This is the second installment in a series by Courtney Gilman on non-profit groups in Oklahoma. You can see the first article in this series here.

by Courtney Gilman

Employees at an EARC thrift store. Photo provided.

I first learned about Employment and Residential Centers (EARC), an Edmond-based non-profit that works with people with developmental disabilities, from a good friend and former employee.  EARC combines two of my greatest interests: helping people in need and second-hand consumption.  The idea has been working for them for more than 40 years. I spoke with Kim Pittman, who manages the organization’s two Edmond thrift stores.

Tell us a little about the organization began.

EARC was founded in 1969 and at that time focused on increasing public awareness and providing education on issues surrounding developmental disabilities.  In early 1970, the first Edmond thrift store was opened, and then after that in 1980 came the Guthrie thrift store.

In 1982, EARC opened the first of two, six bed group homes.  The second home opened in 1985.  Both homes are designed to provide education in areas in independent living skills.  EARC also offers in-home support services and assisted living services.  This option places a habilitation trainer for a specific number of hours per week in an individual’s family home or own home.

In 1989, the Nova Center, a 16 bed intermediate care facility (ICR/MR) for residents with more severe disabilities was opened.  Most recently EARC has opened several daily living support (DLS) homes that also provide continuous staff and services for training and supervision.

The Trails Sheltered Workshop opened in 1986.  This facility offers individuals the opportunity to learn work skills through subcontracted jobs and receive a paycheck.  EARC also offers community integrated employment (CIE) opportunities, which were first initiated through the Trails in 1989.  This service provides individual assistance in securing and maintaining employment in the community.

By the late 1990s, a work enclave of four was traveling from the Trails to Guthrie each weekday to be employed alongside workers without disabilities.  In March of 2006, EARC launched a small vending machine operation that works as a CIE enclave providing on-the-job training under a job coach.

In May 2006, we opened our newest thrift Store in Edmond so that later in November we would have room to put a new crew in place at the original thrift store with a donation processing center.  Another work enclave, offering even more opportunities for customer contact, was started in March 2007 at the new EARC thrift store located at 92 E 15th in Edmond.

What is unique about thrift store employment that helps individuals with developmental disabilities?

All employees at the thrift stores are trained as job coaches, so they have the knowledge and the skills to work with and train our individuals for jobs in the thrift store and community.  EARC has served the Edmond community and individual with developmental disabilities for 40 years and we were dedicated to giving our individuals more independence in their lives.

EARC has been operating for more than 40 years. Photo provided.

You offer many more services than employment at your stores. Can you elaborate on these, as well?

We also provide transportation to our individuals to and from work, doctor’s appointments, and recreation activities.  We provide training in independent living skills such as hygiene, self-care, money, skills, housekeeping, and social skills.

What kind of job trainings does EARC offer to help prepare those who have never before worked with this population?

EARC provides classes on MAT (medication and administration tech) CMA and CAN (Certified nurse’s aide) ETL (effective teaching and learning) Foundations, and all state required classes in the direct care staff field.

How can someone become involved?  What kinds of donations do you accept?

Everyone can get involved by cleaning out the closets, garage, attic, storage areas and donating good used clothing, shoes, purses, toys, books, electronics, mattresses, furniture, working appliances, linens, exercise equipment…  Just about anything that can be resold is accepted.

Are you aware of any programs like yours around the rest of the state?

EARC has been the pioneer in the state of Oklahoma for adults with Developmental Disabilities by being the first to open and staff thrift stores.  Most of the other organizations have taken up these services because they saw how successful EARC has been in the past 40 years.  We are also a United Way Community Partner and we are proud to serve Oklahoma.

Kim, thank you so much for your contribution to Voices of Oklahoma, as well as the greater community. This is a truly unique and caring organization.