The Arc is and always has been about people - people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, parents, friends, family and professionals. In 1952, a group of concerned families and their friends formed an organization they called, "Family and Friends of the Mentally Retarded". In 1953 they joined the National Association for Retarded Citizens and became a local chapter. This movement grew and is now known as The Arc, no longer an acronym by eliminating the word "Retarded". The Arc Muskegon continues to be proudly affiliated with the state and national organization. There are 780 local chapters, with 34 of them in the state of Michigan.

The Arc is a membership organization with a collective member of 140,000 from across the country. The Arc is the largest grassroots organization advocating for people with intellectual (cognitive) and developmental disabilities and their families.

View our strategic plan.
View our Membership/Community Report

Our Board of Directors
Barbara Young, President
Dr. Patrica Townsend, Past President
Tim Michalski, Vice President
Janet Evertsen, Secretary
David Waterstradt, Treasurer
Directors
Emily Michalski, Director
Tom Miller, Director
Rachel Terpstra, Director
Denise Meier, Director
Lori Gomez-Payne, Director

Staff
Margaret O'Toole, Executive Director
Mikki Rosema, Administrative Assistant
Sheila Thorsen, LEAD Coordinator
Karen Lindsay Bowne, Community Living Supports Coordinator
Community Living Supports Staff:
Deyonna Simila Moreno
Shari McCain
Sandy McMillan
Kelly Pierce Hayes