20 | SEPTEMBER 15 • 2022
L
inda Markowitz from
Franklin has always
been drawn to making
connections with people who
have disabilities ever since she
developed a friendship with a
neighbor who has special needs.
So, it is no surprise that she was
naturally drawn to the mis-
sion of JARC, a local nonprofit
organization that serves people
with developmental disabilities
throughout Metro Detroit.
For Linda, her involvement
with JARC this summer has
been extra special as she is
attending a new, free JARC
summer series of classes called
Hobbies and Hangouts, which is
under the umbrella of the long-
standing Making Community
Connections program.
Through a generous donation
of a JARC supporter, Linda and
other community members
attend classes alongside people
JARC serves to explore and
learn a new hobby and make
connections.
Most recently, Linda’s ceram-
ics class was taught by an
instructor named Taylor, who
led participants through the
process of creating pinch pots,
coil pots, dream catchers, and
painted and textured leaf prints.
Linda said that Taylor has such
a calmness and kindness and
listens to everyone. “She creates
a very peaceful, loving environ-
ment. You walk in there, and it’s
so welcoming. That’s so import-
ant.
”
She also attended the line
dancing class led by instructors
Alyssa and Arthur. She describes
both instructors as very ener-
getic, patient and mindful in
accommodating the needs of the
people JARC serves to make the
class enjoyable for all.
Linda says of the class, “We
all cracked up because we were
having so much fun. There were
no pretenses, just do what you
feel like doing.
”
Linda added, “Exercising and
being with your friends. What
more could you ask for?”
While Linda has been
involved with the nonprofit for
numerous years, she has also
been an advocate and friend to
individuals with developmental
disabilities. She has attended
JARC annual fundraisers and
volunteered, as well as brought
her daughters to celebrate Jewish
holidays with persons served at a
JARC home in West Bloomfield.
“I wanted them to see that
there are all different kinds of
people, and it’s great to share the
holidays with others,
” she said.
Since the pandemic began,
Linda hasn’t been able to interact
too often with the people JARC
serves, but that didn’t stop her
support. She joined other volun-
teers to deliver meals to JARC
homes but found it very difficult
to not be able to speak with any
of the persons served.
MAKING NEW
CONNECTIONS
The pandemic signaled a shift
to all virtual activities in JARC
homes, but recently the organi-
zation has been able to ease back
into offering small-scale indoor
activities for the people they
serve. The return to in-person
events, including the Hobbies
and Hangouts classes, has been
well received by the people
JARC serves, and it has been
especially delightful for them to
be able to interact with members
of the community through this
program. Many community
members, like Linda, have had a
wonderful experience learning a
new hobby and connecting with
the people JARC serves.
Linda is excited about the
many new connections she’s
made with the people JARC
serves through attending these
classes. She named Maxine and
Regina in particular, saying,
“They crack me up. I really
enjoy them. We even talked
about the Elvis Presley movie
together.
” She also had a special
connection with Lindsay, a con-
nection that she would like to
continue to pursue. “I consider
them my friends now — I real-
ly do. I enjoy being with all of
them.
”
Linda has plans to participate
in future classes and would love
to see more people in the com-
munity get involved in Hobbies
and Hangouts. “I think everyone
should start doing this. The
whole world needs to be around
the people JARC serves and
see their excitement and their
smiles. A little bit of kindness
goes a long way and it’s conta-
gious.
”
For more information on Hobbies and
Hangouts classes, go to www.jarc.
org, contact Jessica at jessicatierney@
jarc.org or call (248) 940-2607. Follow
JARC on Facebook at www.facebook.
com/JARCDetroit to stay updated on all
JARC community events.
OUR COMMUNITY
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JARC
Free Hobbies and Hangouts
classes help community members
make connections with the people
JARC serves.
Making New
Friends at JARC
PAT BASKIN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Linda
holds a
ceramics
piece she
made at
class.
Linda
Markowitz at
Hobbies and
Hangouts
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