From dances to defending rights, Mon-Arc of Monroe assists people with special needs
MONROE — This Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Mon-Arc of Monroe wants people to know 'We're Here All Year.' That's the national slogan for March 2025's awareness campaign.
Monroe's program is one of 700 national Arc organizations.
'We want to share that people with developmental disabilities are working, going to school, volunteering and participating in their community, just like all of us,' said the campaign's website.Since 1962, Mon-Arc of Monroe, Inc. at 6021 Parkside Drive has served local people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by teaching them life skills, advocating for them and offering them social activities, like the popular monthly dances.
'We continue the goals of our founding members, to empower intellectually/developmentally disabled people to live their lives to the fullest by creating unique opportunities for individuals to work, build friendships, engage actively and feel a sense of belonging to a vibrant community,' said Michelle Parrish, Mon-Arc of Monroe's executive director.
Local clients learn about Mon-Arc on their own or are referred by group homes or area organizations, like United Way, Michigan Alliance for Families and the Department of Health and Human Services.
'Individuals reach out to us at any time; it's unpredictable. Usually, they experience difficulty or anticipate future needs, and guidance is essential to overcome an expected barrier to success," Parrish said.
All of Mon-Arc's services are provided free. Its four staff members work part-time. Another 175 volunteers provide 3,360 hours of service, Parrish said. Funding comes from grants, donations, Mon-Arc memberships and fundraisers, like a Detroit Tigers raffle. A membership drive is set for June.
Social activities for people with special needs include crafts, ice cream socials and the very popular dances. Held from 6:30-8 p.m. monthly, except for July, most of the dances are at Monroe County Community College. The next dance is April 11.
Mon-arc's first dance was in 1995.
'We have grown to have 130-plus participants at dances, with the October dance being our most attended, with over 200-plus attendees,' Parrish said. 'They started in churches, then moved to the Monroe County Intermediate School District gym, then Monroe Middle School. Our partnership with MCCC makes a difference, because we use the exact location each month. The Knights of Columbus donates its hall for our December dance.'
An outdoor ice cream social is planned for June at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Ida.
Mon-Arc is a voice for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Advocacy is one of its biggest tasks.
In July, a Monroe County parent told Mon-Arc, 'The Mon-Arc of Monroe successfully advocated for our daughter and her roommate by providing recommendations for navigating her complexities for another licensed residential care provider and remaining in the home they had been living in for the past eight years."
Mon-Arc teaches adults tasks, like budgeting, bill paying and spending.
'We are continually conferencing with our consumers on budgeting. We also must keep in good communication, working collaboratively with the Social Security Administration about events that could change the amount of benefits or affect their right to receive them," Parrish said.
Mon-Arc connects clients with other Monroe County social service agencies.
'We have assisted with other needs, such as completing forms for Section 8 paperwork, DHHS, Social Security and MiAble, and writing letters on their behalf," Parrish said.
Mon-Arc educates the public to respect, accept and include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as equal members of society.
Mon-Arc is working with the new Unity Club, a club led by people with special needs and their mentors. Exchange Club of Monroe is the sponsor.
'Mon-Arc is collaborating with the breakout committee to create marketing materials and promotions to attract members,' Parrish said. 'The charter meeting is scheduled for April 29 at 6 p.m. at the Monroe Community Credit Union's community room, 715 N. Telegraph Road in Monroe."
Mon-Arc has scheduled two parent information nights:
"Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy" will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. April 9 in the Professional Development Center at the Monroe County Intermediate School District, 1101 S. Raisinville Road.
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"Transition Fair" is set for 5:30-7 p.m. April 10 at the same ISD location. Attendees will learn about community resources and organizations that support the special needs community.
Parrish joined Mon-Arc in 2018 and became executive director in 2024.
'I'm very proud to be a part of this long-standing organization that supports the special needs community," she said. "Mon-Arc's strong emphasis on positive cultural aspects, such as teamwork and sustainability, which promote the welfare of individuals with disabilities and their families, truly resonated with me."
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Learn what Mon-Arc of Monroe offers to local special needs community
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