Our History

ARCC: Pride in Our History and Accomplishments

Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC) began its critical work in 1974 by addressing the academic, social, and mental health needs of at-risk youth and families living in the extremely high-need area of East San Josè, CA. Due to the lack of linguistically-sensitive and culturally-appropriate practitioners and services, many of the predominantly Spanish-speaking individuals in this region were “falling through the cracks” of the legal, educational, and health systems and into lives of poverty, academic failure, illness, incarceration, addiction, and victimization. A group of active community members founded ARCC in the hopes of providing this community with the culturally proficient counseling and professional support they needed to lead healthier, safer, and more productive lives.

For 52 years, ARCC’s programs have helped to keep at-risk youth safe, in school, and drug- and violence-free. Today, ARCC serves over 4,500 youth and their families annually and has over 90 employees, with close to 80% of direct services staff being culturally- and linguistically-reflective of the community it serves. ARCC was awarded Project Cornerstone’s Award in March 2008, acknowledging success in promoting Developmental Asset #41, Positive Cultural Identity. ARCC was chosen due the cultural competency of the staff and similar backgrounds and experiences that they share with clients served by the agency.

Although there are other non-profit organizations providing mental health and specialized educational support services to Santa Clara County residents, ARCC is the only agency that serves youth (ages 0-19) with a specific focus on the East/Central San José area, serving a high percentage (approximately 70%) of Latino, immigrant, and monolingual clients in the region.

Today, ARCC operates ten different programs on a continuum of care, addressing truancy/school failure, anger management, juvenile delinquency, gang activity, drug/alcohol abuse, and family violence. Our continuum of care, working with youth and families at a variety of risks, promotes long-term, positive outcomes in a community challenged by struggles for adequate healthcare and professional support.