1953 - Successful First Year Council
In January, parents of children with Mental Retardation in Lima came together to enhance the lives of their children focusing on education and independence. With contributors, such as the local chapter of the sorority Beta Sigma Phi, they were able to accomplish private funding for an entire year making them eligible for state funding.

The Allen County Council for Retarded Children was recognized as the most accomplished council in their first year of operation at the Ohio State Convention in Columbus, June 6.

On September 21, the first class opened at St. Marks United Methodist Church. Ten Children attended the class with one teacher and one assistant.

In the fall, with all proceeds benefiting Allen County's children with Mental Retardation, area council members sold Christmas cards, greeting cards and distributed seals to spirit financial assistance from the community to begin a second class.

The money to operate a second class was obtained and a place was needed where both classrooms could mutually use new equipment. The Knights of Pythia, Lodge 19, became aware of the need and undertook the project to build a four-room school on Collett Street.

1955 - First Ohio School For the MR/DD
On October 16, named after Dale Evans' and Roy Rogers' daughter, "The Robin Rogers' School" opened with 43 students enrolled. It was the first private building in Ohio to be planned, designed and constructed for special training of children with severe mental retardation.

1956 - A United Way Agency
On September 16, the United Way launched its first Lima campaign to support community and social agencies. This included the Allen County Council for Retarded Children.

By September, The Robin Rogers' School had 51 students enrolled and was again in need of expansion. The community responded with over $23,000 dollars to build an additional structure at the rear of school.

1958 - Children Bussed
In September, 25 children were bussed from outside the Lima city limits. This first school bus was donated by the Lima Junior Service League.

1961 - 1963 - New Control - New Name - New Act
The Child Welfare Department took charge of the school program in 1961. In 1963 they renamed it Marimor after the Association for Retarded Children's first teacher Mary Iva Moore. The school's mission was to provide an opportunity for education, training, employment and supportive services promotion growth and integration for persons with developmental disabilities into community life as first-class citizens.

1968 - Board Meets - Workshop Incorporated
On January 11, 1968 the Allen County Board of MR/DD held their first meeting. On July 11, the Marimor workshop was incorporated.

1971 - Day Care and First Group Home
On January 1, at First United Methodist Church, a day care for children with MR/DD opened. In November, the first group home was purchased and housed five male adults.

1973 - Day Care Moves to School
In December, the day care moved to the Robin Rogers School on Collet Street where it continues to operate today.

1974 - New Name, New Director - Another Home
In May, Mary Ann Brown was named the first executive director. The council would no longer be call The Association for Retarded Children, but The Association for Retarded Citizens.

It was through Mary Ann Brown's vision that the board undertook residential group living. A second home for female residents was purchased in June.

1975 - The Association Goes Camping
The Association purchased a camp facility of 38 acres and a pond. The camp is used for summer day camp and week-end camping programs. The grounds were developed with picnic shelters, a swimming pool, accommodations for both male and female camping programs, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and a large hall.

1984 - Mary Ann Brown Facility/HUD Loan
A 32-bed Intermediate Care Facility for those with severe Mental Retardation was dedicated on Mandolin Drive. The facility was named after Mary Ann Brown.

Later in the year, the first HUD loan was granted to the Association for two, seven-bedroom homes with a three-room apartment for house parents. These were the first coed housing units.

1990-1993 - New Facilities
A new 26-unit apartment building was constructed for semi-independent living.

Late in 1990, Mary Ann Brown left as executive director of the Association and became housing director of the HUD facilities.

In 1993, the Association acquired two additional four-bedroom homes, one for male residents the other for females. The Association now owned five residential homes.

1995 - 1996 - Brown Retries/New Management
In 1995 Mary Ann Brown retired. However, her dedication to the MR/DD continues on through volunteerism.

Champaign Residential Services, Inc. (CRSI) took over management of all residential facilities in 1997.

1997 - A New Beginning
Now fully divested of residential services management, The Arc of Allen County developed a new direction through a series of town hall meetings and a strategic planning process. Programming, resource development and management, quality assurance and personal and legislative advocacy were all enhanced through this process.

In accordance with our national affiliate, The Arc of the United States , the association began doing business as The Arc of Allen County.

2000 - Day Care Becomes Licensed
After several years of hard work, the Robin Rogers Day Service program was officially licensed with the Ohio Department of Human Services (now the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services). This enabled the program to contract with the local Allen County Department of Job and Family Services and the Allen County Children Services Board. It also opened up opportunities for grants and college internships, while increasing our commitment to health and safety of the children we serve.

2003 - Fifty Year Aniversary and Camp Accreditation
After several years of program enhancement at the Camp, The Arc of Allen County sought and received accreditation with the American Camp Association, the nation's premiere leader in quality camp programming.

The year of 2003 also marked half a century's worth of commitment to our community's children and adults with Mental Retardation and other Developmental Disabilities. Allen County can be proud of its leadership in all MR/DD programs. Our consumers are offered some of the best programs in the state and The Arc remains a powerful voice in personal and legislative advocacy.

The Arc of Allen County also continues to be a membership organization, where the collective voice and unconditional support of parents, family members and friends is integral to the success and future of human rights, personal dignity, and full participation of people with disabilities in our community.