MR/DD Habilitation Center and Guernsey Industries Topics at Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Rotary President, Christina Morris, Karrie Laferre and Pat Reineccius—MR/DD staff, Tanya Hitchens, Speaker Chair for March

Reminder: Wear something green for the next meeting.

Readings for next meeting: The Rotary newsletter. Between the readings and the green, we will all probably be broke.

Pat Reineccius and Karrie Lafferre informed Byesville Rotary members how to obtain MR/DD services.

One type of service to both the community and to people with disabilities is provided by Guernsey Industries. Guernsey Industries works with local companies to custom tailor services to provide job opportunities for people with disabilities. Subcontracts with local business have provided for various packaging needs and the assembly of products such as screens for window frames, boxes/inserts for packing candles, and rake handles. Specialty items produced by Guernsey Industries include picnic tables, swings and benches.

Results of partnerships between local business and Guernsey Industries are two-fold. Local companies get a subcontract custom-tailored for their needs, and local people with disabilities get to develop work and life skills as well as become involved in community activities. Currently, about 125 people work at the sheltered workshop.

A second service provided by the MR/DD is the Habilitation Center. The staff at the Center works with adults with disabilities to develop individualized program that will encourage each person to experience a successful and fulfilling life.

Services provided at the Center include supervised Day Programming, training goals in social skills, communication, and hygiene, and daily activities such as gym and outdoor activities, group discussions of current affairs cultural diversity experiences, bell choir, and craft activities. Participants may also choose to have a hot lunch or work part of the day.

After hours activities can include field trips such as dinner and a movie or quarterly meetings to make seasonal crafts.

More information about these services is available at the Guernsey County Board of MR/DD, 740-439-4451.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be March 17 at 7:30am, at the Rolling Hills Schools Administration Building. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.
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