Childcare Centers continue to serve those children who cannot receive services in traditional centers.

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