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Brunswick Center Services

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.

Three Little Libraries

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.

Testimonials and Success Stories

“They say the days are long, and the years are quick”

By Tracey Hempel
Associate Executive Director of Community Supports

April 29, 2016 will be my 20th Anniversary with The Arc of Rensselaer County; thankfully it’s also a Friday! I can say for certain that when I crossed over the river, I didn’t anticipate the journey that I was about to begin. We had 28 hour shifts back then, I was a floater (DSP) which meant I worked at every location, but Hoosick St., Detroit and Euclid Ave were places that I called home. They were the absolute joys of my work schedule; now that’s not to say that I didn’t love other place or people, but I had an undeniable, almost innate, connection with the people who lived in those places. I look back at those memories, like I do my childhood memories. For all intents and purposes, they could be because no place and no one person has defined me more than The Arc. Ok, maybe my kids and my husband have had a hand in shaping me too, but in three years, I will have been working at The Arc for half of my adult life. I would be lying if I told you that statement doesn’t impact me; I am who I am because of all of the people who I have crossed paths with over the years, all of the experiences they shared with me and the lessons that came along the way. For that, I am thankful.

(Tracey is shown in the picture above with Rob Beza in 1997)

Our Mission

Advocacy

The mission of The Arc of Rensselaer County is to advocate for the rights and safety of individuals of all ages who have an intellectual disability and/or a developmental disability or delay.

Resources

The Arc is a source of support, specialized knowledge, and available resources in assisting individuals and their families to meet their needs and goals.

Community

The Arc works to influence societal attitudes and governmental policy so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have access to the services, assistance, and opportunities they need for personal growth and development, and participation in the community.

The Arc of Rensselaer County
79 102nd Street, Troy, NY 12180-1125
(518) 274-3110

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