By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

PELHAM – Officials with the city of Pelham honored the Arc of Shelby County organization at its latest council meeting on Monday, Aug. 9, with a proclamation commending the hard work they have put forward the last four decades.

Pelham Mayor Gary Waters signed a proclamation honoring the Arc of Shelby County’s 45th anniversary, which serves more than 1,500 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Shelby County each year.

“The Arc of Shelby County provides early intervention services to hundreds of children and families in Shelby County each year and is the largest early intervention program solely serving Shelby County,” according to the proclamation.

The Arc of Shelby County was founded as an advocacy organization in 1974 by a group of concerned parents. Since that time, The Arc of Shelby County has grown to serve over 1,500 individuals with intellectual disabilities and families in Shelby County each year through programs in early intervention, employment and community living.

The 45th anniversary celebration was held on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Pelham Civic Complex that included a community awards dinner.

In addition, the Arc of Shelby County’s Community Living program assists hundreds of individuals with accessing programs and services and will expand in October to begin offering say services and residential services, according to the proclamation.

For more information on the Arc of Shelby County, visit Thearcofshelby.org.