Our first day volunteering we had an unexpected change of venues. This change resulted in one group going to an organization, ARC . ARC not only provides a service necessary for the city of New Orleans, but provides jobs for people who might otherwise have none. The people who work at ARC typically have some sort of mental disability, and while they can be excellent employees, most people won’t hire them because of their disabilities. This place provides a great environment that is accepting towards everyone while giving them steady year-round jobs. Mardi Gras beads usually just get left in the street and thrown out afterward. This organization collects the beads and hires people to sort them. Then, they sell them back to the Mardi Gras krewes to be used in the next year. They don’t just hire people to sort beads. In this building is also a soup kitchen. They employ mentally-disabled people as chefs as well. This organization provides services necessary to New Orleans while giving jobs to those who might be unable to get on without this organization.
