For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, life is challenging in the best of times. These difficult times magnify their challenges and they are turning to Arc. Calls for information and assistance from families struggling to meet their basic needs are up 46% over a year ago.

Here's what three families say about Arc:

"I'm happy to be working with Arc. It makes a huge difference to have someone to talk to and know they are listening to me." Neng, mother of a daughter who has autism.

"As a special needs parent, many times you feel like no one is on your side, nobody understands what you are going through. Arc cares." Steve, father of a son with significant disabilities.

"I've raised Maggie alone since she was four. Arc has provided us with the voice, the resources and the opportunities to meet people in the same situation." Cathy, mother of a daughter who has Down syndrome.

These are just three of the thousands who turn to Arc each year for help with issues ranging from early intervention, special education advocacy, housing and employment to long-term planning for the care of a loved one with a disability. In the past year, Arc has experienced a 69% increase in participation in Arc programs, with people turning to Arc more than 24,000 times, looking for help. Arc offers 17 networking groups for parents, grandparents and caregivers as well as 13 sibling programs. Participation among multicultural communities has increased 72% from a year ago, while participation in the sibling progams is up 40%.

Arc doesn't have a magic wand. What Arc has is the support of dedicated members, friends, volunteers and people who share a vision where people with disabilities are valued, included and supported. Join us in envisioning a better life for people with disabilities and their families. Working together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.