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ABOUT US

Desert Arc has championed the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1959. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life and create opportunities for people with disabilities. 

triangle grid with soft blue and purple colors

More About Us

Desert Arc is a nonprofit human services organization in the desert communities within the larger Coachella Valley – Morongo Basin serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including conditions such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy and many others.

There are approximately 700 people, ages 18 and older, who are enrolled in Desert Arc’s programs designed to help them secure employment, have a safe place to come to every day and interact with others.  And, most importantly, to reach their highest potential to live, work and socialize in the community.
 
Desert Arc is dedicated to social innovation and we have also created a variety of enterprises providing Business Services for companies and individuals. These include our Shredding, Recycling, Landscape Maintenance, Janitorial and Fulfillment divisions.
 
Pathways to Employment is the umbrella for our vocational, on-the-job training and supportive, job placement service programs, working directly for Desert Arc or within our fellow employer network.
 
Our life-changing programs also encompass an Adult Day Center, Behavior Management, Cafeteria Services, FYI – For Your Independence and ILS – Independent Living Skills supportive living, Sports and Recreation, Transportation programs, and many more.
 
According to a recent demographic study, 77% of the people served by Desert Arc reside with their families, 10.7% live independently and 12.1% are part of a residential care program, and, nearly 99% come from low income households. Many people have been involved with Desert Arc for over 25 years, but the majority have participated in our programs for 1 to 15 years.
 
There is much to celebrate, each and every day at Desert Arc…those we serve, our dedicated Board of Directors, stellar staff, and generous supporters!
 
Thank you for visiting Desert Arc’s website!

At A Glance

Annual Report 2021-2022

Annual Report

2021 - 2022

2020-2021 Annual Report Cover

Annual Report

2020 - 2021

2019-2020 Annual Report Cover

Annual Report

2019 - 2020

2018-2019 Annual Report Cover

Annual Report

2018 - 2019

Annual Report 2017-2018

Annual Report

2017 - 2018

Quarterly Newsletter "Mission in Motion" cover
Quarterly Newsletter "Mission in Motion" cover
Quarterly Newsletter "Mission in Motion" cover
Quarterly Newsletter "Mission in Motion" cover
Desert Arc quarterly newsletter fall 2018

Business Services

Shredding Icon

Shredding

Icon of Pink tree with green stems

Landscape Maintenance

Three arrows bent at a 60 degree angle forming a triangle recycle sign

Recycling

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Janitorial

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Order Fulfillment

Desert Arc Board of Directors

Chair

Damian Jenkins

Vice Chair

Glenn Miller

Treasurer

Nate Otto

Secretary

Nancy Singer*

Robert Anzalone*

Michelle Babitz

Brooke Beare*

Mary Hendler

Frank Luckino

Lori Serfling*

Doug Watson

* Past Board Chair

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Desert Arc Staff

Richard Balocco
President /CEO
rbalocco@desertarc.org

Ronald A. Stewart, PhD
Executive Vice President
rstewart@desertarc.org

Soledad Arguilez 
Director of Human Resources
sarguilez@desertarc.org

Ruth Goodsell 
Senior Director of
Client Services

rgoodsell@desertarc.org

Angelique Ontiveros
Director of
Business Services & Facilities

aontiveros@desertarc.org

Kathrene Wales
Director of
Development

kwales@desertarc.org

Kurt Parish
Chief Financial Officer
kparish@desertarc.org

Dianna Anderson
Assistant Director of
Yucca Valley Operations

danderson@desertarc.org

Lynn De Anda
Assistant Director of
Licensed Programs

ldeanda@desertarc.org

Donnya Villareal
Assistant Director of
Vocational Programs

dvillarreal@desertarc.org

Lisa Lester
Assistant Director of
Employment & Cafeteria Services

llester@desertarc.org

Locations

Palm Desert Campus

Desert Arc's primary campus, which includes its administrative offices and most of its program space is located on Country Club Drive next to Sherman's Deli. It is here that over 500 clients arrive for daily programs. 

Yucca Valley Campus

Located in Yucca Valley this campus extension provides services for over 100 clients in the high desert area. Onsight operations include many of the same services as the Palm Desert Campus including day programs, case management, and transportation. 

Indio Recycle Center

As the recycling division of Desert Arc, Desert Arc Recycling is dedicated to providing vocational and employment services to people with disabilities while working to protect the environment. We partner with local businesses and community members to collect and process recyclable materials while employing nearly 40 clients with disabilities. 

Child and Adult Care Food Program
Public Service Announcement

Desert Arc offers the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CCAFP). This is a free nutrition program that provides a breakfast, lunch and snack to eligible clients in the Adult Day Program and the Behavior Management Program. For more information click on this link.

Notifying the Public of Rights Under Title VI

  • Desert Arc operates its programs and services without regard to race, color and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practices under Title VI may file a complaint with Desert Arc.

  • For more information on Desert Arc’s civil rights program and the procedures to file a complaint contact (760) 346-1611 or visit our administrative offices at 73255 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert CA 92260.

  • A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.

  • If information is needed in another language contact (760) 346 1611.

  • The Notification of Public Rights are located at the four Desert Arc facilities in both English and Spanish. At the Palm Desert site located at 73255 Country Club Drive at the entrance of Building 1 and in the staff break rooms of Building 1 and Building 3. At the Yucca Valley site located at 56315 29 Palms Highway it is located in the Adult Day Program and Work Activity Program. The plan is posted at the Recycling Center located at 45-875 Commerce Street in Indio, the Bus Yard at 83534 Avenue 45 in Indio, as well as posted on all transit vehicles in the Desert Arc fleet.

  • For a copy of the complete Title VI Plan in both in English and Spanish, please use this link.

CCAFP
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