Feature
November
11
Creating Opportunites
by Erica Null
The citizens at T.A.R.C. don’t have ordinary days, they have extraordinary days.
Staying true to T.A.R.C.’s tagline “Creating Opportunities” the organization creates jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities allowing them to learn valuable work skills and have a meaningful life. Now in it’s 48th year of operation, T.A.R.C. continues to invent fresh, creative ideas and new beginnings. At the business complex on McCord Road, T.A.R.C. oversees 17 businesses on and off campus that range from gourmet chocolates to raising chickens.
As one of the leading agencies of its kind in the nation, T.A.R.C. could not be what it is without the citizens of Terrebonne Parish and the property millage. Through invaluable community support, T.A.R.C. has been able to achieve new heights through new business ventures as well as creating more services for individuals in need.
By enhancing and creating new programs and businesses and being committed to T.A.R.C. individuals and their families, Executive Director Mary Lynn Bisland and her staff continue to improve the services provided by T.A.R.C. Through the leadership of T.A.R.C., the community of Terrebonne Parish has come to expect and receive outstanding benefits for the citizens who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This Saturday, November 13, there is an excellent opportunity to see the products that are created at T.A.R.C. by attending the annual Holiday Open House. The T.A.R.C. Restaurant and Gift Shop will be open from 1-4 p.m. with lots of great gifts, specialty candies and desserts. The event will feature original T.A.R.C. products from many of T.A.R.C.’s businesses. Come sample holiday favorites such as Bon Terre Pepper Jelly and Sweet Sensations’ gourmet chocolate candies. Start your Christmas shopping early by picking up a unique salsa and candle gift basket. T.A.R.C.’s Holiday Open House will also feature new artwork from Maison d’art department artists as well as custom designed T-shirts from T.A.R.C.’s Grand Designs screen printing business.
Enjoy the melodic sounds of the holidays as T.A.R.C.’s Bell Choir performs holiday favorites such as “O Come All Ye Faithful.” After the choir performance, put on your dancing shoes and boogie to T.A.R.C.’s house band, T.A.R.C. Express! Last but not least, Santa Claus will be visiting the Holiday Open House. So, bring your kids and your cameras.
In an effort to produce unique job opportunities, T.A.R.C. continues to develop new and creative business ventures. Houma Grown Market, a retail store, sells fresh produce and unique products such as Worm Tea Bags. T.A.R.C. was looking for an organic and environmentally friendly way to fertilize their indoor and outdoor plants as well as their garden and the idea for the bags was born. The tea bags are natural, simple to use, nutrient rich fertilizer that revitalize plants to their full potential without burning.
The greenhouse department, Houma Grown, raises and feeds worms compost items to retrieve their worm castings. Houma Grown workers experience the whole process from the formation of the product until it reaches the customers hands. Worm Tea Bags can be purchased at the T.A.R.C. Gift Shop, Houma Grown Market and the T.A.R.C. Online Store.
Houma Grown also has “The Hen House” in which T.A.R.C. has over 25 hens that lay fresh farm eggs every day. Houma Grown workers maintain the chicken coop, collect eggs and care for the chickens. Along with learning new skills by caring for the chickens, T.A.R.C. individuals also learn to package the eggs for retail sale in the T.A.R.C. Gift Shop.
Two other recent additions to T.A.R.C.’s business ventures include Buy-U-Beads and Grand Designs. Buy-U-Beads created new jobs for T.A.R.C. individuals to sort, package and sell Mardi Gras beads to the local community. Donations are taken on a daily basis to continue to give these participants a continuous and meaningful job.
Last year, Grand Designs began offering screen-printing. The individuals employed at Grand Designs learn new skills and techniques such as folding shirts, sorting by size and keeping inventory of merchandise.
For more information on all of T.A.R.C.’s 17 businesses call 985-876-4465 or visit their website at www.terrebonnearc.org. Don’t forget to shop online while you’re there.
