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The Arc of Ventura County

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The Arc of Ventura County

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Empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1954. Achieve with us.

The Arc of Ventura County promotes and protects the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through services that actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community.

10/23/2026

🎃🍂 From the Pumpkin Patch to Pumpkin Masterpieces! 🎨👻

Our friends at Arcade Day Program have been making the most of the fall season, and the Halloween festivities are in full swing!

Last week, a group headed out to Underwood Family Farms for a picture-perfect autumn adventure! 🚜🌻 Everyone enjoyed a scenic hayride, explored the farm, and picked out their very own pumpkins to bring home. Of course, no outing is complete without some good food and great company, so the group enjoyed lunch together in the picnic area, with the refreshing misters providing some much-appreciated relief from the sunshine! ☀️

But the fun didn’t stop at the farm!

This week, those pumpkins got a serious makeover as participants broke out the paints and brushes to transform their picks into one-of-a-kind works of art! 🎨🎃 From colorful designs to imaginative creations, everyone had the opportunity to express their own unique style and creativity.

We love seeing an outing turn into an opportunity for even more fun back at the program! It’s all about making memories, getting creative, spending time with friends, and celebrating the season together. 🧡

Halloween is almost here, and our Arcade crew is more than ready! 👻🎃

10/22/2026

🎬🌟 Lights, Camera, INCLUSION! A Special Movie Premiere! 💙

The Arc of Ventura County is excited to help spread the word about Rise and Shine, an inspiring new feature film coming to theaters this weekend, featuring actress Ana Sharp in a starring role!

Based on a true story, Rise and Shine follows Terri Ledbetter, a young woman with cerebral palsy and a developmental disability who dreams of attending high school for the first time, making a friend, and going to prom. It’s a heartfelt story about friendship, determination, belonging, and the importance of having the opportunity to pursue your dreams. ❤️

What makes this film especially meaningful is its commitment to authentic disability representation. Ana, who also lives with cerebral palsy and a developmental disability, portrays Terri alongside acclaimed Broadway performers Rachel Bay Jones and Danny Burstein. The film also features several other actors with disabilities in prominent roles.

🎥 SEE IT LOCALLY!

📍 AMC Theatres, Thousand Oaks
📅 October 23–28, 2026

Following its theatrical release, Rise and Shine is also scheduled to become available on the Angel streaming platform.

At The Arc of Ventura County, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to follow their dreams, share their talents, and see themselves represented on the big screen. Films like Rise and Shine help bring those stories to audiences everywhere.

🍿 Grab some popcorn, bring your friends and family, and come support this wonderful film! Let’s celebrate inclusive storytelling and the talented actors bringing these important stories to life!

10/21/2026

🎬🍿💙 A Special Movie Outing in Ojai!

Erik, Adrian, and Erik’s mom, Maxine, recently enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Ojai Playhouse to see Take Me Home, a moving film that explores family, disability, independence, and the importance of having a voice in shaping your own future.

And the experience came with an extra-special surprise! 🌟

While at the theater, the group had the opportunity to meet the film’s director, Liz Sargent, and snap a photo together, making an already meaningful outing even more memorable! 📸👏

Take Me Home carries a message that resonates deeply with our mission at The Arc of Ventura County—celebrating individuality, strengthening family connections, and recognizing the importance of inclusion and self-determination.

Great movies, great company, and a chance to meet the filmmaker herself—now that’s a movie outing to remember! 💙🎥

10/16/2026

On Fridays, we wear pink! 💗

Buddy from our Ojai Enrichment program is reminding us that every Friday throughout October, The Arc of Ventura County is wearing pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Together, we stand with those facing breast cancer, celebrate survivors, honor those we’ve lost, and support the families and loved ones affected. Thank you, Buddy, for helping spread awareness! 🎀

10/16/2026

💙👏 Happy National Boss’s Day to the incredible leaders of The Arc of Ventura County! 🎉

From our executive leadership team to our program managers and supervisors, today we’re celebrating the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes—and right alongside their teams—to make our mission possible every single day!

Pictured here is Alicia, Program Manager at Walker Street, who consistently goes above and beyond for both our participants and staff. Whether she’s lending a helping hand, finding creative solutions, or simply making sure everyone feels supported and appreciated, Alicia leads with heart, dedication, and a whole lot of care! 💙

Great leadership is about more than managing a program. It’s about inspiring others, building strong teams, creating opportunities, and leading by example.

To Alicia and all the amazing leaders throughout The Arc of Ventura County, THANK YOU for your hard work, compassion, and commitment to the people we support and the staff who make it all happen.

We appreciate you today and every day! 🙌💙

10/15/2026

🎃🍂 Fall Fun at the Camarillo Library! 📚👻

Our friends at the Camarillo Public Library are at it again, bringing creativity, learning, and plenty of fun to participants from The Arc of Ventura County!

