
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.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Thank you for visiting Desert Arc’s website!
At A Glance
2021 - 2022
2020 - 2021
2019 - 2020
2018 - 2019
2017 - 2018
Winter 2020
Fall 2019
Summer 2019
Spring 2019
Fall 2018
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

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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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If information is needed in another language contact (760) 346 1611.
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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.
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For a copy of the complete Title VI Plan in both in English and Spanish, please use this link.