About the Arc

Mission

Arc of Onondaga assists individuals with developmental disabilities achieve their fullest potential.

Vision

All people with developmental disabilities will be respected, contributing citizens who will achieve their fullest potential for independence and inclusion in the community.

About Arc of Onondaga

In 1951, a group of concerned parents got together to ensure that their children received the best educational and social services possible.  Since then, Arc of Onondaga has been providing quality programs for people with developmental disabilities of all ages. 

Arc of Onondaga is the largest provider of services to people with developmental disabilities in Onondaga County: serving 3,000 individuals and their families and employing over 500 people.  With over 40 different sites throughout Central New York, Arc provides a wide array of services including day habilitation, clinical services and recreation programs.  It runs over 20 individual community residential homes throughout the county - helping those we serve lead independent, inclusive lives - and operates two major subsidiaries: Parkside Children’s Center, an early intervention preschool, and Monarch, a vocational program and outsourcing company with corporate partners throughout the region. 

A true community-based organization, Arc thrives on community involvement and inclusion, as well as relying on community membership to build its base of support.  Its program participants volunteer hundreds of hours in the community each year in support of a wide variety of organizations and causes.

Arc of Onondaga Foundation

The Arc of Onondaga Foundation was established to ensure the financial future of the agency by securing community support. The Foundation’s efforts help to guarantee that comprehensive services of the highest quality will always be available for future generations. The Arc of Onondaga Foundation was formed in 2002 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, duly registered with the United States Internal Revenue Service and the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau.

The Foundation builds community support through individual contributions, planned giving and special events. Support for the Arc of Onondaga Foundation is a powerful statement of involvement, compassion and commitment to people with developmental disabilities. Those who give lead by example and provide the motivation for others to follow; promoting hope for a life of inclusion, independence and productivity for all individuals.

The Arc of Onondaga Foundation is a separate entity from Arc of Onondaga and is led by its own, active Board of Directors. The Foundation hosts the annual Arc Achievement Awards Dinner each June and Arc Race in September, as well as other fundraising events and campaigns throughout the year.