Independent Living Skills
It is Arrowhead Ranch's intent to instill in each resident a realistic work ethic and to teach them living skills so that, upon leaving the program, they will be successful in independent living and employment.
Work at Arrowhead Ranch is viewed as an honorable, self-satisfying activity. Through unpaid work assignments, a resident learns to care for their own needs and to work cooperatively with others. Examples of work are lawn and garden maintenance, off grounds assignments, kitchen and laundry duties. Residents are also expected to maintain a neat and orderly private living area (bed made, locker clean, drawers organized, floors clean, etc.).
Another form of work experience is community service. On a voluntary, unpaid basis, groups participate in more than thirty annual community events and activities. Services include set-up, and clean-up at community festivals and celebrations, assisting groups and organizations with fund raising activities, presentations to civic and church groups, and direct services to the elderly and children. Some of the community events and projects assisted through Arrowhead's community service program are:
- John Deere Golf Classic
- Festival of Trees
- Martin Luther King Center food drive
- Child Abuse Council
- Youth Service Bureau (Prevention/Attention Quick)
This involvement teaches the values of voluntarism and community service. It also improves the residents' social skills, exposes them to positive role models, and demonstrates that they can be a positive part of the community.
Work assignments and community services shall not interfere with regular school programs, treatment programs, study periods, recreation or sleep.
Another life-skill taught at Arrowhead Ranch is the importance of personal hygiene and cleanliness.