The Arc Of Loudoun Celebrates New Home After Relocation Of School, Other Services

LANSDOWNE, VA — After a nonprofit serving people with disabilities had to leave its longtime home in the Town of Leesburg, it celebrated a ribbon cutting at its new location.

The Arc of Loudoun held a ribbon cutting at Lansdowne's National Conference Center last Friday with the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, 100WomenStrong, Loudoun County Economic Development, the Town of Leesburg, and dozens of community partners. The nonprofit, which serves nearly 5,000 people with disabilities each year, has its three centers in one location.

"Over the past few months, The Arc has faced some extreme challenges," said Lisa Max, CEO of The Arc of Loudoun. "But the flip side of unprecedented challenges is knowing that your community will be there for you. For almost 60 years, The Arc has been a place of healing and hope for families, and today we stand stronger than ever."

The nonprofit's three centers at the National Conference Center include the Center for Adaptive Education (preschool, Aurora School and behavioral clinics), the Center for Adaptive Fitness and Wellness (Ability Fitness Center), and the Center for Advancing Disability Advocacy (ALLY Advocacy Center).

The Ability Fitness Center relocated to the National Conference Center in early August. The expanded space allowed the center to add pediatric services for the first time. The Ability Fitness Center provides therapeutic fitness and wellness services for people with neurological and developmental disabilities. Equipment at the center provides play-based therapy and activity-based interventions to improve functional ability for individuals with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, balance disorders, developmental disabilities, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome and other neurological conditions.

The Aurora School, which serves students aged 5 to 22 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, reopened on Sept. 15. The National Conference Center agreed to house the Aurora School, and the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation provided a $300,000 gift. The relocation of all services to the National Conference Center was supported by donors through the Arc of Loudoun’s $1 million Empower Aurora campaign, including a $50,000 gift from 100WomenStrong.

"In late August, Lisa and her team were in here demoing walls with our staff," said John Walsh, vice president and general manager of The National Conference Center. "By September 15, children were arriving. That’s magic, and it happens because of this community."

The ALLY Advocacy Center, which provides free disability rights guidance and training for families and professionals, operated in public libraries and other spaces before the transition to the National Conference Center.

The Arc of Loudoun was locked out of its old Leesburg campus run by the Paxton Memorial Trust in August, leading to a delayed start to the school year. That came after negotiations failed between the Arc of Loudoun and the trust, and the former's previous lease expired on Aug. 31, 2024, the Loudoun Times-Mirror previously reported. The nonprofit had been on the campus for more than 16 years. Members of the Aurora School community held a protest seeking a return to the campus.

Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk, a former special education teacher, expressed support for the Arc of Loudoun continuing its mission in a new location.

"While downtown Leesburg is sad to have lost the Aurora School, we are equally thrilled that it continues here in a new home," said Burk. "As someone who worked in special education, I know how important this work is. These families depend on you, and you are making a difference every single day."