The Arc of Southside

Our Mission

The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

Our Vision

The Arc of Southside will be the premier organization in Southside Virginia advocating for the rights and choices of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and transforming our community into one that respects the diverse abilities of all people.

About Us

The Arc of Southside is a local chapter of The Arc of Virginia and The Arc of the US, founded in 1954 to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of Southside has changed dramatically over the past several years, shifting from a traditional facility-based model to an inclusive community-based model of support, currently serving over 100 adults and children in Danville, VA and the surrounding area. Driven by a passion to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities striving for a fully inclusive life in the community, The Arc of Southside provides fully inclusive and person-centered residential, recreational, vocational, and transitional services. We are a diverse team of dedicated individuals who are passionate about serving and empowering children and adults to live their most fulfilling and independent lives. We live by a Person First, Person Centered value system to create meaningful lives for the people we serve and each other.

Community Engagement - We support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to do the things they enjoy. This may mean providing transportation, exploring new experiences, helping to build connections and relationships with others who enjoy the same things, or any other need.

Community Living - We support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community by providing support and assistance in all areas of daily living such as budgeting, cooking, cleaning, personal care and community access.

Employment - We support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to obtain and maintain competitive employment in the community.

Transition - Through a partnership with Pittsylvania County Schools, the program is designed to help youth with developmental disabilities to prepare and transition into work and adult life after they graduate. Offered during academic school days to students in grades 9-12, Students can attend full or part time, based on the needs and stated goals in their Individual Education Plan (IEP). Students of the program spend half their day in classroom instruction and half in experiential learning time.