Products & Services
The Arc Gateway offers a variety of products and services providing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities job training, meaningful work and the opportunity to earn their own paycheck.
Shredding
Not only does this program provide jobs for people with developmental disabilities while providing a valuable service designed to safeguard identities and confidential information, it also has environmental benefits too. Instead of throwing away pounds and pounds of papers, the shredded materials are sold to business partners to be recycled. Shredding services are available to businesses and individuals with no minimum pound requirement.
Artwork
The Art Program is part of our Adult Enrichment. The program gives people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to create art by learning ceramics and painting.
Local artists often visit the art program to help participants learn new techniques. Currently, the Art Program has teachers who instruct participants in artwork such as jewelry making and pottery. The people we serve in this program also have opportunities to sell their artwork at local art shows and festivals, including the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival. As many as 50 clients sell their work at these festivals.
Mardi Gras Beads
At The Arc Gateway’s Pollak Industries, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities sort and prepackage beads that are donated after parades. By collecting and selling bundles of beads, The Arc Gateway supports our community’s effort to recycle and reuse materials instead of generating waste. We are also generating revenues that help sustain our programs while providing vocational training and job opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.
Concrete Products
Concrete is used to make parking bumpers, air conditioner pads, stepping stones, splash blocks, survey monuments and other items such as mobile home pads. We also work with customers to create individual products.
Survey Steaks
Lumber is cut into survey and grade stakes which are purchased by local surveyors, paving and grading contractors and building contractors in Florida and Alabama. Pollak Industries manufacturers over one million survey stakes made from #2-#4 grade yellow pine each year including hubs, wedges and special products.
Plant Sleeves
Pollak Industries manufactures various standard and custom-sized plant sleeves. The plant sleeves are made from 50 lb., wet-strength Kraft paper. These products are shipped all over the nation to growers and nursery operators. Pollak Industries maintains many different sizes of plant sleeves in inventory, and other sizes are available by special order (up to 48’’ high). Please call us at 438-5022 to discuss how we can help meet your needs.
Fulfillment Services
Often it is difficult to maintain employees who have to perform monotonous work. Outsourcing to Pollak Industries helps keep down costs while creating job opportunities for people with developmental disabilities at the same time. Another advantage of these employees is that, according to national studies, people with developmental disabilities have higher than average safety records. Our business customers consistently praise the quality of our products and our ability to meet deadlines.
Want to get involved?
Becoming a member or volunteer at The Arc Gateway strengthens our presence as advocates for continued funding and legislation that benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
