The James Bernard and Mildred Jordan Tucker Fund was established more than 40 years ago to benefit disabled persons dependent on the use of a wheelchair for mobility and to also buoy eligible ADA-compliance projects.
Now, a recent grant from the fund via Inland Empire Community Foundation will greatly support Desert Arc, a nonprofit human services organization that has long offered support services such as transportation.
“We’re grateful for this opportunity,” said Michelle Peters, Desert Arc’s President and CEO. “Many of the individuals that we support utilize wheelchairs. One of the fine partnerships we have is with the Desert Recreation District. They have all sorts of adaptive sports opportunities, and we go there quite frequently. We utilize this grant to be able to do that.”
Desert Arc, founded in 1959, serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living throughout Riverside County and the Morongo Basin of San Bernardino County. One of its key efforts is the Transportation Program, which transports individuals to and from their program or work site.
Peters said the team of professional, dedicated drivers who provide daily curb-to-curb service from an individual’s home to their program has been instrumental in creating a lasting impact.
Individuals using the service span a broad spectrum.
Roughly 700 people, ages 18 and older, with diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and epilepsy are enrolled in the nonprofit’s programs. Each client’s services are designed with a person-centered plan for personal growth and development. Connection and trust are key.
Peters, who “literally rolled into the Valley on the moving truck at the end of March of this year and started my role April 1,” appreciates the opportunity. She feels locals are familiar with what the organization does day to day, providing transportation, but notes some of its other efforts, such as responding to community needs. To that end, Desert Arc has established a variety of valued enterprises, employing clients and providing business services such as shredding, recycling, landscape maintenance, order fulfillment, and janitorial services.
“What we are really working on targeting is our employment services so that individuals in the community understand the great work that we’ve been doing,” Peters adds. “We help through our state funding and often through these various grant opportunities, paying admissions and fees and whatnot. Through that, we are able to help people get competitive employment.”
The organization has worked on several endeavors on that front.
“One person comes to mind, and it’s an employee of Acrisure Arena,” she said. “We’re getting ready to do a spotlight on her. We also have several gentlemen who expressed interest through the Community Connections program. They are now employees of Joshua Tree doing janitorial work there.
“I’d love for locals to know more about the employment efforts here,” she added, “because it’s great and dynamic work, and it’s wonderful that we’re able to do it. And our volunteer opportunities help others explore their interests. There’s a huge variety of work out there.”
Desert Arc also offers life-enhancing programs that span adult day centers and behavioral programs. The For Your Independence and Independent Living Skills program offers supportive living services. And Pathways to Employment and Transportation further strengthens the nonprofit’s commitment to transporting people to and from the campuses.
“I love being part of this team,” Peters said. “One of my favorite stories here revolves around our janitorial services. This is a team of individuals with disabilities who come through and collect trash. And every day there’s one individual who pops his head around my office door, and he’s just like, ‘What up, girl?’ It’s the highlight of my day. It just makes me so happy to see him happy.
“And there’s a certain excitement that comes from seeing people take pride in their work,” she added, “and to know that they’re doing a good job; knowing that we’re making a difference. I think that’s what I love most about this work—being able to really make a difference.”
For more information, visit https://www.desertarc.org/
This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, November 2025.
Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy. Sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.
