ArcLife
AGENCY ATTENDS ADVOCACY RALLY IN SYRACUSE
On March 21, The Arc Ontario joined advocates at the Invest in Us Rally in Syracuse, hosted by Arc of Onondaga and Access CNY. We stood alongside advocates from throughout the state to amplify the voices of individuals with disabilities or other challenges and the dedicated Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who support them. Our participation underscored the critical need for Please turn to page 3.
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
Robert Doeblin, President
Dr. Barbara Risser, Vice President
Kathryn Wegman, Secretary
Lynne Erdle, Treasurer
Michelle Raeman, Assistant Treasurer
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Bobby Greco, Jr.
Michelle Raeman
DIRECTORS
Patrick Boyle
Gretchen Daugherty
Scott Gerstner
Danusia Klestinec
Charles McCausland
Benjamin Northrup
Elizabeth Palmatier
Jessica Sheridan
Deborah Wilbur
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
John Astles
PUBLISHING TEAM
Design and layout
Windhill Design LLC
Photography
Various
Creative Writing
Josh Dubin, 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
As spring begins to bloom around Canandaigua, I am filled with renewed energy and optimism for the work we do at The Arc Ontario. Your continued support and dedication allow us to cultivate a community where individuals with disabilities or other challenges experience lifelong fulfillment through active citizenship and enriched community living.
This edition of Arc Life highlights several exciting initiatives and ongoing efforts that embody this very mission. You’ll read about our new strategic partnership with Wayne-Finger Lakes
BOCES, which is blossoming into real-world employment preparation opportunities at the new Orchard Café in Newark. This collaborative venture, featuring offerings from North Star Café, will provide invaluable hands-on experience for individuals in our community as they embark on their vocational journeys.
You will also learn about how our annual Wine Mixer is embracing a new chapter this year, relocating to Clifton Springs Country Club on May 31. We hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable evening featuring live music, delicious food and wine pairings along with a mocktail station, a flower bar, and exciting live and silent auctions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends and supporters while directly contributing to the innovative programs and services that empower the individuals we support.
Looking back, our 4th Annual Team Trivia Night Fundraiser at Clifton Springs Country Club, held on March 20, was a fantastic success, raising nearly $1,500 for the Friends of The Arc Ontario Foundation. We extend our sincere gratitude to all who participated and to Clifton Springs Country Club for their generous hospitality.
Recognizing that our dedicated workforce is the heart of our organization, we have made a significant 4.35% wage increase for our staff. This investment underscores our commitment to attracting and retaining the most talented and compassionate individuals who provide exceptional support every day.
As we observed Disability Awareness Month, we highlighted the innovative spirit of our Employment and Training Center, particularly the use of virtual reality technology to provide cutting-edge vocational training. April marks Autism Acceptance Month, and we are proud to host events like our Autism & First Responders Family Event, fostering understanding and improving interactions within our community. We were also honored to receive the PMA Risk Control Commendation Award, recognizing our ongoing commitment to safety and well-being across the agency. Finally, our participation in the Invest in Us Rally in Syracuse demonstrated our unwavering advocacy for better pay and resources for our DSPs and the individuals they support.
As Executive Director, I am continually inspired by the collective dedication of our staff, volunteers, and community partners. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families, empowering them to flourish and achieve their full potential. Thank you for being an integral part of The Arc Ontario family.
Sincerely,
John Astles
Executive Director,
The Arc Ontario
John Astles
better pay and increased resources for DSPs, who are the backbone of our support system.
This advocacy at the state level is particularly crucial as New York finalizes its budget. The decisions made in Albany will directly impact the availability of essential services and supports for individuals with disabilities in our community. A significant effort is also underway at the federal level to safeguard Medicaid funding. Proposed cuts at the federal level would have a devastating ripple effect, potentially reducing the resources available to New York State and directly impacting the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families who rely on these vital supports. Preventing these cuts is paramount to ensuring the long-term stability of our support systems.
