JARC opens library as resource for developmental disabilities

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

The Jewish Association for Residential Care (JARC) has opened a library to serve as a community resource center for information on developmental disabilities.

The Morris Lipson Memorial Library, which was dedicated Dec. 11, is now open for professionals, students and family members to research information on developmental disabilities.

Adults with intellectual disabilities can also visit to research programs, enhance knowledge and skills in number of areas and come in to borrow novels and movies.

“When we had the dedication, the clients were so excited to see everything that is there,” said Dorothy Lipson, JARC board member and past board president.
“There are books and movies there as well. They were so thrilled, which was wonderful to see.”

The library is dedicated to Morris Lipson, Dorothy’s late husband. The couple has been longtime supporters of the organization, and it was Dorothy Lipson’s idea to start the library as a resource for the community.

Funded in part through a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin counties, the Morris Lipson Memorial Library is committed to providing a forum for uniting people with a common interest in assisting persons with disabilities in becoming active members of the community, said Nancy Freiwald, JARC’s director of education and behavioral services.

Information is available in the areas of professional development, staff training, informational DVDs, periodicals, training curriculum, movies, early reader books, fiction novels and informational brochures.

“We’re hoping the knowledge that people will gather here will help lay people understand this challenged population,” Lipson said.


Books, DVDs


Early reader books and a number of entertainment DVD’s may be borrowed from the library. All other resources must be used within the facility. A copy machine and desktop computer are available to help research library resources.

The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The public may go to JARC’s main reception desk in the Living and Learning Center and can be escorted to the library.

The facility is not staffed by a librarian, but JARC staff people are available to assist the public to find materials, Freiwald said.

In addition, Freiwald said, donations of resources are welcome.

JARC, an independent charitable organization and a founding member agency of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, is a nonprofit, non-sectarian organization that operates six group homes in the Boca Raton and Delray Beach area for adults with developmental disabilities.

The organization also offers apartment living for those who do not require 24-hour supervision as well as vocational training in its state-of-the-art Mel & Elaine Stein Living and Learning Center.

JARC is located at the Mel and Elaine Stein Living & Learning Center, 21160 95th Avenue South, Boca Raton.

Dale M. King can be reached at 561-549-0832 or at dking@bocanews.com.