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A message from the Executive Director |
 On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, program participants and families of Schenectady ARC, I want to thank you for your interest in our organization. In 1952, if you were part of a family that had a child with a developmental disability, services did not exist. At that time, the medical community frequently suggested institutionalization for a child with a developmental disability and that became the only option for many. However, the families who kept their disabled children at home soon found that by reaching out to each other through newspaper ads and other means of communication, they could provide support to one another. Their partnerships soon developed into volunteer services, which ultimately became the agency we now celebrate.
Schenectady ARC is committed to helping people with developmental disabilities in the Capital Region enjoy healthy, rewarding lives as members of their community. Schenectady ARC brings staff, families and the community together to encourage dreams and respond to each person’s life choices by offering high quality services, resources and supports. We believe that partnerships create the power for people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work and play as fulfilled members of society. We value the partnerships we have with family members of those we serve, as well as the partnerships we maintain with businesses throughout the Capital Region that provide job opportunities to individuals with disabilities. In addition, we are grateful for our relationship with the school districts that help identify students in need of services as well as local charitable organizations where volunteer opportunities are made available. A list of all of the businesses and organizations we work with appears as the background for each page on this site.
The agency recently changed its name, keeping the ARC, but changing what the letters represent. The ARC now stands for Advocacy Resources and Choices for people with developmental disabilities. Our new name portrays exactly what our agency does and we are very proud of it. I encourage you to re-visit this site to read about our upcoming events, employment opportunities, programs and individual highlights that will be updated regularly. We thank you for visiting our site and invite you to please contact us for any additional information you may need.
Sincerely,
Linda Lahaie
Executive Director
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