CAARC holds potluck
at Opportunity Training Center
Years ago, it was common to hear of parents and guardians of any given organization getting together to connect and discuss common interests of the group over food and coffee. However, with families today juggling multiple jobs along with other responsibilities, face-to-face group meetings are less and less common.
Central Aroostook ARC was one of those organizations who had a fairly consistent parents’ night years ago, usually in the form of a potluck supper, but the tradition has ceased in more recent times. Stephen D. Richard, Executive Director, decided it was time to bring back the “olden days.” Recently, the association hosted its first potluck supper in 14 years, open to families and guardians of the individuals supported by the agency and agency staff.
The responses were slow coming in at first, but the RSVPs were flying in during the final days prior to the event. The night arrived and the Opportunity Training Center gymnasium, where the event was held, was packed with nearly 100 people, not including the program directors and staff that were helping to set up the event. Based on the attendance alone, the night was considered a success.
Each of the Central Aroostook ARC’s eight programs was represented: Adult Services, Children Supports, Community Case Management (CCM), Home & Community Supports, Opportunity Training Center, Residential Services, Shared Living and Work Services.
Mary Coffin, whose daughter attends one of Central Aroostook ARC’s programs and who has also been a long-term board member, was delighted about the evening’s outcome.
“I thought it was absolutely wonderful… It gives us a chance to meet other parents and have an opportunity to get our association back to the way it was,” she said.
Coffin also discussed how grateful she is towards agency staff, commenting on how well her daughter has done with the programming provided by the agency.
For many parents, like Coffin, the agency has been a part of their life for quite some time. But others who are new to the agency’s services may not know about other facets of the organization or its history. Events like the potluck supper allow parents and guardians to understand Central Aroostook ARC for its true purpose, while also providing them opportunities to provide feedback and connect with one another.
Due to the event’s success, plans are already in the making to have another similar event later in the year, most likely in late summer or early fall.
For more information please contact Natasha Brobst, administrative assistant/special projects coordinator, at 207-762-5591 or aasp@ainop.com.
