ArcLife
HOST PROGRAM GRADUATES SERVE UP SKILLS — AND A FEW SURPRISES
On April 1st The Arc Ontario welcomed its third cohort of HOST graduates with a celebratory meal that was equal parts delicious and delightfully deceiving. Friends and family of program members gathered for a very special graduation — and if they were expecting a traditional ceremony, they were in for a treat. Literally.
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ArcLife
The Arc Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities or other challenges and their families. We offer personalized services and supports that foster life-long fulfillment through active citizenship and enriched community living.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Patrick Boyle, President
Dr. Barbara Risser, Vice President
Kathryn Wegman, Secretary
Lynne Erdle, Treasurer
Elizabeth Palmatier, Assistant Treasurer
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Bobby Greco, Jr.
Michelle Raeman
DIRECTORS
Gretchen Daugherty
Robert Doeblin
Scott Gerstner
Danusia Klestinec
Charles McCausland
Benjamin Northrup
Jessica Sheridan
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
John Astles
PUBLISHING TEAM
Design and layout
Windhill Design LLC
Photography
Jan Regan Photography
Laurel Rice
Creative Writing
Suzi Istvan, The Arc Ontario
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The Arc Ontario
3071 County Complex Drive
Canandaigua, NY 14424
585.394.7500
www.thearcontario.org
MESSAGE FROM JOHN ASTLES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Spring has a way of bringing things into focus. Looking back at the first few months of 2026, I'm struck not just by how much our organization has accomplished, but by the spirit that runs through all of it: a genuine commitment to showing up for the people and communities we serve.
In these pages, you'll read about advocates who traveled to Syracuse to demand fair wages and sustainable funding for the professionals who make our work possible. You'll meet the graduates of our HOST Program's third cohort, who marked the end of an intensive 10-week journey by cooking a full meal for the people they love. You'll learn about the inaugural Ontario County Autism Acceptance Fair, a day we dreamed about for a long time and are already excited to build on. And you'll meet the Incredibowls, our Special Olympics bowling team formed in partnership with The Arc Wayne, who are heading to States this May with sixteen athletes ready to compete.
There are also stories here about first responders learning to better connect with individuals on the autism spectrum, young people with disabilities imagining what their futures might look like, and a new online store giving our Creative Expressions participants a wider audience for their remarkable work.
None of this happens without the people around us. Our staff, coaches, volunteers, donors, community partners, and most of all the individuals and families we are privileged to support: every story in this newsletter belongs to all of you.
We have a lot to look forward to, including a few exciting things on the horizon this fall. I hope you'll keep reading, keep connecting, and keep cheering us on.
Sincerely,
John Astles
Executive Director, The Arc Ontario
John Astles
HOST (Hospitality Occupational Skills Training) is The Arc Ontario’s career-specific vocational training program focused on hospitality, culinary skills, and food service employment. Through an intensive 10-week curriculum, participants engage in classroom instruction, hands-on kitchen training, and immersive virtual reality experiences — all designed to equip them with the realworld skills today’s food service employers are looking for.
Students in The Arc Ontario’s HOST program mark the completion of their training the way they've spent weeks preparing: in the kitchen and at the table. Graduates plan, prepare, and serve a full meal to their loved ones as the capstone of their coursework — a culminating experience that puts every skill they’ve developed on full display.
The seven graduates of this cohort took their April Fool's Day graduation date as inspiration, crafting a menu designed to delight, surprise, and maybe fool a guest or two. The spread featured “cupcake” meatballs, cake pop Brussels sprouts, and Rice Krispies Treat chicken wings — dishes that looked like one thing and tasted
like another, all executed with the care and precision that the HOST program instills.
But the fun menu was only part of what made this graduation memorable.
For the first time, this cohort welcomed five participants from The Arc of Monroe, a milestone that marks an exciting new chapter for the program and for the broader Arc network in our region. The collaboration reflected what the HOST program has always been about: creating real opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build skills, confidence, and community.
To the graduates, your creativity, dedication, and willingness to share your hard work with the people who matter most to you made April 1st anything but a joke. Congratulations — and bon appétit.
North Star Café Recognized as Nonprofit of the Year Nominee
North Star Café, one of The Arc Ontario's five social enterprises, was nominated for the 2026 Nonprofit of the Year Award, presented by the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce. It's a recognition that speaks to the café's growing impact in our community.
Michelle Jungerman, Director of Social Enterprises, represented The Arc Ontario at the Chamber's Annual Breakfast on March 4th, where the nomination was celebrated alongside fellow honorees.
The Nonprofit of the Year Award recognizes organizations making meaningful contributions to the county's quality of life. Being named among the nominees reflects the dedication of the North Star Café team, many of whom are individuals supported by The Arc Ontario, and the community's growing awareness of what our social enterprises represent: real work, real wages, and real belonging.
We're proud of this recognition and grateful to the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce for shining a light on the work happening right here in our community.
On February 27, self-advocates and staff from The Arc Ontario traveled to East Syracuse to join more than 400 disability advocates from across New York State, including fellow chapters AccessCNY and Arc of Onondaga, for the Invest in Us Rally. The message was clear and urgent: New York's I/DD system is past the point of temporary fixes. Individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve uninterrupted care and reliable programs and services, and that requires long-term, sustainable funding.
At the heart of the rally was a call for a 2.7% budget increase for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and other disability service providers. The numbers behind that ask are sobering: four out of five DSPs earn less than $20 an hour, and half experience food insecurity themselves. The people who show up every day to support our most vulnerable community members shouldn't have to choose between their work and their own basic needs.
Our advocates stood alongside family members, DSPs, and people with I/DD from across the region to remind state leaders exactly who is affected by these budget decisions and why it matters. Because we know that when we speak with one voice, Albany listens.
Work Doesn't Stop In Syracuse. To Stay Engaged And Help Make People With I/Dd A Priority In Albany, Visit https://Thearcny.org/Budget-Advocacy
Building Bridges in the Field: The Arc Ontario Trains First Responders to Better Serve the Autism and IDD Community
On April 7, 2026, The Arc Ontario hosted an Autism & First Responders Training designed to do something that doesn't always happen naturally in emergency situations: slow down, understand, and connect.
The day's programming focused on three core outcomes: improving first responders' understanding of autism and developmental disabilities, equipping them with practical communication strategies for in-the-moment interactions, and ultimately improving safety outcomes for everyone involved.
Leading the training were two nationally recognized experts who brought both professional expertise and deeply personal perspective to the work: Jimmy Donahoe, a
subject matter expert and board member of the Autism Society of America, has spent years working at the intersection of autism awareness and public safety, and William Cannata, who brings the lens of someone who has lived this work from multiple angles, as a fire service veteran, a certified ALEC (Autism Law Enforcement Education Coalition) Program Trainer, and a parent advocate.
More than 34 local first responders attended the training, representing the kind of crosssector commitment that makes a community safer for everyone. Their presence reflected a shared recognition that preparation and understanding are among the most powerful tools a first responder can carry.
Arc Ontario Hosts Inaugural Autism Acceptance Fair
What started as a vision to better connect Ontario County families with autism resources became a reality on April 18, as the community showed up to the Canandaigua Civic Center for a day of sensory-friendly activities, and community connection.
The inaugural Ontario County Autism Acceptance Fair, hosted by The Arc Ontario on April 18, brought together individuals, families, local service providers, and first responders for a free, inclusive day. 18 community partners joined to share available programs and services within our county, while attendees enjoyed hands-on games and activities designed to be inclusive for all ages and needs. Highlights of the event included the Touch-A-Truck: the popular sensory-friendly experience where children and families can meet local first responders and explore their vehicles in a stress-free environment without sirens and lights, as well as the opportunity to meet and pet service dogs from The Arc Ontario’s Pet Connections program.
“Ontario County is home to incredible resources for individuals and families touched by autism, and our goal with this fair is to make those connections easier to find,” said Ryan Burba, Director of Autism Supports at The Arc Ontario. “This is a welcoming, inclusive event for everyone in our community.”
The Arc Ontario is proud to call year one a success — and even prouder to say it's just the beginning. Plans are already in motion to grow the event annually, with the hope that the Ontario County Autism Acceptance Fair becomes an exciting tradition for families across the region for years to come.
A Night to Remember: The Arc Ontario's Winter Wine Mixer
On March 14, friends, supporters, and community members gathered at Clifton Springs Country Club for The Arc Ontario’s annual Winter Wine Mixer, and the evening did not disappoint. From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was warm, celebratory, and full of shared purpose.
The night featured some truly fun touches, including a flower bar where guests created their own arrangements to take home and a custom mocktail station that made sure everyone felt welcome and included. The Allegro Band kept the energy going all evening, but the moment that stopped the room was a live performance by our own Creative Expressions musicians. Their talent and enthusiasm were a powerful reminder of exactly who this event is for and why it matters.
We are deeply grateful to our Honorary Chairs, Nancy and Jerry Tirabassi, whose leadership and genuine commitment to our mission set the tone for the entire evening. Thank you also to Clifton Springs Country Club for their hospitality, and to every donor, sponsor, and guest who showed up and gave generously. Your support directly impacts the daily lives of the individuals we serve, ensuring they have access to the creative, vocational, and community programs that help them thrive.
We are already looking forward to next year. Thank you for being part of it.
Showing Up for What’s Next: Wayne-Finger Lakes Career, College,
& Occupational Trades Fair
On a Tuesday morning in April, The Arc Ontario's Canandaigua campus filled with extra energy and excitement. More than 200 students, educators, and transition professionals arrived for the Wayne-Finger Lakes Career, College, & Occupational Trades Fair, and for the students in the room, it was a chance to imagine what comes next.
Co-hosted with Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES and ACCES-VR, the April 14th event connected students with disabilities from Ontario, Wayne, Seneca, and Yates Counties with more than 19 employers, college representatives, and vocational training programs. Students in grades 9 through 12 met with employers face-toface, explored post-secondary options, and
had their resumes reviewed on the spot. ASL interpreting was available throughout.
For Kathy Kanada, The Arc Ontario's Director of Employment Services, the day captured exactly what this work is about.
“Events like this are at the heart of what we do,” Kanada said. “Watching young people with disabilities walk in, meet employers face-to-face, and leave with new confidence and real connections. That’s what transition planning should look like.”
The fair was structured across two sessions, supporting students working toward employment, independent living, and post-secondary education, and offering many a first real glimpse of the opportunities available right in their own community.
Creative Expressions Program Launches Online Store
The Arc Ontario is proud to announce the launch of our Creative Expressions Online Store, a premier digital storefront dedicated to showcasing the exceptional artistry and talents of our program participants. The official launch of our Creative Expressions Online Store marks a major milestone for our agency. This new e-commerce platform is a one-stop shop for original artwork, beautiful horticultural products, and exclusive merchandise from our very own agency band, The Dapper Rats.
Every purchase directly supports Creative Expressions and our Day Services, providing the resources needed to keep these programs running. When you buy a piece of art or a band T-shirt, you aren't just getting a high-quality product; you are investing in the professional abilities of our participants.
We invite you to browse our collection and see the incredible work being done right here at The Arc Ontario by visiting www.arcocreative.org.
Striking Up a Partnership: The Incredibowls Head to States!
The Arc Ontario and The Arc Wayne joined forces this season for a Special Olympics NY bowling collaboration — and what a season it's been! Dubbed the Incredibowls, our combined team has been hitting the lanes, with athletes from both agencies working hard, building skills, and forming lasting friendships along the way. Thanks to Special Olympics NY, the program was free for all athletes, and transportation was provided to make sure everyone could participate.
The hard work paid off. On April 11th, the Incredibowls competed at Regionals — and now we're thrilled to share that six Ontario County athletes and ten Wayne County athletes will be heading to States on May 16th! We couldn't be prouder of every single one of them.
A huge thank you to the dedicated coaches who made this season possible. On The Arc Ontario's side: Head Coach Scott Farina, Assistant Coach Patti Gosper, and Volunteer Stacie Farina — your time, encouragement, and commitment mean everything to these athletes. The Arc Wayne's coaching team has been equally instrumental in supporting their athletes every step of the way.
The Incredibowls are proof that when two great organizations come together around a shared mission, amazing things happen. Go team — we'll be cheering you on at States!
Looking Ahead: Over the Edge with The Arc of Monroe
Our agency is gearing up for a high-flying partnership with The Arc of Monroe for our "Over the Edge" fundraising event, slated for September 17, 2026. This collaboration will challenge participants to rappel down the Hyatt Regency, one of Rochester’s tallest buildings, to raise awareness and funds for disability services in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Whether you choose to go "over the edge" yourself or support a rappeller from the ground, this event promises to be a thrilling way to invest in the future of our programs. Go to thearcontario.org/overthe-edge for details on how to form a team and register to take the plunge for a great cause! For more information and sponsorship opportunities contact Suzi Istvan, Director of Development, at (585) 919-2130 or events@ thearcontario.org.