In 1954, the organization was officially chartered as Ventura County's Association for Retarded Children (VCARC). The first Board of Directors consisted of: Bernice Fry, Ella Siebler, Marion Hadley, Alfred and Margaret Single, Walter Bellman, Mrs. Paul Rooney, Kenneth Adams, D.W. Bailey, James C. Wurtz, and Margaret Houghton.

About Our Name

As the times have changed, so has our name.

For many years "ARC" was an acronym for "Association for Retarded Citizens," known throughout the United States as an organization providing programs and training for people with mental retardation. However, as our association grew, so did our desire to help those with other developmental disabilities.

In 1992, clients nationwide voted to completely eliminate "retarded" from the vernacular title to reflect our loyalty to serving those with many different types of developmental disabilities. The name "ARC" was changed to "Arc" and is no longer considered to be an acronym; but the name we operate under.

Arc Ventura County is affiliated with "The Arc" at the state and national level.

The Sixties

The sixties were a decade of growth and movement for the agency. We opened our first Work Training Center at the Ventura YMCA in 1961, and hired Shirley Jones as the instructor. In November, a second Work Training Center, primarily for boys, was opened at the Santa Paula Eagles Lodge. In both programs tuition was paid by the parents, but no one was denied entrance based on inability to pay. There was even a class for children 9-11 years old in Oxnard. The Work Training Centers would eventually combine and move to Oxnard, while the Self Help Center for younger children moved to Camarillo.

By 1963, we had 38 members (paying dues of $5.00 annually), and a treasury balance of $ 722.77.

The Ventura Thrift Store, owned and operated by Arc Santa Barbara, opened in 1964 with a small permit to operate fee paid to VCARC. 1965 brought about the hiring of the first executive director, Herb Richert on a part time basis. He would later become full time in 1967.

In 1968, the agency took a major step and signed a multi year lease with the State of California for the Old Ranch site, a part of Camarillo State Hospital. All programs on the west side of the Conejo Grade including administrative offices were at this site.

With the passing of the Lanterman Act in 1969, Herb Richert left to become the director of the newly formed Tri-Counties Regional Center. He was replaced by Shirley Jones as acting director.

We also opened a new facility at 4241 Valley Fair in Simi Valley and hired Shirley Dove to teach the Camarillo electronics training class.

The word "children" was dropped from our name, and we became Ventura County Association for the Retarded (VCAR).

The Seventies

The seventies started with Shirley Jones promoted to Executive Director. All programs were experiencing growth and new programs were in development.

One of our TIL clients receiving financial training including budgeting of expenses

In 1975, the Training for Independent Living Program originated. Clients lived in apartments on Gonzales Road in Oxnard, courtesy of a grant from the Department of Rehabilitation. This innovative program released a training manual, considered to be the premiere publication of its kind in the United States. TIL was also the recipient of an award from President Jimmy Carter's Committee on Mental Retardation.

Another grant would enable the Simi Valley electronics department to move to larger quarters on Dawson Drive in Camarillo; while the recently opened the Fillmore Activity Center moved to the vacated Simi Valley quarters. Community support for our programs was apparent. For example, in Simi Valley, the St. Rose of Lima Church Knights of Columbus held a charity ball, raising $1,500 for VCARC.

The Department of Habilitation awarded a grant of $ 8,000 for the purchase of a van used in transporting contract materials. At the end of 1979, the agency served 325 clients at three locations.

The Eighties

By 1980, the agency was growing by leaps and bounds. We opened a second thrift store on A Street in Oxnard. Later the store would move to its present site - 625 N. Oxnard Boulevard. In 1989, the Foundation for Retarded Citizens was established. Besides assuming responsibility for the thrift stores, the Foundation would also become the official fundraising branch for ARC-VC.

1981 brought about another name change for the agency, we became officially: Association for Retarded Citizens - Ventura County, Inc.

TIL was also on the move, as the Ventura County Housing Authority provided 16 apartments at 148 S. Palm Street in Ventura. Supportive Services for Independent Living (SSIL) and Semi-Independent Living (SIL) became new programs from the very successful Training for Independent Living format.

