The Arc
The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter is a nonprofit founded in 1954 serving 1,400+ individuals with developmental disabilities across Oneida and Lewis Counties, New York, employing 700 staff to deliver residential, day, employment, and family services funded primarily through Medicaid and state OPWDD programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1954
- HeadquartersUtica, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Arc does
The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter is a regional nonprofit human services organization founded in 1954 that supports individuals with developmental disabilities across Oneida and Lewis Counties in New York State. As one of approximately 35 chapters affiliated with The Arc New York (a statewide organization serving over 60,000 individuals with a workforce of more than 30,000), the chapter delivers a continuum of lifespan services including CollegeWorks, School To Work, Employment Solutions, Day Services, Residential Services, Guardianship, Self Direction, and Community & Family Services. The organization also operates three social enterprises — Progress Industries, Chef's Express, and Nickelback Redemption Center — that provide vocational training and integrated employment pathways for the people it supports.
The chapter employs approximately 700 staff and serves more than 1,400 individuals, working in close coordination with 24 local school districts and partnering with 100+ employers to deliver employment outcomes. Its business model is anchored in government funding streams, principally Medicaid, the NY State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), and ACCES-VR, which collectively underwrite the cost of residential, day, employment, and family-support services. While some program categories reach an 18-county region, the primary operational footprint remains Oneida and Lewis Counties.
Recent activity around The Fine Arc art sales, StageWorks productions (now in its 27th year), and recurring grant awards (NYSARC Trust Services, community donors such as the Brindisi law firm) indicates a stable operating model with continued investment in programming, advocacy, and brand visibility. The chapter also pursues community partnerships (e.g., Marine Corps League Detachment 754 in late 2025; Cooley & Lowe Wealth Management in January 2026) that broaden donor reach and supplement government-funded operations.
The Arc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Arc
- Legal name
- The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter
- Website
- https://thearcolc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1954
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter is a nonprofit founded in 1954 serving 1,400+ individuals with developmental disabilities across Oneida and Lewis Counties, New York, employing 700 staff to deliver residential, day, employment, and family services funded primarily through Medicaid and state OPWDD programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Arc industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG), Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination Training (EDAKANAI), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)
Keywords
Where The Arc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Utica
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
The Arc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Government-funded services: Services are primarily funded through Medicaid, OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities), ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation), and other state/federal programs. No out-of-pocket cost for eligible students and families in programs like CollegeWorks.
- Business Enterprises revenue: The organization operates integrated business enterprises including Progress Industries (supply chain/packaging), Chef's Express (bakery/catering), and Nickelback Redemption Center (bottle redemption), which generate revenue while providing employment for people with disabilities.
- Donations and grants: The organization receives donations (e.g., $5,000 from Brindisi, Murad & Brindisi, Pearlman) and grants from organizations like NYSARC Trust Services ($35,900 for guardianship program in 2025) to support programs and services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | No cost for eligible OPWDD participants |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Arc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter is a nonprofit human services agency delivering a comprehensive, full life-cycle portfolio of programs for people with developmental disabilities — from school-to-work transition (grades 7–12) through post-secondary education, employment placement, day habilitation, residential care (Supervised and Supportive IRAs), self-direction, guardianship, and respite services. The organization also operates three integrated social-enterprise businesses (Progress Industries, Chef's Express, Nickelback Redemption) that provide vocational employment while generating revenue.
Product overview
The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter is a human services agency providing a comprehensive, multi-service portfolio for people with developmental disabilities. The organization operates both as a service provider and as a business enterprise operator. Service programs span the full life cycle — from school-to-work transition (grades 7–12), through post-secondary education (CollegeWorks), employment placement (Employment Solutions), day habilitation, residential care (Supervised and Supportive IRAs), self-direction, guardianship, and community & family respite. Financially, these services are complemented by three integrated business enterprises — Progress Industries (contract packaging and custom solutions), Chef's Express (a bakery social enterprise), and Nickelback Redemption Center — which simultaneously create jobs for people with disabilities and generate revenue. A performing arts program called StageWorks provides inclusive creative programming. The organization is a chapter of The Arc New York.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CollegeWorks A two-year, non-degree post-secondary certificate program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, operated in partnership with Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) on campuses in Utica and Rome. Students receive MVCC identification with full campus privileges including classes, library, gym, sporting events, clubs, and concerts. Focuses on independent living skills, job training readiness, and personal development.
