The Arc of King County serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families across the lifespan, actively supporting inclusion so we can all live, learn, work, and play in the community – making the world a better place.
Produced by Red Element Studios
Gabby and Sonya Sacundo
Produced by 840 Entertainment
Betsy McAlister, Leah McAlister, Nancy Ford and Michael Graham
Produced by Endless Film Productions
Shayla and Marcus Collins are proud parents to their two boys, Noah and Israel. Learn more about their journey with The Arc of King County with their story.
Produced by Madison Njos
In 2017, there were 11,643 people who were homeless in King County. It's estimated that 40% of the homeless population has a disability.
Joel has been supported by The Arc of King County for over 27 years, and lived in Ballard since the 1980s. In September of 2016, he was forced to leave his home of over 20 years and left without permanent housing for 12 months while The Arc, PROVAIL, and Parkview Services worked to get Joel back to his community of Ballard.
In November 2017, Joel moved back home to Ballard. This is his story.
Three months after the Legacy Gala and Awards, we caught up with Christa to see how she's doing in her new home. Check out how she's doing today.
More than 40 percent of the homeless population are people with disabilities. Increasingly, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are navigating crises brought by lack of affordable housing and the limited financial resources of a fixed income.
Christa Grant was diagnosed with a disability at birth: she has been interacting with a number of systems her entire life. In 2014, a domestic violence situation left her homeless, with no family or natural supports to help. She spent two years couch surfing and sleeping on the streets while working with The Arc's Representative Payee and Information and Family Support programs to regain stable housing.
Founded in 1936, The Arc works with families from prenatal diagnosis through end of life care. This video highlights former Board Trustee and honored community member, Margaret Lee Thompson, and the Urite Family, longtime participants in The Arc's Parent to Parent and Information & Family Support programs.
At The Arc of King County, we provide Supported Living direct care to about 45 people and we see both the immediate need and tremendous benefits of community residential services. We know having a friendship or relationship with someone with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) changes attitudes and beliefs about what people with I/DD can accomplish and raises expectations for what they can achieve and contribute in their lifetimes.
The Supported Living model is the most cost-efficient for residential care and the most person-centered, connecting people with natural supports so they can thrive. Joel is a longtime program participant who has been embraced by his neighborhood community in Ballard. This film was produced and directed by Marcy Stone-Francois, edited by Mikhail Skopstov, with Cinematography by Futsam Tsegai and Cozell Wilson. Nobody Loves Joel Romeo won "Best Film" and "Best Original Score" at the 2014 International Documentary Challenge at Hot Docs International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada.
