Brick, NJ

Helping The Disabled Through Art By Keith Hagarty --Photo By Keith Hagarty Sharing an appreciation for the vibrant paintings and artwork showcased on the gallery walls at Arc Resources Unlimited in the Freehold Raceway Mall, Director Thea Strong, of the Arc of Monmouth, points out some intriguing dynamics of a piece with Brian, one of the non-profit organization's members. There are currently over 50 pieces of distinctive, thoughtprovoking artwork lining the gallery walls of Arc Resources Unlimited at the Freehold Raceway Mall. The organization was recently honored by Mayor Stephen Acropolis and the Brick Township Council. Sifting through a dazzling array of paintings, portraits and drawings, the gallery's offerings are an impressive display of creative energy and artistic skill. Another aspect to the gallery which may even make the art pieces perhaps even more compelling: they were all crafted by individuals with mental disabilities. "We do a lot of work with children to promote their artistic abilities," said Thea Strong, director with the Arc of Monmouth. "But almost as important, if not more important, specifically for children with autism, is expressing themselves in ways they may not be able to do verbally." The Arc of Monmouth is a non-profit employment agency whose mission is to assist its 1,400-member clientele from throughout the area consisting of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. "Because someone has a disability, it may be difficult for them, and there may be specific barriers to get employment," said Strong. "We start with helping them find a job, and then we help them with their intensive training, and then we slowly fade away when we see they have their natural support base in place of people helping them in the job." The agency then periodically visits with clients to update their ongoing progress at the job site. "We have been incredibly successful in making these people such good workers for employers," said Strong. "They are dedicated. They are committed. They'll even work in the snow. They just really, really want the chance to work." Not satisfied with simply helping special needs individuals find employment, the Arc of Monmouth is now taking their services to another level as it gets ready for its big one year anniversary celebration of its Arc Resources Unlimited mall location on April 19, with open house festivities getting underway at noon. Beginning on April 19, the Arc of Monmouth, along with the VSA arts of New Jersey, will be offering the "Parent/Child Workshops in Art for Children with Autism or Autistic Behaviors." The workshop will be held at the Arc Resources Unlimited site (upstairs near Sears) at the mall until June 28, with each session scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. The workshops are open to young people, from ages 3 to 17, who have autism in Monmouth and Ocean counties, as well as those from across the region, and their family members. The workshop debut coincides with April as National Autism Month. Since the Arc of Monmouth's Art Resources Unlimited storefront was converted over to a full-time art gallery last year, it has received a grant from the Monmouth County Arts Council as well as donations from the public. The additional funding allowed the organization to increase its retail hours, and hold a series of receptions and events to promote its roster of artists and their work. Before the donations and grant money, the facility was only able to keep its hours open during the day, missing out on the mall's increased consumer foot traffic during the traditionally busier hours. "That was just not a good thing," Strong said of the site's previously limited hours of operation. The Arc of Monmouth is excited about their series of upcoming art therapy workshops, along with the venue to showcase the artistic talents of other individuals with disabilities. "This is specifically for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities," Strong said of the workshops. "There are a lot of people who are out there, and because they don't really have a voice, or maybe because somebody might not be able to immediately recognize their talent, we want to really find ways where we can draw out those people and perhaps assist them to really become the artists they can be. That's something we're really excited about." For the organization's clients, the first step to creating something truly special and rewarding is leaving all preconceptions behind and starting with a blank canvas- a parallel which the staff of the Arc of Monmouth takes to heart, said Strong. "They had no outlet really for promoting their art, or displaying their art, or having ways of being in contact with the community," said Strong. Strong contacted the VSA arts of New Jersey (VSA/NJ) to see if they would be willing to help in the effort. They jumped at the chance. VSA/NJ is an associate of the international VSA arts network, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, dedicated to promoting the creative power of people with disabilities. Partnering with the VSA/NJ has proved to be a wonderful addition in drawing special artists and their work into the gallery. "They receive funding to specifically assist artists with disabilities in promoting their art, promoting their skills and promoting their abilities," said Strong. "We are now collaborating with them, and felt it was a natural progression to bring those people (VSA/NJ) in because the arts are truly helping people reach their potential." While the Arc of Monmouth had attempted similar initiatives in the past, they always seemed to fall short- until now. "We had tried many things before in the arts, but it had never been successful," Strong lamented. "But I guess we had never done collaboration with another agency, and I think that's how ultimately it all came together." Strong credits Vanessa Young, the executive director of the VSA arts of New Jersey, with making the gallery such a success. She was able to find the artists who would have an interest in displaying and selling their art at the Freehold gallery. "We just work beautifully together," said Strong. There are currently four on-site staff members at the facility, consisting of two job coaches, a manager and assistant director, with a bevy of interested volunteers at the ready. "What is really amazing and just so wonderful is that we continue to have people come in and say, 'How can we help you? Can we volunteer?'" said Strong. "It's just been unbelievable the response we've gotten from people to assist us. It's just been very nice." Strong emphasized that despite the agency's name, the Arc of Monmouth and its upcoming series of workshops transcend any geographic boundaries to assist those with special needs. "That doesn't mean that much," she said. "And specifically not as it relates to the program for children with autism … that's very important for people to know." Watching as those with special needs gain self esteem and confidence as they overcome their personal obstacles is what makes the ongoing work of the Arc of Monmouth such a satisfying experience, said Strong. "The reason we do what we do, and why we like doing what we do, is with just a little bit of support, we can make such a difference to the people we serve," she said. Individuals of all ages who have disabilities and interested in displaying their art or participating in the workshops are encouraged to send copies of photographs their artwork to the VSA/NJ by contacting Young at 732-745- 3885, or for more information and application forms contact VSA arts of New Jersey, 703 Jersey Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, e-mail info@vsanj.org or by visiting their Web site at www.vsanj.org. For more information about the services offered by the Arc of Monmouth or its Arc Resources Unlimited location, visit their Web site at arcofmonmouth.org.