Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm
What We Do
Our Value-Added programs enhance our consumers’ experiences with the Arc-Solano. These include programs like our Art@Arc, which is a safe space for our consumers to practice freedom of expression and choice-making skills. To participate in a Value-Added program, you must be a client of at least one Core Program. Our Value-Added programs are supported by our Core Programs as well as generous donations of money and time.
Art@Arc is the creative arts program of the Arc-Solano. Established in 1995, this program provides consumers with a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental atmosphere in which to explore their creative voices. The freedom to create and the freedom to make individual choices in this program are the cornerstones which provide our consumers with the opportunity to gain recognition and increase self-esteem.
We have exhibited in a variety of local galleries and other venues, including the Solano County Fair. As a group, our artists average at least 13 awards per year from the Solano County Fair. We also have the Amy Scopesi Art Gallery at our office, which is open to the public! All the artwork is for sale, with proceeds going back to the program for more supplies and to the artist as a commission.
This program is open to consumers in all three of our core programs. Please note: limited number of spaces available.
In 2023, we had a special visiting Theater Instructor, Meja, who collaborated with participants to envision, write, and produce an original play that opened on November 1, 2023, at the Mira Theatre in Vallejo.
Please visit our gallery here.
Much of our artwork is available printed on beautiful, high-quality merchandise on our CaféPress store. The proceeds help support our organization. Check it out.
The ability to read makes a person independent. Without it, you can’t sort your mail, figure out your bills, find bargains in ads, send a birthday card, a thank you note, or a complaint letter.
Many of our consumers at the Arc-Solano come to us with very limited or no ability to read or write. To help them, we formed a partnership with the Solano County Library adult literacy program to adapt their program to the needs and schedules of our clients. We report our students’ progress every month. In turn, the library staff meets with each student every six months for a check-in and to see if they have new goals they want to achieve.
The tutors are staff and volunteers at the Arc-Solano, and we provide the meeting rooms, writing supplies, and moral support, while the Solano Library adult literacy program provides supervision and core materials. Additional books and reading material are purchased by the tutors. Three of our consumers have taken the library’s Adult Literacy Training course and are now Literacy Teaching Assistants, working with the tutors and assisting students.
This program is open to consumers in all three of our core programs who have less than a 5th grade reading level. After an assessment by the library staff, consumers are matched with a tutor. Tutoring usually occurs once per week at the office for ACT consumers and in the community or home for TDS and TS consumers.
The amazing BEADdazzlers are a small group of 5 consumers from the ACT program, who design and create a variety of items such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. They pride themselves in using quality products like crystals, stones, glass, and ceramics for their creations.
The BEADdazzlers create one-of-a-kind designs that are on display at the Arc-Solano. The group also exhibits their designs at other venues such as the Benicia Farmer’s Market, art & craft fairs, and their creations are also available for purchase in our office.
The group is self-supported and self-governed. All decisions, including financial, are made by the group as a collective. The money they earn from their sales either goes to purchasing new supplies or is used by the group for fun events and outings.
This program is open to our ACT consumers, depending on available openings.
