ILS opens doors of its new building to the public
On Friday, Feb. 10, Independent Living Services will host an open house to their new facility on Robins Street. ILS will open its doors to the public at 10 a.m., after a ribbon-cutting ceremony which will include remarks from ILS Board President Cindy Ludford, Executive Director Jackie Fliss, and local lawmakers.
The 32,000 square foot facility marks a new chapter for ILS. The nonprofit, which helps individuals with developmental disabilities live independently in the community, has operated at many different locations in Conway since its creation in 1970. Now, administrative offices, therapists, the adult day program and the organization’s work program, a shredding and recycling business called Profiles Productions, will all be housed under one roof. A few administrative offices will remain at ILS’s former headquarters on Independence Street.
“It’s really great to have everyone under one roof,” says Executive Director Jackie Fliss. “We’ll be able to do a lot of things in this new building that will improve the services we offer. There is plenty of room for our classes at our adult day program, the Profiles Enrichment Center. We have a brand new kitchen where we’ll be able to provide healthier meals. And our work program, Profiles Productions, has room to grow.”
ILS offers a curriculum of classes to people with developmental disabilities including health and wellness, arts and crafts, music, values, and life skills. The new building also has a “sensory room” for ILS consumers who are particularly sensitive to noise, light and other stimuli.
“One of the things we’re most proud of is the new kitchen,” says Fliss. “Our goal is to provide our own home-cooked meals for our consumers. People with developmental disabilities are more at-risk for obesity and diabetes. The more healthy meals we can provide for them, the better.”
Fliss also touts the organization’s jobs paper recycling and shredding program. Profiles Productions has been providing jobs to people with developmental disabilities since 1970. In addition to recycling unwanted office paper, Productions works with many local businesses to handle their shredding needs.
“This is a great way for us to contribute, not only to our consumers’ sense of well-being and self worth by providing them with meaningful work, but to make a positive impact on the environment as well,” Fliss said.
Members of the public are invited to attend the open house ceremony, which Fliss says will showcase the services provided by ILS and the impact the organization makes on the Conway Community.
Comments (2)
Add commentCongratulations! ILS!
Congratulations! ILS!
This is a monumental move for the sainted folks who work hard every day to provide a warm, cheerful environment for our neighbors and family members who would otherwise be alone, forgotten and without an opportunity to share their unique gifts.
Whether it's singing in the Profiles Choir, creating award-winning paintings, appearing on the Reynolds Performance Hall stage in productions of their creation, or just dancing with abandon at the many delightful get-togethers, the "consumers" at ILS have a busy, creative life, all in the sheltering arms of Independent Living Services.
Along the way there are classes in money management, diet, health, computers, cooking; therapies for speech, movement; trophy-winning sports teams in state competitions and an opportunity to work for a paycheck. Payday -- regardless of the size of the numbers on the check -- is always a celebration.
There are lots of celebrations with much cheering and laughter as each gives support to the other in every step toward independence.
Congratulations to the ILS Board for making this grand move. Cheers! to Executive Director Jackie Fliss and her wonderful, loving staff. Saints. All saints.
Nice! I'm forwarding this.
Nice! I'm forwarding this.