Barry Lawrence Development Center breaks ground for new facility
November 3, 2021
Sheila Harris
Margaret Holle, of Monett, passed away a year ago, but the legacy she left to the area in the form of the Barry Lawrence County Development Center (BLCDC) continues to expand. What began as services offered to developmentally-delayed children in one room of the high school in 1973, graduated to a residence on Scott Street in Monett, followed by their current location on Third Street in Monett, where they’ve been since 1981. It’s a location they have outgrown.
Now, plans are underway for a new 6,000 square foot facility at the corner of East Park Street and Chappell Drive in Monett, where ground was broken on October 4.
“We currently serve 19 children,” BLDC director, Lynda Painter, said. “We’ve had up to 25 kids in the past, but that’s our limit in our current location.”
Painter has been told that, with the larger facility, the center will be able to serve anywhere from 30 to 50 children.
The Barry Lawrence Development Center provides physical, occupational, speech and music therapies to children who have developmental delays.
“We work with children who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism and Down’s Syndrome, among other things,” Painter said.
According to Painter, depending on their age, children are evaluated either through the Missouri First Steps program or the school systems in Barry and Lawrence Counties.
“We partner with Missouri First Steps for children from birth through age three,” Painter said. “For ages three through five, evaluation is done through the schools.”
After evaluations are completed, BLCDC can provide therapy services through their contracted providers: Cox Monett Rehab, for speech and occupational therapy; Lowry & Associates, for physical therapy; and the Music Therapy and Creative Arts Center, for music therapy.
The Barry-Lawrence County Development Center, a non-profit organization, was established in 1973, after Margaret and Eldred Holle’s daughter, Annette Marie, was born in 1970 with severe developmental disorders. According to Eldred Holle, he and his wife refused to relegate the challenges of caring for Annette to a residential care facility as one doctor at the time advised that they do.
“Annette never ate a bite, said a word, nor took a step,” Holle said, “but the Lord gave her to us, and we knew He would also give us the ability to take care of her, and the good Lord always saw us through.”
According to Holle, Annette Marie passed away at age 26, after being hospitalized on at least 23 separate occasions.
Annette Marie’s birth and short life led to the inception of the development center through her mother Margaret’s unceasing efforts to provide her daughter with the care she needed.
“We had a lot of help with our daughter and with the formation of BLCDC from volunteers in the community,” Holle said. “When the development center was organized, we could help the parents of other children with developmental delays, too.”
One of the Barry Lawrence Development Center’s largest fundraising events will be held Friday, November 5, at New Site Baptist Church in Monett.
A silent auction will began at 6 p.m., which will transition to a live auction at 7 p.m.
“People have donated some really nice items to be auctioned off,” Painter said, “including gift baskets and lots of gift cards and tickets to restaurants and shows.”
A concession stand serving baked potatoes, chili, frito pie and accompaniments will also be available.
New Site Baptist church is located at 1925 Farm Road 1060, Monett.
Sheila Harris
Margaret Holle, of Monett, passed away a year ago, but the legacy she left to the area in the form of the Barry Lawrence County Development Center (BLCDC) continues to expand. What began as services offered to developmentally-delayed children in one room of the high school in 1973, graduated to a residence on Scott Street in Monett, followed by their current location on Third Street in Monett, where they’ve been since 1981. It’s a location they have outgrown.
Now, plans are underway for a new 6,000 square foot facility at the corner of East Park Street and Chappell Drive in Monett, where ground was broken on October 4.
“We currently serve 19 children,” BLDC director, Lynda Painter, said. “We’ve had up to 25 kids in the past, but that’s our limit in our current location.”
Painter has been told that, with the larger facility, the center will be able to serve anywhere from 30 to 50 children.
The Barry Lawrence Development Center provides physical, occupational, speech and music therapies to children who have developmental delays.
“We work with children who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism and Down’s Syndrome, among other things,” Painter said.
According to Painter, depending on their age, children are evaluated either through the Missouri First Steps program or the school systems in Barry and Lawrence Counties.
“We partner with Missouri First Steps for children from birth through age three,” Painter said. “For ages three through five, evaluation is done through the schools.”
After evaluations are completed, BLCDC can provide therapy services through their contracted providers: Cox Monett Rehab, for speech and occupational therapy; Lowry & Associates, for physical therapy; and the Music Therapy and Creative Arts Center, for music therapy.
The Barry-Lawrence County Development Center, a non-profit organization, was established in 1973, after Margaret and Eldred Holle’s daughter, Annette Marie, was born in 1970 with severe developmental disorders. According to Eldred Holle, he and his wife refused to relegate the challenges of caring for Annette to a residential care facility as one doctor at the time advised that they do.
“Annette never ate a bite, said a word, nor took a step,” Holle said, “but the Lord gave her to us, and we knew He would also give us the ability to take care of her, and the good Lord always saw us through.”
According to Holle, Annette Marie passed away at age 26, after being hospitalized on at least 23 separate occasions.
Annette Marie’s birth and short life led to the inception of the development center through her mother Margaret’s unceasing efforts to provide her daughter with the care she needed.
“We had a lot of help with our daughter and with the formation of BLCDC from volunteers in the community,” Holle said. “When the development center was organized, we could help the parents of other children with developmental delays, too.”
One of the Barry Lawrence Development Center’s largest fundraising events will be held Friday, November 5, at New Site Baptist Church in Monett.
A silent auction will began at 6 p.m., which will transition to a live auction at 7 p.m.
“People have donated some really nice items to be auctioned off,” Painter said, “including gift baskets and lots of gift cards and tickets to restaurants and shows.”
A concession stand serving baked potatoes, chili, frito pie and accompaniments will also be available.
New Site Baptist church is located at 1925 Farm Road 1060, Monett.
