The Arc of North Central Virginia (NCV) began with a handful of parents gathering in Warrenton, Virginia, with a collective desire to advocate beyond their own children to benefit all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in our local community. That small, fiercely passionate, group dedicated themselves to establishing a local chapter of The Arc. Supported by a nationwide network of resources, Arc chapters are known for banding communities together.
Today, The Arc of NCV is thriving as a local chapter of the world’s largest community-based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) serving the counties of Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock. The majority of our board volunteer board of directors are parents of people with IDD who understand from personal experience the blessings and challenges of supporting a child with IDD birth through adulthood. As grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we are supported by individual donors, and public and private sector sponsors.
Our Timeline
- Founded as a non-Profit 501(c)(3) and affiliated with the Arc of the US
- Received first grant funding supporting free swimming lessons at the WARF for people with IDD
- Advocated in support of the Dept of Justice-VA Settlement Agreement moving Virginia from institutional-based support to community-based supports
- Hosted an Open House to advocate for construction of new Warrenton Group Home
- Launched Down Syndrome Awareness License Plate Campaign, Hosted first Family Fun Day at the WARF
- Hosted Family Fun Day at the WARF
- Received a grant from PATH Foundation in partnership with the WARF for installation of an Outdoor Drinking Fountain at the Fun For All Playground -- Hosted Family Fun Day at the WARF in partnership with Families 4 Fauquier
- Received a grant from RRCS to begin the Caregiver Cafe Program in partnership with Aging Together -- Hosted Family Fun Day at the WARF
- Received first major donation supporting hiring of a parttime Executive Director -- Sponsored first FCPS High School Intern
- Hosted two Family Fun Days in Culpeper and Warrenton -- Sponsored FCPS High School Intern -- Published the “We Are More Alike Than Different” disability awareness video
- Established the disAbility Coalition of North Central Virginia -- Launched weekly virtual Lunch Room programming for Self-Advocates
- Launched Arc@Home: Family Celebrations monthly virtual programming for families -- Hired first support staff member -- Launched COSA - Community of Self-Advocates in partnership with RRCS