ONTARIOARC.ORG/LATEST-NEWS WWW.ONTARIOARC.ORG

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

ARCLifeCREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2016 NEWSLETTER

“MY SELF, MY WORLD, MY DREAMS”: JR RIVAS At Ontario ARC, we want people to be as independent, happy, and successful as they can possibly be. Five years ago JR Rivas was embarking on his education and considering career goals,continues on Page 3

2VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2ARCLife 2APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2016 NEWSLETTER

What an amazing Spring we had! In addition to the unbelievable weather, I’m excited to share what’s happening at Ontario ARC.

We had a busy April with many Autism Acceptance Month related activities, culminating with a conference featuring Keynote Speaker Jesse A. Saperstein. Jesse addressed a group of family members, teachers, community supporters and individuals with Autism and Asperger’s. Jesse is a best selling author, motivational speaker and autism advocate. Being on the Spectrum, he was able to share some challenges and successes along his journey through school, college and obtaining

meaningful employment. His journey mirrors that of many people we support – it was very helpful for all of us to hear his perspective.

In May we celebrated National Nurse’s Week. We have a wonderful team of nurses who each cover multiple sites, supporting our staff and the individuals who attend our Day and Residential Programs. We would like to recognize the hard work, dedication, and expertise they provide to all of us every day.

June included some excitement in the Residential Program. Our Hastings Road home was highlighted in the Geneva Tour of Homes. This was a wonderful opportunity to show event participants how much we are a part of the community and how nice our homes are. Also, our Supervised Apartments are in the process of being renovated. The renovations include an update to resident kitchens and bathrooms; residents are very happy to have these upgrades and to be involved in all aspects of the renovation.

You’re going to see a lot of information in this edition. We continue to add Board Members to help us move forward in a challenging financial environment, and, our fundraising efforts continue to increase as we focus on funding diversification. Our new Day Services Program has already won an award and Pet Connections continues to grow in new ways. We also have a new Recreation Manager who has fun and innovative activities planned. Look for an introduction to Nathan Merrill in a future issue!

As always, I’d like to end with a thank you. We recognize that without all of you who support us, in whatever way that is, we would not be able to do the amazing things that you’ll read about in this newsletter, so thank you!

Ontario ARC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families. We offer personalized services and supports that promote independence, recognize individual uniqueness and value quality of life.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPatrick R Boyle, President Barbara G. Risser EdD, Vice President Gretchen Daugherty, Secretary Kathryn Wegman, Treasurer Charles McCausland, Assistant Treasurer

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Marie O'Horo Deborah Wilbur

DIRECTORS Lynne Erdle Edward (Russ) Kenyon Robert McFadden Kyle Meath Mary Kate MorrellElizabeth A. Palmatier

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORAnn Scheetz

PUBLISHING TEAMWriting, design and layoutIn House Graphic Design, Inc. PhotographyJan Regan Photography

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

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

Find us on Facebook! facebook.com/ontarioarc

Participate in our blog at ontarioarc.org/blog

Join us on Twitter at twitter.com/ontarioarc

Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/ontario_arc

Ontario County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc.3071 County Complex DriveCanandaigua, New York 14424585.394.7500 www.ontarioarc.org

United Way of Ontario County

ARCLife

On the Cover: JR’s success story continues to unfold. He aims to become even more autonomous to live to his potential.

Lora Winghart

Ontario ARC’s Governing Board welcomes new member Edward C. “Russ” Kenyon. The Ontario ARC Board of Directors works to support and guide the non-profit organization in providing services to children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities.

Russ Kenyon, of Bloomfield, is a Member at the Law Offices of Kenyon & Kenyon.

GOVERNING BOARD WELCOMES NEW MEMBER

Russ Kenyon

MESSAGE FROM LORA WINGHART ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM SERVICES

3

“My self, my world, my dreams”: JR Rivas, continued from Coverjust like many other young adults. Today JR, a member of the first class to graduate from Ontario ARC’s Project SEARCH and now a longtime employee at Finger Lakes Health-Geneva General Hospital, has his sights set on bigger life goals.

