DOWNEY -- Arc of Southeast Los Angeles County is an organization that devotes itself to providing services for the developmentally disabled. Arc works to ensure that the lives of the disabled and their families can both live an ordinary life.With over 400 children and adults from many different cities in the Southeast Los Angeles County involved in the organization, Arc manages to provide various interesting programs to their consumers. Each program teaches their consumers how to live their lives as normal as possible even with their disability. They run programs that teach each individual how to keep good hygiene, how to read and write, how to live on their own, and help prepare them for the workforce. They try to help make it easier for their consumers to survive in the real world. The program does not stop as soon as they have found a job. Arc follows up on how well they are doing and that includes speaking with managers to go over problems and additional training they might need to succeed at an even higher rate. Arc has also developed a senior citizens program which helps make sure they get their exercise on a regular basis while still enjoying exciting things like field trips. Arc has received an abundance of support from the community throughout the years. They have held special events that help raise money and awareness as well. The Arc Walk is an event held every year where the entire community can get involved and walk the streets of Downey with the members and staff of the organization. It is a highly popular event that usually includes the city mayor and even the Los Angeles Laker girls. There's something there that almost everyone can enjoy. But most importantly, it is to help ensure the people that everyone can be a big part of the community, disability or not. ********** Published: March 20, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 48