James "Jim" Taylor Folse
October 21, 2008October 23
October 23, 2008
Praises poured in for the Terrebonne Association for Retarded Citizens this weekend as the agency was honored with an array of ARC of Louisiana awards.
Mary Lynn Bisland, TARC’s executive director, said the agency is known for its success in empowering and supporting residents with disabilities.
Out of 22 other local units in ARC of Louisiana, Terrebonne’s ARC was honored with the annual outstanding local unit award for momentous achievements throughout the year.
“It’s a prestigious award,” Bisland said. “We got our award because of the work the staff and clients have put in to make TARC what it is today.”
Under Bisland’s helm, the agency has been able to soar beyond new heights and create meaningful opportunities for the people it serves. She has reconstructed what the agency is to the community and what it strives to be in the near future.
TARC offers two businesses located off its campus in East Houma, Creative Employment Opportunities and Cedar Chest Boutique on West Main Street in Houma.
The organization has trademarked new names and logos for all of its on-campus businesses in addition to opening a new social club and an activity center that will help promote healthy living among TARC participants.
Other award recipients from Terrebonne ARC included Jenny LeBeouf who received the ARC of Louisiana Professional of the Year award for her years of dedication to the agency.
LeBeouf has been working at TARC for more than 40 years, and the majority of her career has been spent managing the agency’s restaurant and gift shop.
Houma residents Jace and Jennifer Reynolds received the ARC of Louisiana Family Award for their continued support of Jace’s brother Jonathan, a member of TARC’s Sweet Sensations business.
The family goes above and beyond to ensure that Jonathan is on top of his work responsibilities and participating in extracurricular activities around the campus.
“Our local unit not only benefits those who participate in the many businesses and programs on the campus, but their families get a chance to earn a place in TARC’s history too,” Bisland said.
As the weekend unfolded, it was also announced that Bisland will receive the national Rising Star Award given to an ARC executive director with fewer than five years on the job.
Though 2007 marked her first year as executive director, Bisland has been a director within the agency for more than 25 years.
Her plan to take over the executive director position came about in part because she wanted to help improve the services that were provided to TARC participants and the community.
The executive director looks at her recent award not as an individual accomplishment, but as a TARC achievement.
“Yes, my name may be on it, but without the people that help me run this agency I could not have done it alone,” she said. “A leader is only as good as the staff that works under them.”
Bisland is expected to accept her award at a formal ceremony in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Nov. 6.
Houma Grown (Greenhouse) is a wholesale nursery on the TARC campus that provides landscaping plants and herbs to nurseries from around the Tri-parish area. The crew also goes mobile to maintain its flower bed contracts. * Photos courtesy of TARC
