Help Us Build the “I Can! Dance” Arts & Resource Center

Work is now underway on the “I CAN! Arts and Resource Center.” In 2010, Community Connections was awarded a grant from the Ark. Economic Development Commission to build the first of its kind art center for children with disabilities.

On Jan. 25, 2012, a groundbreaking was held live on KARK 4 Today to celebrate the occasion. The center is a collaborative effort of the state, Saline County, Community Connections, other non-profits, businesses and individuals.

The center will be located at 1040 Angel Court in the East End Community of Saline County. Completion on Phase One is scheduled for June, with the hopes of also having enough resources to complete Phase Two at the same time.

When open, Community Connections plans to offer dance, theatre, art and music as funds and volunteers allow.

Plans for future phases include an accessible treehouse and playground, as well as “Eli’s Garden” donated by Team Eli.

That garden will include engraved bricks, benches and dedicated trees. Profits from the sale of those items will benefit the building of Phase 2.  Our brick fundraiser will be ending soon, so reserve your brick today.

If you would like to volunteer to help on this project, please contact Tina Martin at tinamartin55@gmail.com. For more information on another aspect of the center contact Jodie McGinley at Jodie@teameli.com or Julie Mayberry at mayberry@windstream.net, 501-888-8222.

Buy a Brick




Partnerships:

Community Connections
Saline County
Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Central Arkansas Planning and Development
Contractor: Spann Construction
Architect: Smith Associates Architects

Contributed Resources to Purchase the Land:

Aristotle
Bill and Sharon Arnold Family Foundation
Brandon Accounting
Peoples’ Bank
Splash Car Wash
Todd and Amy Denton
Patricia and Dylun Butler 

Volunteer Services/Materials from Contractors:

All Seasons Roofing
Eric Menzie Construction
Mallard Construction
Robert Shearer Plumbing
Ridout Lumber
Wilson’s Home Improvement
Schmid Heating and Air
Peterson Concrete
Cinergi
Elmore Roofing
Conway Winnelson
Huffman Drywall
Roseberry Landscape
Eaves Welding

Other Organizations and Businesses Providing Resources:

Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention
Center for Early Learning
Channel 4 “For the Greater Good”
Beautiful Feet Ministries
Grace Meadow Counseling
Los Toritos ($360, 10% of their January 25, 2012 food sales)
Pediatrics Plus Therapy
Saline County Arts Project
Sardis United Methodist Church
Tangled House
Team Eli
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Mary Buffington Photography
Enchanted Memories Design
Digital Art Works
Posterboy Printing and Graphics
Skylight Sign and Neon
Sanders Ace Hardware 

 Financial Contributors ($2,500 and above)

Everett Buick GM
East End Pharmacy
Little Rock South Lions Club
Pam Trawick
Geyer Springs Baptist Church
Bill and Sharon Arnold Family Foundation in honor of New Creation Dance Company

 Grants Submitted/Under Review:

Rural Services Grant
Entergy
First Assembly NLR
GIF-Central Ark. Planning
Christopher Reeve Foundation 

Floor Plans