Not too many years ago, the likelihood of someone like Lisa Barcus working and living on her own were somewhere between slim and none.

Because she has Down syndrome, she wouldn’t be expected to hold a job. If she was lucky, she might one day move into a group home. Otherwise, she’d have to live with her parents.

That’s no longer true for people with Down syndrome, thanks, in part, to programs such as ARC of Douglas County and other groups that help the developmentally disabled.

Barcus, 22, has a cafeteria job at Kansas University and an apartment in west Lawrence.

“She’s pretty much self-sufficient,” said Barcus’ mother, Angee Barcus. “She’s doing great.”

Each year, ARC of Douglas County helps families like the Barcuses sort through the services available to developmentally disabled children and adults.

“We’re sort of a neutral, outside voice that helps families figure out what their needs are, what services are available and how to go about getting those services,” said Barb Bishop, ARC of Douglas County executive director.

The program will be the subject of a fund-raising pancake feed from 8 a.m to 11 a.m. Saturday in the basement of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1234 Ky.

Former Kansas University basketball standout Jerod Haase and Lawrence City Commissioner Sue Hack are scheduled to be among those flipping pancakes. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children between 6 and 12. Children under 5 eat free.

Lisa Barcus sprays down a conveyor belt at work at Mrs. E's at Kansas University. Barcus, who has Down syndrome, is able to live independently, in part because of the help of ARC of Douglas County. A pancake feed on Saturday will raise funds for the organization, which helps developmentally disabled adults and children navigate through the available social services.

“We are probably the longest running, unknown agency in Lawrence,” Bishop said. “We’ve been here almost 50 years, but most people don’t know who we are or what we do. So with this pancake feed, we’re hoping to get the word out and maybe make a little money.”

ARC began long ago as a support group for parents of children with mental retardation. Through the years the organization evolved into an advocacy and service organization.

Each year, ARC of Douglas County helps at least 100 adults and children navigate the state’s social-service system.

An ARC of Douglas County case manager checks on Lisa Barcus regularly.

“ARC of Douglas County has been a driving force in Lisa’s being able to live independently,” Angee Barcus said.