With overcrowding at the Camarillo site becoming unmanageable, the agency leased the Avenue School in Ventura. No longer would clients from Ojai and surrounding areas endure a two hour bus ride each way to attend programs.

In 1987, Supported Employment was created to find jobs in the community for clients, with the help of a one-on-one job coach. The program would later expand to group employment sites called enclaves.

Big changes were also on the horizon for the work activity centers. A new 20,000 square foot facility was opened on Transport Street in Ventura for 95 clients. A spin-off from the Camarillo workshop, the Magic Muffin Bakery and Deli was opened on Third Street in Oxnard.

We also acquired our first care home at 877 S. Rice Road in Meiners Oaks, through the efforts and generosity of several member parents.

The Nineties

A whirlwind of activity highlighted the 1990's. Upon Shirley Jones' retirement, a young and dynamic leader from Tri Counties Regional Center named Fred Robinson became the new Executive Director.

Senator Cathie Wright helps open the new Arc Industries - Simi Valley

Program expansion continued. ARC-VC secured contracts with the National Institute for the Severely Handicapped (NISH) to provide janitorial and shelf-stocking services at Port Hueneme and Point Mugu naval bases. Under Shirley Dove's direction, the Magic Muffin relocated to Channel Islands Business Park. The agency opened new facilities; Arc Industries - Oxnard, Arc Industries - Simi Valley, and the Wagon Wheel Facility in Oxnard. The Simi Community Integration program was given a beautiful newly remodeled building courtesy of Simi Valley Adult Education. In addition, Arc purchased 210 Canada Street in Ojai for the purpose of opening a new day program.

We also celebrated our 40th anniversary with a barbecue complete with live music and an exhibition tent.

The decade was not without its heartbreaks, however. Fire destroyed the Oxnard Thrift Store in September of 1993, but was later reopened in 1994. Job coach Richard Bateman was tragically killed at the Employment Development in Oxnard. An annual award for staff exemplary service was established in his honor. Past winners of this prestigious award include current staff members Karen Arias, Carolyn Whalen, Karen Smith, David Lerma, Claudia Kirkpatrick, Mary Kay Burke, Martha Jensen, Karen Reilly, and Bonnie Lerma. Melvida Enser was the recipient in December of 2004.

In 1996, Arc-VC received many awards at the Arc California Conference. The awards included: the State President's Award, Innovative Service Award, State Membership Award, and a Special Membership Award presented to Hazel Kay.

In 1997, the agency merged with Special Californians Foundation and acquired four more care homes.

After 30 years of occupying the Old Ranch Site at Camarillo State Hospital at the request of the County of Ventura in 1998, we vacated our lease, and moved the administrative offices to Walker Street in Ventura.

The New Millennium

Religious Education Chair Harriet Weigel and a few friends

Arc Ventura County welcomed the new century with even more accomplishments. Board member Hazel Kay was awarded Volunteer of the Year at the State Arc Convention in Bakersfield.

The agency returned to its roots and purchased the old Santa Paula Chronicle building on North 10th Street in Santa Paula. After extensive remodeling, the Hazel Kay and Dorothy Smead Center was formally dedicated in April of 2003.

The agency sold two care homes and with the proceeds refurbished the remaining four homes. Seeing the need for more client participation in their programming choices, the agency developed the Case Management Division which greatly improved services to all clients.

While the annual Touching the Stars fundraising event generated more income every year, state budget cuts for tuition funding caused the re-organization of programs. Sadly, the Magic Muffin Café and Bakery was closed, except for day program lunches.

Arc Ventura County constantly strives to improve programs and services for its clients. Verification of our dedication to excellence was evidenced by the Ojai Enrichment Center being cited by American Prospect Magazine as "a model of what community care can be at its best." Condominiums were purchased in Simi Valley to initiate a historically successful Training for Independent Living Program for East County.

We welcome the challenges that lie ahead as we continue our commitment to our mission statement: to improve the quality of life for those we serve.

Our agency has proven to be a leader in the field of services for the developmentally disabled. Innovative programs combined with dedicated board members and staff will keep Arc Ventura County the standard of excellence for many years to come.