ROCKDALE, Texas (KRHD) — A new partnership between the MARC Center and Abiding Choice in Rockdale will expand day programming services for individuals in Milam County that they serve with special needs beginning August 1.
"For us to be able to kind of partner up with the MARC Center and grow the numbers that are currently going there, we were very excited to come on board," said Chris Gerren, CEO of Abiding Choice.
The MARC Center, which has served the community since the mid-60s, is now in its 60th year, with this new collaboration aimed at increasing both services and the number of clients they can support.
"Sometimes things happen to make you sit down and come up with a better plan," said Ann King, MARC Board President.
The partnership formed after Central Counties Services of Temple had to discontinue its day programming with the MARC Center, opening the door for this new reality.
"Employment opportunities, volunteer opportunities, community engagement, community socialization, and that's kind of my vision for this place," said Gerren.
Gerren tells15 ABC that getting clients more involved in the community provides those with special needs a sense of purpose.
"Get the clients out of the center and into the community as much as humanly possible, let them engage in community outings and volunteering opportunities, help them build their independent living skills," said Gerren.
Those efforts are beneficial for them and for our entire community.
"They are the most fun people to be around," said King. "They are the most accepting people of you and anybody, and they are the most caring, loving people that you will ever be around and the joy that an individual gets from working with a person with special needs is unlimited."
The MARC Center currently serves 27 clients, with hopes to increase that number to at least 40 or more through this new partnership.
15 ABC asked King if Abiding Choice being local in Rockdale feels like a more close-knit connection.
"It does. It's like family," King replid.
The new arrangement will also help improve staffing.
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