Public Service Profile By Lauren Bertovich
O
GREENE ARC
utside of Ruff Creek, Pa is Greene Arc, an organization that provides many resources and services to individuals - and their families - diagnosed with cognitive, intellectual, behavioral, and developmental disabilities. Inside, you’ll also find employees and volunteers with big hearts, kind souls and the willingness to change our county for the better. Unfortunately, we do not all come into this world with the same abilities; it is Greene Arc’s mission to make sure everyone is given the same opportunities and that every life has a purpose. Their aim is to break down barriers and rid the community of the stigma that is placed on people with mental and/or physical disabilities. The staff at Greene Arc believe that with the right guidance, care and nurturing these individuals will flourish and thrive when given the opportunity to do so. What makes Greene Arc wonderful are the programs they offer. These programs not only benefit the people involved, but also provide a service to the community. The Food Service Program teaches its participants how to work in a commercial kitchen. They learn recipe preparation, food safety and how to properly handle hot and sharp objects. Lunches can be preordered daily for the affordable price of $4.00, with delicious options like baked cod or chicken salad on croissants. A full menu can be viewed on Greene Arc’s website. Participants gain the skills necessary to obtain and secure a job in the food service industry and delicious meals are available to anyone with an appetite! If you’re starting to feel hungry and want one of these meals, please call and order in advance! Greene Arc is also responsible for all of the recycling in Greene County; in 2018, 318.61 tons were recycled creating almost $47,000 in revenue. Document Destruction Services are offered to banks, schools, medical facilities, and any other businesses that need sensitive materials destroyed. For less than a quarter per pound, sensitive materials are destroyed securely and
correctly. Last year they destroyed almost 12 tons of materials, earned over $6,365.00 in revenue, and trained 22 individuals. There are many wonderful things happening at Greene Arc - too many to list in this article but the most important thing is that all of these programs are in some way helping individuals recover, contribute to their community and live meaningful, fulfilling lives. Additionally, Greene Arc offers psychiatric rehabilitation, transportation services, and peer support from individuals who are recovering from a mental health diagnosis. Their Representative Payee Program offers guidance so that the participants can gain financial independence. A residential program, Community Living Services, places participant in one of 4 houses in Greene County where they can receive 24 hour care and supervision. Each house adheres to all 6,400 regulations that govern a residential program and they are fully licensed and inspected annually. All of Greene Arc’s employees and volunteers are skilled, trained, and undergo a background check prior to employment. Greene Arc participates with many aspects of the community, including the Food Pantry, the Farmer’s Market, Humane Society, Save-a-Horse Foundation, and the Greene County Museum. They strive to integrate disabled citizens so they experience all that life, and our community, has to offer. ”This is a county that works so well together,” says Cynthia Dias, Executive Director of Greene Arc since 2005. “It is a collaboration of human services that really supports the citizens of Greene County.” We all come into this world with something to contribute, our different abilities and outlooks on the world need to be used in the best ways possible. Just because someone is deemed “disabled” does not mean they are “unable”. All it takes is the help and kindness of people like those at Greene Arc, combined with given opportunities, and miracles will happen. FMI, please visit the website www.greenearc.org, call (724)627-5511, or visit their Facebook @GreeneArc.
GreeneScene by Alicia Henderson
Particiapants in the recycling and food service programs work with staff and volunteers to learn new skills and provide a service to the community.
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GreeneScene Magazine •
FEBRUARY
2019
