The Beginning
Jean Peterson places an ad in local newspaper to find parents of persons with developmental disabilities (mental retardation).
Parents of persons with developmental disabilities met in homes.
Louise Shefelbine visits the booth of newly formed MN Association Retarded while at the Minnesota State Fair. She picks up literature to bring back home.
Parents begin a school in rented space in local halls or churches for 5 children.
1955-1959
The Olmsted Association for the Retarded is incorporated in 1955 with 13 members and was accepted as a chapter by the State Association in June.
The National Association approved Olmsted membership in 1956.
In 1957, public education is made mandatory for individuals identified as trainable. Parents receive no encouragement from local officials when they request public education for individuals called trainable.
Fund raising activities include candy, bake and rummage sales.
Local association works to improve condition at state institutions.
The name of the organization was changed to Olmsted Association for Retarded Children. (OARC)
1960-1964
Major concern of all members is the deplorable conditions at the state institutions.
1962 - First financial support received from the United Way.
Olmsted Day Activity Center (DAC) opened with 12 students at the old Bamber Valley School in 1962. In 1964 the DAC becomes independent of OARC.
An adult recreation program is started with one card table, 3 packs of construction paper and a basement of a church.
1965-1969
Membership in 1965 reaches 24.
Volunteers help the DAC move to the campus of the Rochester State Hospital.
A recreation program for adults with a part time director is started.
Once again volunteers of the ARC help the DAC move, this time to Assisi Heights.
DAC becomes independent of the OARC.
Youth ARC is formed as result over 85 young people become involved in the movement.
1970-1974
Meetings are held to discuss housing situation for adults with developmental disabilities. OARC opens its first group home (Sixth Street House) in 1976.
Parents meet to investigate housing for children with severe disabilities. As a result Hiawatha Children's Home opens in 1976.
OARC hold its first poinsettia sale and realizes a profit of $111.00.
For the first time there is a Holiday Bazaar, Appreciation Dinner, and Blue Book.
1975-1979
In 1975, membership reaches 108.
Rochester Park and Recreation Department hires a Director of Recreation for the Handicapped and takes over the adult recreation program.
First sweet corn sale is held.
Part-time Executive Director (Ann Ferguson) is hired.
1980-1984
Complaint filed against Rochester School District 535 for failure to provide a continuum of services for people with handicaps. As a result new classrooms are established the following year.
Elizabeth (Buff) Hennessey is hired as a full time executive director.
Group homes committee becomes independent of OARC and adopts the name Olmsted ARC Homes Inc. with Ann Ferguson as the director.
Olmsted Arc begins to shift towards systems advocacy, family support and consumer services.
The chapter adopts the new name of Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC).
1985-1989
OARC Homes becomes Bear Creek Services.
The People First organization is started as a self advocacy movement.
Participation in task force to provide advocacy, training and consultation in technology to people with disabilities starts.
1990-1995
In 1991, People Achieving Changing Through Technology (PACTT) is established.
Olmsted Association for Retarded Citizens becomes Arc Olmsted.
ARC Olmsted and five other county chapters sign an agreement to enter in a collaborative effort to provide service to people with developmental disability more effectively.
PACTT is turned over to the Ability Building Center
ARC Olmsted now has 5 professional staff and 3 support staff position.
