Community Corner

The Arc Helps Disabled Find Ways to Work, Independence

The nonprofit has been here in Camden County for more than 50 years—the last several of which have seen a township resident dedicate herself to the cause.

Did you know The Arc of Camden County has been helping people with developmental disabilities since the 1950s?

You do now.

Did you know March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month?

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

You do now.

To become more aware of what is happening near Gloucester Township to help adults with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and other developmental disabilities, Patch on Thursday toured The Arc's Occupational Training Center, located on the White Horse Pike in Berlin.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Arc's students are paid for tasks they finish for companies that contract with the nonprofit. Most of the jobs pay per unit, so a student is rewarded for the effort he or she puts in, or doesn't.

They stuff envelopes. They fill bottles. They put books in boxes. They put together components to retail stores' price scanners.

"We set it up so they can succeed, so they can gain confidence," Arc production manager Joe Conroy said.

The work not only helps the students make a few bucks and provides them with improved self-worth and confidence, it prepares them for off-site jobs.

Last year, The Arc of Camden County placed about 50 of its students in external jobs.

"Employers are looking for people with good work ethics," Dan Ravasio, assistant executive director of The Arc, said. "And our folks, they want to work. ... They're dying to succeed."

The majority of The Arc's funding comes via the state's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Developmental Disabilities, Ravasio said. The nonprofit also receives support from United Way and the county.

Like many nonprofit agencies in today's struggling economy, The Arc relies on fundraising to fill in funding shortfalls.

Enter volunteers like Kathy Sincavage, a Gloucester Township resident.

Sincavage began working for The Arc after she earned her associate's degree from Camden County College in 2007. She had completed an internship with The Arc while a student at the Blackwood school.

Sincavage left her job with The Arc last April to pursue a bachelor's degree, but she has certainly not left The Arc behind.

As she walked onto the workshop floor of the Berlin Occupational Training Center Thursday morning, shouts of "Kathy" came from all corners of the room.

"I stay connected because this place is more than just a job," she said. "This is my passion."

Sincavage beams with pride when she talks about The Arc's softball team, bowling outings and dances.

She and Ravasio are hopeful the community steps up to support this year's fundraisers.

The 2011 Step Up for The Arc Walkathon will be held Sunday, May 15, at Lindenwold Memorial Park, located on United States Avenue.

If interested in participating in or supporting the fundraising walk, contact The Arc at 856-767-3650.

The Arc will also host its "In the Mind's Eye" art show this spring.

"It's a tremendous ego-builder for the folks," Ravasio said of the upcoming art show.

The art show will be held Thursday, June 16. If interested in submitting artwork for the show, you must do so by May 27. Call 856-768-0845 or visit arccamden.org for more information.

In addition to the roughly 150 county residents served at the Occupational Training Center, which was founded in 1958 and initially located in Lindenwold, The Arc offers much more to Camden County's developmentally challenged population.

The nonprofit also has seven adult-training centers throughout the county to help people with severe disabilities develop the personal, social and work skills they will need to increase their capacity for self-determination and decision-making.

The Arc also offers variety of residential services. There are group homes, a supervised apartment-living program and a supportive apartment-living program.

The Arc currently serves about 700 developmentally challenged county residents in its many programs, Ravasio said.


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