HWS College Experience gives back to Geneva

The HWS College Experience gave back to the Geneva community this month. The individuals learned of two young gentlemen that are both sick with brain cancer. Both boys are in the Geneva school system. The individuals held a fundraiser on the campus. They sold popcorn, puppy chow, candy bars and peanuts. The group was able to raise $172.50 to donate to EACH family.

Below are what each family had to say....

From J'Lon's mom:

We want to thank you so much for the gifts, prayers and love you have shown to us during this difficult time. J'lon is doing as well as we can expect, he is now done with two weeks of radiation. We are still claiming his healing but all prayers are still needed and appreciated.

Thanks again and May God Bless You All
J'lon, Janet and Family

From Max's dad:

It gives me goose bumps and makes my eyes tear. People like you (Becky) and Shirley and your students have helped me find strength that I didn't think I had when this all started. So thank you for that. Your generosity is amazing.

From Max's mom:

Thank you so much for organizing "Snax for Max and J'Lon". We truly are humbled by your efforts. The money will be used for fuel for our trips to Strong. Thank you so much again.

Congratulations, graduates!

Last week, four of participants -- Keith, Matt, Jeff, and Scott -- from the agency's College Experience programs at FLCC and Hobart & William Smith Colleges walked during their respective graduation ceremonies.

Everybody here at the agency is extremely proud of and excited for these young men as they begin new chapters in their lives. Congratulations, graduates!!

May Day Fun

On May 7, the College Activities Board [CAB] club sponsored a May Day event here at FLCC College. It was a day of fun and leisure for the college students and staff. Jeff F. is a CAB club member and volunteered to help out at the event. He helped set up game booths and assisted those interested in making stress balls. The event was out in the courtyard but the weather wasn't the greatest so they moved it to the inside of the college. Because the theme was Pirates, several students and the volunteers dressed up like pirates.

Jeff and his friends participated in the activities and enjoyed the day. Some of the activities were Wheel Spin and Treasure Hunt. A few days before May Day the students were encouraged to go to Student Life Center to select a pirate duck.The bottom of the duck had a number on it. On May Day, the number on the bottom of your duck was the number of times you can spin the wheel for prizes. All of us participated and it was fun. May Day was a great way to socialize with the students and the staff on campus and another great opportunity for us to feel apart of the college life.

Tour of Cobblestone Cottage Bed and Breakfast

The month of May is Recreation and Leisure month for us here at the College and Community Experience program. For something different, we decided it would be fun and educational to tour a Bed and Breakfast. Innkeeper Kathleen Connor was nice enough to open her business and home for us to go and take a tour of her establishment. The Bed and Breakfast is located on West Lake road in Canandaigua and is a beautiful house.

We learned that she runs it herself and cares for each family that stays. She only serves breakfast and if they want to eat other meals there, they are welcome to use her kitchen and her grill on the deck. Her bed and breakfast has two first floor suite and one second floor suite. The first floor suites are called the Honeymoon Cottage suite and the Issac Parrish suite, named after the builder of the house. The second floor suite is called the Attic Quilt suite.

While at the Bed and Breakfast, we worked on our manners and social skills. We learned what would be involved in running a business and the dedication it takes to be successful. We would like to thank Kathleen for the opportunity to tour her business and if anyone needs a few days break, think about calling Cobblestone Cottage Bed and Breakfast.

Volunteering with Volunteers of America

On May 17, Matt, Andrea, and Kristen all went to Volunteers of America to volunteer. While at the store we sort clothes by size and then hang them on the racks. We also have the opportunity to sort through an assortment of shoes and purses. We appreciate the opportunity to give back to our community. So stop by the store and see all the wonderful merchandise and think of us while you are there.

Another Successful Collaboration with FLCC!

Finger Lakes Community College Massage Therapy students have been providing seated massages to individuals receiving services through Day Habilitation and the College Experience at the Eberhardt Center since February ~ their last day was May 6. Under the guidance of Instructor Maria Petricola, twelve second year students were afforded the opportunity to develop ongoing relationships with individuals with various disabilities.

The massages provided individuals with health benefits such as relaxation, and coping skills, as well as the benefits of therapeutic touch. This partnership benefited both Ontario ARC participants and the students by enriching the knowledge and experience of both. We look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future.

