ARC makes links in community

Mary Manaugh was on a record-setting pace.

By early Thursday afternoon, she had put together a box and a half of faucet parts and was plugging right along to finish the second box.

"I've done about 2,000," the 27-year-old proudly said of her work. "I've never finished that many before in one day."

The satisfaction of a job well done wouldn't be possible for Manaugh and the rest of her coworkers at Jackson Developmental Industries in Seymour without the support of ARC of Jackson County.

ARC is a nonprofit organization that provides support services to more than 200 county residents with mental and/or physical impairments. It is funded through Jackson County United Way and county government.

The organization used to be more commonly known as the Association for Retarded Citizens, and even though it still goes by ARC, members prefer to use the term disabled when referring to clients.

Although clients have disabilities, in some cases severe, they are far from disabled when it comes to being able to work, play, learn, socialize and enjoy life.

Through local programs and services supported by ARC, such as JDI, Stone Belt, R.E.A.C.H., group homes and the Anthony Wayne Academy, citizens with developmental disabilities are given opportunities for personal development, independence and community involvement in educational classes, jobs, physical therapy, field trips and recreational activities.

ARC has humble beginnings in Jackson County.

In the 1950s a small group of parents with mentally disabled children came together to discuss the need for educational services for their children and decided they wanted a school.

"At that time people with disabilities weren't allowed in public schools," Trudy Reynolds, past president of the ARC board of directors said. "They had to stay at home or in hospitals or nursing homes. There were no options for our kids. So the parents got together to create a school."

With the help of local service organizations and schools, the group was able to build the Sunshine School near Seymour-Redding Elementary School on the north side of Seymour. The facility still exists but is now called Stone Belt and provides day activities for clients such as swimming, bowling, cooking and crafts.

With changes in legislation on how the mentally disabled are educated, children with mental disabilities are now able to go to public schools.

"That is something we fought hard for," ARC Executive Director Anne Baxter said. "Our kids need an education too. After the Sunshine School was built, things just started to evolve."

Stone Belt employees Andrea Dorsett and Christy Brooks agree that ARC is changing the way people think about the mentally handicapped.

"I've just seen it get better and better," Dorsett, who worked at the former Muscatatuck State Hospital in Jennings County for many years, said. She's been with Stone Belt for the past 15 years.

"Our clients are becoming more independent and are more accessible in the community," she said. "They are making their own choices like the rest of us. If it weren't for Stone Belt and ARC and the other programs, I don't think anyone would even know about our clients, and they are part of our community."

Dorsett said she wouldn't trade her job for anything.

"I love my job," she said. "How can you not love it when you work with such great people who always put a smile on your face? They really touch my heart and I love all of them."

Brooks, who has been with Stone Belt for about a year, agreed.

"I enjoy seeing the look in their eyes when they accomplish something," she said. "We are able to get them out in the community, and they look forward to it every day. Without these programs, our clients would live very simple, boring lives."

On Wednesdays, Dorsett and Brooks take a group of six of eight adults bowling in Seymour. Joe Christopher and Larry Quillen, both in wheelchairs, make up part of the group.

It's easy to see that both enjoy the recreational activity. Using a special ramp, both are able to send the ball rolling down the lane. Quillen was enjoying himself after hitting a couple of strikes in a row.

"I like bowling," Christopher said. "But I no good."

But it didn't matter who was the best bowler; the entire group, including Dorsett and Brooks, had a good time.

Baxter said the organization has stayed strong and kept busy in the community throughout the years, but people still don't know what ARC is or what it does.

"They think it's the Red Cross," she said. "We get that a lot."

For Baxter and Reynolds, ARC's success and importance in the community are personal. Both have children with developmental disabilities.

Baxter's daughter, Shelli, 37, went through the Sunshine School and now is a resident at the Anthony Wayne Academy in Seymour. It's a residence for lower functioning, severely handicapped people. The facility also provides programs, including music and arts and crafts, as well as outings, for clients, many of whom are bedridden.

"Shelli loves it out there," Baxter said. "You can put her anywhere and she's happy. Recently they took her to see a play. They are very creative there and come up with great ideas of things to do."

Reynolds' son, Travis, 28, has also benefited from ARC and its programs, Reynolds said.

"Most of us involved with ARC are parents," she said.

Thanks to the growth of services ARC supports and the increase in acceptance of mentally impaired children and adults in the community, Travis is able to work at JDI and bring home a paycheck.

"He's really good at it and he likes it," Reynolds said of her son's job. Like Mary Manaugh, he also works with faucet parts for Delta Faucets.

But that's not all he is able to do. Through classes and outings, Travis has learned how to cook for himself and bowl.

"Who knows where we would be without ARC?" Trudy said. "It's improved his quality of life."

Many of the clients working at JDI said they enjoy being able to do something productive and get paid for it.

"I like making the money," Manaugh said. "And I have friends here."

"That's why we have to keep working hard," Donald Bennethum said while packing faucet parts. "We like to make money."

About Jackson County ARC
- Jackson County ARC serves as an advocate for the developmentally disabled and works to seek funding, monitor services and purchase programs as needed in Jackson County.
- There are three day programs: Jackson Developmental Industries, Anthony Wayne Academy and Stonebelt of Jackson County, as well as several group homes.
- Contact: Executive Director - Anne Baxter
- Address: 608 Pineway Court, Seymour IN 47274
- Phone: 522-4323