ARC EXEMPLIFIES EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Parenting is a demanding job under any circumstance, especially for parents of children with special needs, where the day-to-day challenges they face are often overwhelming. Caring for these children requires a lot of patience, resources, individual education and family planning. In many cases, these children need to be seen on a regular basis, not only by their teacher, but by doctors, psychologists, a therapist and/or a clinician. For these reasons -- and more -- The Children's Trust is investing $6 million in programs developed for children with disabilities and their families.

One such program funded by the Trust and recently awarded an additional $429,540 for it's continued expansion, is the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC). Last year, ARC was recognized by the Trust with the Champions for Children 2005 Excellence Award for Early Childhood Programming. At the time, The Trust decided to document ARC's exemplary work on video, both for posterity and for viewing at the Champion for Children's first annual awards ceremony. This documentation culminated with the producer, the cameraman, and the attending audience walking away with a special appreciation of the importance of such programs. The following is a moving account written by the producer:

I walked into the humble Florida City facilities of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), ready to get the cameras rolling. It was business as usual, this being the production of a short video documentary, highlighting ARC's exemplary services provided to children ages birth through five years of age. I began discussing my shot list with John, the cameraman, taking little notice of the surroundings - brightly decorated classrooms, filled with children, ages three through eight, actively engaged and content, all under the watchful care of the staff. But soon, our harried and somewhat jaded demeanor began to dissipate. It only took a few moments before we were both struck by an emotional cord . . . the happy faces, the sound of the children's laughter and the teacher's active involvement tugged at our hearts. Suddenly, the shot list was "out the window," as the essence of ARC became personified, alive -- dictating the creative direction and documentation of the organization's wonderful work from that point on.

The sounds of percussion and singing children beckoned us to one of the classrooms. There, toddlers, were dressed in various pieces of African hand-printed fabric, all sporting drums and tambourines as the teachers led them in song."If you're happy and you know it clap your hands," sung one teacher. The children jumped, sang and played . . . they stomped their feet to the rhythmic beat. The cameraman moved fluidly among them, honing in on the bright smiles and the energy. I stood back in awe, watching, knowing that this piece would practically direct itself.

Each door led to a cheerful classroom, with two or more caring and obviously enthused caretakers. All staff members are certified teachers, armed with an extraordinary curriculum of stimulating age-appropriate activities that provide infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers with a sense of accomplishment. The camera lens zoomed into children of varying ethnicities, and the faces of a staff whose diverse backgrounds reflected those of the children, allowing for an atmosphere of acceptance.

As I spoke to ARC's Site Director Maria Barros, I was momentarily taken aback by her effusive shout-out. "Thank you Children's Trust for awarding this grant," commented Maria, with a sincere gaze into the camera lens. "I want to thank The Children's Trust, for without you we would not be able to serve more than 100 families here in the community . . . so, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

It seems that parents and grandparents alike agree with Maria Barros gratitude. "We should have more programs like this; I love this program," stated a beaming Dolores Holmes, grandmother to Jarnisha Walker, one of ARC's success stories. "Me encanta The Children's Trust fund," spoke another pleased mother in Spanish.

Almost reluctantly, John and I wrapped up the production, each departing with a little piece of ARC's mission, captured not only on video tape, but indelibly etched in our minds.

A group of concerned parents of children with developmental disabilities founded ARC in 1953, to ensure that their children's rights and education were taken care of. More than twenty years later, the program provides early intervention services and out-of-school programs. In 2004 ARC's "Project Thrive" began receiving Children's Trust funding, providing services to more than 170 families, and a mission that indirectly touches the lives of more than 70,000 individuals in South Florida who have mental retardation or a developmental disability.

Below is a list of more programs funded by The Children's Trust that provide services to children with special needs and their families:

Parent to Parent: 305-271-9797

The Bertha Abbess Children's Center: 305-756-7116

Carrie Brazer Center for Autism & Alternative Approachers, Inc: 305-262-5999

Association for Retarded Citizens: 305-759-8500

Easter Seals Miami Dade: 305-325-0470

New Horizons Community Mental Health Center, Inc: 305-635-0366

Neytz haChochma: 305-934-7443

Sandor Wiener School of Opportunity: 305-623-9631

United Cerebral Palsy Assoc. of Miami: 305-325-1044

University of Miami Debbie Institute: 305-243-6547