The Arc of Kitsap & Jefferson Counties was founded in 1938. The Arc of Kitsap & Jefferson Counties is affiliated with The Arc of Washington State and The Arc of the United States, the largest organization representing individuals with developmental disabilities. The Arc has always been a grass roots organization made up of parents, family members and other concerned citizens. The Arc movement was founded in Washington State in 1936 and in Kitsap County in 1938. In March 1995, The Arc of Kitsap County expanded to include Jefferson County and changed it's name to The Arc of Kitsap & Jefferson Counties.

To promote the welfare of children and adults with developmental disabilities.
To develop programs in their behalf by advocacy and funding if needed.
The Arc is committed to securing for all people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live, work and play.
To assist parents in finding solutions to their problems.
To gain cooperation of public, private, religious, and professional groups by promoting a better understanding of people who are developmentally disabled.
The Arc is further committed to reducing the incidence and limiting the consequence of mental retardation through education, research, advocacy and support of families, friends and community.
To solicit and receive funds for accomplishment of the above purposes.

The majority of our funding is generated from our Bingo and Solicitation (of used clothing) operatoins. Donations are always welcome.

Jeannette Mougel-Fujita - President
Jessica Gaudio - Vice President
Alex Boede - Secretary
Lew Isham - Treasurer & Immediate Past President
George Adams
Anne Jordan
Emily Meeks
Marian Sanders
Philip Wade
Jean Wasson

1938		The Kitsap Benevolent League was started with the organizational help of State Senator Monty Percival. Rex Sproat was named President. The league defined itself as a society composed of parents, relatives, and friends for the welfare of all physically and mentally handicapped children.
1947		The Kitsap Benevolent League hosted the 12th annual State Convention and meeting in Bremerton.
1953		The chapter changed its name to The Kitsap County Chapter of Washington Association of Retarded Children (WARC).
1957		The Kitsap County WARC helped to incorporate a sheltered workshop called Olympic Peninsula Enterprises.
1963		Kitsap County WARC helped incorporate a day care and training facility called the Forest Ridge Center and now known as the Holly Ridge Center.
1968		Lake Oakpatch, a residential group living and training center for adult males with developmental disabilities, is opened with the help of the Kitsap WARC.
1970		An Arc of Jefferson County is started with the help of the Kitsap chapter. The group disbands in 1984.
1972		Frances Haddon Morgan Children's Center is opened in the former Harrison Hospital in Bremerton. The idea for this center was sponsored by local WARC members. Veronica Hoehnen leaves her property to the Kitsap WARC. The home is remodeled into a center for services, community meetings, socialization and recreation for individuals with developmental disabilities.
1974		A recreational program is started in Kitsap County by the WARC with 74 participants (ages 6 - 56). They are picked up in vans from their homes to participate in various activities throughout the county.
1976		The Kitsap WARC starts Bingo games which becomes one of the organization's main resources for providing services for people with developmental disabilities in Kitsap County.
1978		The regular Friday night dances at the Hoehnen House is started by Kitsap WARC board member, James Campo. WARC members were instrumental in starting and sponsoring Kitsap Peninsula Housing and Transportation Association and group homes in the county. Ralph Munro, WARC member, was active in these projects. He later led the successful campaign to sell state bonds for construction of handicapped facilities in the community, "Referendum 37".
1981		The Arc of Kitsap County bought the present building on Perry Avenue to house the bingo business. Later program and administrative offices were added.
1983		Contracted with Lutheran Social Services to support a Parent to Parent program. We also contracted with a private mental health professional to provide counseling to indviduals with developmental disabilities.
1984		Contracted with PAVE to provide support to parents of school-age children. Donated start-up money to Kitsap Applied Technologies to facilitate the opening of a sheltered employment workshop.
1989		William Mackay was hired as the first paid Executive Director.
1994		We contract with TVI/Savers to operate a Solicitation (of used clothing) office. Used clothing is picked up in the community and sold to TVI/Savers which is then sold out of the Value Village store. This provides revenue for our programs. Property is purchased at Lake Leland in Quilcene. The goal is to build a recreational retreat and facility for families and individuals with developmental disabilities.
1995		An Arc office is opened in Port Townsend to serve the needs of Jefferson County.
1997		We add our Representative Payee program for adults who need help in managing their finances.