Honoring Watervliet firemen for their inclusion of “Chief Mack".
The Community Inclusion Project is dedicated to building meaningful connections between individuals with intellectual disabilities and their communities through engaged participation in local organizations and resources. The objecitve is to provide many opportunities to develop respectful and reciprocal relationships and to increase personal growth in one's neighborhood.
This is done by promoting such valued outcomes as presence and participation in community life, exercising choice in life style and vocation, developing and enhancing personal skills. We act in partnership with each individual we support to achieve these outcomes.
As we all desire to be valued, to do good work, to be known to others in community and to be loved, we assist the people we support to achieve these typical life experiences. We do this by connecting and supporting people in employment, volunteerism, and membership in local places in a person's life.
The Community Inclusion Project is considered to be a 'Without Walls' day habilitation and supported employment program and is funded by the New York State Office of People With Developmental Disabilities.
The Arc of Rensselaer County provides pre-vocational services to people with intellectual disabilities that are interested in employment. Pre vocational supports help people develop the skills necessary to gain and maintain community employment. Currently, The Arc operates two work centers, Riverside North and Riverside South in Troy, NY where people learn valuable work skills while being employed producing products for local, regional, national and international customers. People receiving pre vocational supports often learn and practice employment skills in actual community setting on a paid or volunteer basis. Beginning July 1, 2013, all pre vocational supports for people not already attending Riverside will be delivered in community settings.
Please note your credit card statement will read ARC RENSS and your confirmation email will
be from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you have questions please call Riverside at 518-272-3800.
Brunswick Center Services (BCS) is a group-based day habilitation program that supports citizens of our community who are developmentally disabled. BCS offers both community-based and site-based supports, with a focus on advancing community membership, personal wellness, and meaningful relationships.
BCS offers specialized supports to people with intellectual challenges along with physical and/or mobility concerns and who may be aging. Although supports are mostly provided in a group settings, the person and their interests and unique gifts are always honored.
A local Eagle Scout, Nick Fisk has constructed three Little Libraries, all miniature replicas of local Brunswick landmarks, to put up in three locations around Brunswick.
There are nearly 40,000 Little Free Library book exchanges around the world. Brunswick Center will now be one of the locations. There is currently a group of volunteers from Brunswick Center that will be helping to supply and maintain the library locations.
Thank you Nick Fisk and all of those who helped in this process!!
Life Enriching Programs
The Art Project Gallery: Brunswick Center Services strives to offer new and exciting activities for the people we support. Creative art-based activities are one of the many ways we meet that goal. In 2007 BCS began hosting a visual arts class which was intentionally designed to elicit individual interest and expression in the visual arts. Throughout this class indviidual talent began to emerge promoting artistic expression that moved beyond a simple activity offered within Brunswick Center. It was the recognition of a genuine gift hidden deep within an individual.
To date, we have successfully experienced eight visual art openings, developed a line of greeting cards, and maintained a functioning gallery named "The Art Project Gallery". The walls of BCS are adorned with a rotating theme of paintings, prints, and 3-D media. The many BCS guests that visit us on a daily basis often comment on the artwork or the sense of "community" our program exudes.
The Sensory Garden: The vision of a sensory garden holding a safe and soothing space for BCS paritcipants to experience a peaceful natural setting was conceived in 2005.
Our Sensory Garden is nestled within BCS grounds and is joined by a meandering pathway through lush beds of flowers, a performance deck, and a calming waterfall. This beautiful place invites people to relax and attain a calming state- one may sit at one of the many umbrella tables or follow the pathway through vibrant hydrangeas, tulips and butterfly bushes.
In addition to the garden, we also maintain a fully functioning greenhouse as a means to harvest various types of vegetables. As community members, BCS participates annually with the Town of Brunswick NY Farmers Market. Our “Arc Market” tent highlights our organically grown veggies, floral bouquets, and fresh herbs. Our active participation with local events is just one of many ways we assist individuals to genuinely contribute to their community.
Like any garden, the Sensory Garden, is expected to evolve, grow and flourish. It continues to be a setting for new experiences – horticulture, education, and personal wellness. This garden renews and provides pleasure to the senses of all who spend time there.