The once quiet student has decided to initiate a bittersweet conversation—about his independence and less need for support from Ontario ARC. Staying focused on his busy work day, for example, now outweighs his need for Ontario ARC job coach support visits.

JR joined Finger Lakes Health as a Project SEARCH intern. The Hospital is located in his neighborhood and JR has built a fulfilling social circle around his work relationships. He has been employed since July 2013 as a Housekeeping Aid, starting per diem and now working fulltime. FLH honored JR as Employee of the Year in 2015, and he now mentors Project SEARCH interns at the hospital.

JR’s success story continues to unfold. In his push to become more autonomous

KALEIDOSCOPE’S FAIRY HOUSE A PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER It’s empowering to make your own decisions and explore new opportunities! People are out and about and enjoying all the community has to offer thanks to a new program at Ontario ARC. “Kaleidoscope” offers the opportunity for people to come together on a monthly basis and choose what they would like to experience in the community. Recent outings have included visits to Farmer’s Markets, local libraries, and taking ceramics and sign language classes.

At a recent visit to a local library, the group saw an opportunity to enter a fairy house competition at the Springtime in Canandaigua Arts Festival. With just a two week window, the group embraced the chance to participate and create an

Kaleidoscope members with their award-winning fairy house.

ideal fairy house. Their hard work paid off and they won a People’s Choice Award at the festival! No doubt, this is just the first of many accomplishments for the Kaleidoscope group.

Kaleidoscope’s fairy house is now on display at the

Ontario ARC main facility.

and live to his potential within his chosen community, JR is considering driving lessons and has begun the process of petitioning to be his own guardian.

“JR has worked hard to progress through programs, and now identifies that he really doesn’t need any job support,” says

Tracy Cardinale, Habilitation Coordinator. “When he talks about it, the smile on his face shows how proud and happy he is about how far he has come.” Ontario ARC is proud to be accredited by CQL, whose mission is to support individuals in achieving their life goals and dreams.

JR Rivas joined Finger Lakes Health as a Project SEARCH intern, and now works full-time.

4

PET CONNECTIONS TEAMS UP ON READING Pet Connections teams visited students in 13 classrooms at Gorham Elementary School during February and March, to read the book Tuesday Tucks Me In. Tuesday is a service dog for a military veteran who has PTSD and other disabilities.

Pet Connections also attended a school family night in April. They made braided pull toys and sold BAD DOG Spa™ products, including the program’s new custom pet ID tags. The Pet Connections therapy dog reading teams were invited back to Gorham Elementary School on May 12 for a visit by the book author.

FANCY PANTS BOUTIQUE A SELL-OUT SUCCESS!Ontario ARC’s first Fancy Pants Boutique fundraiser expanded professional wardrobes, decked out prom-goers, and raised $1,500 for the Friends of Ontario ARC Foundation. Teens, college students, and career men and women found bargains to dress sharp and to help support opportunities for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Many thanks to our host, The Inn on the Lake, and to our generous donors who contributed high quality, pre-owned current fashions!

UNCORKED: CANANDAIGUA WINE MIXER A SUCCESS!Our annual spring fundraising event at the New York Wine and Culinary Center was an evening of fine food, live music, great friends, and, of course, wine! This party with a purpose raised over $45,000 to support opportunities for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, helping them to enjoy independent lives and reach their full potential. WE THANK HONORARY EVENT CHAIRS STEPHANIE AND GREG CONSTANTINO AND OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS.

