LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN TO PASS THROUGH HOPE/AREA BUSINESSES & COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO COME OUTSIDE AND SUPPORT

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will come through Hope on Tuesday, May 21. The mission of the Torch Run is to increase awareness and raise funds for Special Olympics.

The ultimate destination of the torch will be the Opening Ceremonies at the State Special Olympics competition at Harding University’s First Security Stadium in Searcy.

The torch is scheduled to begin the journey to Hope at 9:00 a.m. on Highway 67 near the Fulton Bridge and arrive at the Rainbow of Challenges administration building on Main Street in Hope at approximately 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Once in Hope, the runners will turn left from Hwy. 67 onto Elm Street running past such businesses as BancorpSouth and LaGrone Williams Hardware, then turn right on Division Street and turn right on Main Street in front of Tailgaters Burger Co. on its way to the ROC Administration building.  

Business and community members along the route are encouraged to come outside and show their support for the runners as they pass.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS AREA GAMES A TERRIFIC SUCCESS

The Special Olympics Area 11 games held recently at the Hope High School track field was a terrific success as athletes from the surrounding area gathered for competition. ROC/PNC athletes were again well-represented and several qualified for the State Special Olympics Games to be held at Harding University in Searcy from May 23-25. Special thanks go to the many volunteers such as HAPS students, area law enforcement, and Pafford EMS who made the event possible.



ROC HOSTS SPECIAL 50th ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION

Rainbow of Challenges hosted a special 50th anniversary reception at Hempstead Hall as many from the business community joined current and former ROC staff members to share memories of the organization that got its start in 1969. The hall was well-decorated with many photos from the past along with a delicious array of sweet and savory refreshments. State Representative Danny Watson read and presented a special citation plus management and staff from Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home made a donation in honor of the special occasion.

ROC CELEBRATES 5OTH YEAR OF SERVICE; SPECIAL RECEPTION PLANNED FOR APRIL 24 HEMPSTEAD HALL

What began with six children in 1969, has now grown to more than 500 children and adults in 2019 being served by Rainbow of Challenges in Hope. Patti Manus, alongside a small group of mothers of children with developmental and intellectual disabilities banded together to open what was then known as the “School of Hope”. The primary focus of the school was to provide developmental treatment and therapy for children with delays.

The group soon discovered was the need was great in Hope and the surrounding area. Roots began to take hold and more children and staff where added. Volunteers came out of the woodwork. Generous help and donations came from community leaders and so began the growth of Rainbow of Challenges (ROC). ROC now employs approximately 500 and serves children and adults in Hempstead County and 34 additional counties in South Arkansas.

In addition to the adult day centers Rainbow Industries, ROC Enterprises, and Rainbow Junction in Arkadelphia, sites include Making Rainbows-Hope and Lewisville. ROC likewise has residential facilities, Omega Home, North Town, South Park Place, Hilltop Place, and Parkview apartments located in Hope. ROC is also proud of sister-sites for children and adults located in Prescott.

Children, birth to five-years-old, receive early childhood developmental therapy so they begin kindergarten with the skills necessary for a successful education. The ROC/PNC therapy component provides speech, occupational, and physical therapy for children that are overseen by highly specialized pathologists and therapists.

Adults are provided with a balanced day of instruction, work, and fun while reaching their individualized goals. ROC Adult Services in Hope include the repurposing work from Rainbow Industries and Rainbow Junction, along with the recycling center at ROC Enterprises, ROC’n Reruns thrift store, the Melon Patch restaurant, and Rainbow Industries gift baskets. ROC Enterprises also produces annual contract work for Firestone Building Products in Prescott.

Each of these services provide opportunities for the individuals to earn spending money which is then spent throughout the community, teaching valuable life skills. And, any proceeds received from the recycling market are directed back into ROC/PNC programming.

This year, Rainbow of Challenges celebrates 50 years of service, providing expert care and guidance to the individuals served. Numerous events have been planned throughout the year to spotlight the monumental mark including a special anniversary reception slated for Wednesday, April 24, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Hempstead Hall on the campus of UAHT in Hope. The public is invited to attend and former board members, staff and others connected with the organization especially encouraged to come share their fond memories.

