It is just overwhelming. It is a God thing.”
Rainbow of Challenges Executive Director and founder Patti Manus was overwhelmed Wednesday shortly after she received the news that U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Mike Ross, D-Ar., announced ROC will receive a $100,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant and up to $2,549,000 in loans to make renovations to its day care center for children with special needs and its group home for developmentally disabled adults.
Manus began to make improvement in the lives of people with special needs many years ago after one of her own children was born with special needs.
“ She started as a mom and as a mom you are going to take care of those children,” long time ROC employee Judy Watson said.
Rainbow of Challenges was established in 1969 and has continued to grow.
“ It is not just one person,” Manus said as she looked across the room to her partners, Teresa Porter and Watson, both employees for 20 plus years.
“ The three of us sweat blood,” Manus said. She said everyone who is part of the group, client and employee, is part of a family. Manus said the city of Hope itself has truly built Rainbow of Challenges.
Recent changes in funding made it possible for Rainbow of Challenges to gain 100 employees in one year, according to Manus, increasing the need for space and better utilizing of the the space.
Teresa Porter, key player in preparing things financially for the grant applications and procedures also commented.
“ Back to the subject of growth, we had new individuals we were serving and they they created new positions in which also creates more supervisory assistance and we were probably already bursting at the seams and didn't realize it. It was kind of like a domino effect. We woke up one day and realized we were maxed,” Porter said.
“ We are to the point now where we are going to have to do bunk desks,” Manus added.
Manus said Mayor Dennis Ramsey suggested they check with the USDA on a low interest loan. The whole process has taken over a year with many changes made throughout the process, Manus said.
Vacated offices, kitchen and cafeteria areas in the Morton Annex will be renovated to add five additional preschool classrooms, additional space to the therapy department, and allow waiver management staff, and medical waiver case managers to be located in the same building. Adequate conference staff and work areas will also be available.
Construction of a second new building will be placed behind the Omega Home Inc., which is located at 112 E. Avenue D. This new building will have space for several support staff offices, a large conference training staff room and a large storage area for the bulk purchasing of supplies for five residential sites. The building will be approximately 2,000 square feet with a brick veneer to match the Omega Home. During the construction of the new building on the Omega's property, there will also renovations completed within the home to increase the programming area for the residents.
Renovations at Rainbow Industries, located at 819 South Laurel Street, will include remodeling several bathrooms and the removal of several walls, returning administrative areas back into programing space.
Lincoln issued a statement.
“I am pleased to announce this funding for building renovations for Rainbow of Challenges in Hope so they can continue to provide critical supportive services for developmentally disabled individuals and their families,” Lincoln said. “It is facilities like these that help ensure individuals with special needs have the care they require to be productive members of society and the workforce. I will continue to advocate for funding and resources that will allow Arkansas to care for children and adults with disabilities and special needs.”
Pryor also commented on the good news for ROC.
“Organizations like Rainbow of Challenges help ensure that individuals with special needs get the best care possible. These federal dollars will help Rainbow of Challenges improve its facilities so it can better serve children and adults with disabilities in Hope and the surrounding communities,” Pryor said.
Ross was also instrumental in helping with the process and pledged continued support.
“Too often, the developmentally disabled go without the help and support they need to live happy, independent and healthy lives,” Ross said. “I’m proud to help announce this federal investment for Rainbow of Challenges in Hope, which will support the critical services they provide to people with developmental disabilities in southwest Arkansas. This funding will help provide essential care and resources for those in our community who have special needs and will help enhance their long-term quality of life.”
Ramsey came by the ROC office as the news was still sinking in for the staff.
“Good things come to those who wait and a lot of perseverance has gone into this,” Ramsey said.
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It is just overwhelming. It is a God thing.”
Rainbow of Challenges Executive Director and founder Patti Manus was overwhelmed Wednesday shortly after she received the news that U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Mike Ross, D-Ar., announced ROC will receive a $100,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant and up to $2,549,000 in loans to make renovations to its day care center for children with special needs and its group home for developmentally disabled adults.
Manus began to make improvement in the lives of people with special needs many years ago after one of her own children was born with special needs.
“ She started as a mom and as a mom you are going to take care of those children,” long time ROC employee Judy Watson said.
Rainbow of Challenges was established in 1969 and has continued to grow.
“ It is not just one person,” Manus said as she looked across the room to her partners, Teresa Porter and Watson, both employees for 20 plus years.
“ The three of us sweat blood,” Manus said. She said everyone who is part of the group, client and employee, is part of a family. Manus said the city of Hope itself has truly built Rainbow of Challenges.
Recent changes in funding made it possible for Rainbow of Challenges to gain 100 employees in one year, according to Manus, increasing the need for space and better utilizing of the the space.
Teresa Porter, key player in preparing things financially for the grant applications and procedures also commented.
“ Back to the subject of growth, we had new individuals we were serving and they they created new positions in which also creates more supervisory assistance and we were probably already bursting at the seams and didn't realize it. It was kind of like a domino effect. We woke up one day and realized we were maxed,” Porter said.
“ We are to the point now where we are going to have to do bunk desks,” Manus added.
Manus said Mayor Dennis Ramsey suggested they check with the USDA on a low interest loan. The whole process has taken over a year with many changes made throughout the process, Manus said.
Vacated offices, kitchen and cafeteria areas in the Morton Annex will be renovated to add five additional preschool classrooms, additional space to the therapy department, and allow waiver management staff, and medical waiver case managers to be located in the same building. Adequate conference staff and work areas will also be available.
Construction of a second new building will be placed behind the Omega Home Inc., which is located at 112 E. Avenue D. This new building will have space for several support staff offices, a large conference training staff room and a large storage area for the bulk purchasing of supplies for five residential sites. The building will be approximately 2,000 square feet with a brick veneer to match the Omega Home. During the construction of the new building on the Omega's property, there will also renovations completed within the home to increase the programming area for the residents.
Renovations at Rainbow Industries, located at 819 South Laurel Street, will include remodeling several bathrooms and the removal of several walls, returning administrative areas back into programing space.
Lincoln issued a statement.
“I am pleased to announce this funding for building renovations for Rainbow of Challenges in Hope so they can continue to provide critical supportive services for developmentally disabled individuals and their families,” Lincoln said. “It is facilities like these that help ensure individuals with special needs have the care they require to be productive members of society and the workforce. I will continue to advocate for funding and resources that will allow Arkansas to care for children and adults with disabilities and special needs.”
Pryor also commented on the good news for ROC.
“Organizations like Rainbow of Challenges help ensure that individuals with special needs get the best care possible. These federal dollars will help Rainbow of Challenges improve its facilities so it can better serve children and adults with disabilities in Hope and the surrounding communities,” Pryor said.
Ross was also instrumental in helping with the process and pledged continued support.
“Too often, the developmentally disabled go without the help and support they need to live happy, independent and healthy lives,” Ross said. “I’m proud to help announce this federal investment for Rainbow of Challenges in Hope, which will support the critical services they provide to people with developmental disabilities in southwest Arkansas. This funding will help provide essential care and resources for those in our community who have special needs and will help enhance their long-term quality of life.”
Ramsey came by the ROC office as the news was still sinking in for the staff.
“Good things come to those who wait and a lot of perseverance has gone into this,” Ramsey said.
