The Arc marks 70 years of advocacy, opportunity

Emilio Sosa, Bob Archuleta and Gil Legaspi.

DOWNEY – The Arc Los Angeles and Orange Counties celebrated seven decades of advocacy and service during its 70th Anniversary Gala on Sept. 11, recognizing longtime supporters while reflecting on the organization’s history and future.

Founded in 1956, The Arc provides programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The organization traces its beginnings to a group of parents who worked with the Lynwood School Board to establish a classroom specifically for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities at a time when few educational opportunities existed for them.

What began as a single classroom grew into an organization serving communities throughout Los Angeles County and, more recently, Orange County.

“As we celebrate all that has been accomplished over the past 70 years, we also rededicate ourselves to the work that lies ahead and to our guiding mission,” CEO Emilio Sosa wrote in the gala program.

That mission, the organization said, is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to build person-centered life skills, access opportunities and belong.

The anniversary celebration included remarks from Sosa on the past, present and future of The Arc, as well as anniversary recognitions and an awards presentation.

The evening honored Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Wescom Financial, the Downey Kiwanis Foundation and Rotary Club of Downey for their support of The Arc and the intellectual and developmental disabilities community. The organization also recognized the Bob and Jean Brazelton Family Trust, whose endowment helped make the anniversary celebration possible.

The program highlighted several of The Arc’s services and accomplishments. Its Culinary Arts Program provides participants with training for employment in the hospitality industry, while its Creative Arts Program includes professional artists who sell their work and accept commissions.

The organization also offers career development and supported employment programs. According to The Arc, participants placed in jobs through its Supported Employment program remain employed for an average of more than 10 years.

The gala also included a moment of silence for three people who died during the past year: longtime Arc participant William Arthur Henderson Jr., supporter Natlieth Deloris Smith and longtime Downey community leader Martha Sodetani.

Henderson was involved with The Arc for more than 40 years and participated in Special Olympics for more than four decades. Born in 1964, he was not expected by doctors to ever walk, according to the gala program, but went on to compete in multiple sports, including the standing long jump, 50-meter run and softball throw. In 2014, he won a gold medal in the 50-meter run at a Special Olympics invitational at USC.

Smith was a longtime supporter of The Arc and its annual Arc Walk, helping coordinate donations and sponsorships through her sorority, Eta Phi Beta. An educator and engineer, she spent more than 35 years working at Rockwell International and Boeing and held several leadership positions with Eta Phi Beta.

Sodetani, who died earlier this month, was a longtime Downey civic leader and advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The evening was led by Arc Board President Gil Legaspi, with an invocation by Deacon Joseph Lumsdaine of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Arc participants Eugene Jones and Jackelyn Flores led the Pledge of Allegiance, and ABC7 Eyewitness News' Phillip Palmer served as emcee.

The organization also recognized its 2026-28 board of directors, led by Legaspi. Other officers include Vice President Raul Lopez, Second Vice President Nannalee Haywood, Treasurer Steve Guzman, Secretary Jodi Chapin and Immediate Past President Mel Sanchez. Board members are Ray Brown, John Casillas, Dianne Lumsdaine, Enrique Martinez, Eric Pierce, Andrew Prompongsatorn, Dr. Rebekah Ruswick and Alex Triay.

The gala concluded with music and dancing as The Arc marked its 70-year history and looked toward its next chapter.