Friends of Olivia to expand services as it joins Arc of the Black Belt

Friends of Olivia marked a major milestone recently as the Selma-based nonprofit introduced its new home and announced its transition into the Arc of the Black Belt, a move founder Paige Harris said will expand services for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities across several counties.

The open house on Aug. 16 drew families, supporters and visitors to the organization’s campus at 241 Old Marion Junction Road.

Tim Cooper, executive director of the Arc of Alabama, told attendees that the new Arc chapter in Selma fills a void on the map for support services for citizens with disabilities. The center will serve Dallas, Perry, Lowndes and Wilcox counties. 

Harris said the Arc of the Black Belt will serve individuals with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and other developmental and intellectual disabilities. The group also welcomes adults with dementia or those recovering from strokes at its respite programs.

As an Arc chapter, the group can expand to provide a sensory gym, classrooms to attract therapists and a thrift store that would provide job training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities, according to Harris.

“This is going to open up a world of opportunities to people in the community,” Harris said. “We are very excited about that.”

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Harris said the organization plans to grow its board to include people representing a variety of disabilities.

She emphasized that community and legislative support will be critical as the organization expands. Harris said she has reached out to local and state officials, including Alabama Sen. Robert Stewart and Rep. Prince Chestnut.

“We are really just begging for support,” she said. “In order to really get things off the ground we need that support from our legislators and from our community.”

The group is also preparing for its largest public event of the year. The Harvest of Hope Community Festival is scheduled for Oct. 10 at the Arc of the Black Belt campus. The event will feature a petting zoo, games, bounce houses, vendors, a car show called Horse Power for Hope and a rib cook-off. Registration for cook-off teams and car show is open now.

Harris said anyone interested in volunteering or learning more can find the organization on Facebook under both the Arc of the Black Belt and Friends of Olivia pages. The group can also be reached by email at friendsofolivia.selma@gmail.com. A new website for the Arc of the Black Belt will launch soon.

The celebration also included a moment recognizing Olivia Harris, whose autism diagnosis inspired her parents, Paige and Chris Harris, to create Friends of Olivia last year. Olivia recently completed ABA therapy, and the organization honored her during the program. Paige Harris and her daughter Ella also performed a song for the crowd.