Greene Arc, Inc. offers support for individuals with disabilities
Since 1967, as a chapter of the national Arc of the United States, Greene Arc, Inc. has been serving residents in Greene County with a variety of programs that support individuals with disabilities.
“Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) should have the opportunity to work in their community,” said Cynthia Dias, executive director of Greene Arc. “Work gives individuals a sense of purpose and self-worth and for many, it defines who we are and is a source of justifiable pride.”
To achieve that, the county chapter offers both pre-vocational training and vocational programs.
Options vary from employment to adult day training to prepare members for the next step, whether that be practicing social skills in the community or finding job placement for a person ready to enter the workforce.
For example, those in the pre-vocational training program help with document destruction, sorting and shredding paperwork from local banks and medical facilities.
Greene Arc also offers a recycling program to the community. They accept newspaper, office paperwork, cardboard, tin cans and plastics at various drop-off locations.
The program allows individuals with disabilities to collect, sort and bale those materials, learning the importance of recycling and safety throughout the process.
Other participants are placed in positions within the community like food service, hospitals and local office sites while having the support of a job coach.
For those not prepared to enter the workforce, the agency offers day services, promoting therapeutic activities, fine and gross motor skills development, exercise and personal growth.
In addition, Greene Arc also offers residential services varying from 24-hour supervised residential living, community group homes or supported living.
“Our Supported Living program assists individuals in acquiring, retaining and improving self-help, socialization and the adaptive skills necessary to reside successfully in the home,” Dias said. “We also have licensed community homes in Waynesburg, Carmichaels and Rogersville which are supervised. It’s based on the individual’s ability to live independently and the support they may need.”
Aside from residential and employment services, Greene Arc has other programs in place to assist with peer support, financial beneficiary support and mental health recovery in certain circumstances.
They focus on community participation; joining others for public events and presenting socialization opportunities which often allows individuals with IDD to thrive.
“These services have active, valued participation in integrated activities,” Dias said. “They build on our participant’s interests, preferences, gifts and strengths and include social networks, volunteering, clubs and opportunities that develop hobbies or leisure interests.”
Though Greene Arc is supported by state and federal funding, Dias said additional funds are always needed to close the gap between government sources and the needs of their members.
“Contributions help us expand our resources and achieve additional support and services for citizens with disabilities,” Dias said.
Greene Arc, Inc. is located at 197 Dunn Station Rd., Prosperity, Pa. For more information, visit https://www.greenearc.org.