Celebrating Over 70 Years of Service!

Our mission has been simple but powerful for over seven decades: To empower individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families to have quality lives through information, support, and opportunity. Our journey has been shaped by the incredible individuals we serve, the dedicated employees who make a difference daily, and the generous community that has stood beside us.

Today in Ouachita Parish, those with intellectual and other developmental disabilities are living LARGE, enjoying the fullness of their natural communities, having supports that bring joy and give meaning to their lives. Families have help in addressing the unique needs of their members. Communities are growing in acceptance and inclusion โ€“ and expectation! This accomplishment, rooted in the self-help efforts of three families of children with developmental disabilities meeting in the West Monroe family home of Ike and Shirley Hamilton in 1954, shows that a few people, believing in and supporting the goodness of their communities, can change the world around them for the better!

OUR JOURNEY CONTINUES. JOIN US!

As we look to the future, we invite new friends and supporters to Join Our Journey. Whether through volunteering, advocacy, or financial contributions, you can help us continue building a world where everyone is valued, included, and empowered.

Discover more about ARCO and the impactful services we provide by exploring our website. Stay connected by signing up for our quarterly e-newsletterโ€”a heartfelt celebration of our community and the incredible individuals with intellectual disabilities who inspire us every day.

JOIN OUR JOURNEY!

ARCO, A Community Resource, is The Arc of Ouachita

13440000

+ HOURS OF SERVICE

70

+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

114

+ STAFF MEMBERS

8

+ PARISHES SERVED

ARCO SPOTLIGHT

Please join us in welcoming Stalando Butcher as the new Executive Director of ARCO, A Community Resource!

Stalanda officially assumed the role on July 1 and brings more than 20 years of experience, a heart for serving others, and a passion for empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are excited for the future and the opportunities ahead under her leadership.

We invite our community, families, staff, and partners to join us in congratulating Stalanda on this exciting new chapter!

Latest Facebook Posts

ARCO, A Community Resource

1 day 20 hours ago

๐Ÿงก๐Ÿ’œ ITโ€™S ALMOST TIME FOR SKELETONS ON TOWER! ๐Ÿ’€๐ŸŽƒ Join us this Thursday, October 1st at 9 AM for the Rib-Bone Cutting kicking off this

ARCO, A Community Resource

1 week 5 days ago

Yesterdayโ€™s Leadership Collaboration Meeting was full of teamwork, laughter, and a little friendly competition! ๐Ÿงฉ๐Ÿ˜‚ We also celebrated our fearless leader Stalanda Butcherโ€™s birthday! ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ’

ARCO, A Community Resource

1 week 6 days ago

Hard work deserves to be celebrated! ๐Ÿ’™ Just a few of the many incredible people in our Supported Employment program who show up, work hard,

ARCO, A Community Resource

1 week 6 days ago

Itโ€™s officially spooky season! ๐Ÿ’€๐ŸŽƒ Skeletons on Tower kicks off October 1st! So excited to see what our community comes up with this year! ๐Ÿฆด๐Ÿ‘ป

ARCO, A Community Resource

1 week 6 days ago

๐Ÿ’€๐ŸŽƒ Itโ€™s almost that time!! Skeletons on Tower is celebrating YEAR 5! ๐Ÿฆด October 1st is right around the corner, and we canโ€™t wait to