An Opportunity to Choose Joy

Life is filled with many seasons. There are times when the world can feel heavy and cold. Days might feel as dark as night. We can become numb, worn down, and filled with anxiety. The idea of experiencing sunshine and joy might feel as bleak as finding a needle in a haystack.

Life can be hard – for so many reasons. It’s in those hard moments when we need extra support. A safe place to share. Other people who can understand and simply listen. Gentle reminders that joy and sunshine do exist. A realization that joy and sadness are something everyone experiences.

For 20 years, the ARC has been a beacon of light for many. A space (both physical and virtual) to come as you are, to gain skills, to find friendship, to grow in knowledge.

The ARC has offered more than a thousand support groups, and hundreds of educational opportunities – workshops, presentations, social outings, and events.

But it’s not just about the number of people we’ve reached, it’s about the individual stories…

• The person paralyzed by fear unable to drive to work, who’s now commuting to their job.
• The individual with severe social anxiety who can’t make eye contact but is now teaching classes.
• The daughter unable to visit family because of her intense fear of flying, now stepping on a plane.
• The mother desperately searching to learn about her child’s complicated disorder, now aware many treatment options exist.
• The grandmother who learned skills to help herself and is now helping her grandchild.

These stories, and countless others, are the reason the ARC is so special. It’s a community comprised of people supporting people. A non-clinical resource center offering support, hope, and inspiration.

As we close out 2025 and begin to prepare for a new year, I hope you’ll join us by sharing our work, supporting our mission, and learning about our newest offering, Choosing Joy. A special series focusing on joyful moments – regardless of the season we are in.