Our History - Minute Man Arc

1958

Minute Man Association for Retarded Children is founded by a group of parents to provide services for children with disabilities in Concord, Carlisle, Bedford and surrounding towns.
The Nursery Clinic is opened in Bedford and a summer recreation program is established.

1960’s

The first workshop for adults with developmental disabilities is opened in Bedford with individuals making rugs and craft items. Soon after, the workshop and offices move to Concord.

1970’s

The agency name changes to Minute Man Association for Retarded Citizens.
The Nursery Clinic moves to the new Community Agencies Building at Emerson Hospital in Concord and becomes the Concord Area Early Intervention Program.
Minute Man Arc’s Residential Services is established with Maynard House and Concord House community homes serving eight women and eight men respectively.

1980’s

The Independent Living Program is established.
The Transitional Living Program is opened on Roosevelt Street in Maynard. It provides supervised housing for four adults to assist them in developing independent living skills. This program is transformed into a community group residence in 2000.
Littleton House is established as a community co-ed residence for eight adults through federal Housing & Urban Development (HUD) funding.

1990’s

The agency’s name is changed to Minute Man Arc for Human Services, Inc. to better align with state and national organizations now known as The Arc of the United States and The Arc of Massachusetts.
The agency establishes Community Housing Options, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary of Minute Man Arc for the purpose of entering into an agreement with the federal HUD agency to fund renovations and provide ongoing tenant rental assistance for Maynard House, Roosevelt Street and Concord House.
The agency purchases the former Carter Furniture building in West Concord and moves all administrative offices, the adult workshop program, three residential apartments and commercial retail space (The Marketplace) into the “Carter Center.”
The Damon Family Resource Center opens at the Carter Center to provide information and resources to families and providers.
The Adult Workshop program closes and all adults begin working in the community either independently or in small work crews.
Nashoba House is established and leased as a residence for four adults; Thoreau House is opened in collaboration with the Concord Housing Authority as a residence for three adults.

2000’s

The Baker Avenue Center opens in Concord in March 2005, housing the new Day Habilitation program, Vocational Services, and the expanded After School, After Work and Recreation programs.
The Doug Flutie, Jr. Center for Sensory Motor Therapy and Recreation opens at the Baker Avenue site.
Minute Man Arc’s Early Intervention moves to the newly renovated Carter Center in May 2005. A special playgroup and family support program for children who are deaf or hard of hearing is established, offering integrated community play groups, a mentoring program for community child care providers. Minute Man Arc affiliates with the Astra Special Needs Center to provide enhanced, intensive services for children with autism.
The Family Services After School Care Program is licensed by the Office for Child Care Services and begins to offer daily afternoon programming and programming during school vacation periods for children aged 6 – 21 and begins to coordinate intensive supports for children through Massachusetts Department of Education/Department of Mental Retardation grants.
The Special Olympics, After Work and Recreation programs are established.
Concord House is renamed Emerson House in honor of the 75th birthday of the agency’s oldest resident, Ralph Waldo Emerson, a descendent of the well-known author.
Derby House and Pine Street group residences are established in Concord. The Marketplace closes.
Stow House is leased in July 2003 replacing Nashoba House for four residents.
Residential Services opens the Shared Living Program; the Transitional Living Program is opened for five residents at the Peter Bulkeley residence in Concord.

2010’s

Jean A. Goldsberry is hired as Executive Director in 2012.
First Transition Conference is held April 5, 2014.
Residential Services launches the Adult Foster Care program to assist families in keeping their family member at home and out of residential institutions.
In May of 2015, all adult programs and administrative staff move to a leased building at 35 Forest Ridge Road in Concord, launching a new chapter in the history of the agency.
New group home in Stow opens on Birch Hill Road, replacing previous home on Packard Road.
Heated greenhouse opens, offering unique therapy options for adult clients at Forest Ridge.
Building Dreams Together fundraising campaign launched to purchase headquarters, expand parking lot, add pediatric programs, and build out Forest Ridge Road site.
60^th Anniversary Gala held on October 25, 2018 to benefit fundraising campaign
Two new programs are added for children with disabilities, ages 3 and up: Extra Steps Pediatric Therapies in Acton and TimberNook in Carlisle.
Building Dreams Together fundraising campaign successfully concludes, raising $2.1M. Building at 35 Forest Ridge Road is purchased.

2020’s

Building Dreams Together Campaign funds new children’s programs, expands outdoor recreational area at Forest Ridge Road, and enables the purchase of our headquarters.
New group home in Sudbury expands Residential Program.
Agency delivers online programming and therapies to clients during Covid-19 pandemic.