by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Builders Care and SMC came together for a day last month to refurbish an old building into an adult day care program for the developmentally disabled.
Builders Care spent about two weeks working on the ARC of the St. Johns new building in Jacksonville Beach. Because of a 10-year lease completion, the ARC of the St. Johns had to vacate their city building at 850 6th Ave. The City of Jacksonville Beach is planning to turn the building into a clinic.
In exchange, the city is leasing the old Parks & Recreation building at 321 Penman Rd. to the ARC for five years.
But because the ARC had to move out of their old building in 30 days, they were going to need some help to make sure the ARC’s 25 clients had a place to go.
“We needed to get the job done fast,” said Kathy Jackson, executive director of the ARC of the St. Johns. “And I knew Builders Care could do it.”
In just two weeks, Builders Care came in to refurbish the building. With the help of SMC, they painted the building and moved in all of the furniture from the old building during the SMC/Builders Care Workday.
“They are the most wonderful non-profit group,” said Jackson. “They are very special for what they do.”
The ARC of the St. Johns provides an adult day care program for the developmentally disabled. They provide services to residents of Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Mayport and Ponte Vedra Beach.