Arc LIfe: January-April 2024

ArcLife

MARCH WAS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH

In March, we celebrated National Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other challenges to pursue their goals. The Arc Ontario provides services and supports to more than 700 individuals 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

Kathryn Wegman, Vice President

Patrick Boyle, Secretary

Dr. Barbara Risser, Treasurer

Michelle Raeman, Assistant Treasurer

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Michelle Raeman

Jennie Erdle – Krampen

DIRECTORS

Gretchen Daugherty

Lynne Erdle

Scott Gerstner

Bobby Greco, Jr.

Charles McCausland

Benjamin Northrup

Elizabeth Palmatier

Deborah Rought

Deborah Wilbur

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ann Scheetz

PUBLISHING TEAM

Design and layout

Windhill Design LLC

Photography

Various

Creative Writing

Josh Dubin, The Arc Ontario

Share your e-mail address with us and receive agency news and information. Visit thearcontario.org to sign up today!

If you prefer not to receive agency news and information call 585.394.7500 or email jdubin@thearcontario.org.

Find us on Facebook! facebook.com/thearcontario

Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/the_arc_ontario

The Arc Ontario

3071 County Complex Drive

Canandaigua, NY 14424

585.394.7500

www.thearcontario.org

MESSAGE FROM ANN SCHEETZ

EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR

As we look back on another eventful year filled with milestones and extraordinary achievements, we are reminded of the tremendous impact that our services and supports continue to have on so many throughout our community. Making community connections is what we are all about, and thanks to the passion, creativity and commitment of our dedicated staff, along with unwavering support from our community partners, there is much to be inspired about here at The Arc Ontario.

In March, the agency observed National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, spreading awareness and promoting inclusion and acceptance in all areas of community life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other challenges. As you read on, you will learn about Matt B. and his incredible journey through our Supported Employment program – a journey spanning more than 20 years.

In April, we celebrated Autism Acceptance Month with a host of activities to help educate others and promote autism acceptance, inclusion and self-determination. Staff members kicked off the month by sporting new Autism Acceptance t-shirts that featured a design created by a student at Midlakes Education Center in Clifton Springs. The winning design was selected through a special contest held through our Autism Connections program. We also held our 2nd annual Autism & First Responders Event on April 20 at Richard P. Outhouse Memorial Park in Canandaigua. A special thanks to all of the volunteers, participating organizations and attendees who joined us to show their support for Autism Connections at The Arc Ontario. April is also Volunteer Appreciation Month, and the agency celebrated its community volunteers who donate their time and expertise to support our mission and make a difference in the lives of those we support. In this edition of Arc Life, you will learn about the motivations and experiences of Fran Walter, a dedicated volunteer now in her seventh year with the agency.

We have kicked off 2024 with a frenzy of fundraising activities to raise dollars for The Friends of The Arc Ontario Foundation that support our growing menu of innovative programs and services. Most recently, we held our 13th Annual Wine Mixer at the Cracker Factory in Geneva. It was a fun-filled evening that featured amazing performances by our Creative Expressions music program and Strolling Magician, Brian Geer. A special thanks to our Honorary Chairs, Scott and Mandy Gerstner, the Cracker Factory and our friends old and new who joined us for a night of celebration.

As you read on, you will also learn about how our employees are sharing their unique talents with the individuals we support through community education classes. John DeCicca, our PC Technician, served as an instructor for our Virtual Reality (VR) Gaming Club, which prioritizes learning new games, having fun, and developing socialization skills for the individuals we support.

All of this is possible thanks to the continued support of our community partners. As we look ahead to the future, we are confident that the amazing journeys happening every day at The Arc Ontario will continue to inspire our community to join us in our mission of fostering lifelong fulfillment through active citizenship and enriched community living for people of all abilities.