Dr. Sydney Greenspan, 1941-2010

From CNN.com...

Dr. Sydney Greenspan -- a prolific child psychologist, who specialized in autism and other developmental disabilities -- passed away last Tuesday.  He is considered a pioneer in the field of autism.  Dr. Greenspan worked closely with parents and their children, developing a unique approach called "floor time."  CNN has posted a video of Dr. Greenspan talking about how he turns "strange behaviors" into windows of opportunity...

News Round Up

Hope you are enjoying our guest entries from the Community and College Experience! 

Here's some news to start the day...

• Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY: Ms. Wheelchair New York is a mom, first
• Finger Lakes Times, Geneva, NY: Educator cuts will be felt
• Associated Press:  Feds sue over treatment of disabled in Arkansas
• Oxford Press, Oxford, OH:  Students learn job-interview skills
• Press of Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NY:  NJ relies on nonprofit services even as it imposes executive pay and travel caps

HWS College Experience gives back

Right before this post, I wrote about how great this community is to Ontario ARC.  We are truly thankful and appreciative to everyone who assists in us in keeping our mission and vision.  And now, I'm here to tell you about how we are paying it forward and helping our community back.

Recently, two young gentlemen in Geneva were recently diagnosed with cancerous tumors.  Our participants at the HWS College Experience program -- led by Becky Castano and Shirley Wells -- are leading an effort to help raise funds to defer some of the anticipated costs.  On Friday, May 7, the group will be selling a variety of "snax" from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a dollar each at the campus' Scandling Center.  If you are in the Geneva-area, I hope you'll stop by and grab a small snack to help these families through some tough times.  If you can't make it to Geneva but want to help out, contact Becky or Shirley at 315-781-4035 and find out what you can do.

Thank you students!

As a non-profit agency not only do we rely on donors for their generous financial assistance, we also count on the incredible support we receive from volunteers across Ontario County.  Each year, hundreds of local residents approach the agency to see how they can also make a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities.  It is truly amazing.

This past semester, the agency's College Experience program at HWS Colleges had quite a few students volunteer and assist with different activities going on at the site.  Three of those students -- Jennifer Evans (major: psychology; minor: health professions), Sarah Lubeck (major: psychology; minor: sociology / child advocacy), and Matthew Laycock (major: psychology; minor: child advocacy) -- will be graduating next week...

HWS students and College Experience participants enjoying pizza together.

 

Their time, kindness, talents, and hard work was much appreciated by the entire agency -- especially by the HWS College Experience staff and participants.  Everyone wishes them the best of luck as they begin this new, exciting chapter in their lives.

Here is a little piece written by Jennifer, Sarah, and Matthew about their time volunteering:

When working with the students in the ARC College Experience Program, we have helped the students with their academics, social skills, overall life skills, as well as providing each student with out full positive attention and support.  We constructed a calendar for the month of April with the students, which listed all of the activities or events that were to take place.  We also worked on the students monthly newsletters, math problems, writing checks, resumes for future internships/jobs, and other homework and in-class assignments.  One a more playful note, we constructed spring-themed greeting cards with the students for people living in the nursing home to brighten their day.  Most recently, we revealed our creative sides while decorating Easter eggs as a group.  For the remaining time we have left with the ARC College Experience Program, we plan on creating a cooking video with the students, in which they will be making a pizza.  We have really enjoyed our experience with the ARC College Experience Program students and faculty and are thankful for being able to be given the chance to get involved.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Donna Auria -- the agency's director of development -- via e-mail or at 585-919-2191.

Thanks to Ryan Smith and Becky Castano for the information and pictures!!

HWS College Experience makes movies!

This is the follow-up to Allison’s posting about the film workshop at Hobart and William Smith. Each one of the HWS individuals became a mentor for a film group. The groups consisted of other individuals from other ARCs. The groups had one hour and forty-five minutes to create a short film. Each group was responsible for assigning specific jobs for everyone. The different jobs consisted of an Executive Producer, cast, camera operators, and crew. See the film that Sarah’s group produced.

http://www.vimeo.com/11444828

The film “The Pancake Breakfast” is also attached. Grab some popcorn and enjoy!!

http://www.vimeo.com/11444866