TURNing Dreams Into Reality In Spanish Fork!
Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Sometimes, when artistic opportunities are reintroduced to adults, they describe having new and fresh experiences, even “a second childhood” of exploration and creativity. But some people have never had the opportunity to “be an artist” and, as an adult, may be introduced to the fine arts for the first time.
On April 3rd, the Spanish Fork business community came out in force to welcome the opening of TURN Community Services’ newest Day Program, “TURN Community and Arts Center” at 1620 N. Main. The new TURN center was established to serve adults with disabilities in south Utah County, from communities such as Springville, Santaquin, Payson, Salem, and Spanish Fork. The program also has an “arts” emphasis, featuring instruction and experiences in painting, sculpture, music, photography, and other fine arts. This is TURN’s 15th operating Day Center in Utah, and its 5th in Utah County!
Pat Boyle is a Director of Program Services i n Utah County, and she oversees the five local Day Programs which now serve 110 people each day. “We are exploring ways of introducing music, movement, and mixed media art to adults who have typically had limited opportunities for creative expression. Often, the people we serve have also lived with limited opportunities to choose and make even simple decisions”. Pat believes that the more we value and have high expectations for the people served by TURN, and the more personal control that we can give them, the greater will be their life satisfaction and their willingness to try new things.
Kandice Allred is the Program Coordinator at the new Spanish Fork Center. “Families have been saying that their family members at the Center have been coming home so much happier”, says Kandice. “The arts program has truly enriched their life. The music and the slower, project- based atmosphere
have also resulted in a much calmer group of people. The clients are free to express themselves rather than just doing things the way they’re told. With some guidance, these individuals are choosing projects, colors, mediums, etc. We all love it here!”
Service Opportunities
The TURN Community and Arts Center in Spanish Fork has acquired an electric piano as well as rhythm instruments, congas, and a djembe. We welcome any further donations of musical instruments, percussions, or artist’s supplies. TURN also desires to make active use of the local arts and volunteer community and, as such, is looking for artists and musicians who are willing to teach or assist in painting, music, voice, dance, theater, sculpture, and other arts classes and projects. There is also interest in somebody who would like to do some video production. Please contact Kandice Allred at 801-798- 8465, or kandiceallred@turndreams.org.
TURN Community Services, Inc. is a non- profit organization that was founded by parents in 1973 to create alternatives to institutions for their children with disabilities. In 41 years, TURN has grown to now provide services to over 700 individuals throughout the state of Utah, offering a full range of residential, employment, day services, summer camp, and family support and respite services.
TURN’s Mission Statement is “TURN Dreams Into Reality”, and the agency expresses its Core Values as “We are dedicated to Choice, Quality, and Respect for people with disabilities and those who support them”. We are excited to have TURN as part of the south Utah County community! You can visit the TURN Community and Arts Center at 1620 N. Main St., Spanish Fork, 801-798- 8465. Visit the TURN website at www. turndreams. org where you can learn more about the good that TURN does in Utah, and sign up for their monthly e- newsletter to stay informed about events and opportunities that affect the disability community.
TURN employs over 500 full- and part- time workers throughout the state to provide instruction, supervision, and mentoring to its service recipients. For Direct Support positions, no experience is necessary, and all training is provided! In Utah County, TURN employs between 90-100 people, and there are always open positions. To apply, pick up an application at the Spanish Fork center, call 801-343-3900, or visit TURN’s Utah County office at 1921 N. 1120 W. Provo.
Welcome to the Spanish Fork community, TURN! We like what you do!