First of a three-part seriesSYLACAUGA — Vanessa Vernon smiles as she talks about the time she spends with her friends five days a week at the center at The Arc of South Talladega County.
The 36-year-old has been coming to the center in Sylacauga for more than 15 years. One of her favorite things to do is work on contract jobs — jobs the clients do for various businesses and industries in the community.
Vernon gets along well with others on these jobs and gets paid for her work.
"I like to spend my money on rings and watches," she said.
In her free time at The Arc, Vernon enjoys talking with her friends, playing cards and using the computer.
A vast majority of the adults at The Arc talked about how much they love doing the jobs and getting paid for them.
Beverly White, director of The Arc, said the jobs play an important role in giving these mentally challenged adults their own spending money.
Since becoming director 20 years ago, White said many changes have occurred at The Arc.
"Back then we did a lot of crafts with our guys, busy type things to keep them occupied. They had one job they did with Velcon Filters. Velcon remains one of our employers," she said. "We have been doing contract jobs with this company for years."
Today, The Arc is an entirely different world from two decades ago.
The center looks at impacting these adults’ entire lives from work to social activities.
They do art, swimming, bowling and, of course, jobs. They go to the library. On Friday they have a cooking class. One group each week plans the menu, purchases the food at the grocery store and prepares the meal.
This month, organizations like The Arc of South Talladega County are observing Mental Retardation Month.
This is an annual observance focused on increasing public awareness and understanding of the issues affecting people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities.
White said The Arc is committed to securing for all people with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live, work and play.
The history of The Arc dates back to 1974 when the South Talladega County Association for Retarded Citizens was formed. The initial role of The A.R.C. was that of advocacy.
A grant was awarded to The A.R.C. and Cheaha Mental Health Center to do a child search to determine what services for the mentally retarded were needed. The search found that a preschool program was needed. In 1975, with matching funds provided by both groups, a preschool program was started.
Sunshine Saturday began as a means of raising the money for the match. Sunshine Saturday was tradition until 2000, when the final one was held.
The original building that housed what was known as the Sunshine Opportunity School was on Brown Avenue in Sylacauga. As the program grew, so did the need for a larger building. A former church on Main Avenue was purchased in 1976 and Cheaha Mental Health center rented space from The A.R.C. to manage the program.
The A.R.C. started a three day adult program in 1978. This program concentrated on crafts, recreation and self-help activities run by volunteers.
The adult program became a work activity center in 1980 and got its first contract job with Velcon Filters. A thrift store was opened as a means of raising additional money.
In 1982, The A.R.C. separated from Cheaha Mental Health and began providing programs without assistance from the organization and extended the adult program to five days.
Funding for the program was obtained from the Special Education Trust Fund in 1984 and in 1992 it began receiving $25,000 annually from the tobacco tax.
The A.R.C. changed its name in 1994 from the Association for Retarded Citizens of South Talladega County to The Arc of South Talladega County.
In 1995, the city of Sylacauga was awarded a grant to construct a new Arc facility. The facility opened in June 1998.
Finally, in October 2000, The Arc started receiving 2 percent of the proceeds from a 2-cent sales and use tax levied upon entities conducting business in the unincorporated areas of Talladega County.
The Arc also receives funding annually from Sylacauga United Way, White said.
Just recently, The Arc started a new program called the Forget-Me-Not Shop. Four clients work there during the week. The store features a used book room, handmade items, and more.
Today, 34 adults take part in The Arc’s program.
People like 34-year-old Beverly Nettles, who has been coming to The Arc for 10 years. She said she loves doing the contract jobs and earning some money on her own. She also works at the Forget-Me-Not Shop.
Nettles, like the other adults, benefits from The Arc, White said.
White invites the public to take part in Mental Retardation Awareness Month.
"You can support children and adults with mental retardation during the month of March, by learning more about the issues that affect people with these disabilities," she said.
She also encourages citizens to support the local Arc by gathering unused household and personal items for the organization’s spring yard sale. The Arc will be taking donations at its center on West 4th Street during the month of March. The yard sale is April 8 and 9.
For more information on donating unused items, call The Arc at (256) 245-2323.
Editor’s Note: This series of stories on the Arc organizations in Sylacauga, Talladega and Pell City looks at what the organizations do to serve individuals with disabilities in their communities.
