Sheriff Pohlmann visits Arc Center in Chalmette, which provides activities for intellectually disabled adults

Adults who attend the Arc Center and are part of the Kiwanis Aktion Club, with Kiwanis members Polly Campbell, at far left, Judy Hoffmeister, at far right, and at left in back, Robby Showalter. In uniform are Capt. Charles Borchers and Sheriff James Pohlmann. Kneeling at right on the front row is Kristi Andre, program coordinator for the Arc Center.

Standing from left, Capt. Charles Borchers, Polly Campbell, Judy Hoffmeister and Sheriff Pohlmann observe a meeting of the Arc Center Aktion Club.

Sheriff James Pohlmann meets and speaks with adults who attend the Arc Center in Chalmette. They were holding a meeting of their Aktion Club, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard Parish.

Alex Boudreaux, visitor to the Arc and son of Arc Center volunteer Polly Campbell, holds up the American flag for the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the program as attendees stand.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann was heartily greeted when he and Community Relations head Capt. Charles Borchers recently visited the Arc of Greater New Orleans center in Chalmette, which provides a support system for intellectually disabled adults in St. Bernard and part of New Orleans.

The center opened in the last year in the rebuilt former rectory of the now closed Prince of Peace Catholic Church at 3700 Jean Lafitte Parkway and helps more than 20 adults who range in age from their 20s to 70.

They spend the day at the center Monday through Friday, taking part in supervised activities including community service projects.

“We are so glad to be here and see what you are doing,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said to the group, some of whom wanted to pose for photos with the sheriff. “We are reaching out to different parts of the community.”

He told them they have a role to play in helping keep the parish safe by telling someone if they see something wrong or suspicious in their neighborhoods or see someone who has been injured, so the Sheriff’s Office can be alerted.

During the sheriff’s visit, the adults were holding a meeting of their Aktion Club, a special arm of the local Kiwanis Club. Taking part in the Aktion Club were civic leaders Polly Campbell, former clerk of the Parish Council, and Judy Hoffmeister, a former Council member – both of whom helped bring the Arc Center to Chalmette – and Billy Showalter, President of the Knights of Nemesis Social Club and Carnival Parade. All three are members of the St. Bernard Kiwanis Club.

Kristi Andre is program coordinator for the Arc Center in Chalmette.