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DES Volunteers Give the Gift of Community Service

On a beautiful Saturday morning recently, volunteers from the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and their family members converged at the Arizona Training Program in Coolidge (ATPC), which is home to 86 adults with disabilities. It was a unique opportunity to serve some of Arizona's most vulnerable citizens by donating time and talent to refurbish some of the homes at the 110-acre site.

  • Volunteers paint exterior of home
  • Man using roller to paint high on a wall
  • Man using roller to paint the edge of a wall
  • Two women walking along the outside of a home carrying painting bucket and painting supplies
  • Two women pose for photos in front of partially painted wall
  • Three women holding paint rollers pose for pictures inside of a home
  • Two men paint wall near a window inside of a home
  • Paint supplies on a tarp inside of a home; people in the background
  • Woman paints wall inside of a home with a paint brush
  • Man holding paint roller poses in front of partially painted wall
  • Woman using a paint brush to paint a lower wall in side of a home
  • Teen boy uses a roller to paint wall inside of a home
  • Man pours paint into a bucket outside of a home
  • Freshly painted home

Formerly known as the Arizona Children's Colony, ATPC opened its doors to children with disabilities in 1952. By the end of the first year, the population grew from 12 to 156 children, and one historical record shows that over the years, admittance peaked at well over 2,600 children. Events like this reflect the agency's commitment to providing members with the best home settings possible.

"It's an event I was compelled to be a part of," said Gregory Salazar. Salazar, a Support Coordinator for the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) drove all the way from Show Low to participate in the event. "I thought this would be a great opportunity, not only for me to do some community service, but to meet some of my colleagues who I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet if I had stayed up in Show Low."

In total, 50 volunteers joined forces with 23 maintenance workers at the historic property just outside of Phoenix. The mission was to paint the interiors and exteriors of six group homes, which would take the entire day.

"Financial donations can be challenging for a lot folks," said Maria Horvath, a DDD Human Services worker. "I was really pleased when this opportunity came up at DES."

The investment of time and talent was well worth it for Victoria Coleman, who also works for DDD. She said the volunteer event was a very personal cause for her.

"My sister is out here," explained Colemen. "She's been a resident here for as long as I can remember. This event allows me to be close to her, and after I'm done, I'm going to go see her."

By end-of-day, volunteers had used more than 115 gallons of paint in the group homes, according to Brian Agersea, DES Office of Facilities Management Maintenance Supervisor.

The homes were updated with 30 different shades of paint, all chosen by the residents themselves. The massive undertaking would have cost the State an at least $21,000 for materials and labor, but through the generosity of DES volunteers and donations of materials, the project costs were around $8,500.

DES provides supports and services to more than 35,000 people with developmental disabilities and their families throughout Arizona. For more information, please visit our Developmental Disabilities web page or call Toll Free (866) 229-5553. 

By Vielka Atherton

December 15, 2016
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