Director Paul Neal (2nd from right) and clients in the recyling center.
Since 1971 the Baxter Day Service Center has been committed to serving mentally challenged adults by creating opportunities for them to learn independence in their daily lives. Through special classes to equip them with life skills and daily work at the adjacent Baxter County Recycling Center the goal is to give those with mental disabilities the same things everyone strives for – the ability to be self sufficient and be a productive member of the community.
Daily life skills classes are important to increase independence.
The day is broken into 2 hour increments with some of the day focused on life skills classes and also time spent working in the recycling center. Many of the clients are bused in with some making the journey from the nearby group home by foot. A typical day lasts about 6 hours with most heading home by 2:30 in the afternoon.
Long time manager Kelly Shrake says the socialization is an important way to learn important social skills.
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Executive Director Paul Neal and Shrake both see the daily impact the programs at the center makes on the clients lives.
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The center has not been without it’s challenges in the past few years both in the form of less available funding and a changing available work force as many of their clients are aging out of the program. Community support is always welcomed.
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For those who work everyday to keep the Baxter Day Service running- even with the challenges they face- it truly is a labor of love.
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This month Advanced Auto Body, Danny Porter Century 21 Lemac Realty, Farmers and Merchants Bank and KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot recognize the efforts of the Baxter Day Service Center and the ongoing commitment to create new opportunities to the mentally challenged in Baxter County.
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