MARC, Inc., gets a new home

Katie enjoys bowling on the Nintendo Wii system at MARC’s new location. Photos by Annie Gentile.

It’s not always easy to do the things you want to do when you don’t have enough space. That was certainly the case for MARC, Inc., the not-for-profit agency that serves people with developmental disabilities in 20 communities in the Greater Manchester area.

For several years, MARC was located in the Manchester Parkade, and while the staff and the people they serve enjoyed their time there, things could get a little cramped. MARC’s Board of Directors had considered building a brand new facility - a project that might have taken years - but when two side-by-side buildings on Sheldon Road became available about a year ago, the opportunity for a new home with a lot more space in a much shorter time frame became a very desirable reality.

On Jan. 17, MARC opened its doors at its new campus at 151 and 161 Sheldon Road. “We moved in on Friday the 13th and over the weekend, but that date wasn’t a bad omen for us at all,” said Kevin Zingler, MARC’s director of marketing. “We didn’t miss a beat, and it was just a matter of getting used to a new space and configuration.”

That new configuration includes a very large activity room where the people MARC supports can enjoy putting together puzzles, playing computer games, watching television, reading books, and even enjoy some bowling on a Nintendo Wii.

“It’s the best thing ever for us,” said Delci Eisenberg, director of senior services. “We were like sardines in a can [in the Parkade], and now we have more space, more activity tables, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Our seniors deserve that,” she said.

Best of all, Eisenberg said, is the fact that they now have their own kitchen so they don’t have to coordinate lunch times with other agencies, and there is no longer a need for assigned seating.

“Our Senior Center really was bursting at the seams, but now we’ve gone from about 15,000 square feet to 22,000 or 23,000 square feet,” Zingler said. With the two-building campus, MARC also has an additional, large portion of warehouse space, bringing their total area to about 30,000 square feet.

“That added space makes a significant impact. There are going to be a lot more opportunities for everyone,” said Zingler. “The most important thing is that the people we support love the space.”

Another big plus from the move will be enjoyed this spring and summer, Zingler said, when they can begin to use the approximately 5 acres of green space on their property. Presently, MARC is raising money to purchase a gazebo for outdoor activities, and they will be installing picnic tables for outdoor dining.

“Just a simple thing like kicking a soccer ball around will be a welcome thing,” said Zingler. He said that in the past, if they wanted to get into the great outdoors, they needed to arrange for transportation to a local park. “It wasn’t something we could always do because of staffing reasons,” said Zingler. “Maybe we’ll be able to play some bocce ball now.”

Established in 1952, MARC provides residential, retirement, employment, respite and recreational programs for people with developmental disabilities.

Executive Director Ken Charpentier said the agency presently serves about 275 people a day, plus several hundred more in recreational activities, and employs a staff of about 215.

“I can’t say enough about how thrilled we are with the new location,” said Charpentier. “We hope to have an open house in the spring where we can invite our neighbors to take a tour of our new home.”

For more information about MARC, Inc., and its services, call 860-646-5718 or visit their website at www.MARCCT.org.