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Carousel Center workshop celebrates fifth anniversary
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.The clients and employees of the Carousel Center gathered to celebrate the company's five-year anniversary. Approximately 150 people were expected to attend.
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.The Carousel Center celebrated its fifth anniversary with a luncheon, a live DJ and it honored various nurses, physical therapists and businesses that have helped the company over the years.
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.Clients of the Carousel Center hit the dance floor to dance to live music to celebrate the company's five-year anniversary.
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.The clients and employees of the Carousel Center did the chicken dance to help celebrate the company's five-year anniversary.
By TIM CLEVELAND
The Carousel Center workshop on 80 Westchester Dr. celebrated its fifth anniversary on Aug. 22 with a luncheon, a live DJ and a ceremony honoring various nurses, physical therapists and businesses that have helped the organization over the years. Approximately 150 people were expected to attend.
The workshop originally opened July 1, 2009.
The company was started 20-years ago by Ron Arcade to help area residents with developmental disabilities get involved with programs and jobs that help them lead independent lives.
The company is currently run by Ron’s daughter Shannon Arcade [the president and CEO] and Tisa Hamner, the program director.
“We’ve come a long way for sure,” Hamner said. “We’ve had a lot achievements and we’ve done a lot in the last five years. We’ve gone from seven clients to 43 now.”
Ron Arcade said a lack of options in his chosen career led him to begin the company.
“I started it 20 years ago in my home with my wife [Rae],” he said. “I was a school teacher when I graduated, got my Masters and nobody wanted me. The only place that hired me was the state of Ohio. I hooked up with this guy who was on a mission in getting clients out of the nursing homes. We got quite a few out.”
In addition to the workshop, the company also runs 15 residential group homes where 35 clients live, and they also serve approximately 75 individuals who live with their families as well.
“We are more recreation and activity based, but we’re also certified and supportive employment, so we follow people along in the community and try to help them find jobs in the community as well,” Hamner said. “We’ve made great strides in that area. We have several supportive employment contracts now and we have the individuals in the community as much as possible.”