Recreational Programs of the Arc of Benton County

An Oregon resident, Cody Gotchall studied STEM courses at Oregon State University. He then took accounting through the iLearn program of Linn Benton Community College. Also focused on volunteer efforts, Cody Gotchall acts as a self-advocacy representative for the Arc of Benton County.

The Arc of Benton County advocates that every person with an intellectual or development disability deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, equality, and security. The Arc also believes that intellectual and developmental disabilities do not define an individual. Instead, their strengths, abilities, and values must be highlighted. Furthermore, it has created programs for engagement in visual arts, literary arts, performing arts, and other social opportunities.

For more than six decades, the Arc has developed recreational programs that focus on the arts. One program involves learning and developing painting skills while building friendships in class. Completed artworks are then displayed for sale in art shows, wherein artists get to keep 80 percent of the proceeds. 

Another program welcomes ArtFocus students to showcase their skills in poetry reading through businesses such as Imagine Coffee. Still another program invites students who are interested in performing. After regular practices, the DramaSquad performs annually at the Majestic Theater in Corvallis. Finally, the Lego Team encourages building relationships by expressing ideas with others with a shared interest in Legos.