ArcLife
THE ARC ONTARIO’S SUMMER DAY CAMP DELIVERS FUN & FRIENDSHIP
All kids deserve a memorable summer camp experience, and The Arc Ontario is pleased to announce the return of its Summer Day Camp! In partnership with 4-H Camp Bristol Hills, this unique program offers an incredible opportunity for children with disabilities or other challenges to create lasting memories and build new friendships. continued on 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
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
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 we reflect on an exciting and eventful summer, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible spirit and generosity of our community. This period was truly marked by impactful events and meaningful connections that underscore our shared commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities and other challenges to live their best lives.
In this edition of our Arc Life newsletter, we are delighted to share some of these highlights, celebrating the achievements of our incredible participants, the dedication of our staff, and the unwavering support of our community partners. You’ll read about the performance by The Arc Ontario’s ‘Dapper Rats’ band at Birdhouse Brewing Company, a wonderful example of inclusion and talent spotlight for the individuals we support. Our Annual Wine Mixer Fundraiser was a tremendous success, raising over $30,000 to support our growing menu of programs and services, and you’ll find all the details about the memorable evening as you read on. We extend our congratulations to our Project SEARCH graduates from both Geneva General Hospital and Eastview Mall, who celebrated completing their pre-vocational internships and are now ready to begin exciting futures in the workforce. We also share our gratitude for del Lago Resort & Casino, whose recent week-long promotion raised over $11,000 in support of The Arc Ontario.
The summer fun continued with our Summer Day Camp, where children with disabilities and other challenges created lasting memories and new friendships in partnership with 4-H Camp Bristol Hills. Our 33rd Annual Cruisin’ for a Cause returned to Canandaigua Lake on August 14 and was a fantastic event that raised significant funds for the Friends of The Arc Ontario Foundation. You will also read about our busy summer at Pet Connections, including the successful certification of new therapy dog teams and their wonderful volunteer outreach at local sites like Thompson Hospital. We also share exciting highlights from our Employment and Training Center, including the launch of our CSVT HOST Program cohort, a successful Work-Readiness Camp utilizing our Virtual Reality Lab, and the expansion of our key school district partnerships.
In this edition of Arc Life, you’ll learn about the exciting launch of our new Community Garden Project, an expansion of our horticulture program designed to benefit SNAP-eligible residents and our Creative Expressions participants. Finally, we were proud to celebrate diversity and inclusion by participating in the Ontario County Pride Festival, connecting with many individuals and organizations who share our spirit of fostering inclusion for all.
As you can see, there is much to celebrate here at The Arc Ontario. Thank you for your continued support for our mission to foster lifelong fulfillment through active citizenship and enriched community living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other challenges. Together, we are making an incredible impact on the lives of countless individuals and families throughout Ontario County.
With warm regards,
John Astles, Executive Director
On the Cover: A camper making memories at The Arc Ontario's Summer Day Camp, held in partnership with 4-H Camp Bristol Hills.
John Astles
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Held at the beautiful 4-H Camp Bristol Hills, the day camp provides a supportive environment where children can thrive while improving their social, communication, and physical skills. Our dedicated team of trained staff from The Arc Ontario provide on-site support, ensuring a safe and inclusive experience for every camper.
This year, kids had a blast with activities including archery, cooking, beading, swimming, fishing, and rocketry. Campers learned new skills, explored their interests, and simply enjoyed being a kid. We loved seeing all the wonderful memories that were made this summer!
ANNUAL WINE MIXER RAISES
OVER $30,000
The Arc Ontario’s annual Wine Mixer proved to be an outstanding success, raising over $30,000 in support of our growing menu of innovative programs and services for people with disabilities or other challenges in Ontario County. Held on May 31 at Clifton Springs Country Club, the event brought together our generous community for a truly memorable evening of fun and philanthropy. Guests were treated to great live music, delicious food and wine, and a charming flower bar where they could create beautiful, custom arrangements to take home.
The excitement continued with both a silent auction and live auction, where the remarkable generosity of our attendees was on full display. Every contribution, whether through ticket purchases, auction bids, or direct donations, helped make this evening special and directly impacted the lives of those we support, empowering individuals with disabilities to live their best lives. We are grateful for the overwhelming support and camaraderie that filled the room, reinforcing the powerful impact our community has when coming together for a shared cause. Your support fuels our mission and is deeply appreciated.
CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS PARTICIPATES IN ‘FUSION OF ART & BREWS’ AT BIRDHOUSE BREWING
The Arc Ontario's Creative Expressions program partnered with Birdhouse Brewing Company for a “Fusion of Art & Brews" event on August 9. The fun-filled afternoon showcased the diverse talents of individuals supported by The Arc Ontario, bringing together art, music, and community spirit.
The event kicked off with an art exhibition inside the brewery, featuring beautiful pieces created by our talented Creative Expressions artists, guided by Cici Coen, The Arc Ontario’s Art Specialist. Attendees also had the opportunity to purchase plants grown at The Arc Ontario’s Eberhardt Center greenhouse by participants and Chris Ellison, the agency’s Horticulture Specialist.
A highlight of the day was a performance by The Arc Ontario's ‘Dapper Rats’ band, led by Music Specialist, Nathan Merrill, on the outdoor stage. The band delivered an inspiring show, demonstrating the musical abilities and passion of the individuals we support and fostering community inclusion.
We extend our sincere thanks to Birdhouse Brewing Company for not only hosting us but for consistently creating such a welcoming and accessible opportunity for our individuals to share their talents. It was truly a perfect blend of great music and heartwarming community connections.
A BUSY SUMMER FOR PET CONNECTIONS
Pet Connections, a division of The Arc Ontario, offers animal assisted programs, community opportunities, and employment for people with disabilities and other challenges. Our services include dog training, therapy dog certification, and volunteer outreach throughout the region.
This summer was especially active for our Pet Connections trainers and teams. Nine dogs completed Level 1 training, beginning their journey toward becoming certified therapy dogs. In addition, 11 new handler-dog teams successfully passed their initial certification, with most already cleared and actively volunteering in the community.
August was National Dog Month, and our amazing volunteer teams stepped up to share even more support throughout the community. They made special visits to The Arc Ontario’s Eberhardt Center, supported student orientation at Keuka College, and provided weekly visits to staff at Thompson Hospital.
AGENCY CELEBRATES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT ONTARIO COUNTY PRIDE FESTIVAL
Staff members from The Arc Ontario were proud to celebrate diversity and inclusion with our community at this year’s Ontario Fairgrounds Pride Festival on June 21. Our dedicated staff members enjoyed engaging with attendees at our booth, sharing information about our impactful work and the programs and services we provide.
As proud sponsors of this event, we were thrilled to champion a message of acceptance, understanding, and belonging for all individuals, and we were honored to be a part of a day filled with positive energy, meaningful conversations, and wonderful connections.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PROJECT SEARCH GRADUATES!
A huge round of applause and congratulations to our 2025 Project SEARCH graduates from both Geneva General Hospital and Eastview Mall in Victor!
These incredible individuals recently celebrated the successful completion of their intensive ten-month community pre-vocational internships. This significant milestone marked the culmination of our students’ dedication, hard work, and personal growth as they gained invaluable real-world experience across various departments within their host sites. From learning essential workplace skills like time management and communication to confidently navigating new professional environments, our graduates are
now well-equipped for successful futures in the workforce.
We were proud to celebrate each individual's commitment and perseverance at their respective graduation ceremonies, recognizing their outstanding achievements. Seeing them embrace new challenges, develop new skills, and grow into confident, capable professionals was truly inspiring for everyone at The Arc Ontario. We eagerly anticipate all the amazing accomplishments that await them as they embark on their next chapters, knowing they are well-prepared for career success. Congratulations to everyone who joined us to celebrate their achievements!
AGENCY LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT
The Arc Ontario recently launched an expansion of our Creative Expressions’ horticulture program with a brand-new Community Garden Project. Funded by the 2025 SNAP-Ed Community Growers Program, this fully accessible garden was designed to serve SNAP-eligible residents across Ontario County, fostering healthier lifestyles and strengthening community connections.
Conveniently situated at our Eberhardt Center, located at 2975 County Road 48 in Canandaigua, the garden has started hosting open sessions several times a week, inviting hands-on engagement on topics such as germinating seeds, careful transplanting of seedlings, and nurturing crops throughout the growing season. This project is about so much more than just growing food; it’s about cultivating community by reducing food expenses, improving access to fresh, nutritious produce, and creating a vibrant space where residents from diverse backgrounds can share knowledge, skills, and the joy of working together. Individuals in our Creative Expressions program will also greatly benefit from this wonderful new resource, cultivating valuable friendships along the way.
SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARC
ONTARIO’S EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING CENTER
The Arc Ontario’s Employment and Training Center provides person-centered support in work preparation, job development, and skillbuilding—empowering individuals to secure and maintain competitive employment at or above minimum wage.
Throughout the summer, we delivered a variety of skill-building experiences:
CSVT HOST Program Launch
In July, we welcomed six participants into our latest Career-Specific Vocational Training (CSVT HOST) cohort. This 10-week program prepares individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) for careers in the hospitality industry, including food service, guest relations, housekeeping, and front desk operations. Participants completed 75 hours of hands-on training and community-based experience, culminating in a celebratory banquet-style dinner they prepared entirely from scratch. We’re thrilled that four of the six graduates are continuing their journey toward front desk certification, and three have already secured employment!
Work-Readiness Camp
In August, six individuals participated in a week-long work-readiness camp, spending four hours each day immersed in soft skills development. Using our Virtual Reality Lab, participants practiced realworld scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, building confidence and workplace readiness.
School
District Partnerships
Over the summer, our team collaborated with students from Midlakes and Newark Education Center through their Extended School Year programs. These pilot initiatives focused on work readiness, selfadvocacy, and job exploration. Thanks to their success, both districts have chosen to continue the partnership into the 2025–2026 school year, allowing us to support 13 students this fall.
DEL LAGO PROMOTION RAISES OVER $11,000 FOR THE
ARC ONTARIO
We are thrilled to share the incredible success of del Lago Resort & Casino’s “Give $5 Get $10 in Free Play” promotion. This week-long initiative, which took place in early July, raised over $11,000 for The Arc Ontario. These funds will directly bolster our innovative programs and services, empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other challenges to thrive and achieve their full potential. We are so grateful to have been selected as the beneficiary of the promotion by del Lago Resort & Casino, as their commitment to community support truly made a tangible difference in our ability to provide essential services and supports to individuals and families throughout Ontario County.
Michele Wistner, our former Director of Development who retired in early August, shared her excitement, stating, “We were absolutely thrilled and so thankful for del Lago’s partnership and the amazing generosity of their guests. This promotion was a tremendous success, and the funds raised will make a huge difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities or other challenges in Ontario County. Their support for the critical work we do in our community was truly inspiring!”
Thank you, del Lago Resort & Casino, and all who participated, for helping us build a more inclusive community!
33RD ANNUAL CRUISIN' FOR A CAUSE RAISES
$50,000
The Arc Ontario's 33rd Annual Cruisin’ for a Cause fundraiser made a successful return to Canandaigua Lake on August 14! Guests were treated to a wonderful evening filled with summer fun and community support. Attendees enjoyed scenic rides across Canandaigua Lake aboard the majestic Canandaigua Lady, with lively steel drum music, and delicious summer favorites, creating a truly enjoyable atmosphere for attendees.
One of the highlights of the evening was the exciting live and silent auctions, which saw tremendous generosity from our guests and community supporters. We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s event raised $50,000 for The Friends of The Arc Ontario Foundation, directly benefiting our growing menu of innovative programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other challenges. Thank you to everyone who joined us in cruisin’ for a great cause and making this year's event a success!
LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY THROUGH PLANNED GIVING
At The Arc Ontario, we are always looking towards the future, envisioning a world where all individuals with disabilities or other challenges thrive and realize their true potential. One way you can help secure this future and make a lasting difference is through Planned Giving.
Planned Giving is a powerful tool that helps ensure the long-term sustainability of our programs and services while also offering the potential for significant financial benefits and tax advantages for you. It's a wonderful way to create a meaningful legacy, allowing your generosity to extend far into the future. By considering a planned gift, you are directly investing in the continued growth and success of The Arc Ontario's mission.
To explore how you can leave a lasting legacy and learn more about the options available, please contact Suzi Istvan at (585) 919-2130 or sistvan@ thearcontario.org. Your foresight and generosity will continue to transform lives for years to come.