Our Mission
...To provide support, training and opportunities to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve the greatest degree of independence and productivity and becoming contributing, responsible, and proud members of society ....To support families of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by enhancing the quality of life for all family members.

Our Vision
The Arc of Hunterdon County envisions:

• A community in which parents of every newborn child with intellectual and developmental disabilities, experience understanding, ready assistance, and hope for a bright future.
• A community that accepts children with disabilities into its schools, its playgrounds, its friendships, its celebrations. - A community that houses and provides places to work for all of its citizens.
• A community that accepts the gifts and talents of people with disabilities, valuing the indispensable role they play.
• A community that respects each of its members as part of the human family.

Our Beliefs

• Each person we support is unique, possessing gifts that enrich the community.

• A person grows by realizing self-chosen goals. -
• Employment is for most people a desirable and achievable goal.
• Supports are more highly valued by the degree to which they are provided in natural settings in the community.
• Our efforts are focused on supporting and challenging the strengths of those we serve, not on remedying the effects of their disabilities.
• In providing supports we function as a team, relying on the strengths and gifts of all team members, including the person we serve.

Arc of Hunterdon History
In 1954 parents and friends of children and adults with mental retardation began to meet in the auditorium of the Hunterdon Medical Center. In July 1955 the Constitution of By-Laws of the Unit were adopted. The Unit was granted its first charter in March 1956 and was incorporated in June 1967.

• Early activities of the Unit included offering scholarships to teachers going into special education, opening the "Happy Day Nursery" at the Flemington Presbyterian Church, establishment of a Day Training program for children and an Adult Activity Program, recreational programs, publishing a newsletter, holiday visits to state developmental centers, creation of "Teen Canteen," organization of Boy Scout troops, and development of plans for the future Center for Educational Advancement
• During the 1980s the Unit developed four group homes and expanded its adult training and recreation programs.
• In 1992 the Unit amended its name to become The Arc of Hunterdon County, Inc. It expanded its supports for families. In 1994 The Arc embarked upon a sustained effort to transition its adult activity and residential programs to inclusive and community-based supports.