AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC.

AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC. Dubuque Area Residential Care (DARC) and the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT began Iowa's first classes for the "educable and trainable" mentally handicapped in 1954. There were three teachers who volunteered. (1)

DARC founded the Opportunity Center sheltered workshop in 1963. This was a place of productive work beyond school age. It was later renamed the Alois and Mabel HOFFMAN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER. (2)

ARC is a private, nonprofit corporation established on August 18, 1968, to provide services to mentally handicapped people living in Dubuque, Jackson, Delaware, Clayton, and Jones counties. (3) Much of the credit for the beginning of the organization has been given to Ann Ginder who approached Reverend Thomas RHOMBERG with the idea of a residential place able to care for the children for life. Rev. Rhomberg, director of CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE began the process of convincing the Catholic Charities board. (4) The original site of Area Residential Care was the old ST. MARY'S ORPHAN HOME. (5)

Based on the belief that the handicapped have the right to live a life as close to normal as possible, ARC services provide work training, alternative interest day programs, sheltered workshops, dormitory treatment center, group homes in Dubuque, and supervised apartment living. Among the support programs offered are behavior modification, speech, music and recreational therapy, occupational, social work, and nursing. (6)

Wayne Nielsen, the first director, left after two years, and Edward Skarnulis became the executive director. Several interim directors followed him until the appointment of Gary L. WARNER on July 1, 1972. (7)

Warner envisioned community living homes and apartments and stressed the importance of vocational training that began at the facility on Kaufmann Avenue. A workshop was also opened on Central Avenue. The recognition of the fine work done by ARC led to the need for expanded facilities. The Vocational Services Center was moved to the building formerly used by the Brown Publishing plant on South Locust and later to 2455 Kerper Boulevard. (8)

In 1973 the first community living home was opened at 1335 University Avenue. The first organized opposition to the selection of a home came with protests against a home on Broadway. This site, however, was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Adeline Home site, scheduled to be the seventh group home in Dubuque, also met with opposition. The first campers arrived at Albrecht Acres that summer. (9)

In 1981 the Zoning Board of Adjustment faced with opposition from many homeowners in the area denied permission to establish the home. (10) This led Thomas J. JOCHUM to sponsor legislation exempting homes for the mentally handicapped from needing Planning and Zoning approval. (11) In 1983 the Board of Adjustment gave its permission. (12)

Accreditation, another of Warner's goals was achieved in February 1982 when Area Residential Care, Inc., of Dubuque became Iowa's first facility having full accredited residential and vocational programs for the developmentally disabled. The Accreditation Council for Services for Mentally Retarded and Other Developmentally Disabled Persons rated the ARC center at 2909 Kaufmann Avenue. Council accreditation, a voluntary process, called for the agency to complete a self-assessment of its compliance with council standards. Four days followed in which operations of the center were evaluated by two examiners from the council. (13)

The budget of ARC grew from $25,000 in 1968 to $4,300,000 in July 1988, with an economic impact of $12,928,884 to the community. In 1985 ARC ranked as the eleventh largest business in Dubuque in terms of number of employees. (14)

In 1997 Gary Warner retired from his position with ARC. His successor as chief executive officer was Jon E. Romaine, director of vocational services, following a nationwide search. Romaine had been the coordinator of handicapped services for Iowa Central Community College and the coordinator of client services at work adjustment specialist at Iowa Central Industrial, Fort Dodge. He held a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a master of science degree in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. (15)

ARC lacked in 2002 a handicap accessible apartment facility for adults who needed some assistance and hope to build a nearly $2 million complex. To accomplish this, the organization requested the city to designate a parcel of land between Kennedy Circle and Key Way Drive as an urban revitalization district. Questions arose among council members, however, about whether the use of the designation, usually reserved for stimulating redevelopment of blighted areas, was appropriate. (16) Difficulties were settled and ground was broken for the 16-unit, two-story apartment building on Kennedy Circle. When completed the building would provide affordable housing for twenty-four people with disabilities and limited income. (17)

On September 25, 2011, Area Residential Care had an insert placed in the Telegraph Herald outlining its history. The following is the information provided:

              1968--On August 18, the agency opens its doors for the first 
              time and 20 children move into Kaufmann from Woodward State 
              Hospital

              1973--The Agency purchases 2909 Kaufmann from the 
              ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE and the Vocational Services Center 
              opened its doors for the first time on Central Avenue.

              1974--The University Group Home opens as the first licensed 
              home.

              1975--In May, the Vocational Services Center moved from Central 
              Avenue to South Locust Street.

              1980--The Delaware County Vocational Services Center opens its 
              doors in Manchester.

              1983--The Agency started offering apartment services in the 
              fall.

              1984-The Vocational Services Center moved from South Locust 
              to Kerper Blvd.

              1987--In November the Becker Community Living Home opened 
              as the first "waiver" home where some of the licensing 
              regulations are waived.

              1991--In June the Howard Community Living Home opened in 
              Manchester.

              1992--The Agency opened its first three Intermediate Care 
              Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation licensed 
              homes.

              1993--The Agency purchased its first apartment building 
              at Pasadena.

              1994--In August the Kennedy Community Living Home opened 
              and the residential program at Kaufmann ended.

              1995--In July the agency began offering a retirement 
              program.

              1998--In August the Pennsylvania Community Living Home 
              became the first Home and Community Based Services home.  
              In December the agency's main administration offices moved 
              from 2909 Kaufmann to Roosevelt Street Extension off of 
              Kerper.

              1999--In March the Consumer Advisory Council stated meeting.

              2001--In November the apartment program expanded its services 
              in include Dyersville and an apartment complex was opened 
              there.  The first annual Corporate & Community Games were 
              held during the Dragonboat Festival. In 2015 nearly 700
              people took part in the fundraiser games. (18)

              2004--The apartment complex at Kennedy Circle was build and 
              opened.

              2005--In August the agency adopted a new official logo.  
              In December the community living home opened in Dyersville.

              2011--The Roosevelt Business Office and Dubuque Vocational 
              Service Center combined under one roof at Kennedy Circle.  
              The Adult Day Center program opened to the public early in 
              the fall.

              During the 2000s the affiliation with United Way and ARC of 
              US and Iowa were dropped. A new organization, "ARK Advocates" 
              was started and by-laws were adopted. (19)

See: DUBUQUE COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS, INC.

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Source:

1. Fryxell, David, "Dubuque County Group Finds Out 'Caring' Is a Together Word," Telegraph Herald, November 3, 1983, p. 7

2. Ibid.

3. Schmeichel, W L. (Roy) In Retrospect: A Thirty Year History of Dubuque County Association for Retarded Citizens," Unpublished history provided by Carole and Paul Porter, 2016

4. Gross, Kate. "Trio Helps Fill Service Void," Telegraph Herald, June 30, 2005, p. 1

5. Fryxell

6. Schmeichel

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid.

9. Fryxell

10. Kraske, Steve. "Wounds Heal on Adeline After Row with ARC," Telegraph Herald, January 27, 1985, p. 23

11. Gross

12. Kraske

13. Gross

14. Ibid.

15. "ARC Has New Director," Telegraph Herald, October 4, 1997, p. 5A, Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19971004&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

16. Coyle, Erin. "Area Residential Care Seeks Revitalization District," Telegraph Herald, November 11, 2002, p 1

17. Hogstrom, Erik. "New Complex a Blessing for Disabled," Telegraph-Herald, October 28, 2003, p. 3A

18. Montgomery, Jeff. "Business Teams Have a Load of Fun," Telegraph Herald, June 19, 2015, p. 5

19. ARK Advocates|About Us: History Website