Page 41 - 2024 Community Profile

EDUCATION

In addition to the research lab, which Center, where both ACHE students and as in the education courses offered.
has grown from a mere 7,000 square Fort Smith area residents will be able “When we’re around creativity,
feet on the current campus in Chaffee to participate in physical movement, whether it’s ceramics, beautiful paintings,
Crossing to the entire second floor of exercise and dance classes designed to or statues, we feel better,” she claimed.
the new building, a fitness and wellness improve the body as a whole. “We’re able to take a break, take a
center, food prep education center and There will also be nutritional pause, and we feel healthier. We see that
other facilities are being added to the knowledge and cooking classes, which over and over again.”
facility. will provide the community with the Two first floor galleries will display
“This building already has one of the tools they need to maintain a healthy art of different media from the Fort
best commercial kitchens in the region, and balanced diet. Both academic and Smith Regional Art Museum and Arts
and the (dining) room I am standing practical applications will be taught, on Main in Van Buren. The school is
in provides us a great opportunity to such as understanding the proper also developing an artist in residence
host seminars and training events for temperatures to cook foods for their program at the center. Cre8ive Arts
schools, students and those responsible greatest nutritional value. Network and Fab Lab Fort Smith will also
for healthy meal preparation to advance “This fits right in with our mission to partner in a ceramics lab and applied
their craft,” Parker continued. bring tremendous change to the health arts, respectively.
Fast forward to today, and that vision of our region,” Parker added. “That has Outdoor facilities are planned for the
has become a reality for ACHE, through been our goal since day one.” center’s future as well, including walking,
the work of several key people and a Elizabeth McClain, ACHE’s Chief cycling and canopy trails.
partnership with organizations that have Wellness Officer and director of the To learn more about what will be
all contributed their know-how to its Public Health degree program, said the offered at the Health and Wellness
development. Wellness Center provides an opportunity Center at the Research Institute, or to
The first floor, approximately 80,000 for the community to participate in health sign up for classes, go to the website at
square feet, houses the Wellness and wellness activities in the arts as well https://achehealth.edu/wellnesscenter

of Van Buren
A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION HELPING LOCAL
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO BECOME
PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF THEIR COMMUNITIES
• Adult Development
• Work Activity Programs
• Waiver Services
Our programs focus on daily living skills.
Our individuals participate in a variety of
Special Olympic events.

We are a United
Way Agency.

3305 Kibler Road | Van Buren, AR
479.471.5354
vanburenchamber.org Van Buren Chamber 2024 Directory 41