In 1957, ARC Kandiyohi County had its first meeting which was held at the Lewis Family Cabin on Green Lake. It was led and driven by parents with children with disabilities.

In February 2016, ARC Kandiyohi County Board of Directors decided to re-organize and change the organization name to Advocacy and Inclusion Matter of West Central Minnesota (AIM). AIM is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.

AIM and local partners put on a spring and fall dance. They also offer painting, creative mask making and other craft classes. AIM programs support staying active with healthy living, fitness, walking club, adaptive curling, and a bowling league. AIM offers educational seminars to learn about guardianship, person-centered decision-making, government, and basic classes.

AIM has a self-advocacy group called People First. The group is led by people with disabilities with some assistance from advisors. They elect their own officers for a two-year term, plan events for the third Thursday of every month and volunteer at many events and activities.

We focus on the 4 Main Pillars of AIM; advocacy, wellness, education and social inclusion.

• Advocacy is helping others to express their views, thoughts, and concerns.
• Wellness is supporting daily healthy habits to attain better physical and mental health.
• Education is learning new skills.
• Social inclusion is giving opportunities with peers and being in the community.