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The ARC of Utah, a nonprofit that represents and provides opportunities for intellectually-challenged adults, may be closing its doors.
Moving days are often exciting, but at The ARC of Utah offices it's sighs and worries. The organization is more than $70,000 in debt, and donations are down 50 percent.
"It's making it really, really a dire situation for The ARC of Utah and the services provided," said Kathy Scott, interim executive director of The ARC of Utah.
All full-time workers have been laid off; only volunteers oversee numerous programs and drive the trucks that pick up donations.
Terrell Dougan's father and other parents of children with disabilities created the forerunner of ARC. In 1952, there were 30 of them. Today, ARC serves some 4,000.
"These are the people who have brought to Utah, first the day care centers, then sheltered workshops for adults and then the group homes so they have places to live," Dougan said. "They have such a huge, huge history and legacy that they have left this state, that I can't stand to see their doors close."
Mark Smith, who uses ARC's services, says adults with disabilities often have no one else. Losing ARC hurts the people who need that help the most.
"With ARC out of the picture, it's just gonna make it that much more difficult; and I really do believe it's gonna put folks at risk," Smith said.
The ARC of Utah is, for now, taking care of the people it serves. But the question is, for how long?
If you are interested in helping The ARC of Utah with clothing, furniture or holiday donations, click the related link to the right of the story.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
