LEONARD GRAY

PHOTO: ARC CLIENTS learn self-reliance and responsibility, as Executive Director Sue Agnelly enjoys pet birds at the ARC Center in Boutte, along with Wayne Kelly of Luling, at left, and Frank Stolsek of Bayou Gauche. (Staff Photo by Leonard Gray) For Sue Agnelly, the status quo is never enough. Since taking on the job as executive director of The ARC of St. Charles in October 1999, she is always pushing for more for her clients. Since 1971, the ARC has worked to provide support, services and advocacy to the mentally retarded or developmentally handicapped, aiming for self-reliance and personal pride. Located in the former Boutte School, built in 1953 on Old Spanish Trail, the center is a beehive of activity on behalf of their 60 clients, and their influence reaches far into the St. Charles Parish community. “I cannot stand to think of these people sitting alone at home, watching TV,” Agnelly said. Programs offered include adult habilitation, work crews, personal care attendants, respite care, supervised independent living and supported employment. PHOTO 2: TALENT AND SKILL are hallmarks of many clients of The ARC of St. Charles, including, from left, Perry Zeringue of Des Allemands, Ronnette Rome of Paradis and Warren Baudouin Jr. of Edgard, shown with Easter baskets. (Staff Photo by Leonard Gray) The work crews, especially the lawn care and the janitorial crews, are the pride and joy of Agnelly. The lawn care crews provide valuable, low-cost lawn maintenance for several sites, including Entergy, the parish water towers, St. Charles Council on Aging sites and help with the A.A. Songy Kindergarten gardens. The day janitorial services work at the United Way of St. Charles building, Council on Aging, parish parks and recreation office, Center for Family Services and at two public schools – Schoeffner Elementary and New Sarpy Elementary. “Schoeffner was the cleanest school in the parish, and the school board begged us to take another school,” Agnelly said. The ARC is able to offer competitive prices for their contract work, as it is a non-profit, United Way agency. Success stories abound in this agency, and Agnelly recalled one young man who had dropped out of school, gotten into trouble with the law and was about to be sent away to an institution when she intervened. Agnelly put him on the lawn crew, and he later got a full-time job and has rebuilt his life. The agency also gives respite care to relieve caregivers, personal care attendants to people who want to stay at home and away from nursing homes, and job-finding assistance and job coaching. Last Saturday, a “Spring Fling” festival offered fun, relaxation and a creative outlet for the clients, in an all-day fund-raiser aimed at opening the new greenhouse. Food, crafts and live music highlighted the event. However, the biggest thing the ARC offers is hope for the future. Many families of mentally handicapped people are concerned about their future. The program helps their clients become more independent, self-reliant and better equipped in every way to take care of themselves. Agnelly hopes to one day open an apartment building on the grounds of the present center, where independent living will be the key to a more stable future. Yet, she said, “there are so few people who know about us.” The ARC of St. Charles is located at 13771 Old Spanish Trail, Boutte.