The Center of Hope, also know at the Southern Worcester County ARC, Inc., began in 1956 with a small group of parents wishing to see that children with cognitive disabilities could be brought up at home with educational and other supports. It was incorporated in April of 1958 and shortly thereafter opened a small nursery school named Center of Hope. Since its humble beginnings, Center of Hope has created a model integrated Children's After School and Camp programs. The Center provides support services to children with Special Needs at local camps. The Center’s Camp Program also offers teens a recreational Summer Teen Program. All programs offer outdoor recreational experiences, including swimming, hiking and a variety of outdoor adventures.

The Children’s Recreational Program seeks to integrate children with special needs into groups, classes and activities in the local community, such as Boy Scout Troops, YMCA swim classes, Kung Fu Classes, Community Service Groups, as well as Recreational Sporting Programs affiliated with Special Olympics year round.

During the school year, the Center of Hope runs Live & Learn. This program provides children with the support to complete homework and learn skills while their parents are still at work. The After School Program also offers Monday and Wednesday Night Teen Group in Southbridge, Wednesday Night Teen Group in Oxford. These groups provide young adult with a social environment, skills training lessons and the opportunity to perform community service. The After School component has grown to include other kinds of Family Support, including Intensive Family Supports and specialized and flexible support services for children and adults with specific needs.

The Center of Hope also operates two Adult Day Health programs and two Day Habilitation programs.

This is the same high quality product made popular by the Lance Armstrong Foundation's "Live Strong Campaign". Made from 100% Silicone Rubber and imprinted with the symbolic Autism Puzzle Pattern. The puzzle pattern of this rubber bracelet reflects the mystery and complexity of autism. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with this disorder. The bright yellow colors in the autism rubber bracelet are signals of hope through research.