SOVEREIGN SPONSORSConstellation Brands

IMPERIAL SPONSORS Finger Lakes PartnersM/E Engineering P.C.Shepard FordThe Bonadio Group

JEROBOAM SPONSORSAshley Home

Furniture Store Greg & Stephanie

Constantino/Northwestern Mutual

Frank J. Marianacci, Inc.HEP Sales/North Main

Lumber/Bright Ideas

Jachles Imperial FlooringMike Moreland’s

Lawn & LandscapeNationwide

Retirement PlansRelph Benefit AdvisorsWegmans of Canandaigua

MAGNUM SPONSORSAlesco AdvisorsBCI Koch DivisionCanandaigua

Financial GroupCanandaigua National BankDoyle Security Systems, Inc.Friends of Brian KolbGeneva Club Beverage

G.W. LiskHalco Plumbing & HeatingHunt Engineers, Architects

& Land Surveyors, P.C.Leonard’s ExpressBrian & Kelly MeathOutward Landscape

& DesignPLAN Architectural

Studio, P.C.Dawn Santiago-Marullo

& Tom MarulloScoops Ice CreamShuttleworth

Asphalt SealingThe Lyons National Bank

The Canandaigua Wine Mixer featured live music, and live and silent auctions.

PATHWAYS BOTTLE COLLECTION GIVES BACKThe community-minded service of Pathways now includes a bottle return program that benefits others. Each month, Pathways collects cans and bottles for redemption and uses the proceeds to benefit local charities. Recent beneficiaries are Sands Cancer Center, Naples School District, Pet Partners, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Need to get bottles and cans off your hands? Want to be considered as a charity of choice? Please contact Wendy Nelson at 585-919-2163.

Pet Connections reads to Gorham Elementary students.

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2ARCLife 5APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2016 NEWSLETTER

AKTION CLUB WELCOMES HONOR FLIGHT VETERANSThe Aktion Club of Ontario County enjoyed seeing one service project come full circle after months of preparation. After connecting with Lap Robes for Veterans and learning about their mission of honoring military veterans, Club members also wanted to contribute to the cause.  Spending months hand crafting cards which thanked the veterans, the Club members were thrilled to deliver them and welcome military veterans upon their Honor Flight return on May 22nd.  Aktion Club of Ontario County is sponsored by Kiwanis and supports adults with disabilities to participate in community service projects, gain leadership skills, and become involved in the community.

RECREATION A FORMULA FOR FUNKids, teens, and adults at Ontario ARC are having more good times with new activities, field trips, and music.

Kids Day follows a proven “formula for fun”: theme days, plus music, games, swimming, video games, crafts, and a snack made by the kids. A beach day this winter featured beach balls, kinetic sand, beach music, and dips in the therapeutic pool. Sensory rooms are always available for kids who want to take a break from the action.

Teen Recreation programs are hands-on, educational activities centered on field trips that take advantage of local resources out in the community.

“Kids Days have gotten a great response from families, teen programs have been

a hit, and enrollment is up for both kids and adult programs,” says Nathan Merrill, Recreation Manager.

One adult program received grant funding from the Delevan Foundation for 8 classes centered on band music and theatre, culminating in a live show for a community audience of 50 people.

Kids Day, the children’s recreation program for ages 5 to 13, takes place 10AM to 3PM on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Teen Club for ages 14 to 18 meet on the fourth Saturday. Adult recreation programs take place on weekdays.

For more information, contact JoEllen Schaefer at 585-919-2118. Kids Day, and teen and adult programs are

hands-on, educational, and all-around fun.

Ontario County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc. 3071 County Complex Drive Canandaigua, New York 14424

Prsrt Std U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 780 Rochester, NY

In 1954, a group of parents from Geneva founded Ontario ARC to create more opportunities for their children. In honor of our founders, Ontario ARC has established the 1954 Society, an endowment fund to secure services for future generations. A contribution of $1,954 each year over three years will provide ongoing support for programs and services that make a positive impact on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For information on benefits and how to join the 1954 Society, contact Michele Wistner, director of development, at 585-919-2156 or mwistner@ontarioarc.org. Or, visit us online at ontarioarc.org.

Honor Our Past… Secure Our Future

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE EBERHARDT CENTER’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OPEN HOUSE!September 9, 201612:30PM – 2:30PMat The Eberhardt Center2975 County Rd 48Canandaigua, NY 14424