Newsletter: August 2001

“…And the walls came a’ tumblin’ down…” at Southwest House, that is. Earlier in July, a small but mighty group of Rotarians (South Bay Sunrise Club) knocked the easterly kitchen wall down at Southwest House. By doing so, additional room was created for food preparation. Oh, and not to worry – a new wall was built in its place! Many thanks to the dedicated and professional work by Dennis Chance, who masterminded the demolition. Assisting were John Kirk, Lynda and Dick Cook, Judy Senter and Butch Mason. Next step: ripping out the old cabinets and putting in the new ones!

A lot of construction has also been taking place at our Adult Development Center in Hermosa Beach. The Hermosa Beach Kiwanis has remodeled the kitchen/office space with new carpet, wall cabinets, window coverings, and some wall and countertop modifications. The City of Hermosa chipped in with new fluorescent light fixtures. Later this Fall, the classroom upgrades will begin. Here’s a big THANK YOU to the members of the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis for their expertise and dedication.

A cool $9,000 was netted for the Arc at the 2001 Fireworks Booth. Though that was somewhat less than last year’s net, it is easily understood, as the 4th of July did not fall on a weekend. Typically, sales are less when the holiday falls on Wednesday. Thanks again to those who assisted in the booth, or donated their money so we could present a fireworks show for the enjoyment of the consumers at Southwest Industries.

Did you know that out of all the cities that Southwest Industries serves, the greatest percentage (25) of consumers hail from Los Angeles? Gardena came in second with 15%, followed by Compton with 12%. If all the characteristics of our population at Southwest Industries were made into a composite, the “average” consumer would be: an African American male resident of Los Angeles between the ages of 40-49. He would have a “mild” level of disability and live with family members. He has been at SWI for over three years and is transported to the program by Regional Center funded transportation. His top 5 priorities of items he would like increased help with are: basic academics, grooming and hygiene, basic money management, speech therapy and social/recreation. Of course, we make every effort to accommodate the special requests and needs of our consumers through outside instruction or other programs.

“Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.” -Groucho Marx

Coming Up:

• NO Board of Directors Meeting in August.
• Sept. 3, Labor Day. All Arc programs closed.
• Sept. 22, League Bowling starts for Saturday AM Bowlers.
• Sept. 27, Board of Directors Meeting, 6 p.m., Gardena City Hall