Wishing you a wonderful year ahead,

On

Matt

Ann Scheetz, Executive Director

Ann Scheetz

the Cover:

B. working in the kitchen at the Victor Early Childhood School.

March was National Developmental Disability Awareness Month, Continued from cover

with disabilities or other challenges, and currently offers over 40 programs and services. Your support helps us achieve our mission of fostering lifelong fulfillment through active citizenship and enriched community living for the individuals we support. Whether they are volunteering in the community, beginning college courses, starting a first job, or learning how to how drive and obtaining a driver’s permit, there are amazing success stories happening every day at The Arc Ontario.

One of those success stories is Matt B. Matt has seen a tremendous transformation during his time at The Arc Ontario. He has worked at a number of group placement sites since entering our Supported Employment program in 2001. He began by working at Maco Bag, where his responsibilities included inverting large food safe bags and working on an Arm & Hammer product line. Matt was then selected to help start

a new group employment site for The Arc Ontario at Koch Container in 2012, where he worked until 2020. There, he was responsible for material handling, cleaning and quality control. When that group site ended in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic, Matt was laid off and began exploring other opportunities.

That’s when Matt decided to start the OPWDD Employment and Training Program with the assistance of our agency’s Supported Employment staff. He went through the discovery process, which eventually led him to a placement at the Victor Early Childhood School working in the kitchen. He started out with an internship in February of 2023, and he was hired as an employee in August of 2023.

There are countless success stories like Matt’s unfolding every day at The Arc Ontario, all thanks to our dedicated staff members and the strategic partnerships we’ve created throughout our community. Developmental Disabilities Awareness

ECLIPSE ACTIVITIES & FESTIVITIES

With all of the buzz surrounding April 8’s solar eclipse, the agency decided to get the individuals we support involved in the fun. On Wednesday, March 27, representatives from the Rochester Museum and Science Center held an eclipse presentation at our Main Facility. They shared insights about the historical nature of the eclipse, what we can expect, and how we should all prepare for the rare event.

Staff members gathered at our main facility on April 8 to observe the eclipse from our outdoor pavilion area, and our Residential Program also joined in on the fun, celebrating the occasion by creating and distributing gift baskets to each of our 16 residential homes. The baskets were filled with packets with information about the eclipse as well as eclipse-themed goodies such as Moon Pies, Sun Chips, Eclipse gum, Sunny Delight, a Space Jam DVD, and special protective glasses for viewing the eclipse. Our Music Specialist, Nathan Merrill, and our Horticulture Specialist, Chris Ellison held a virtual zoom session that featured music and some history and fun facts about the eclipse for individuals in our residential program. Our Art Specialist,

Claudia Coen also visited sites in Geneva to provide art classes.

A special thanks to the Rochester Museum and Science Center and our Residential Department for making the event such a fun, informative and memorable occasion. We are thrilled to be able to connect and collaborate with other organizations in a meaningful way to help enrich the lives of those we support.

Matt B. has found purpose and enjoys being a valued member of the

Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life. At The Arc Ontario, we are proud to highlight Matt and others like him for their amazing accomplishments and coming together to form strong communities where people of all abilities are accepted and valued.

2024

EVENTS

ARE OFF TO A GREAT START

The Arc Ontario has kicked off a frenzy of fundraising activities for 2024. We have seen friends old and new, and we are thrilled with the support we have received from them. From celebrating the Super Bowl, our third annual Trivia Night, and our 13th Annual Wine Mixer, we are off to a great start raising dollars for The Friends of The Arc Ontario Foundation to support our quality services. Our Super Raffle was launched at the Wine Mixer, where we are selling a maximum of 200 tickets for $100 each for a chance to win a prize valued at $8,000. The drawing will take place at our annual Cruisin’ for a Cause on August 15. Get your tickets now at our Main Facility – 3071 County Complex Drive, and e-mail us with any questions at events@thearcontario.org.

team at Victor Early Childhood School.

Staff members gathered outdoors to witness and celebrate the eclipse on April 8.

APRIL IS VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH

At The Arc Ontario, we have dedicated volunteers who take time away from their busy lives to make meaningful connections with the people we support. When members of the community engage and connect with a person with a disability, acceptance grows. We pride ourselves on matching volunteers and interns with opportunities that align with their interests. As an agency, we want to ensure that we are utilizing all of the skills and experience that volunteers bring with them.