- School To Work A school-to-work transition program serving students with disabilities in grades 7–12 across 24 school districts in Oneida and Lewis Counties. Services include classroom and community-based instruction in life skills, work skills, career exploration, job shadowing, internships, and preparation for community-based employment. Provided in collaboration with Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES and Jefferson-Lewis BOCES.
- Employment Solutions An employment placement and vocational training program that matches people with developmental disabilities to competitive-wage jobs in the community. Services include applicant screening, job training, and ongoing support. The program works with over 100 local employers and is supported by ACCES-VR, OPWDD, and the Oneida County Workforce Investment Board. Includes vocational service site at Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) Rome location.
- Day Services Day habilitation and community-based activities for adults with developmental disabilities, providing engaging and supportive programming in diverse settings to meet individual needs and interests.
- Residential Services Residential support offered through two types of Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs): Supervised IRAs providing 24-hour staffing in over 30 homes across Oneida and Lewis Counties, and Supportive IRAs offering more independent living with overnight staffing based on individual needs.
- Guardianship Program A future-planning service that assists families of people with developmental disabilities in understanding and navigating guardianship procedures, helping ensure legal guidance and protections are in place as individuals reach adulthood. Services are not denied due to inability to pay.
- Self Direction A self-direction support model for OPWDD-eligible individuals enrolled in the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver, providing a Fiscal Intermediary (for payroll, background checks, and Medicaid compliance), a Broker (for individualized budget development), and a Circle of Support to give participants control over their services and staff.
- Community & Family Services Inclusive recreation and respite programs for children and adults with disabilities and their families, providing community-based activities and temporary care relief for caregivers.
- Progress Industries A supply chain and contract packaging social enterprise serving as a trusted regional and national supply chain partner for companies, providing contract packaging, custom solutions, and vocational employment for people with disabilities.
- Chef's Express A social enterprise bakery and catering operation located at 243 Genesee Street in Downtown Utica, providing vocational employment for people with disabilities while generating revenue for the organization. Offers catering, wholesale, and direct retail bakery items.
- Nickelback Redemption Bottle & Can Return Center A bottle and can redemption center located at 379 Stafford Avenue in Waterville, NY, providing community recycling services while creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
- StageWorks An inclusive performing arts program producing community musical theater with an all-inclusive cast of performers with and without disabilities. StageWorks raises awareness, promotes inclusion, and provides creative opportunities in acting, choreography, and singing, with performances held in local community venues. Tickets sold via PayPal gateway.
- Fine Arc An art program and social enterprise at The Arc, Oneida-Lewis that provides artists with disabilities a platform to create, exhibit, and sell original artwork including canvases, mugs, tumblers, acrylics, notecards, and jewelry. Artists receive 50% of each sale.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 100 students have successfully completed the CollegeWorks program since 2005, with many gaining competitive employment and/or living independently
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Arc
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Arc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
The Arc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Cooley & Lowe Wealth ManagementminorWealth management firm partnered with Fine Arc program to display local artwork in their New Hartford offices. The firm purchased works from 11 Fine Arc artists, filling its walls with original pieces reflecting creativity, perspective, and skill.
- Brindisi, Murad & Brindisi, PearlmanminorLaw firm donated $5,000 to support The Arc, Oneida-Lewis programs and services. Anthony Murad, Esq. presented the check to Jerry Switzer, Arc Vice President of Programs at the law firm's offices.
- Marine Corps League 754minorStowe Street Day Hab volunteers assisted the Marine Corps League 754 by wrapping gifts for children as part of the Toys for Tots campaign, along with folding and labeling the League's monthly newsletter.
- NYSARC Trust ServicescoreNYSARC Trust Services administers supplemental needs trusts (SNTs) and pooled trusts that help people with disabilities maintain eligibility for Medicaid and other government benefits. For 2025, awarded $1,687,293 total to The Arc New York Chapters statewide, with $35,900 specifically for The Arc, Oneida-Lewis guardianship services.
- New York State Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR)coreState agency providing vocational rehabilitation services. Arc's Employment Solutions programs are supported by ACCES-VR along with OPWDD, Office of Mental Health, and Oneida County Workforce Investment Board.
- Oneida County Workforce Investment Board (WIB)coreLocal workforce development agency partnering with Arc's Employment Solutions program to connect people with disabilities to competitive employment.
