The Arc Of The Farmington Valley (FAVARH)

MISSION:
The Arc of the Farmington Valley (FAVARH) is an association of people which was founded in 1958 as a non-profit community based human service organization.

We believe that all persons including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, have the inherent right to work, live, and participate in the community and to take part in both the challenges and the opportunities afforded therein.

Our mission is to commit and invest our talents, time and energy so as to support and empower each individual to enjoy a productive and independent life and to achieve his or her personal best.

Description:
Through the main office location in Canton, CT, FAVARH provides the following programs to over 250 persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the Farmington Valley Community and the Greater Hartford region.

• Advocacy
• Individual Program Planning
• Community Experience
• Job Development & Placement
• Opportunities for Older Adults
• Residential Supports
• Recreation & Leisure opportunities
• Respite Care
• Program Management
• Behavior Support
• Nursing Coordination
• Staff Training
• Facility Maintenance
• Clerical Support
  
  

As a membership ogranization (members, program participants, staff, Board, parents and volunteers) The Arc of the Farmington Valley, Inc. (FAVARH) assists people in becoming successfully integrated in the life fabric of the community, becoming tax paying citizens, members of the work force, voters and active participants in the community.

History:
In 1958, concerned parents created the Farmington Valley Association for Retarded Children (now The Arc of the Farmington Valley)for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who needed day care. During the next decade, child care programs expanded to include Arts & Crafts, and, Vocational Services for Adults. In addition, the FAVARH Thrift Shop, located in Avon Village, was created to help support programs, financially, for people with mental retardation. In the seventies, FAVARH's services were expanded to include adults with physical handicaps. New services for adults included the development of the first Food Services Training program in New England; a Clerical/Bindery Training program; a Career Exploration Program; and a Recreation Program. Additional childrens' services included Family Counseling; Project Cope for parents of newly diagnosed infants/children; and an expanded Pre-School Program. In the eighties, FAVARH established its Residential Services Program for adults, opening up three group homes in Simsbury and Avon, for 18 adults, and three apartments for two adults each. In addition, Project Cope was restructured to provide services to 28 towns through the cooperation of community agencies that provided support staff/volunteers. Other programs developed at this time included a Therapeutic Horseback Riding program, a Seniors' Enrichment program and a Horticulture and Leisure program. In 1987, FAVARH's commitment to integrating adult program participants into community work settings, resulted in FAVARH closing its workshop. And, in 1988, FAVARH opened its Community Experience Program. In the nineties, true to its mission of partnership, FAVARH's Board of Directors welcomed its first program participant as a member. In the area of recreation, new programs have been developed or expanded: with area towns for school-based Unified Sports and integrated summer camps; for children's Saturday recreation; and in adult gardening. In addition, participants, staff, and community mentors participate in Special Olympics at a local and international level. Additional expansion has also occurred in the Horticulture for Seniors Program, and the Thrift Shop Treasures Program. In 1996, FAVARH created a new business, Volume Mail Service. Its purpose is to serve the community while also providing employment opportunities for adult participants. In Residential Services, two new group homes wereopened for three adults, each, in Simsbury and Bloomfield. And, the Respite program not only provided needed respite for families, but also served as a State of Connecticut 'Welfare to Work' site to train and employ welfare recipients. In 1998, FAVARH gratefully celebrated 40 years of continuous service to and partnership with our community! In 2000, FAVARH opened another two group homes in West Hartford & Farmington. And, in August 2001, the agency moved to its first permanent headquarters ever, located in Canton, CT!

Contact people:

Christine Clegg, Program Director, (phone), (email) Patricia Nadeau, Program Director, (phone), (email) Ronelle Cipolla, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 860-693-8662

Address:

225 Commerce Drive P.O Box 1099 Canton, CT 06019-1099 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.favarh.org

Directions:

West from Hartford: Take Rt. 44 west through Avon, and into Canton. Turn left on Dowd Ave. Go less than one mile and half miles. Note Adam's IGA grocery store on right. Take left onto Commerce Drive. FAVARH first. . . (more) For maps or information, please see http://www.cttransit.com/

Last updated on July 17, 2009