Arc-Ventura County Gets 4 State Awards

Arc-Ventura County, formerly the Assn. for Retarded Citizens of Ventura County, received several awards this month from the statewide organization.

Ventura’s was the only agency honored with four awards at the Arc California annual convention in San Francisco, recognized for exceptional progress and accomplishments, innovative service and increased membership.

Dorothy Smead, Arc-Ventura County board president, accepted the State President’s Award honoring the organization for upgrading and expanding facilities and programs serving developmentally disabled adults.

Arc-Ventura County was also recognized for its Magic Muffin Bakery & Cafe in Oxnard, a restaurant and food-service training program that employs 25 people with developmental disabilities and has placed four in other food-service positions in the community in the past year.

Hazel Kay, Arc-Ventura County board vice president, was selected for the Special Membership Award, and the organization was also honored for being third in membership growth in the state.

Arc-Ventura County is a nonprofit organization established in Ventura County in 1954.

It offers employment, training and social and support services to more than 700 adults with developmental disabilities at 12 sites.