ARC of Utah closing after 50 years

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

After months of struggling to survive, one of the state's oldest nonprofits for the disabled has decided to close. But many of the programs formerly offered through The Arc of Utah are expected to be picked up by a new nonprofit, the Utah Association for Intellectual Disabilities.

The Arc faced trouble in 2008 after financial mismanagement and decreased donations led to the elimination of all nine staff members. With about $75,000 in debt, the group survived with the help of volunteers.

To see the Arc's legacy end was "devastating," said Kathy Scott, an Arc volunteer and the new group's executive director, though she notes community support allowed its holiday program to serve a record number of Utahns in December.

The new group will continue the holiday program and work to expand respite services, providing small vacations for parents taking care of a child with a disability.

"If we can save a marriage for a family, that person with a disability is going to have a much better quality of life," Scott said.

Other services that will live on in the new group include a computer donation program. The social activities program, such as a carnival hosted last year, will be further developed.

Free office space and phone use has already been donated for the first six months. But the new association, which is applying for nonprofit status, remains in need of financial donations, web page design, printing, paper, storage space and other items.

The new group is expected to be staffed by volunteers "for the foreseeable future," according to Joyce Whalen, board president.