Empowering People with Disabilities to Realize their Dreams since 1955

MARC: Community Resources Day Program

421 Main Street

Cromwell, CT 06416

Phone: (860) 635-5151

Fax: (860) 632-9760

Click Here for Map and Directions

Behavioral Support

We are fortunate to have a Behavioral Support Specialist on staff to support day and residential consumers who need this support. Based in our Cromwell location, our Behavior Specialist works with the individual and his or her staff to develop strategies to effectively cope with issues and create positive experiences.

Behavioral Supports

Group Supported Employment Job Site Descriptions

Meals on Wheels:

Delivering meals in the Middletown and Cromwell areas, consumers employed with Meals on Wheels take pride in knowing that they provide a valuable service in delivering meals to senior citizens. Work crews retrieve food containers from the CRT location in Middletown and then hand deliver lunches to the designated recipients, which provides the perfect opportunity for a kind word or friendly conversation.

Greenwald Industries:

We have a long and successful history of providing work crews to Greenwald Industries. Individuals who attend this work site are treated to a welcoming and relaxed warehouse atmosphere in which there are a variety of tasks (including counting/packaging laundry tokes, heat-sealing bags, and using a digital scale to ensure accuracy) that appeal to all different levels of interests and abilities. Consumers are fully included in the workforce and are valued and respected employees.

Marshall’s Homegoods (2 crews):

Back Room Work Crew: Our back room crew works alongside Marshall’s employees to remove, sort, and prepare articles of clothing for retail sale. This atmosphere fosters teamwork and socialization while also setting a high standard for productivity.

Floor Crew: The crew that works on the store floor has direct interaction with customers in order to assist them in finding particular items or sizes of clothing if possible. Individuals are assigned to certain areas to straighten out clothing and ensure that the correct sizes are in the appropriate sections within the rack.

Chili’s Restaurant:

Our crew sets up at a booth within the restaurant to prepare silverware bundles that are utilized by diners--an essential task in preserving the establishment’s efficiency. Individuals enjoy the opportunity to speak with members of Chili’s management and staff, who express an active interest in their lives.

Holy Apostles College & Seminary

Our crew works in the kitchen area, where they maintain a friendly relationship with the outgoing members of the college & seminary’s staff and students. Work responsibilities include collecting, washing, drying, and putting away dishes and utensils.

Destinta Theaters

Another long term worksite for MARC, our crew gets a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the theater. Tasks include cleaning the foyer as well as the individual theaters.

Kmart

Our crew works in the backroom of the shoe department, where they join KMart employees in preparing inventory for display on the store floor. Not only is the work fulfilling, but those individuals who attend this site get a sneak preview at all the new incoming merchandise.

Big Y Supermarket

Members of our crew take their place at designated registers, working alongside cashiers to bag groceries for customers of the supermarket. Items are bagged according to size and classification (i.e. frozen goods, meat products, eggs, bread, etc.)—and there’s always time to share a cheerful greeting with shoppers.

ShopRite Supermarket

Our crew has become an integral part of the East Hartford and Manchester locations. Whether it be stocking shelves, maintaining the cleanliness of the store, or collecting grocery carriages, they do it all—and with a smile. The variety of tasks and abundant opportunities for socialization are hallmarks of this site.

Volunteer Activities

Hungerford Park:

Our volunteer groups assist with cleaning out the small animal cages and providing fresh bedding, food and water. Animal lovers might especially appreciate this site, as they have the opportunity to observe everything from birds and rabbits to ferrets and snakes —and even get to hold some of the small creatures upon request.

Eleanor Buck Nature Center (Wethersfield Nature Center)

This volunteer opportunity gives consumers the satisfaction of knowing their efforts contribute to the preservation of the center’s plants by providing water and loving care. On seasonable spring and summer days, individuals take advantage of the picnic tables located outside to enjoy their lunches while taking in the fresh air and sunshine.

One MacDonough Place

Each week, a consumer assists in calling out BINGO numbers to residents within an assisted living facility in Middletown. They are also invited to join in the social hour following the game, where they enjoy snack and conversation.

Group Supported Employment

Job Site Descriptions

Employer Testimonials

Transportation:

· Provided by MARC and overseen by our Transportation Coordinator

· Routes currently encompass parts of Cromwell, Middletown, Middlefield, Portland, East Hampton, Glastonbury, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Meriden, Wallingford, Durham, Kensington, Berlin, Newington, & West Hartford

· A fleet of vehicles including cars, mini-vans, and mini-buses

· Individualized protocols for pick-up/drop-off of each individual transported in a MARC vehicle

· A comprehensive orientation process for all staff members who will be transporting individuals

Transportation

MARC: Community Resources’ Vocational & Leisure Services program offers a unique variety of opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which include group and individual supported employment, volunteer work, independent living skills training, meaningful community experiences, and other recreational activities.

Consumers are encouraged to make choices based on their abilities and interests, and individual programs can include a combination of any or all of the above mentioned activities. MARC utilizes the process of Person-Centered Planning to develop a custom plan to provide individualized services. This approach ensures that the person remains the primary focus, allowing dreams to become reality.

Community Participation

Doors to the community are opened through careful planning and preparation of meaningful experiences that allow consumers to become active members of the community.

· Valuable life lessons such as monetary transactions, appropriate social behavior, communication, and self-awareness are incorporated as appropriate.

· Outings are planned to accommodate choices. Routine activities include: bowling, movies, shopping and local parks. Special seasonal trips include Mystic Aquarium, the Science Center, Gillette Castle, and the Wadsworth Atheneum.

· Volunteer activities are available for such programs as Meals on Wheels, Seniors Bingo in Middletown, Hungerford Park, and the Wethersfield Nature Center.

Enrichment Activities

An energized atmosphere fosters opportunities for fun and growth. Individuals are encouraged to make choices as to how they’d like to spend their leisure time. From organized group activities to individualized options, there’s something for everyone.

· Music Appreciation sessions twice per week and Dance Appreciation sessions once per week, which incorporate music and movement in a sensory experience that is as fun as it is unique.

· Craft projects, group games, seasonal activities (such as Halloween, Christmas & Valentine’s Day parties), and opportunities for socialization.

· Enrichment activities that include current events, low-impact exercises, money/phone skills, safety/hygiene, personal grooming, sign language, computer use and baking.

Independent Living Skills Training

Independent Life Skills Training is offered to help individuals maintain or improve their independence with essential everyday skills. Performed in small groups, these experiences are both empowering and enjoyable.

· Laundry – Done on location at a laundromat or in-house utilizing the program’s washer and dryer, this experience reinforces all skills necessary for the successful completion of this task.

· Bed-making – All aspects of this task, from stripping the bed to making it, are practiced on location at a local hotel.

· Cooking – From creating a shopping list and purchasing groceries to cooking food and then enjoying it for lunch, this experience allows individuals to take part in all aspects of the meal planning and preparation process.

In House Activities

Community Participation

Independent Living Skills Training

Greenwald Industries

“The crew from MARC is a pleasure to work with and it is uplifting to see them come in in the morning. They are very reliable.”

Helmut Henry, Production Manager

“MARC assists with the delivery of meals to clients who are unable to get out. Because of their service, these clients are able to remain independent in their homes. MARC has also helped with other route deliveries when we have requested. There dedication has been exceptional.”

Etta Swain, Community Renewal Team

Holy Apostles College & Seminary

“We are very grateful for the valuable work the MARC crew and Job Coaches do. They add a great deal to our community with their dedication, courtesy, reliability and friendliness.”

Anne Kuhn, Secretary to Father Mosey

EMPLOYER TESTIMONIALS: