Customer Stories: The Arc Caddo-Bossier

Customer Profile

Name: The Arc Caddo-Bossier

Location: Shreveport, LA

Size: Serves 800+ members/families across 14 locations

Services Offered: Children's Services, Adult Day Habilitation, Community Living, Employment Training, Horse Ranch (yes, a therapeutic horse ranch!)

How They Use Kibu: Content and Live Classes at Adult Day Habilitation and Employment Training

At Kibu, we are proud to collaborate with organizations making meaningful impacts in their communities. One of our most engaged partners is The Arc Caddo-Bossier, a Louisiana-based nonprofit whose mission is building unlimited opportunities for people with disabilities. Through diverse programs and services, they support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), helping them develop life skills, gain independence, and find meaningful employment.

We spoke with Laurie Sena, Community Life Engagement Coordinator, and Demetrio Botello, Director of Employment Services, to hear their story and learn about the role Kibu plays in their success.

Discovering Kibu

The Arc Caddo-Bossier first learned about Kibu through Good Morning America. Laurie's immediate reaction was enthusiastic: "We need this!!" She eagerly explored the platform, impressed by its range of tools to teach life and social skills.

Demetrio, who oversees Day Habilitation and Employment programs including janitorial services, manufacturing, and laundry, thought it could help with real-life training skills. Kibu quickly became an integral part of their programs, transforming how they support their members.

Real Classes for Real Life Skills

Members at The Arc Caddo-Bossier frequently bag groceries for their jobs and volunteer work. Recognizing this need, Laurie requested a video from Kibu on proper bagging techniques. Within a month, the class was live. Laurie was blown away by the Kibu team's responsiveness. "It really shows how dedicated Kibu is to supporting its customers" and their mission. Kibu provides tools to teach practical abilities in engaging ways.

When watching the grocery bagging class, Laurie recalls, "We watched, paused, and discussed the video together. Later, in practice, members were citing specifics about bag placement. With Kibu, it's not just instruction from staff. It's Coach Gage, Colby, and others. They respect them."

This isn't the only example of Kibu's impact. Classes on financial management, social skills, and employment-readiness have also been a key focus. Classes on navigating workplace expectations, communicating effectively, and even interpreting paycheck stubs help members build essential professional habits. According to Demetrio, "These are the kinds of skills that make a real difference when transitioning into a job."

Let's Move!

Kibu's live exercise classes have inspired quite a fitness culture at The Arc Caddo-Bossier! Members who once avoided exercise now join in groups of 10-20. Laurie shares, "It started with a couple of members saying it was cool, and soon it spread as THE activity to do."

The classes feature enthusiastic coaches like Gage and Colby, who engage members by calling out their names or complimenting their efforts. Laurie recalls the joy on members' faces as they realized they were being personally acknowledged. Even a typically disengaged individual was seen dancing in the back of the room.

Demetrio adds, "Exercising is simply better with the live classes. You can't beat the interaction" that Kibu's coaches facilitate. The excitement isn't limited to members; staff now arrive in gym clothes to join the workouts!

Kibu offers 3-4 live classes daily. The Arc Caddo-Bossier stays up-to-date by settings email reminders through the website and syncing the live class schedule on their Outlook/Google Calendar.

Advice for New Customers

Demetrio offers practical advice for new Kibu users:

Familiarize yourself with the platform. Spend the first couple of days learning how it works.

Set reminders for live classes. Announce upcoming sessions to staff via text or intercom.

Empower staff. Pair less tech-savvy staff with someone confident in connecting to TVs for the first few sessions.

Simplify access. Bookmark kibuhq.com on the bottom bar of all your computers and smart TVs for one-click access.

A Shared Vision for the Future

When asked about their hopes for Kibu, Laurie and Demetrio agree: "Keep building job skills and life skills videos." With Kibu's commitment to listening and adapting to customer feedback, The Arc Caddo-Bossier is excited for what lies ahead.

Are you ready to bring Kibu into your program? Let's connect and explore how we can work together to empower your staff and enrich the lives of those you serve.