ARISE and Exceptional Family Resources are coming together in 2025 to create one organization.

Our mission is to work with people of all abilities to create a fair and just community in which everyone can fully participate.

As an Independent Living Center (ILC), ARISE promotes the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the community. Like all ILCs, ARISE has five key characteristics. The agency is:

  • Consumer-controlled – it is operated by people with disabilities who directly influence policies and service delivery
  • Community-based – it is located in the communities we serve and is dedicated to meeting each community’s specific needs
  • Non-residential – we do not operate a residential facility and focus on helping people live as independently as possible
  • Non-profit – the agency meets the federal and state definitions of a not-for-profit organization
  • Cross-disability focused – we serve people of all ages with all types of disabilities

ARISE is dedicated to furthering the independent living philosophy: the belief that people with disabilities have the same rights as people who do not have disabilities. We are at the forefront of advocating for access, choice, and self-determination for individuals with disabilities.

We encourage you to get involved and give back to your community, either by volunteering to help ARISE accomplish its work, or by helping advocacy efforts that reduce the barriers people with disabilities face in their everyday lives.

Our staff reflect the diversity of our community and the people we serve. More than half of our staff are individuals who have a disability.

Our Management Team has extensive experience and expertise in helping people with disabilities maximize their ability to fully integrate into the community.

Our Mission

Exceptional Family Resources (EFR) partners with individuals with disabilities and their families, providing services, information, advocacy, and other supports to enhance lives and foster community acceptance.

Core Values

  • We believe that each person has infinite value and is entitled to have his/her individual needs and visions respected and supported.
  • We believe that, to the best of their abilities, families and people with disabilities should be empowered to be independent and self-advocates.
  • We treat families, individuals, and colleagues with respect, dignity, and courtesy, appreciating their diversity.
  • We strive to take creative and effective actions in response to the strengths and barriers encountered in individuals, families, funders, and society at large.
  • We strive for open and honest communication to enhance trust and integrity in all of our interactions.
  • We are committed to nurturing a workplace environment that values each individual’s contribution and supports growth.

Vision Statement

  • We understand and support the mission of Exceptional Family Resources.
  • We serve families to the best of our ability with the supports that are available.
  • We respect and value the diversity of our staff, families, and community.
  • We respect the confidentiality and privacy of families and each other.
  • We treat families and colleagues with respect, dignity, and courtesy.
  • We conduct ourselves in a professional manner.
  • We work collaboratively.
  • We act with integrity and honesty.
  • We are actively engaged in enhancing the work environment
  • We validate and appreciate individual and agency accomplishments.
  • We work to be perceived by the community as providers of quality and efficient services.
  • We believe that to the best of their abilities, families, and individuals with disabilities should be empowered to be independent self-advocates.

We earn trust every day by fulfilling commitments and abiding by the spirit as well as the vision of this statement. EFR welcomes, as members of our staff, professionals who accept the same vision and commitment.