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The Arc San Francisco

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The Arc San Francisco

The Arc San Francisco was founded in 1951. We are a lifelong learning center for adults with developmental disabilities.

Since then, we’ve become a primary resource for people with disabilities in San Francisco and San Mateo counties, serving over 550 clients every day. 1500 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 94103

08/31/2026

Summer may be winding down, but there’s a lot happening at The Arc SF. ☀️

This summer, we joined self-advocates, families, providers, and community partners in speaking up to protect disability services during the state budget process, and those collective efforts made a difference.

Our latest Circles of Support also includes an exciting Friends Like Me update, an opportunity to help shape next year’s advocacy priorities, and important September dates for our community.

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Circles-of-Support--Summer-Updates-from-The-Arc-San-Francisco.html?soid=1101645407542&aid=reSnBwPMsOY

Image description: A Circles of Support graphic from The Arc San Francisco says summer is winding down and invites people to catch up on advocacy updates, Friends Like Me, and important September dates. Below the text, two people sit across from each other at a small table and talk in front of a purple wall decorated with colorful artwork.

08/28/2026

Brandon has a job at the Yerba Buena Skate and Bowling Center. This is how he got there.

Last year, Brandon told us that his internship at Star Café felt like "a dream come true" and was something he really wanted for his future.

So, where is Brandon now?

After completing his Star Café internship in fall 2025, Brandon began working with The Arc San Francisco's Job Development team to find a job. In March, he was hired as an Ice Rink Attendant at the Yerba Buena Skate and Bowling Center.

Brandon quickly found his footing. He has been asked to work extra shifts and special events, and his supervisors and coworkers describe him as friendly, helpful, and hardworking.

His story is a great example of what an internship can lead to: hands-on experience, new responsibilities, and a clearer path toward what comes next.

For Brandon, what came next was a job.

The Star Café internship continues today, and in September we'll be sharing more about our internship programs and the people and partners behind them.

Special thanks to Scott Shafer of KQED for narrating Brandon's original story.

Video Description: A video introducing the Star Café, an internship program of The Arc San Francisco, narrated by KQED journalist Scott Shafer.

08/26/2026

Our 2025–2026 Annual Report looks back at a year of growth across The Arc San Francisco, from new employment opportunities and expanded programs, to the launch of The Paul K. Longmore Center and the completion of our We Are the Future Campaign.

But the report is about more than milestones. It is also about the participants, families, staff, and partners who shaped this year and what this work looks like every day. If you haven’t explored it yet, take a look at the stories and progress behind the numbers, and what we’re building toward next.

Read the 2025–2026 Annual Report:
https://analyze.upmetrics-public.com/dashboard/public/ca4d6cf0-ac24-41b0-80e2-90d155e1e3af

Image Description: A group of people posing indoors in front of posters and a chalkboard sign; one person in a red hoodie smiles, one person in a blue jacket stands center, others hold books or papers.

08/24/2026

The August Paul K. Longmore Center newsletter is here, and there’s a lot to dig into!

This month:
A film worth watching: Color Book, a story about family, grief, community, anddisability representation.

A first look at what’s next after Crip Camp: Denise Sherer Jacobson shares an excerpt from her upcoming book, My Camp Jened Summer, reflecting on Camp Jened, belonging, and finding her voice.

Advocacy in action: August is an important time to connect with elected representatives and speak up about issues affecting the disability community.

A call to disabled creatives and event organizers: We want to hear about the projects, events, and creative work happening in our community!

Read the August newsletter and sign up to stay connected. Follow along with the stories, ideas, and advocacy coming from the Paul K. Longmore Center.

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Welcome-to-the-Longmore-Center-Newsletter.html?soid=1101645407542&aid=mZPYxFLlJRo

Image Description: A person holds a cardboard sign outdoors that reads “DISABILITY RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS” in large black letters.

08/21/2026

A Legacy Gift is a gift included in your will or estate plans. It is one way to support the people and causes that matter to you for years to come.

For families supporting a loved one with a disability, estate planning can also help protect access to benefits and make sure plans are in place for the future.

This Make-a-Will Month, take some time to learn about your options. Whether you are just starting to think about your estate plans or already have a will in place, our planned giving site has resources to help you get started.

