TARC director named a chamber Star

NEWSMAKERS
January 27, 2016
Longtime Vandebilt coach passes away
January 27, 2016
NEWSMAKERS
January 27, 2016
Longtime Vandebilt coach passes away
January 27, 2016

Mary Lynn Bisland doesn’t know a life without TARC. The executive director has been with the local Arc program in some form or fashion for more than 30 years and laughs at the thought of retirement, a milestone she knows will eventually come but not before she checks a few more accomplishments off of her list.

In fact, this dedication to the multi-faceted operation that sits on more than 20 acres of land in East Houma is what earned Bisland the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce Chamber Star award, an honor that recognizes outstanding leadership, customer service and volunteer community involvement. The award was presented last Wednesday during the group’s annual banquet.


“I was absolutely floored,” Bisland said the next morning, glancing at the golden trophy sitting on a table in her office. She knew someone had nominated her, but Bisland admits she almost didn’t attend the banquet because she didn’t believe her odds were very good. “When I heard them start reading, I looked up at Erica [Null Pellegrin, TARC’s director of marketing and enterprises] and she was shaking her head yes. I went, ‘Oh my goodness.’ It was awesome. I’m glad I went! … I had all of my directors in here this morning and I told them, ‘My name may be on that [award] but that could never happen without all of you guys.”

Bisland found her way to TARC by way of the school system, working first at Oaklawn Junior High School in 1969, making the shift to Terrebonne Vocational Rehabilitation Center the following year. In 1984, she moved again, this time working as a supervising teacher, overseeing planning for activities at TARC’s one-time school, staffed by Terrebonne Parish School District personnel.

After retiring from the school system in 1992, Bisland went to work as a TARC employee, overseeing family and client services and community outreach in the early ‘90s before earning the top job in 2007.


With approximately 300 people serviced each and every day, it takes a village to make it work, Bisland said as she maneuvered a golf cart between the buildings nestled on TARC’s property. The TARC staff supervises and leads the operations of a little more than 10 diverse enterprises ranging from the Bayou Yard Krewe to the Cajun Confections Bakery – businesses that offer employment to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There’s also a cafeteria, art therapy center and a host of other social activities to give those that depend on TARC a well-rounded experience.

Although the current set-up is like a well-laid-out neighborhood with clients milling about the property, Bisland said things will continue to grow and change as the Arc must abide by a rule issued by the Center for Medicaid Services that requires the majority of clients to integrate into the community in some way by 2019 in order to maintain billable services.

Although many of the enterprises do offer social interaction with the people it services, there are several businesses that will relocate or expand in order to meet the new rules, Bisland noted. Change, however, is a good thing, she says. With expansion will come more opportunities for employment and the ability to generate more revenue to pay clients for their work, the director believes.


Within the next six months, The Cedar Chest Boutique, a bargain hunter’s haven for unique apparel and more, is set to open its third and fourth locations, taking over the old Pat’s of Chauvin location in south Terrebonne and the old Amy’s Country Candles site in the north end.

The Chauvin location will see eight more client jobs and two staff jobs, while the Schriever location will likely employ more because of the larger space. TARC is also in negotiations with an architectural firm to build a larger restaurant with possible relocation of either the bakery or bead business to the current building, Bisland said.

Being able to keep all of the operations afloat is a major part of Bisland’s day-to-day job. She recognizes how happy the work makes the clients. From creating products the public needs and wants to ensuring the annual budget covers all the parts of the puzzle, it’s a constant balancing act to make sure TARC not only survives, but thrives, she said.


All in all, Bisland’s goal all along has been to create meaningful jobs, offering services and products the public wants and appreciates. It’s evident as she mingles with servers, cooks and dishwashers in the restaurant kitchen that she’s pleased with what she and her staff have been able to accomplish. Bisland recognized early on in her TARC career that a sector of the public made “pity purchases” from the enterprises, something that always bothered her and a stigma she’s worked tirelessly to change. Today, some people don’t even realize many of the products they enjoy come from TARC, she said, a sign that the mindset of the public is changing.

“I’m not about that. if we’re going to do something, we’re going to do it right and make sure that regardless of who made it or who produced it, it’s quality,” Bisland said. “It’s a great product, it looks great, it tastes great.”

The lawn services, fresh farm eggs from the clucking hens that greet visitors at the front of the TARC property, the pepper jellies and sugary-sweet cookies sold in the restaurant’s gift shop … none of that would not be possible without the support of the voting public, those that consistently support the millage renewals that fund nearly 50 percent of the Arc’s budget. That, coupled with Medicaid dollars, is what allows Bisland to continue her ministry, a job she’s in no hurry to leave behind.


“I just appreciate them so much,” she said. “If they would continue to come and eat at our restaurant, buy our products, look at our services and consider our services, that’s what we need. We need people to support us.” •

Mary Lynn Brisland shows off her Houma-Terrebonne Chamber Star award.MELISSA DUET | THE TIMES
Executive Director Mary Lynn Bisland mingles with some of the nearly 300 TARC clients who sort Mardi Gras beads at the local Arc’s enterprise, Buy-U Beads. The business collects beads throughout each Carnival season, sorts them and sells them to riders in need of throws the following year.MELISSA DUET | THE TIMES