Fran Walter has volunteered with The Arc Ontario since 2017, but her volunteering days go back much further. She began her volunteering journey after retiring from her day job many years ago. She loved animals and wanted to involve them in her volunteer activities. After adopting a cat named Gracie, the pair began their journey volunteering with Pet Connections, a division of The Arc Ontario.

“I wanted to be able to make people smile and be happy,” said Fran. “They loved when I would bring in Gracie – they would get so happy seeing her. But the truth is, my friends at The Arc Ontario have done so much more for me than I could ever do for them.”

Fran is now in her 7th year volunteering with the agency, and she champions the people we support to be confident in their abilities and be true to themselves. She collects paintings and other artwork created by the individuals she supports, and she takes them out on community outings that include pit stops at Tim Horton’s, visits to the Dollar Store, and special trips to the library to spend time reading together. “They truly give me so much joy,” said Fran. “They’re going to have good days and bad days, but they really relate to my smiles and jokes,” she continued. “I was so grateful to be allowed to visit them at their homes once

Agency volunteer, Fran Walter (right) sits with Sandy, an individual supported by the agency, at our Canandaigua Sit-A-Spell site.

a week – they were so excited, and I think it made them feel special,” said Fran. “I know it sure made me feel special.”

A special thanks to Fran for all that you do. We are thankful for all of our amazing volunteers at The Arc Ontario. Their commitment is creating meaningful connections in our community every day, and we are truly grateful for the amount of community support we have received. If you are interested in volunteering with The Arc Ontario, please contact our Human Resources team at hrstaff@thearcontario.org or (585) 394-7500.

APRIL WAS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH

Autism Acceptance month is held each April with the goal of raising awareness, promoting autism acceptance and inclusion, celebrating uniqueness and fostering inclusion in our community. Staff members at The Arc Ontario kicked off the month by sporting their Autism Acceptance

Month shirts, which featured a newly designed logo created by a student at Midlakes Education Center in Clifton Springs, NY, which was selected as the winning design through a contest held by our Autism Connections program. T-shirts and sweatshirts were available for purchase online, at The Arc Ontario’s main facility, and at our social enterprises, Bad Dog Boutique and North Star Café. In total, over 100 shirts were sold in support of Autism Connections at The Arc Ontario.

The agency partnered with Victor Parks and Recreation to hold our annual sensory-friendly egg hunt on Saturday, March 23 at Dryer Road Park in Victor, NY. Individuals we support, along with their family and friends, braved the elements and joined the Easter Bunny for “the fastest two minutes in sport,” as participants raced to collect their eggs. It was a wonderful morning enjoyed by many. A special thanks to those who joined us and helped make the event possible.

at our

On April 20, an Autism and First Responders family event was held at Richard P. Outhouse Memorial Park that featured sensoryfriendly spaces, raffles, and lawn games. The event was designed so that children can learn about emergency vehicles in a comfortable setting to avoid anxiety in future emergency situations. Participating organizations included the Canandaigua Emergency Squad, the City of Canandaigua and Cheshire Fire Departments, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, Operation Safe Child, Project Life Saver, Pet Connections, and the Town of Canandaigua Highway Department. Staff members from Canandaigua Wegmans were also onsite providing health conscious snacks and answering questions about healthy eating and nutritional benefits for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, who tend to be more susceptible to food allergies and sensitivities. It was a fantastic event and we are incredibly grateful for the community support we have received.

Staff members gathered for a group photo sporting their Autism Acceptance Month shirts.

Attendees

Autism & First Responders event took tours of the emergency vehicles onsite.

TALENTS

At The Arc Ontario, many of our employees consider the agency more than just a job. It is place that celebrates differences and comes together to enrich the lives of those we support, ensuring that they have the resources and supports necessary to blossom and realize their full potential. We are always searching for new ways to grow and expand our offerings to the community.