- Working Solutions Utica One-Stop Career CentercoreOne-Stop Career Center partnership for employment solutions program, helping connect people with disabilities to employment opportunities in the community.
- New York State Rehabilitation Association (NYSRA)coreArc is an active member of NYSRA, connecting to statewide rehabilitation network and resources.
- Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCEScoreBOCES partnership for School To Work transition programs serving students with disabilities in grades 7-12 across multiple school districts.
- Jefferson-Lewis BOCEScoreBOCES partnership for School To Work transition programs in Lewis County area, providing community-based employment preparation for students with disabilities.
- The Arc New YorkcoreThe Arc, Oneida-Lewis is one of 35 local Chapters of The Arc New York, the largest provider of supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York state. The statewide organization employs more than 30,000 people and supports more than 60,000 people with disabilities.
- Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC)coreCollegeWorks is a two-year collaborative program between The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter and MVCC, offering a non-degree certificate program on a college campus for people with developmental disabilities. Students receive MVCC identification with full campus privileges.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Arc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Living Resources: Living Resources provides disability-focused residential, day, employment, and self-directed services in New York’s Capital Region. Its service mix and government-funded operating model closely parallel The Arc’s.
- The Resource Center: The Resource Center is a Western New York human-services organization serving people with disabilities through residential, vocational, community, and clinical supports. It is comparable as a regional provider with a broad continuum and similar reimbursement and referral dynamics.
- The Center for Disability Services: The Center for Disability Services in the Albany area supports people with disabilities through residential, employment, education, clinical, and community programs. It serves similar public-pay customers and offers a comparable whole-life service model.
- The Arc of Onondaga: The Arc of Onondaga operates a broad disability-services platform in Syracuse, including residential, employment, day, family, and advocacy programs. Its service mix and nonprofit payer model closely resemble The Arc’s integrated continuum.
- The Arc of Monroe: The Arc of Monroe provides disability supports across education, employment, residential, and community settings in the Rochester region. It is a regional benchmark for The Arc’s ability to coordinate a multi-service platform around public funding.
- The Arc of Westchester: The Arc of Westchester is a larger regional disability-services provider offering residential, employment, educational, and family support. It is comparable as a scaled Arc chapter with overlapping customers and operating capabilities.
Direct peers
- Access CNY: Access CNY provides community-based disability services, including residential supports, employment and day programs, and self-direction, across Central New York. It overlaps The Arc’s customer base, service continuum, and regional employer and referral relationships.
- The Arc of Jefferson & Lewis: The Arc of Jefferson & Lewis is a regional Arc chapter serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, educational, employment, and community supports. It is especially comparable because of its shared Arc model and proximity to The Arc’s Lewis County service area.
- Upstate Cerebral Palsy: Upstate Cerebral Palsy is a Central New York human-services nonprofit serving people with disabilities through residential, day, vocational, and family-support programs. Its Utica footprint and the same public-payer and referral ecosystem make it a close operating-model peer to The Arc.
Broad incumbents
- AHRC New York City: AHRC New York City is a large, established disability-services organization with residential, employment, educational, and family-support capabilities. It is a broad incumbent whose wider scale and service portfolio overlap The Arc’s core offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Arc social profiles
Digital presenceThe Arc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Arc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
The Arc subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
The Arc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Arc M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Arc
What does The Arc do?
The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter is a nonprofit human services agency delivering a comprehensive, full life-cycle portfolio of programs for people with developmental disabilities — from school-to-work transition (grades 7–12) through post-secondary education, employment placement, day habilitation, residential care (Supervised and Supportive IRAs), self-direction, guardianship, and respite services. The organization also operates three integrated social-enterprise businesses (Progress Industries, Chef's Express, Nickelback Redemption) that provide vocational employment while generating revenue.
Is The Arc a public or private company?
The Arc is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Arc founded?
The Arc was founded in 1954. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is The Arc based?
The Arc is headquartered in Utica, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Arc make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government-funded services are the primary driver. The others are business Enterprises revenue and donations and grants.
Who are The Arc's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Living Resources, The Resource Center, The Center for Disability Services, The Arc of Onondaga, The Arc of Monroe and The Arc of Westchester. Direct peers are Access CNY, The Arc of Jefferson & Lewis and Upstate Cerebral Palsy. AHRC New York City is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The Arc have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Arc.
What industry is The Arc in?
The Arc's product category is Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of EDAKANAM, Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers). Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.