Activity center provides day-habilitation

The first in a series highlighting the programs which will be benefited by the proceeds from this year's United Way fundraiser.

Try to imagine a life where the only pastime available to you would be watching television -- all day, everyday.

The Dunklin Day Activity Center provides day-habilitation for developmentally disabled adults living in Dunklin County. The activity center is the only program of its kind in this county. Developmentally disabled adults in the area have limited options when they become too old to attend school and without the activity center, many would have idle, empty lives.

And without local participation in the United Way fundraiser, the center stands to loose money which makes it possible for them to offer services to their clients.

The center offers a wide range of programs for its clients. An exercise room, dining area and schoolroom are just a few of the amenities that can be found.

"We also try to help teach these guys how to live as independently as they can," said Director Leah Mobley. "We teach them to do laundry, social skills, table manners, housekeeping, math, reading and telling time."

The center has 23 in-house day-habilitation clients and a total of 47 members who participate in the community integration program out-of-center.

"In this program they get to do the everyday things that you and I take for granted," Mobley said. "They get to do things like help with the meals-on-wheels program and they get to go to the movies, bowling, dancing and sporting events."

Those eligible to enroll with the center must be 18 years old and must have been diagnosed with a mental disability prior to the age of 18.

"The DDAC would love to serve more people and we are equipped to do so," said Mobley. "The Missouri Department of Mental Health must first approve clients to receive our services and their money shortages have resulted in some Dunklin County residents being unable to attend DDAC."

Residents of nursing homes are also excluded from the program.

"People living in nursing facilities are not eligible to attend activity centers due to current policies of the Missouri Department of Health," Mobley said. "There are a number of developmentally disable people residing in nursing facilities who would benefit from our services. They are well enough to participate in our programs and crave more activity and stimulation."

Money that is donated by the United Way of Kennett is put into the center's $300,000 annual budget which pays for utilities, costly insurance expenses, supplies and maintenance.

"It would be a shame if we didn't get that money because we are a non-profit organization and we operate at a loss anyway," Mobley said. "Every bit of money we get helps us increase what we can do for our clients."

As for results, Mobley said that the results from the extra money can be seen rather easily.

"Time and money invested on the clients of the DDAC are well spent," said Mobley. "The fun, learning, friendships and self-esteem clients take from here are easily observed and provide meaning and richness to their lives.

"On a daily basis I see clients responding positively to our programs and over time I have seen several clients really come out of their shells and start feeling good about themselves and enjoying life much more."

Besides donating to the United Way's fundraiser, Mobley asks the community to donate something much more precious -- time.

"I encourage the community to visit the Dunklin Day Activity Center," Mobley said. "You can see firsthand how some people dealing with disabilities grab life with humor, high spirits and determination."