About Us: History

Growing to meet need

This year, the organization that began in 1961 as a volunteer parent support group will touch the lives of more than 2,000 individuals. The Arc is the oldest and largest non-profit organization that provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Howard County. From our experienced professional staff to our skilled job coaches and dedicated residential counselors, The Arc is people helping people in the most fundamental ways.

Since its inception nearly 50 years ago, The Arc has grown from a small group of parents to one of the county’s largest employers. Today, we have more than 250 staff members and hundreds of volunteers. But there’s one thing that hasn't changed. We still provide individual services, one-on-one, from one person to another.