The rally served as a powerful demonstration of the collective commitment to advocating for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities and the vital role of DSPs in their lives. The Arc Ontario remains dedicated to these ongoing advocacy efforts to create a more equitable and
supportive community for all. You can actively support these critical efforts by monitoring our social media for advocacy updates and participating in The Arc New York's one-click campaigns to share your stories and advocate for robust state funding and federal Medicaid protection with elected officials before the
final budget vote. By adding your voice, you can help ensure that our legislators understand the importance of these investments and the devastating consequences that cuts would have on our neighbors, friends, and family members with disabilities or other challenges.
DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH: EMPOWERING THROUGH INNOVATION
During Disability Awareness Month, The Arc Ontario highlighted our commitment to empowering individuals through innovative programs. Our Employment and Training Center is at the forefront of this effort, offering cutting-edge vocational training that incorporates virtual reality (VR) technology and interactive curriculum. These innovative tools provide invaluable firsthand experiences, allowing individuals to develop essential job skills in a safe and supportive environment. By utilizing VR and interactive learning, we are able to offer realistic simulations of various work environments and tasks, preparing the individuals we support for success in the workforce. This focus on innovation ensures that they gain practical skills and build confidence, ultimately leading to greater independence and meaningful employment opportunities. The Arc Ontario is proud to embrace these advancements in technology to further empower the individuals we support to achieve their full potential.
Individuals supported by The Arc Ontario proudly displayed their homemade signs calling for greater investment in people with disabilities and the talented workforce that supports them during an Invest In Us Rally In Syracuse on March 21
Staff members from The Arc Ontario's Safety Committee and Management Team accepted the PMA Risk Control Commendation Award, presented by a representative from PMA Companies.
AGENCY WINS SAFETY AWARD
The Arc Ontario is thrilled to announce that we have received the PMA Risk Control Commendation Award! This prestigious award recognizes our organization's significant improvements and ongoing commitment to occupational health and safety, safety program management, and proactive efforts to mitigate potential losses. This award highlights the dedication of our entire team to creating a safe and healthy environment for our employees and the individuals we support.
“I am happy to share the news that The Arc Ontario has been awarded the PMA Risk Control Commendation Award!” said Monica Manske, Senior Strategic Consultant - Risk Control at PMA Risk Control Service. “Over the past two years, The Arc Ontario has made great progress in improving safety programs. We recognize the efforts that have been made and want to celebrate it.”
ANNUAL WINE MIXER RELOCATES TO CLIFTON SPRINGS COUNTRY CLUB
The Arc Ontario's annual Wine Mixer is moving to a new location this year at Clifton Springs Country Club. This strategic move promises to enhance our signature fundraising event, providing a beautiful and spacious venue to showcase the vital work we do in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout our community. Clifton Springs Country Club offers an excellent setting to welcome our guests and raise funds for our growing menu of innovative programs and services.
This year, our annual Wine Mixer is taking on a fresh and exciting format. Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with live music by the Allegro Band, featuring special performances by our talented Dapper Rats, led by Music Specialist
Nathan Merrill. Guests will have the chance to indulge in expertly curated wine and food pairings, and explore our mocktail station for handcrafted nonalcoholic beverages. The event will also feature a flower bar where guests can design their own beautiful arrangements to take home. Don't miss the chance to bid on amazing packages and experiences in our live and silent auctions! This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with friends, both old and new, while supporting a vital cause.
Purchase your tickets today online at www.ontarioarcevents.org/wine-mixer and join us for an enjoyable and impactful night of giving back!
Scan here to purchase your tickets.
CELEBRATING AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH
April is Autism Acceptance Month, and The Arc Ontario is proud to participate in this important initiative. Throughout the month, the agency hosted a variety of activities aimed at promoting understanding and acceptance of autism within our community. The month-long campaign seeks to foster a more inclusive environment for people of all abilities and celebrate the unique strengths and contributions of individuals with autism or related diagnoses. An Autism & First Responders Family Event was held at our main facility on Saturday, April 5. The fun-filled event was designed to bridge the gap between the autism community and emergency services personnel, fostering understanding and improving interactions in critical situations. By providing education and facilitating dialogue, we aim to equip first responders with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively support individuals with autism.
The Arc Ontario is committed to creating a community where all individuals are valued, respected, and included. A special thanks to the incredible teams from the Canandaigua Emergency Squad, Cheshire Fire Department, Ontario County Sheriff's Department, Town of Canandaigua, Person Centered Services, K/Lamb Bricks, Creative Expressions, Pet Connections, Wegmans, and all the families and volunteers who joined us for the event.
AGENCY HOLDS 4TH ANNUAL TEAM TRIVIA NIGHT FUNDRAISER
A special thanks to all of our teams who joined us for a night of Trivia in support of The Arc Ontario! We had a blast and can't wait to see you again next year!
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN OUR WORKFORCE
The Arc Ontario's 4th Annual Team Trivia Night Fundraiser, held at Clifton Springs Country Club, was a resounding success, raising nearly $1,500 for the Friends of The Arc Ontario Foundation. These vital funds will directly support the expansion of our growing menu of innovative programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The evening was filled with engaging trivia, friendly competition, and enthusiastic participation from our community members and supporters.
Congratulations to Team Fine Print for finishing 1st place! Their impressive
knowledge secured them the top spot after four exciting rounds. We would also like to congratulate Team Jurassic Arc for their strong second-place showing, and Tequila Mockingbird and Cotton Candy Hippopotamuses for their impressive tie for third.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all the attendees who came out to support The Arc Ontario and made the night so enjoyable. We also want to thank the Clifton Springs Country Club for their generous hospitality in hosting this fun and impactful event. We look forward to another successful Trivia Night next year!
The Arc Ontario has implemented an unprecedented 4.35% wage increase for our dedicated and hardworking staff. This significant investment underscores our deep commitment to attracting and retaining the best talent in the disability services field. We recognize the crucial role our employees play in providing exceptional support to the individuals we serve, and this wage increase reflects our appreciation for their dedication and expertise.
“This significant investment in our talented workforce underscores our commitment to maintaining our position as the preferred disability services provider in the region,” stated John Astles, Executive Director. “We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are dedicated to ensuring they are valued and compensated fairly for the vital work they do.”
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP CREATES INNOVATIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Arc Ontario and Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES are pleased to announce a groundbreaking partnership, launched in January 2025, establishing new vocational training opportunities at Orchard Café, located within The Conference Center at BOCES’ Regional Support Center in Newark. This exciting collaboration, recently highlighted by Spectrum News for its innovative approach, now offers delicious products from North Star Café
(a division of The Arc Ontario) and invaluable hands-on experience in a real-world café setting for individuals with disabilities in the Wayne-Finger Lakes region, fostering meaningful employment preparation.
Participants in the program will gain practical skills in all aspects of café operations, including food and beverage preparation, customer service, and basic business practices. Guided by experienced staff from The Arc Ontario, individuals will develop confidence, build essential work skills, and gain a sense of accomplishment. This collaboration underscores the importance of community-based employment and aims to create clear pathways towards greater independence and inclusion for the individuals we support. By integrating this training within the bustling environment of the BOCES center, the program offers authentic learning experiences and fosters valuable connections within the broader community. The Arc Ontario is excited about the potential of this partnership with Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES to empower individuals with disabilities or other challenges to achieve their employment aspirations.
Individuals supported by The Arc Ontario are ganing valuable skills in food and beverage preperation, customer service, and basic business practicies thanks to our new partnership with Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES.
Team Fine Print, comprised of staff members from The Arc Ontario, took home the first place prize at our Annual Trivia Night fundraiser.
