Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero; EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466
Birmingham, Mich.—May 12, 2021—Pamela Ayres, President of FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation, a nonprofit provider of creative arts and recreational therapies for individuals with special needs since 1951, was interviewed on the Civic Center TV (CCTV) Megacast on May 5 to discuss the organization’s services, efforts in the community throughout its history, the challenges of meeting therapeutic needs during a pandemic, and its 70th anniversary.
CCTV, an Oakland County public access station, is a service of the Greater West Bloomfield Cable Communications Commission that provides live and on-demand meeting coverage and community programming on matters of interest to Oakland County residents and business owners.
Ayres noted in the interview that FAR, which serves Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties, started with a few families coming together to create a place for their children to socialize, and over the years, has morphed into an organization that now serves more than 1,500 individuals of all ages.
To demonstrate FAR’s far-reaching impact in the community, Ayres shared an anecdote of FAR’s longest client, Lisa, who is turning 70-years-old along with the organization this year, and has been coming to FAR since 1961, except for a 10-year hiatus when she lived out of state. Ayres said that Lisa’s brother expressed his gratitude in knowing that she has had a long-standing support system that goes beyond therapy and acts like her family. Lisa’s story will be highlighted as part of FAR’s annual appeal this year.
With the guidance of more than 20 board certified therapists and support staff, FAR evaluates clients to assess their individual needs and sensitivities before developing a treatment program which best suits them. Clients have access to a variety of artistic disciplines and recreational activities, including music, visual arts, recreational therapy and dance movement therapy, in one-on-one and group settings. The organization has additional partnerships with other non-profit organizations and more than 30 local schools in 11 school districts to introduce students with special needs to creative arts therapy and recreational therapy within their familiar educational environment. The non-sectarian FAR has been headquartered in donated space at the First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham since 1964.
The CCTV interview, approximately 15 minutes long, can be viewed on demand in its entirety here.
About FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation
Founded in 1951, FAR is Metropolitan Detroit’s primary, local, non-profit resource providing fully integrated creative arts and recreational therapies for individuals of all ages with physical, intellectual, and/or emotional challenges. FAR also promotes public understanding of the abilities and potential of people with special needs and showcases its clients’ talents through a variety of entertainment-themed events. FAR’s outreach is strengthened through its partnerships with schools, school districts, and community organizations. Learn more at https://www.far-therapy.org/.
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