Overview
The Birdie Thornton Center has transitioned to community based services, with support from many individuals and agencies. The Birdie Thornton Center continues to grow and expand services. This year, we began providing transition services in the Athens City and Limestone County Schools. We continue to give back to our community through volunteer work and continue to integrate into the community by participating in various activities and events.
Opening Up the Online World to People with Disabilities
Digital technology is revolutionizing our day-to-day lives in new ways every day—but with rapid change comes barriers to understanding and access, including for people with I/DD. As part of The Arc’s partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal, select chapters of The Arc are hosting Tech Coaching Centers to expand technology access, understanding, and confidence.
Volunteer Opportunities
Birdie Thornton Center has participated in many volunteer opportunities.
- Meals on Wheels – Birdie Thornton has an ongoing partnership with the Council of Aging in Athens, Alabama. Everyday our individuals deliver meals to the elderly.
- Downtown Rescue Mission – Our individuals volunteer to help sort and fold donated clothing with the Downtown Rescue Mission in Athens, Alabama.
- Athens Salvation Army – Birdie Thornton partners with the Salvation Army in Athens, Alabama. Individuals stock items, organize shelves, greet store patrons, and tag prices on items.
- Keep Athens Limestone Beautiful (KALB) – Birdie Thornton individuals participated in the “One Bag” Challenge to clean up their community. They also won a $100 prize for their contribution.
Integrated Community Events
- Aquadome – Individuals participate in drum, swim, and nutrition classes. They play bingo, basketball, and enjoy visiting with friends.
- Athens Activity Center – Individuals participate in exercise, music, and games.
- Top Golf
- Bowling
- Fishing
- Music in the Park
- Volleyball Tournament
Special Events / Activities
- Trash Pandas Exhibition – Individuals attended the Trash Panda Exhibition game at Toyota Field in Huntsville, Alabama.
- Prom – Individuals from the Birdie Thornton Center and other programs attended the Valentine’s Prom. This was hosted by Tanner First Baptist, with the assistance of the Birdie Thornton Center, The Arc of Athens-Limestone, Make-A-Way Foundation, and Athens Ladies’ Civitan.
- Special Olympics – Students from Limestone County and the Birdie Thornton Center participated in the Special Olympics. This was the first time Special Olympics has been hosted since 2020 and they were all excited to be back!
- Make a Way Foundation – The Make a Way Foundation held a dance party at the activity center in Athens, Alabama. Volunteers from the foundation and a local dance studio participated in this event with our individuals and seniors.
- Athens Limestone Exceptional Needs Rodeo – Birdie Thornton was able to participate in the Exceptional Needs Rodeo.
- Gatekeeper Disability Ministry – They have hosted a luau, bingo, kickball, water day, and arts/crafts for our individuals.
Learning
- Financial Literacy Class – Individuals participated in a 4-day financial literacy class. They received certificates for completing the course.
- Calhoun – Calhoun hosted a “Pretend Hospital” for the Birdie Thornton Center. Individuals learned through role-play about the process of being admitted into a hospital.
- Cook Museum – Birdie Thornton has a membership with the Cook Museum of Natural Science. The individuals we serve regularly request to go to the museum to look at different exhibits.
- Cooking Classes – Individuals decide on what they would like to cook. Then they list all needed ingredients, go shopping for the ingredients, assist with preparing the meal, and then they get to enjoy their delicious meal.
- Madison Public Library – Individuals participate in a weekly book club and have attended 3D printing classes. They were able to pick out a print design, watch it being printed, and take it home.
Transition Classes / JETS Program
Birdie Thornton was able to begin transition classes at the Athens and Limestone County schools this year. These classes assist with teaching soft work skills to Juniors and Seniors. A few classes taught this year were Social Skills, Smart Work Ethics, and Work Readiness.
Birdie Thornton also participated in the JETs program this summer. Two individuals from Limestone County completed a paid internship at the Space and Rocket Center. One individual worked in security and the other worked in environmental sciences.
How You Can Help
Interested in getting more involved in our technology work? Learn how.
Product Testing Service
The Arc provides user research and product testing services to technology companies that wish to make their products more accessible to and useable by people with I/DD. Interested in learning more?
Tech Coaching Centers
Staff at Tech Coaching Centers provide in-person consultations to people with I/DD to identify their needs and train them to use technology to meet those needs. The Centers are housed in chapters of The Arc around the country. Interested in bringing one to you?
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community
throughout their lifetimes.