Introducing Heritage Homes: A New Vision for Supportive, Inclusive Living

We would like to thank everyone for their generous In-Kind donations that they gave last year! The Arc of the Quad Cities Area is very grateful for your generosity and mindfulness in donating.

Here are our 2025 In-Kind Honor Roll Recipients:

To make a donation, visit our donation page. To donate your vehicle, visit our vehicle donation page.

If you would like to setup an In-Kind donation, please use this form.

The Enhanced Horizon program is offered to Scott County residents with a primary diagnosis of Intellectual and/or Developmental disabilities. Waiver services are not a requirement to receive funding from this program but can help determine qualification for funding.

The Arc of Quad Cities Iowa, can provide monetary assistance to qualifying individuals for enrollment in leisure and recreation activities. These activities may include, but are not limited to, art classes, dance/music lessons, membership to local museums/zoo, camps, sporting/holiday/musical events, YMCA memberships, and fair passes. All application decisions are final. Allow 1 month for processing. Applications will be accepted from Feb 15, 2026, through June 30, 2026, or until funds are depleted. Funds are for leisure activities; these grants allow individuals to pursue fun and enriching activities that they may not otherwise have been able to participate in.

Use the LINK BELOW to apply:
2026 Enhanced Horizons Application

This year, people with disabilities banded together all across the Quad Cities to serve their community through the Quad City Disability Awareness Coalition. They collected food for the MLK Food Drive and delivered those items to local food pantries across the Quad Cities, giving back and supporting their community.

People with disabilities live on tight budgets and rely on support from SNAP Benefits and Medicaid to get by. Yet, they gladly give back to their community. Offering their help to make sure no one faces food insecurity alone.

The results of their efforts are in, and it is truly impressive the difference that individuals with disabilities can make when given the chance to give back to their community.

Check out the impressive numbers:

530 Families Served

21 Participating Drop-off Sites

62 Participating Volunteers

Serving 11 Local Food Pantries

PreviousNext

123456

During the most recent government shutdown, people with disabilities served by The Arc were suddenly cut off from their SNAP benefits. This disruption meant that individuals who already live on limited incomes were left without the resources they rely on to meet one of the most basic human needs: food.

In response, The Arc stepped forward—immediately and without hesitation—to fill the gap. But because these emergency supports could not be reimbursed due to the lapse in federal funding, The Arc turned to the community for help. And the community answered.

Thanks to generous emergency support from United Way of the Quad Cities and the Quad Cities Community Foundation, The Arc was able to ensure that no one went hungry during the shutdown. These funds made it possible to purchase groceries, provide meals, and maintain the stable, supportive environments that the people we serve count on every single day.

Many individuals served by The Arc live on tight budgets, stretching every dollar to make ends meet. Yet, even with these challenges, they are active community members who give back through volunteerism, employment, and everyday acts of kindness. It is profoundly meaningful that the broader community reflects this same spirit of reciprocity, stepping in when people with disabilities face barriers that no one should have to face alone.

The support we received ensured that individuals maintained not only access to nutrition but also the dignity, security, and peace of mind they deserve. It is a powerful reminder that when we take care of one another, our entire community becomes stronger.

Thank you to the United Way of the Quad Cities Area and the Quad City Community Foundation for supporting people with disabilities!

Meet Kylie #NDEAM

Bally’s employees know customer service and hospitality. People come from all over the Midwest to enjoy themselves at the casino, and they want to round out that experience with the great food in the buffet line. Bally’s can serve hundreds of people during the weekdays, and that number can jump over a thousand per day on the weekends. Part of the guest experience is the interactions with the hard-working men and women who keep the buffet going from the moment guests walk in to the moment they leave. Cashiers like Kylie Henry are a direct part of the customer experience, greeting guests with a smile and sense of humor that turns every moment into a genuine connection.
The buffet line is a fast-paced work environment with many varied transactions to keep track of, but Kylie has got it all handled, and she does it well. Says her supervisor, Stehanie DeHaven, “Kylie brings a lot to the team. She has a great sense of humor.” Stehanie continues, “We have a saying around here, ‘we are not saving lives – we are just serving food.’” The whole team delivers hospitality with heart, laughter, and teamwork, creating an atmosphere where both guests and coworkers feel at ease.

Kylie found the right fit at Bally’s after participating in The Arc’s Community Employment Services (CES) program, where she was allowed to build skills, gain confidence, and learn strategies needed to find the right opportunity and schedule she was looking for. According to Kylie, the experience helped her to “break out of a box” and find the opportunity that aligned with her goals. Even as she started in the kitchen, her direct supervisor, Stephanie DeHaven, recognized Kylie’s strengths, “It was easy to see she was a better fit for a guest-facing role.”

“She brings real value to the workforce. She enhances the culture of her team and the company,” says Stephanie of Kylie’s contribution. “So many employers can benefit from the contributions of people with disabilities. We treat her like everyone else.” Kylie has advice for anyone who might be interested in pursuing a career, “Be strong. Don’t give up.” It was a journey for Kylie to find the right fit for her. “I wanted to give up when I first started.” Now she says, “Don’t doubt yourself.” Her words speak to a resilience that has carried her through challenges and led her to success.

Kylie reached out to The Arc’s CES program which helped facilitate her entry into a new job. With guidance, encouragement, and job placement support from The Arc’s team, she found a role where she could truly thrive. Now Kylie has the work-life balance she’s been looking for, which allows her to spoil her seven dogs and thirteen puppies, caring for them a full-time job itself!

Kylie’s story is a testament to what’s possible when determination meets opportunity. With the right support, inclusion, and belief in her own abilities, she has carved out a path that inspires others to do the same.

The Arc celebrates individuals like Kylie during Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to support their growth and exploration into their career pathways, and to encourage employers to explore the talents and contributions of people with disabilities in the job force. Use the link below to explore opportunities with The Arc’s Community Employment Services program as an individual or employer: