ARS provides recreational program for New Ulm residents of all ages who have physical and/or developmental disabilities. Around 50 people reserved ahead of time to enjoy karaoke and socialization time with friends and new people. It’s an event held by ARS since 2018 and helps to meet ARS Coordinator Karrie Borchert’s goal of ensuring they provide physically and emotionally enjoyable activities.

“In the eight years I’ve been the coordinator, I’ve really strive to bring all of the activities and events up to an adult level,” she said. “We don’t do things beneath anybody. We do adult things because we are adults, we adapt everything we do to an adult.”

Borchert first got involved with ARS in 2016, after working in schools. She said she found the opportunity with ARS on the recommendation of a teacher in her school.

“There was a special education teacher who I would pair with in her room every now and again,” she said. “She knew this job opening was coming and she had watched me work with her kiddos and knew I had a passion. She said, ‘Hey, this part-time job is becoming available, would you be interested?’ I applied and I was hired.”

Alma, Emily, Cody, his mom Tammy, and his sister Kendra (L-R) smile as they take in a night of food and fun at Different Drummer Dance Club. Cody said he was nervous at first about attending ARS events, but now has met a lot of people and enjoys socializing with people.

Borchert said a major benefit of ARS programming is fostering a lot of social interaction. This is beneficial to many who are not always comfortable with social interaction, but gain experience and friendships when they find a community like those who attend ARS events.

“We’re very music-driven,” she said. “We love to sing, we love to dance. We’re not always welcomed into bars and other places where karaoke is because people don’t always have the greatest acceptance for us. This was something participants really wanted to do.”

Recently, ARS was the recipient of a potential $10,000 from 100 Women Who Care. The organization meets twice a year, with 100 women donating 100 dollars to the organization they vote for. Borchert said funding like this ensures they can continue offering events for free or very low fees.

Other activities ARS does include bowling, painting, and pottery. Bowling is a very popular activity with participants, including Cody. He said he has been in ARS for a couple of years and found out it was a lot of fun. He said it gave him a reason to get out of the house, which he seldom had before.

While nervous at first, Cody said the more events he went to he knew more people and got more comfortable.

“You get to know a lot of people and they’re really nice people to get along with,” he said. “When I first met people, I was nervous. Then when I got more into it, I felt comfortable.”

Cody said he hopes to see more people come, encouraging anyone with disabilities to come, enjoy themselves, and meet new people.

“You should come,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what disability or whatever you have. You can come in, hang around with people, get to know more people, and have a lot of fun in new activities.”

Kathy and Alex are a couple who first met doing ARS events 6 years ago. Some of their favorite activities include bowling, tie-dye shirts and pillows, and painting. Kathy said being able to make such a close connection through ARS helps to show how important programs like ARS are to bring people together.

“Just to teach women and men to get together and to get to know each other really well,” she said.

Kathy and Alex agreed they were very glad they were able to meet each other through ARS, and hope to one day get married.

For more information on ARS, visit “https://nuars.org/”