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Davis Journal

PARC helps people with disabilities fulfill their dreams

Mar 17, 2022 11:04AM ● By Becky Ginos

Ruben works on an art project with the help of April Turneau at the Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center. PARC helps individuals with disabilities find meaningful work. Photo by Roger V. Tuttle

CLEARFIELD—For many adults with disabilities, it can be hard to find meaningful work. The Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center (PARC) not only helps those individuals with employment but encourages them to discover their passion so they can be successful.

“We look at all aspects of their life to find out what their skill sets are,” said Melanie Pelletier, Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) program manager. “We get to know the individual to find a job that fits.”

PARC started in 1971 as the Davis Developmental Center, said Executive Director Ken Naegle. “Bob Daniels was a coach and worked in special education for the district. They asked him to be the director. There were 12 individuals they worked with at the Monte Vista Center. They worked with a local drugstore to have them do custodial work. As it grew they moved us to the bus shop in Kaysville near Davis High School.”

In 1984, PARC moved to its current site, he said. “It was an old elementary school called the Pioneer school. That’s when the name was changed to Pioneer Rehabilitation Center. Then we inherited this building (485 PARC Circle, Clearfield). We had a lot of different contracts at that time.”

At this location they did parts sorting and there was a small custodial crew at HAFB, said Naegle. “We covered 10-12 buildings. Through doing a good job it increased base wide in 1996.”

In addition to custodial work, clients work out in the community at grocery stores, restaurants and one individual prepares the uniforms for U of U sports teams. “He loves the U,” Naegle said. “Now he wakes up every morning and he’s not going to work, he's doing something he loves.”

The CIE program works with a network of businesses to try and find the best job match for both the employee and employer. “We meet with the business to see if we’re a fit,” said Pelletier. “We provide job coaching and help with training. We give them the support they need because many of them have never had a job. We teach soft skills like learning how to clock in, etc.”

“One person has autism and works at a restaurant,” said Naegle. “He couldn’t really engage with people so he was doing clean up. The waitresses were rolling up silverware in napkins so we said ‘let him wrap the silverware. It will give him more hours and help your staff.’ He became the hero of the place. We are always looking for ways to customize their job.”

PARC has moved from an employment training model to a community training model, said Matt Elston, Community Integrated Services (CIS) program manager. “We have folks who participate in providing meals to the homeless, volunteer at the Davis/Weber animal shelters and we’ve adopted a beach on Antelope Island. We are helping individuals with disabilities to gain the skills they need and prepare them for the life they want to create for themselves.”

 The Bloom Utah program is designed to help individuals create cards, candles and other decor that can be sold and the proceeds go to the participants. Karen Bingham with CIS oversees the program.

 “PARC pays for 100 percent of the supplies,” she said. “Chelle’s Florist Shop nearby has a corner for us to sell what our participants have made. As soon as we build up our stock we’re selling out.”

Brandon Dool has been coming to PARC since 2015 and loves to crochet. “I’m making cup holders for police officers to thank them for all they do,” he said. “I like to go to stores and buy stuff. I like computers and playing games. I love FrontRunner and movies. All kinds of movies.”

Jace works at Smith’s twice a week. “I bag groceries and I like stocking the shelves,” he said. “I like doing tasks and getting a bunch of money. I’ve worked at Smith’s for three years. I work hard every day.”

Naegle took one man who is in a wheelchair fishing. “He caught a fish and held it up and said ‘Ken, this is the first fish I’ve caught.’ I thought ‘I’m honored to be with you.’ It’s one of those thrilling moments that happen.”

PARC’s mission is to find what helps a person become who they are, said Naegle. “It’s exciting to see them fulfilling their dreams.”