Smith Center Updates

September 10, 2013

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted anything to our blog. We've been busy at the Smith Center and now we have a class that is responsible for interviewing students and staff for news to add to the blog and our Facebook page as well. We encourage you to read below and discover all that has been happening at the Center. The following post is from our students Ashley Blanks and Allen Price.

Hooray!!!! The Smith Center received a two (2) year certification in July 2013...this is the highest that a center can be awarded.

On August 1st, several students along with staff traveled to Tuscaloosa, AL, to participate in the "Nick's Kids" luncheon. Our folks met Coach and Mrs. Terry Saban and quarterback, AJ McCarron. Can everyone give us a big "ROLL TIDE ROLL"!!!

Students and staff want to congratulate Jessica "Jess" Butrica as our new Executive Director. She is thrilled about the opportunity to lead the AWE/Arc programs and is willing to learn new things. Jess is also very excited about bringing new jobs to the center.

We would like to welcome Alyson Robertson as our new program manager. Alyson comes to us from the Arc of the Shoals where she served as the assistant residential coordinator/QDDP.

Congratulations to John Bryant who began volunteering at  the Autauga Humane Shelter and was voted volunteer of the month in August.

Congratulations to Brooke Abbott on her new job at the Prattville Library.

Harrison Dent and John Bryant have been volunteering their time with Habitat for Humanity. Harrison stated that he has fun helping to build houses and it gives him the chance to meet new friends.

On August 5th, the classroom structure was changed to prepare the way for new jobs at the center. The In-center Work Program will give students who want to work a way to make money while working within the center. Also, the Pre-Vocational Work Program will give students an opportunity to find jobs outside the center. The students are excited about the changes, but may be more excited about the money that they will earn.

The changes in classroom structure provides two (2) classrooms that are geared to teaching students life skills used in daily living. They work on numerous projects which include making a solar system, twig art, volcanoes, and other handmade crafts.

Jess and Alyson will be attending the Supportive Employment training on September 11th - 13th.

ATTENTION!!!! Prom is coming soon. The theme of this years Prom will be "Smith Center Celebrates the Arts". Paintings that the students have created will be viewed in the hallway prom night. There will also be a silent auction on every painting/craft. More details will be given at a later a date. Prom is scheduled for Friday night, November 8th, beginning at 5:00 p.m. here at the center. The students, staff, volunteers, and parents/guardians will be enjoying good music and awesome food. Get your wallets/purses ready to bid on some outstanding art.

PCA Students Workday at the Smith Center

On Friday, April 8th, several students from Prattville Christian Academy came to the Smith Center for a workday. They cleaned the kitchen, washed walls, pulled weeds, and did various other chores around the Center. Their efforts were very much appreciated. See some photos below:

Spaghetti Lunch

Instructors, Laura Hedgecock and Tina Conner, assist their class as they make their Spaghetti Lunch. The yummy smells wafted through the Center. Look at the picutes below.

Josh Shop's at Academy Sport

Josh Shearon, a participant in the Smith Center's Day Habilitation Program, used Rural Transportation for the first time today. He has always ridden with a parent, family member, on a school bus or on one of the Smith Center buses. Josh planned his shopping trip with his instructor, Sandra Cranmore, as part of his Individualized Program Plan (IPP). He was to use Rural Transportation to take him to the store and return him to the Center. Josh was so excited to independently pay the driver for the trip.

Devin Jackson, a Center QDDP (Qualified Developmentally Disabled Professional) met Josh at Academy Sport to assist him with his shopping. His plan was to purchase an Alabama fanny pack and T-shirt. Devin and Josh weren't able to find a "Bama" fanny pack, but did find one that Josh liked. You will see from the pictures below that he paid for his purchases himself. Josh is a loyal Bama fan and was proud of his new shirt, which will join the dozens of Alabama shirts already in his closet. Hey, Josh says you can never have too many Bama shirts!!!

This activity is a very important part of what we do at the Smith Center. Instructors encourage the individuals to choose activities and training goals that they are interested in as part of their IPP. Our goal is to equip and empower our citizens to establish their own goals and exercise their knowledge, skills, and abilities to better contribute to their community. Josh did that today.