about us-info

Arc of Wabash County began in 1954 as the vision of a few parents who wanted something better for their children. One of the parents donated a home that was converted into a classroom. All of the parents raised money through bake sales and other fundraisers to purchase supplies and hire a teacher. This classroom was for their children who were considered mentally retarded and unable to attend public schools. Since there was no “Special Education” in public schools in those days, this was the only hope these children had of receiving an education. Thus, this humble facility was named the “School of Hope.” A few years later, as these children were becoming adults and needed vocational skills training, a sheltered workshop named “Workshop Enterprises” was created in Wabash on Manchester Avenue across from where the Old County Home was. We moved from that location to a building on Canal Street in the 1970’s. In 1987 we moved to our present location at 595 South Miami Street, Wabash, Indiana.