Each month, the library hosts a special event welcoming participants from our various Arc programs, and October’s gathering was all about fall festivities and Halloween fun! 🎃🧡

Participants enjoyed a variety of seasonal activities, including Halloween-themed word searches, arts and crafts, movies, and a fun sensory guessing game where they reached into mystery bags and tried to identify what was inside using only their sense of touch! 👀✋

It was a wonderful opportunity to get creative, try something new, spend time with friends, and enjoy a little Halloween magic together!

A huge THANK YOU to the Camarillo Public Library for continuing to welcome our participants and provide these engaging monthly experiences. Community partnerships like this help create meaningful opportunities for connection, learning, and inclusion. 💙

We’re already looking forward to next month’s adventure! 📚✨

10/13/2026

❤️ Project R Kicks Off the 2026–2027 School Year!

New school year, same powerful message: Words Matter. Kindness Matters. Inclusion Matters. 💙

Our incredible Project R self-advocates kicked off the 2026–2027 school year with two inspiring days of presentations at Rio Mesa High School! 🎓👏

Through personal stories and lived experiences, our advocates shared how the hurtful use of the “R-word” has affected their lives, while also highlighting their accomplishments, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the importance of never allowing a disability to define who someone is or what they can achieve.

Project R is more than a presentation—it’s a grassroots movement led by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are using their own voices to challenge stereotypes, encourage empathy, and inspire a more inclusive future.

By sharing their stories directly with students, our advocates remind the next generation that words have power. The words we choose can hurt, but they can also uplift, empower, and bring people together. ❤️

A huge THANK YOU to Rio Mesa High School for welcoming Project R and giving our self-advocates the opportunity to make meaningful connections with students!

Here’s to another school year of changing hearts, challenging assumptions, and spreading kindness—one classroom at a time! 🙌💙

10/12/2026

🎃🍂 Pumpkin patches, fall vibes, and a little Halloween magic! 👻

Halloween is just around the corner, and our Arc programs are getting into the spooky spirit with one of our favorite fall traditions—visiting the pumpkin patch! 🎃

Our friends from Walker Street recently enjoyed an absolutely idyllic day out on the patch, soaking up the beautiful fall weather and searching for that perfect pumpkin to transform into a jack-o’-lantern! 🍁☀️

Of course, picking the perfect pumpkin is serious business! Big ones, little ones, round ones, funny-shaped ones—there’s a pumpkin out there for everyone, and half the fun is finding the one that’s just right. 🎃

There’s something special about spending a beautiful autumn day outdoors, enjoying the season, making memories, and sharing a few laughs with friends.

Fall looks pretty good on our Walker Street crew! 🍂🧡

10/09/2026

💙🌟 Spreading the Power of Person-Centered Practices!

The Arc of Ventura County’s very own Director of Clinical Services, Paula Johnson, has been making the rounds, sharing her passion for person-centered practices and inspiring others to embrace a powerful message: Everyone deserves a voice in shaping their own life!

Paula recently presented at the Government and Disability Summit and the California Gathering, connecting with families, advocates, educators, and professionals committed to inclusion, self-determination, and meaningful support.

Her presentation, “Create Your Village / Direct Your Journey: From Concern to Connection,” draws from her own personal experience navigating the delicate intersection of professional knowledge and family relationships.

Through her experience discussing an autism diagnosis with her niece, Paula shared how sensitive conversations can become opportunities for connection and support. Her approach emphasizes the “3 T’s”—Timing, Tone, and Trust—to help families turn difficult conversations into meaningful plans for the future. 💙

And there’s a personal touch behind the presentation’s logo! Paula designed it with input from her great-nephew Ricky, incorporating two of his favorite things: dinosaurs and race cars! 🦖🏎️ A wonderful reminder that person-centered practices begin with listening to what matters most to each individual.

One of the photos also features Audrey, Ricky’s big sister and support sibling, highlighting the important role families play in building circles of support.

We are incredibly proud of Paula for sharing her knowledge, experiences, and passion beyond The Arc of Ventura County.

Keep spreading the message, Paula! The energy is growing, and we love to see it! 👏💙

10/08/2026

✨ DAF Day is October 8! ✨

If you have a Donor-Advised Fund, DAF Day is the perfect opportunity to recommend a grant to The Arc of Ventura County and help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pursue lives of choice, purpose, and pride.

Join supporters nationwide in putting charitable dollars to work on this national day of giving.

Click here to learn more and recommend a grant today...
https://partner.freewill.com/smartgiving/thearcofventuracounty/daf/donor?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=eblast&utm_campaign=202610_thearcofventuracounty_eoy

Thank you for your support of The Arc of Ventura County!

Address

5103 Walker Street
Ventura, CA
93003

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18056508611

Website

http://www.arcvc.org/

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