Filling a need: Woman looks to open activity center for adults with developmental disabilities
Social engagement and exploring new places are vital to the well being of adults with developmental disabilities. Finding enrichment activities close to home can be a challenge, especially for parents who may not know where to find such places. The pandemic has added to the dilemma.
Amy Arthur, who works as a direct support professional, knows the problem all too well and is looking to start an activity center catering to the needs of adults with disabilities such as Down syndrome and autism.
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The center would have separate rooms with different activities, all designed with a person-centered approach. There would be rooms for arts and crafts, music and karaoke, movement, sensory inquiry and a room for individuals who do best without other people.
Arthur would provide the programming, and would keep fees minimal at just $5 an hour because she said most clients have limited means. A property for sale on 16th Street on Bedford's east side would be an ideal location, Arthur said. She plans to name the center Arthur's Activities.
Arthur is having a fundraiser Aug. 12-14 at the property, 140 16th St., to raise money so she can purchase it.
"I don’t have the money just sitting around however I do know this community is amazing and when we come together anything is possible," she said. "I plan to secure the center and with the community's support I can raise the money to create the most amazing activity center for Lawrence County's current and future residents."
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The property also has a large outbuilding where Arthur will turn into a coffee barn for clients and their families to socialize. The space is also large enough to host dances and themed parties.
"There is no community place for a gathering where we can talk and communicate and have basic support for each other and for clients to socialize with each other," which Arthur said is important for families, who can become isolated.
Many parents, she said, are unaware of services and assistance their adult child is eligible for.
"If you don't have friends with someone with a child with, special needs, you're on your own," she said.
The Bedford area has about a half dozen group homes where disabled adults live. Many others are in apartments by themselves as part of supported living programs. All those adults could participate in the activity center.
Prior to working as an independent DSP, Arthur worked at Lawrence County's LARC Center, a Stone Belt program, for seven years.
"I fell in love with what I was doing and am still doing it today," she said.
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When LARC closed its client services at the start of the pandemic, Arthur said she was approached by parents who wanted help providing activities for their special needs teens and adults. Arthur said her LARC clients always looked forward to outings, but she said, there are only so many community spaces that are available.
"LARC is great and offers a lot, but there are all these people who aren't LARC clients and they don't have anywhere to go all day long," she said. "Lawrence County has nothing for this group of its residents, most of whom have lived here their entire lives. It is my passion and my mission to create this amazing place for them," she said.
Fundraiser for Arthur's Activities
Aug. 12: 4 to 8 p.m.: DJ, vendor sales
Aug. 13: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.: DJ, vendor sales, BBQ, silent auction, bake sale and karaoke
Aug. 14: 1 to 6 p.m.: Lunch with live gospel music
Details: 140 16th St., Bedford, rain or shine. For more information, contact Arthur, 812-620-0559.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Amy Arthur looks to bring activities to adults with disabilities to Lawrence County
