ROC Angel Tree Receives Tyson Donation

Pictured are staff members from Rainbow of Challenges’ Making Rainbows and Tyson Foods of Hope surrounded by a roomful of donated toys, educational materials, clothes, and toiletries. The donation was made by the management and team members of Tyson Foods. For the seventh consecutive year, Tyson has organized a toy and clothes drive which has aided the Making Rainbows Angel Tree campaign.ANGEL TREE ANGEL TREE 2

ROC Christmas & Candlelight Luminaries Project

Rainbow of Challenges’ individuals recently took part in the assembly of luminaries at Washington Historic State Park to be used in the Christmas and Candlelight events. The group of individuals worked to put together more than 2,500 luminaries, filling the paper bags with sand and candles to be placed throughout the Park. When the work was completed, the individuals were presented with certificates of appreciation from Park staff. See all the pics of the fun under “Photo Gallery”!

Judy Watson Named to Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson recently announced that Rainbow of Challenges, Inc.’s CEO Judy Watson was named to the Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council.

The Arkansas Governor’s Developmental Disability Council consist of individuals with developmental disabilities, family members, directors of state agencies that serve people with disabilities and representatives from nonprofit and private organizations that provide services and supports for people with disabilities.

Operating under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act as amended, the Council’s main objective is to improve the independence and productivity of people with developmental disabilities and to ensure their integration and inclusion into the community. It is the belief of the council that persons with disabilities and their families are the decision-makers in all matters affecting their lives and that this philosophy is best demonstrated when people with disabilities are given viable choices of where they live, work, play, learn, worship and participate in daily life experience.

“What a great honor to be appointed by the Governor to the Developmental Disabilities Council and to represent all people with disabilities around the state,” said Watson.

Rainbow of Challenges, Inc. administers a wide array of services for persons who have developmental disabilities in Southwest Arkansas. Emphasis is placed on services that help each person achieve the highest degree of personal independence. Rainbow of Challenges, Inc. is committed to implementing a safer, healthier, happier, and more independent lifestyle for individuals having special needs.

For more information, please contact Rainbow of Challenges at 870-777-4501.

Making Rainbows Receives $2,000 Grant

Texarkana Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of Arkansas Community Foundation, recently presented Making Rainbows a grant award in the amount of $2,000. The purpose of the grant is provide outdoor play materials and resources for the children of Making Rainbows. Many thanks to the caring folks of the Texarkana Area Community Foundation for their generosity!

 

 

Community Foundation Grant 2015

ROC Recycling – Turning Trash Into Treasure – Newspapers Needed

 

The next time you are in a local McDonald’s restaurant, remember the napkins used were once discarded newspapers recycled by Rainbow of Challenges’ clients.

The same can be said for many other paper products purchased locally such as Sparkle and Mardi Gras brand paper towels, Vanity Fair napkins, and Angel Soft tissue.

The newspapers and cardboard collected from the area as trash can be transformed into a wide range of paper products and provide a “treasure” in the form of wages paid to ROC clients who handle and process the materials.

There has been a shortage of some recyclables, namely newspapers, magazines and office paper at the ROC Recycling Center, but it is an easy problem to correct.

The public can start the process by taking their discarded paper products directly to ROC Enterprises Recycling Center on Elm Street in Hope or Rainbow Industries located on Laurel Street.

Businesses, churches and schools may also participate as a large volume of paper and cardboard are collected daily through free pick-up services provided by ROC Enterprises. To set up collection services simply contact Kris Burns ROC Workforce Coordinator at 870-722-1276.

It is a win-win proposition as those who bring in newspapers reduce their household and business waste while the individuals at ROC reap the benefits of the pay they receive on the volume of recyclables they handle.

“Newspapers are a big commodity for our individuals,” said Krystal Goshen, Day Services Coordinator at ROC. “It allows our individuals to make their own money and that in turn allows them to give back to the community by them shopping and spending their money locally.”

Recycling Logo

Making Rainbows Earns Better Beginnings Certification

BETTER BEGINNINGS LOGO

Making Rainbows of Rainbow of Challenges is proud to announce that it is a Better Beginnings certified child care provider. Better Beginnings is the voluntary quality rating system for all licensed child care providers in Arkansas. Better Beginnings was developed by the Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education and uses a one, two and three star rating system to certify child care providers.

Once a provider is certified, this rating is posted on ARBetterBeginnings.com for parents and others to use when choosing a child care facility. Children deserve the very best care and education possible, as early as possible. Better Beginnings connects Arkansas families with information and care that helps their children experience a safe, happy, healthy childhood.

“Better Beginnings certified programs make the choice to become quality rated,” said Tonya Russell, Director, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. “We have lots of working families in Arkansas who need access to quality care and Better Beginnings programs are providing that care in all 75 counties in the state.”

“Research shows that the early months and years following birth really do matter,” Russell said. “From birth to 5 years old, maximum brain development is happening. So the earlier your child has quality care, the better affect on their lifelong health.”

Better Beginnings gives child care providers the tools, guidance and training needed to provide a quality learning environment.

For more information on Better Beginnings, visit ARBetterBeginnings.com or call 501-682-5890 or

1-800-445-3316. For more information about Making Rainbows or call 870-777-4501.

ROC Rodeo fun for everyone!

ROC individuals recently took part in the annual ROC Rodeo held at the Rafter J rodeo arena. Numerous events were held complete with awards for all the winners. Special thanks go to Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton and everyone at Rafter J Church. See all the fun in pictures under “Photo Gallery”!2

ROC Fishing Derby a big success!

Pictured are the smiling faces of Rainbow of Challenges individuals and students from the Spring Hill High School FCCLA group as they pose with their prized catches during the annual ROC Fishing Derby held at the Hope Fair Park. Special thanks go to the Fair Park staff and volunteers, Spring Hill High School FCCLA, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Super 1 Foods in helping make the event a success. See all the fun in pictures under “Photo Gallery”

!Fishing Derby

United Way Golf Tournament

Pictured from left to right are Kelly Jacobs, team captain Stephen Rivard, Kevin Thomsen, Corey Parker, and Jeremy Stroud. Numerous teams representing area businesses enjoyed a beautiful day on the course after a delicious lunch provided by tournament sponsor Tyson Foods of Hope.

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