[StBernard] Renovations of the St. Bernard Arc Community Center are underway

[Westley Annis]

Renovations of the St. Bernard Arc Community Center are underway

NOLA Community
Print Annette Phillips By Annette Phillips 
on January 24, 2014 at 6:26 AM, updated January 24, 2014 at 6:31 AM

Author Anatole France wrote: "To accomplish great things, we must not only
act, but dream; not only plan, but also, believe." Arc of Greater New
Orleans is able to dream and plan again in Chalmette.

The Humana Foundation recently donated $100,000 to the Arc of New Orleans as
a part of its 2013 Communities Benefit charitable giving program. The grant
will be used to renovate the Arc's Community Center in Chalmette, to serve
as a health and resource center.

"The community center was in desperate need of the grant," Polly Campbell,
executive director of the St. Bernard Community Foundation and an Arc
volunteer.

Arc of Greater New Orleans is a non-profit organization serving people with
intellectual delays and disabilities. The mission of Arc is to help adults
and children with disabilities to develop, and function in their community.

"One of the arms of Arc, supported living, will set up their offices here,"
Campbell said. "It is an important service for individuals wanting to live
independently in a residence. They make sure residents are getting the
support they need."

Arc plans to use the main hall area of the community center for a
continuation of their health and fitness programs. "They will hold functions
such as, gardening, healthy cooking and eating workshops, and fitness
programs," Campbell said.

The building that will house offices and provide space for these events is
in dire need of renovation, Campbell said.

"The kitchen and office areas are of immediate concern," Campbell said. Arc
intends to use it as a fully functioning kitchen for catering Arc and St.
Bernard Parish community events.

The hope, Campbell said, is that Arc participants will learn to help prepare
meals, set up, take down, and serve for special events.

 "It is important that the Arc participants become an important part of a
set up, serve, and cleaning crew," she said. "It takes a little more effort,
because as I have discovered, you have to break down instruction steps. But
it is worth it for them to have this interface with the community."

Campbell has been involved in fund-raising events for Arc of Greater New
Orleans. "We have come a long way with volunteers, and donations. However,
there is a lot to do, so this year I pushed for the fundraising event to be
held in the center," she said. "Because sometimes if you cannot see it, you
don't understand how much is needed."

Another benefit of the community center is that it provides a space for the
voices, and talent of children and adults with disabilities to shine. "For
the fund-raising event this year, we had the InterACT NOLA acting troupe
perform," Campbell said.

The InterACT organization is almost entirely comprised of adults with
disabilities. They performed for the event a piece that was almost entirely
written and performed by adults and children with disabilities, Campbell
said.

"I thought it was phenomenal," she said. "People need to see how cool and
important this is for them to be overcoming fear and inhibition."

Another important part of the activities for Arc members is the community
garden. "They are growing things like kale, broccoli, chard, fennel," she
said. "We encourage people to come out on Mondays, when they pick the
vegetables."

Currently the crew has to prepare the vegetables in Metairie, and sell them
in other markets outside of the parish. "We are looking to redesign this
space, and provide a cooler so that they can prepare the vegetables right
here, and sell them locally," Campbell said.

Arc's main goal is to integrate those with intellectual disabilities into
all aspects of their communities.

"Some of the old ideas about people with disabilities were that they were
hidden away ... "They may have felt ashamed before. Now they feel like 'I am
an active member of the community. I can give back to my community. I may
need a hand, but I will give a hand right back.' "