Our History

In the 1950’s, parents of students in Buncombe County special education classes began to formally organize by forming a local chapter of the Association of Retarded Citizens, now The ARC of Buncombe County.

By the 1960’s, with special education classes available in most K-12 schools, the ARC Board focused on the need for a day care program for IDD children under 6.

As the Irene Wortham Center’s programs have grown, funding received from grants and generous donors have been vital to maintain, improve, and build new facilities and increase programming opportunities. Thanks to these efforts, Irene Wortham Center, Inc. continues to grow to be able to support more of the IDD community of WNC each year.