Paquin Tower's Rec Funds

Art supplies run low at Paquin Tower, a low-income housing facility, in Columbia MO. Paquin residents had their recreational budget cut from $88,000 to $72,000. That's a $16,000 dollar cut! That $16,000 dollars supplied their transportation around town and all their recreational activities.  

Although it seems terrible to cut $16,000 dollars from Paquin's budget, I'm sure the city had a reason; however, the City Manager Bill Watkins said nothing to the press about why such a drastic cut was made. Democratic Representative Sean Spence along with a committee of Paquin residents, workers, and volunteers decided to fundraise to help with the lost costs. They plan to hold various events in the next couple months trying to raise enough money to keep their recreational activities such as ceramics and painting classes. Hannah Rucker lives in Columbia and visits her friend Sandra, a Paquin resident, frequently. When she found out about the budget cut, she immediately started to petition.  When I asked her what her next step will be once the city makes it's new cut this year, Rucker said she would be right back out there getting signatures.  The social activities help residents get to know one another and also help with eye-hand coordination since many of the residents are disabled. 

To get more information I attended a ceramics class at Paquin, I saw the residents' faces light up when one of their friends would come into the craft room.  I spoke with many residents, the social worker at Paquin Tower, as well as the Park and Recreation specialist, Sarah Bowman. Bowman says that one of Paquin's fundraising events will be a silent auction possibly held this April. Another way for the program to make money is for the people of Columbia to get involved in the recreational activities since it is open to the community.  

This coming July, the city meets again to discuss additional cuts.  Paquin residents worry that the budget might be cut all together, leaving them nothing.  Sean Spence serves as the committee chairman of the fundraising efforts for Paquin.  The committee plans to meet the second Tuesday of each month to plan events.  Any one can join the committee and is able to do so by contacting Sean Spence at seanspence@earthlink.net.