We encourage staff members to share their own unique abilities and talents with those we support whenever they can. John DeCicca, a PC Technician at our main facility, answered that call and chose to share his talents after work to teach a Virtual Reality (VR) Gaming class to children and young adults with disabilities.

“I’ve made some great memories playing video games with friends, and I wanted to help others make similar memories,” said John. “Video games can be a great way for people to socialize and make new friends while having a ton of fun,” he continued.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities often face challenges with socialization and relating with peers. That is why The Arc Ontario offers a variety of exciting classes and activities to the community for people to

learn new hobbies, develop new skills and socialize with like-minded individuals.

“Through teaching the class, I got to see the kids' creativity in action,” said John. “It was great to see the class working together to accomplish their individual goals. They were sharing helpful tips, giving each other items inside the game, and watching other players’ backs,” he continued. “It was fun to watch the class experience Virtual Reality. In fact, one participant loved playing a VR game that was quite difficult, but he never gave up, and by the end of the six-week class he had gotten so good at that game it was truly remarkable.”

John looks forward to teaching more classes in the future, and he encourages other staff members at the agency to share their talents with the world around them and help make a difference in the lives of others.

“I never thought I’d be the type of person who’d teach a class, but now I see it differently,” said John. “We’ve all got talents, interests, and hobbies, and I don't think people realize how valuable it can be to share them with others,” he continued.

“There are so many talented and knowledgeable people across our agency who have so much to share. I would encourage everyone to take a moment and ask themselves, ‘Do I know anything worth teaching?’ The answer is almost certainly yes.”

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up on the success stories and latest happenings occurring every day at ARC Ontario!

SPRING INTO A NEW CAREER AT THE ARC ONTARIO

As we continue to grow and expand our service and program offerings, our staffing needs have continued to grow as well. The agency currently has openings in many different areas including direct support, nursing, transportation, janitorial services, leadership and more. Our staff is the backbone of our agency, and some of our staff members shared their views and motivations for working at The Arc Ontario.

Susan is our Senior PC Technician and has been with us for 30 years. When asked about her journey with the organization, she stated: “I started as a clinic secretary and moved to IT, which was a great opportunity for me. I’m grateful that I have wonderful people to work alongside. They have become like family.”

Val, our Transportation Supervisor, has been with the agency for 15 years. He echoed a similar sentiment during our Annual Service Awards:

“The Arc Ontario is truly a great agency to work for, and I’m very proud to be a part of the organization,” said Val. “Seeing the smiling faces of the individuals we support reminds me why I’m here.”

Working at The Arc Ontario is a rewarding experience that comes with flexible schedules, great benefits, competitive pay, and a great sense of pride and purpose. The agency continues to cultivate and develop new talent, often leading to opportunities for advancement. We are incredibly grateful for our staff members and all they do each and every day to support our mission and make a difference every day. To learn more about career options at The Arc Ontario, please visit www. thearcontario.org/careers. If you would like to speak with a representative from our Human Resources Department, please contact HRstaff@thearcontario. org or call (585) 394-7500.

VR Gaming Class participants enjoyed learning new games while socializing with peers and developing new skills.

Instructor, John DeCicca helps an individual we support get set up for a VR gaming experience at our main facility.

NYSARC, Inc., Ontario County Chapter

3071 County Complex Drive

Canandaigua, New York 14424

As we launch our 2024 Annual Fund/Chapter Membership campaign, we are asking you to support The Arc Ontario by becoming a chapter member. The more members we secure, the louder our voice in Albany when issues arise regarding people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other challenges and the talented workforce that supports them. While we are thrilled that State Legislators support our field, we need to continue advocating for greater investment to truly ensure that no New Yorker gets left behind.

Please consider becoming a chapter member of The Arc Ontario today. Together we are building a better world where people of all abilities can flourish and become one with their communities. If you have any questions, please contact Michele Wistner at (585) 394-7500 ext. 2156 or mwistner@thearcontario.org.