August 2005 brought challenges for Group Living, Inc.   A fire completely destroyed the Beehive  Store which employed more than 30 developmentally disabled people.  The neighboring Honeycomb Restaurant, which also provides clients a place to work, and   Group Living offices suffered severe smoke and water damage.  Because of the support of the community and the hard work of the Group Living staff, the Beehive, the Honeycomb and the offices were temporarily relocated within two weeks.

In November 2006, the Honeycomb Restaurant  moved to it's permanent location at 705 Main Street.  The building was renovated to provide dining and private meeting rooms for the community.

The Honeycomb move was just the first step of transforming the downtown Arkadelphia area.  Group Living, Inc. will soon begin construction on a two-story office building on the corner of Seventh and Main streets.   The project will continue down the 700 Block of Main Street with the construction of a new, larger, two-story Beehive Store.

The 2nd phase of the project will renovate the Adult Development Center which is housed in the 800 Block of Main Street.  The project will then add an 8-unit apartment complex filling out the rest of the 800 Block.

With the support of the community, these dreams can become a reality.

If you would like to be a part of this great endeavor, you may donate to the fundraising campaign by sending your check or pledge to:

    Group Living, Inc.    Attn: Jane Lucas     710 Main Street    Arkadelphia AR 71923

$500.00                                                     

$100.00                                          Make a Donation with Paypal or Credit Card  

$  50.00                                       

$   Other  

Group Living Inc. Endowment Fund

Group Living, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization serving persons with developmental disabilities.  These include mental retardation, epilepsy, autism and cerebral palsy.  A staff of thirty-eight full-time and twenty to thirty part-time personnel serve fifty-five to sixty clients.  It's located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, a community of about 10,000 people.

Group Living was organized in 1973 with two group homes, one for women and one for men. The first Board of Directors was made up of persons selected to be representatives from the various churches in Arkadelphia. At present there are fifteen board members representing a cross section of the community. Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month and are open to the public.

In 1974 a sheltered workshop was opened when Group Living bought the local Abilities Unlimited. This provided work for clients in the Group Homes and for some who came to the day program from the Arkadelphia Human Development Center.  In 1975 Group Living merged with the Clark County Adult Activity Center operated by the Association for Retarded Children, now the Association for Retarded Citizens. In 1977 the men's home burned and in 1980 a new home was completed housing men on one side and women on the other.  The new home was financed largely by grants from the Ross Foundation.

Each person living in the community has a Follow Along supervisor who assists that person in any area needed.  This can range all the way from minimal help balancing their checkbook to helping with shopping, menu planning, laundering, cleaning, budgeting, bill paying, etc.  Personal counseling is available whenever needed.

Clients who work in the Beehive Store, in the Honeycomb Restaurant & Bakery and on the housecleaning crew make up the Work Activity Center.  Group Living, Inc. contracts with South Central Arkansas Transit (SCAT) for daily transportation to and from the Work Activity Center. 

Group Living, Inc. strongly believes that each client must be an integral part in the community and be able to participate in events of one's choice.  A disability should not prevent a person from being a vital part of the community in which he/she chooses to live. 

For years Group Living, Inc. has been on the cutting edge of services for adults with developmental disabilities.  The guiding principles have been dignity, self-worth, the right to make choices and a high quality of life for each person receiving services.

During the time since it opened Group Living, Inc. has served hundreds of clients.  Many have returned to their home communities or have remained in Arkadelphia to become productive, self-supporting, tax-paying and voting citizens.   

Group Living is in compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and is operated, managed and delivers services without regard to age, religion, sex, color, race or national origin.