HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-03-15, Page 14Frenchman's Inn
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Second section - March 15, 1995
Recreational
activities now
open to clients
ARC volunteer programs offer a wide
variety of non -work pursuits to clients
By Heather Vincent
T -A staff
DASHWOOD - ARC (Adult
Rehabilitation Centre) In-
dustries has recently begun a
volunteer program which start-
ed recruiting members of the
community last summer. Be-
ginning January 1, 1995, de-
velopmentally challenged cli-
ents have been
given the op-
portunity to choose
between work or
non -work activities.
Choices for the
non -work programs
include education
and literacy, computers, rec-
reation and sports, bowling,
swimming and a wide variety
of special interests. Clients
have recently requested activ-
ities such as horseback riding
classes, piano lessons and poet-
ry class.
Some of the volunteer activ-
ities also include trips to town
for lunch outings or to visit the
library.
"Exeter is not a wheelchair
accessible town," said Bensett.
The stores and restaurants in
many towns often have steps or
the aisles are too narrow. The
most difficult building in Exet-
er is the library. ARC clients
must travel to Clinton to make
use of a public library.
Volunteers are needed as lit-
eracy tutors ancl'receive train-
ing from employee Marie Ne -
"Mo
have f
to
effi
thercott who uses the Lauback
System for teaching literacy to
adults as well as children.
There are four books in the se-
ries which can be tailored to
meet -individual needs.
"It's just a matter of repeti-
tion. Everybody wants to read
for a different purpose," said
Nethercott.Val Gould is a vol-
unteer from Exeter
who is currently
receiving training
to teach literacy.
Faye Rader, of
Dashwood, vol-
unteers reading
stories to some of
the younger clients. Rader
also hopes to bake cookies as
part of her volunteer work.
As the non -work and work
areas of the organization de-
velop, morevolunteers will be
required. The recent federal
budget will mean grants to em-
ploy students during the sum-
mer months will likely be cut
in future years. Budget cuts
may not be all bad news for
Arc.
"Money cuts have forced us
to be more efficient," said Vol-
unteer Organizer, Jane Ben -
sett.
Bensett stresses the most im-
portant thing to keep in mind
is that everyone has something
to offer. One does not require
special skills or talents to be-
come a volunteer. Many of
the senior volunteers are in-
ney cuts
orced us
be more
tient."
active during the winter
months because they are away
or do not wish to drive in
snowy conditions. More vol-
unteers are always needed and
welcomed.
There is always "something
that you can do, someone here
can't," said Bensett. The cli-
ents and their abilities cover a
wide range.
One of the most important
roles volunteers play is boost-
ing client self-esteem by es-
tablishing personal friend-
ships. The employees of ARC
are paid to spend time with the
clients and often the clients are
often aware of this fact. Vol-
unteers visit because they gen-
uinely enjoy the company of
the individual.
Bensett commented that
some of the Clients retain their,
innocence long into adulthood.
Growth takes a longer time
and a prolonged sense of open-
ness is a real joy for those
working with the clients.
"There is a pleasure in see-
ing growth. All you have to
do is relax and enjoy," said
Bensett. She knows this from
first-hand experience. Besides
working and volunteering at
ARC, Bensett and her husband
have taken a client into their
home to live with them be-
cause the individual was not
happy in the group home en-
vironment.
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A
Arc Indfastrles recently
created a volunteer program
and clients now are able to
choose non -work activities.
Faye Rader volunteers by
reading stories to some of
the younger clients. At left
is Danny Greb, right is David
Brisette and in back is Chris
Playfoot. Middle photo; vol-
unteer Allison Beckett,
left, works with Myla Daw-
son, right, on a computer
program. Bottom photo;
Chantelle Crabe, right,
helps client Aleida Katz,
left, through the CD ROM
software.
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Ph: (519) 235-2757
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