By Bobbie-Lynn Hall - The Weekly News
"It was pretty dark in here," said club supervisor Jennifer Pauley of the church basement before they moved in.
"We wanted to brighten it up and make it fun because that's what we do here, have fun."
The bright, blue walls are covered with paintings and handmade crafts created by club participants.
The main room is where most of the group activities take place. Everyone gets together there to play and sing music, play the Wii or join in on an intense game of hangman. Smaller rooms offer spaces for people to play games or read in a quieter area. A therapeutic sensory room provides lights, sounds, smells and different textures designed to gently stimulate all of the senses.
There's a kitchen where everyone helps prepare meals and the entire facility is shiny clean.
"This club belongs to the participants," said Pauley. "There's a sense of ownership and everyone helps take care of it."
The RLC provides recreation and leisure services to its participants with the belief that all people benefit from knowing a variety of people, and from being a part of the community.
Programs are community based activities some of which occur at the club location, others are held out in the community itself. Each program is designed to suit individuals and may include swimming, relaxation, gymnastics, bowling, scrapbooking, baking, crafts, music and many others.
When participants head out, they make use of the many community resources available including the library, sports stadium, movie theatre, mall and even Burger King.
"We go there for breakfast," said Pauley. "It's great when people recognize us and say 'hi'. That's what we want, to be a part of the community."
RLC is a division of Anchor Industry Society, a not for profit agency with a mandate to provide individualized vocational and recreational options to adults with intellectual challenges.
Anchor Industries has been in operation for 30 years and runs businesses including a print shop and restaurant out of it's location in Lower Sackville.
The RLC is funded 100 per cent by the Department of Community Services and each individual must be supported with sufficient funds to cover their individual program.
There are currently 15 participants from Bedford, Sackville and surrounding areas enjoying the programs offered by the club. There is a waiting list for people interested in joining. Most participants live in supported situations, and some live with their families.
The AGM will be held on June 15. A slide show will be featured and service Awards will be presented at the meeting.
Visitors are welcome to drop in anytime to visit and say hello.
For more information about Anchor Recreation and Leisure Club, visit: www.anchorindustriessociety.org.
blhall@eastlink.ca