“ROC is excited to celebrate with the community our 50th anniversary,” said CEO Judy Watson. “Without the vision of Patti for a better life for individuals with special needs, the longtime support of community members and businesses plus lots of prayers, ROC would not have been successful. The quote “it takes a village” really does stand true with the services and supports we provide.

“We want to take the time during the reception to thank everyone that has been involved in our success and we cannot wait to see what the next 50 years will bring, and with the support of the community, the sky is the limit.”

ROC TO RECEIVE DONATIONS FROM HERNDON-FUQUA FUNERAL HOME

Pictured are Vickers Fuqua, President of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home in Hope, Rainbow of Challenges’ CEO Judy Watson, Herndon-Fuqua Hope Director Scott Brown, and Chief Operating Officer Fred Meisenheimer upon presenting a monetary donation to ROC. The local funeral home chose ROC to make a donation for each service conducted in the name of the families served. In recognition of the ROC’s 50th Anniversary, Herndon-Fuqua will make an additional $1,000 donation. Herndon Funeral Home began serving the local community in 1899 and after many years of serving the Hope, Prescott, and Gurdon communities, the business was sold to the Fuqua family of Texarkana Funeral Homes. The partnership joined together two recognized area families serving the funeral needs of many. Texarkana Funeral Homes was started in 1939 and currently owns and operates three funeral homes in Texarkana, one in New Boston, Texas, and another in DeKalb, Texas. The ROC family is greatly appreciative of being recognized and receiving the generous donations.

ROC TO HOST OPEN INTERVIEW SESSION APRIL 11

Rainbow of Challenges will host a special “Open Interview” session on Thursday, April 11 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the ROC administration building located at 500 S. Main Street in Hope. Prospective employees will have the opportunity to fill out an application and have an interview in the same session, reducing the wait time to gaining employment. Flexible work schedules are ideal for those interested in part-time, evenings, and weekend positions. Positions are available in areas such as Hope, Prescott, Texarkana, and DeQueen. For more information contact Dorene Mosier at 870-722-1220.

ROC STAFF PARTICIPATES IN WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY

Pictured are ROC staff members as they participate in World Autism Awareness Day. World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day on April 2 every year, encouraging Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about people with Autism Spectrum Disorder throughout the world.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS AREA 11 GAMES SLATED FOR APRIL 6 AT HOPE HIGH SCHOOL TRACK FIELD

A large contingent of athletes will represent ROC in the annual Special Olympics area competition on Saturday, April 6.

More than 100 individuals from Rainbow Industries, ROC Enterprises, and Rainbow Junction will join their sister site of Prescott/Nevada County Special Services, and other area Special Olympics athletes for the competition at the Hope High School track field with events beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m.

It is a free event and the public is encouraged to bring a lawn chair and cheer on these athletes.

Participation in this event would not be possible without the dedicated ROC/PNC staff and numerous volunteers from the area that will accompany the athletes, ensuring safe and memorable games.

In 1968, the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation created Special Olympics and it has since become the world’s largest program of athletic competition for children and adults with disabilities. Arkansas held its first Summer Games in 1970 attracting 283 athletes competing in a variety of track and field events. It has now grown to a program for athletes wanting to train and compete in athletics, aquatics, softball, volleyball, power lifting, bocce, and cycling. Other Special Olympics Arkansas sports include basketball, bowling, figure skating, and gymnastics.

ROC/PNC RECOGNIZE APRIL AS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

ROC/PNC is joining the rest of the nation in recognizing April as Autism Awareness Month. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today. Research has made clear that high quality early intervention can improve learning, communication and social skills, as well as underlying brain development. Please take time this month to become better educated and advocate for those affected by Autism.

ROC/PNC BASKETBALL TEAMS COMPETE IN STATE SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The ROC Heat and PNC Hot Shotz recently competed in the Arkansas State Special Olympics basketball tournament held at Russellville High School. Both teams turned in big efforts with the Heat bringing home a silver medal and the Hot Shotz winning fourth-place ribbons! Special thanks go to Hexion Specialty Chemicals for their donation to new uniforms for the Heat and the First Baptist Church of Hope for the use of their gymnasium for practices.