About Us
Since 1952, The Arc of Mercer County has been a leading provider of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Our Mission
To provide advocacy and comprehensive support to persons with disabilities that empower them in all aspects of life.
Our Organization
We are a 501(c)3, tax exempt, non-profit corporation dedicated to providing services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Governed by a Board of Directors, we are a chapter of The Arc of Pennsylvania and The Arc of the United States, the nation's largest volunteer-based organization devoted to issues affecting people with disabilities. As a member of these organizations, we provide unparalleled opportunities for those with disabilities, educate the public about disabilities and promote the betterment of services offered to those with disabilities. The Arc is the parent organization to a family of private, non-profit organizations. This family consists of MCAR, The Arc Foundation, MCRA and Fairfields, Inc.
MCAR
provides a wide range of services to adults with disabilities
THE ARC FOUNDATION
provides special needs planning resources for families while also supporting The Arc and MCAR through private and public donations, fundraisers and grant funding
MCRA
provides transitional rehabilitative work for disabled individuals with occupationally related injuries
FAIRFIELDS, INC.
manages MCAR's rural property and homes
Executive Management
Lyndsey Vogan
Chief Executive
Officer
Atlasia Matthews
Chief Operating Officer
Brian Engelmore
Human Resource
Director
Katie Bodien
IT Director
Michelle Kerr
Accounting Supervisor
Our History
Since its humble beginnings in 1952, The Arc of Mercer County has striven to advocate and provide services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 1952, our nonprofit organization has expanded to include not only educational opportunities, but also residential and vocational opportunities.
1952
in the spring of 1952, in Sharon, Pennsylvania a small group of mothers advocated for better education for their mentally disabled children
1952
in June of 1952, these women were recognized by the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children as the Mercer County chapter
1952
three months later opened a Day Care Training Center for young children with special needs, one of the first schools of its kind in northwest Pennsylvania
1956
began offering services for young adults with disabilities and became known as the Mercer County Association for the Retarded
1973
after initiating a Residential Program in 1971, MCAR opened its first group home for 12 women, the largest single facility MCAR has operated
1978
opened its first small home for formally institutionalized individuals and continued opening homes until the middle of 1979
1996
MCAR revised its structure into a family of nonprofit subsidiaries with the parent company established as The Arc of Mercer County
1996
MCAR changed its name to MCAR, Inc. - it is no longer an acronym and its letters no longer stand for any words
2018
today, The Arc of Mercer County and its subsidiaries are recognized as the largest, oldest and leading nonprofit organization in Mercer County serving families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
OUR SERVICES
We provide unparalleled opportunities for employment, housing, older adult care, transitioning and vocational training. We also offer unconditional support through advocacy efforts and family services.
GET INVOLVED
Whether it's becoming a member or donating a monetary gift, help us raise awareness and create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are a number of different ways to get involved with The Arc of Mercer County.
DONATE
Help us continue to provide services that improve the quality of life for people with special needs.