WILMINGTON — The disAbility Resource Center (dRC) opened its doors in 2008 and since then, has not stopped serving New Hanover and surrounding counties. However, now they will be serving the community from a new location and the open house is this afternoon.
Executive Director, Gloria Garton said many of the individuals they have been helping were self-referral. In other words, it was hard to miss the dRC sign in the Cinema Courtyard shopping center, leading passerby to walk in for assistance.
Though not expecting as much foot traffic in the new location, Garton and the board moved to their new site at 5041 New Center Drive to be stationed near other nonprofits.
“We hope this will give us the opportunity to collaborate,” Garton explained. Other support organizations in the shopping center include: Arc of North Carolina, Cape Fear Volunteer Center and First in Families.
Despite nothing being definite yet, Garton is easing her way toward creating a working relationship with the other resource centers by providing information about them at the open house this week.
The dRC is best known for providing assistance to people living with any type of disability, especially disabilities that make it difficult to integrate into society.
Offering general information, peer support, independent living skills and advocacy, the dRC works to build self-determination within their target clients.
In the warmer months, there is a tennis and basketball league, with the latter led by a national wheelchair basketball champion. There is also a mentor program where newer participants are matched up with other participants who are excelling with a disability.
The center even gives advice on what to say in a job interview if you live with a substantial disability. Additionally, people with developmental disabilities reap the benefits of the resource center by stopping by for guidance with anything from signing a lease for renting property to tips on opening a bank account.
The overarching mission of the dRC is to aid those of all ages and all disabilities in living a self-sufficient lifestyle.
Newcomers may set goals to transition into a more independent lifestyle with a resolution board at the open house. Garton said, “We will have what is similar to a vision board, but we’re calling it a resolution board — Things we want to see changed in 2018.”
The open house will also feature tours of the new venue, hors d’oeuvres and a raffle. For more information, visit the dRC website or stop by the open house at 5041 New Centre Drive, Suite 210 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
