In 1965, a group of committed citizens in LaGrange County realized that children with intellectual and developmental disabilities weren't being afforded the same opportunities as their siblings and neighborhood children. They set out to change this inequality. In doing so, they created the "School of Opportunity". The purpose of this school was to level the playing field and offer children with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities for integration within the community instead of being segregated.
One of the original founders, Geraldine C. Prisock saw The Arc as her mission field. She often said, "Others have been called to mission fields across the seas or on foreign soil, but my mission field is in my backyard." She dedicated her entire life to making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities in LaGrange County for 40 years. When she was ready to pass on the torch, her daughter, Debra D. Seman gladly took over the responsibility to carry on the vision of enhancing the lives and empowering the dreams of individuals with disabilities to live, work, learn and play in our community. A guiding scripture has always been Matthew 25:40 "...In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."