United Way’s 50 years of help for BARC

by LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER
For over 50 years now, United Way of West Central Connecticut  has helped further Bristol Adult Resource Center’s mission of advocating personal growth and community inclusion for all they serve.
A private, non-profit United Way organization, BARC consists of parents, educators, professionals, and volunteers who are dedicated to offering services to and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities in the greater Bristol area.
With two locations at Lake Avenue and Jerome Avenue, and administrative offices on Maltby Street, BARC has grown since its inception in 1957. With financial assistance from the United Way and the City of Bristol, programs were developed for 12 individuals and operated in a one-room schoolhouse. Today, BARC has grown to include a greenhouse, restaurant, vocational center, an expanded center, a satellite building, community living arrangements and supported living arrangements. A variety of vocational, residential and day service options are provided for over 100 individuals with special needs.
This year, United Way allocated $10,000 for afternoon early evening care and activities for people with developmental disabilities at BARC. This service meets United Way’s building block of “income.” Funding began July 1, 2015, and ends June 30, 2018.
Gebben extended gratitude for the funding, which will help keep programs moving forward. One program focuses on nutrition, offering individuals a chance to take part in Zumba while learning about healthy eating.
“We would have had to let go of some of those programs if we didn’t have the support,” said Gebben.
In addition to nutrition, individuals with special needs take part in a variety of other programs and activities, including Bingo and community outings, which may involve attending a sports game.
“They…look forward to them,” said Gebben. “The desire to participate is there.”
These kinds of activities have helped people with developmental disabilities grow as individuals, added Gebben.
“It helps them gain confidence in themselves and what they’re capable of doing,” said Gebben. “It helps them develop social skills.”
The families of those who are served by BARC also benefit from the afternoon/early evening care activities.
“The parent doesn’t have to worry about getting out of work early,” said Gebben. “It overall helps the community.”
For Gebben, who has worked at BARC for several years now, seeing individuals “blossom as they attempt new endeavors” has been a rewarding experience. Through the new technology program at BARC, for instance, individuals have learned how to operate cash registers. Now they help ring customers out once a week at The Hidden Café, BARC’s newly renamed restaurant at its Jerome Avenue location. Originally called “The Dining Room,” The Hidden Café is open to the community Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch.
“It gives the individuals something that allows them to…feel an important role in what they’re doing,” said Gebben.
This year, individuals at BARC have gained other skills. With the newly established art studio, individuals at BARC learned a variety of art techniques, creating paintings and other forms of art that were displayed at an art show held at the New England Carousel Museum. In addition, they have helped with delivery orders in the community for BARC’s new Grinders on the Go program, which is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Looking ahead, Gebben said the day program will expand with cash registers that include a bar code scan, so individuals at BARC can learn to ring up coupons and debit/credit cards.
“The whole idea is to have them prepared to be able to work in the community and advancing from one program here to the next,” said Gebben.
Gebben also noted the high level of volunteerism at BARC in a variety of ways. There are at least a couple dozen of volunteers from all walks of life, including students from St. Paul Catholic High School who put on a prom for BARC every year.
“There’s a whole lot of ways that the volunteers help, and we’re grateful for all that they do,” said Gebben. “It’s great for inclusion. We advocate community inclusion for our individuals.”
BARC has been a funded partner of United Way since 1962, said Donna Osuch, president and CPO of United Way of West Central Connecticut. But the relationship between United Way and BARC goes beyond the funding. Every year during the annual Day of Caring, United Way volunteers have took part in different building and maintenance projects at BARC, such as building the non-profit’s patio, picnic tables and benches that have been enjoyed by staff and families, said Osuch.
Osuch said projects like these have helped BARC maximize its resources.
“When United Way volunteers see the variety of programs that BARC offers, they appreciate the impact BARC has in the community,” said Osuch, adding that the partnership between BARC and United Way has grown over the years.
In turn, BARC helps out with United Way’s annual toy drive and the Adopt-A-Child Back to School Program.
“United Way understands what our goals are, and what we’re trying to achieve,” said Gebben.
Osuch said United Way “shares its resources and information to ensure that BARC and all of its community partners have access to services that improve the quality of life for individuals and families.”
“Financial stability is a critical building block of quality of life,” said Osuch.
For more information about BARC, visit its website, bristolarc.org.