The Levy Association for Retarded Citizens was organized in 1976 by concerned residents of Levy County. The ARC has aimed to furnish the men and women we serve with programs and services that will provide real life training and skills. These skills are stepping stones that will enable the consumer to live their lives with dignity and self respect – qualities of life which everyone deserves.

LARC contributes the programs success to a dedicated Board of Directors, Executive Director, staff and many volunteers.

Mental Retardation has no boundaries. It does not discriminate as to one’s race, religion, or economic status. It can and does affect families in all parts of the world and our community is no exception. Three out of every one hundred children born are or will become mentally retarded. There are an estimated 6 million mentally retarded people in the United States today and the number is not decreasing. Over twenty million Americans know the experience of mental retardation.

LARC’S mission is to empower the mentally challenged individuals we serve with the ability to choose and realize their own goals, promote their strengths through education and advocacy with the support of families, friends and the community.

LARC’S Programs
The goal of LARC’S programs is to teach our consumer daily living skills that will allow for them to function to their best possible level, protect themselves from basic life dangers and promoting self worth.

Adult Basic Education Program
Levy ARC offers classes that teach reading and math skills, money management, and other life skills type training that will assist the consumer in living as productively as possible in their community. ABE is designed to educate eligible consumers so they reach, maintain and exceed their learning abilities.

Community Based Employment Program - is a gateway through which persons with disabilities are assisted in finding employment in the community once they are assessed and found to be capable of holding employment as a productive member of our society working along side of non-disabled workers. This program provides essential support services to the consumer as well as the employer. Some of the components for this program are on site training for the consumer, training compensation offered to the employer; job placement assistance; and acting as a liaison in the community. This type of follow along service is what makes our CBE Program the success that it is.

Living Skills Program - teaches classes in the area of “hands on” opportunities using appliances, preparing meals, planning menus, setting the table, table etiquette, after meal cleanup and personal grooming. Homemaking skills being taught include maintaining a clean kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room inclusive or proper handling of dangerous household substances and what to do in case of an emergency.

Adult Day Training Facility – is both a production area and training center for nearly forty mentally challenged working adults. The main component of this program is furniture refinishing. All phases of furniture refinishing are performed by our consumers with staff supervision. Other work includes a contract with the Levy County Road Department cutting the rags they use.

Supported Living – provides training and assistance to consumers who live autonomously in their own homes or apartments. The instructor provides assistance with the acquisition, retention or improvement of skills related to activities of daily living, such as personal hygiene and grooming, household chores, meal preparation, shopping, personal finances, and the social and adaptive skill necessary to enable individuals to reside on their own.