Learn more about legacy giving and the Heart of The Arc Society:

https://plannedgiving.thearcsf.org/

Image Description: A close-up of two hands clasping in a supportive gesture, with one older hand and one younger hand holding gently against a softly blurred background that reads “What is a Legacy Gift?” with information about how a gift through a will or estate plan can create lasting support for The Arc San Francisco community.

08/19/2026

Nick is part of our Workforce team as our Internship Coordinator.

Nick helps participants find internships and get ready for them, building workplace skills, navigating professional challenges, and identifying future career goals. He also works with our internship partners to develop meaningful experiences where participants can learn, contribute, and build experience.

We asked him why an internship matters as a first step toward a job, school, or training: "An internship gives someone a place to test out real work: the routines, expectations, and social dynamics, while still having support to learn along the way. It's a bridge."

For many participants, an internship is the first time they hold a defined role with real responsibilities. The experience they gain, including working through challenges along the way, becomes something they can carry into whatever comes next.

Thanks for the work you do, Nick!

Image description: A digital graphic with a photo of Nick, Workforce Internship Coordinator at The Arc San Francisco, next to the quote "An internship is a bridge."

08/17/2026

What does a Legacy mean to the people we love?

For Andrew Hurwitz, it means still feeling the support of his father, Jeffrey.
Jeffrey supported The Arc San Francisco for years. Before he passed away, he included The Arc San Francisco in his will, extending that generosity into the future.

When we asked Andrew what his father’s gift means to him, he shared:
“I feel his support even though he’s not here. I can just feel it. I can still feel his support from somewhere.”

This Make-a-Will Month, we’re grateful to Andrew for sharing his father’s story and to Jeffrey for the lasting legacy he left our community.

Curious about legacy giving or making a plan of your own? Explore our planned giving resources and learn more about the Heart of The Arc Society:

https://plannedgiving.thearcsf.org/

Video Description: Andrew sits and talks about his father and the support he still feels from him. Behind Andrew is a sign that reads, “We Are the Future.”

08/14/2026

This year was a big one for The Arc San Francisco. 🧡

As we celebrate our 75th year, we’re looking back at how our community has grown and what we’re building together for the future.

Our 2025–2026 Annual Report shares the stories, milestones, partnerships, and voices that shaped the year.

As Executive Director Kristen Pedersen writes, our history is one of our greatest strengths.
For 75 years, The Arc San Francisco has continued to grow and change alongside our community.

We’re proud to share what this year looked like and grateful to everyone who was part of it. 💛

Read our 2025–2026 Annual Report: https://analyze.upmetrics-public.com/dashboard/public/ca4d6cf0-ac24-41b0-80e2-90d155e1e3af

Image Description: Kristen Pedersen, Executive Director of The Arc San Francisco, stands with arms crossed, wearing glasses, a light cardigan and black top, in a bright modern interior with large windows and a blurred background.

08/12/2026

Growth you can measure, made possible by an incredible community. 💜

Through our We Are the Future Capital Campaign, The Arc SF welcomed 32 new staff members, helping us expand services and welcome more people into our community.

The impact has been tremendous: 140 people began services, and the average wait dropped from 22 months to under six.

Behind every number is a person who had been waiting. A staff member ready to welcome them. And a community of donors, families, partners, and supporters who believed we could do more.

To everyone who helped make this campaign a success, thank you. You helped us grow our team, reach more people, and create more opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to belong and be supported.

We did this together. 🧡

Image Description: Two people stand in front of a colorful mural holding signs about the impact of hiring additional Direct Support Professionals. One sign includes national DSP workforce information, and the other explains how hiring one DSP can help four participants access services.

08/10/2026

Introducing TAY ACHIEVE 🧡

In partnership with SFUSD, TAY ACHIEVE prepares transition-aged youth (18–24) with developmental disabilities for employment and college. Participants take part in job-readiness coursework, work paid internships, and get one-on-one job development, placement, and coaching.

The results speak for themselves: this year, TAY ACHIEVE served 48 young adults — placing participants into real jobs with a 90% six-month retention goal. 💪

This is what building an inclusive future looks like.

Image Description: A group of young adults stand together in front of a display of rocks and penguins at an aquarium. Text overlays indicate this is a program spotlight for TAY ACHIEVE, which prepares young adults with developmental disabilities for jobs and college.

Address

1500 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA
94103

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.thearcsf.org/

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