Community Experience Volunteers

On July 22, the Community Experience group helped Speak Up, Speak Out! The Self Advocacy Group of Ontario County with their car wash fundraiser.

We began helping long before the actual day came by making little potpourri sacks to be hung on the rear view mirror. On the day of the event, we passed these out to each patron after their car was washed. We also helped set up all the supplies needed, collected the donations and washed lots of cars.

MPNnow.com -- Carnival capers at Eberhardt Center

Daily Messenger photographer Carrie Ann Grippo stopped by the Eberhardt Center's carnival last week and got some great pictures of staff and participants enjoying the festivities.  Check it out!

click here to view pictures

A very busy week...

This week was great week for Ontario ARC!  Here's a quick review of July 19 - 23 for everyone out there...

Monday
Ontario ARC was featured in the Daily Messenger -- right on the front page!  Reporter Mike Maslanik recently visited the agency to speak with Matt, Scott and Jeff, who recently completed the College Experience program at FLCC.  Each young man has already found employment.  I won't give away the whole story -- read the rest for yourself!

click here to read the story

Wendesday
News 8 reporter Meghan Backus visited Marty Becker -- a member of the agency's crew at Maco Bag.  Marty had a heart attack during his lunch break at work back in April.  And, thanks to quick thinking and reaction from Emily Stohner -- Ontario ARC's enclave supervisor at Maco Bag -- Marty is already back to work.

click here to watch and read the story

Thursday
Thursday was -- hands down -- the busiest day this week.

Dan Prong gets splashed by David H.

First up, the Eberhardt Center put on its annual carnival -- which was an absolute blast.  Both participants and staff made it out to enjoy the great weather and fun activities. 

Music, games -- such as a ring toss and bowling -- and some sweet treats filled the parking lot.  In addition, pet therapy, massages, and a "tattoo" parlor was available for use.

A big shout out goes to the Eberhardt Center's Et Al Committee for their hard work and great planning!

Jen hard at work and washing cars.

Speak Up, Speak Out! Ontario County's Self Advocacy Group held its annual car wash at the Main Facility from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  All of the proceeds go towards the group's various activities throughout the year.  The group's hard work definitely paid off!  Congrats to the group for their success!




Last, but certainly not least, our good friends at Roseland Waterpark donated all of the proceeds from its "Dunk a Lifeguard" booth to Ontario ARC!  I won't spill all the details -- you'll have to read Becky Castano's post about how the HWS College Experience crew helped out.  But, certainly a big THANK YOU goes out to Roseland Waterpark for thinking of the agency and donating its proceeds from the booth that day!!


So... as you can see...Ontario ARC is never lacking in the "things to do" department.  Especially this week.

Have a great weekend! 

HWS College Experience visits Roseland Waterpark to raise money for agency

On Thursday, Roseland Waterpark's "Dunk a Lifeguard" booth raised money for Ontario ARC's Recreation program. Shirley Wells, community habilitation assistant, along with Ron and Sarah encouraged spectators and people walking by to step on up and dunk the life guard!!

Ron said that it was a lot of fun and wouldn't have minded being dunked himself. Sarah said that there were a lot of people and not everyone was able to hit the bullseye.

News Round Up

• The Arc of the Use, based out of Washington D.C: The Arc launches National Disability Needs survey
• Sun Journal, Rumford, MA: Rumford teen gets 'piece of heaven' at camp 
• Trib Today, Cleveland, OH: Ohio woman fights against mistreatment of disabled

"Difference Makers" to recognize direct support professionals in New York State

Parent to Parent of New York State has teamed up with the Direct Support Professional Alliance of New York State to recognized "Difference Makers" -- an initiative to recognize direct support professionals, who have truly made a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families.  "Difference Makers" will be awarded quarterly to direct support professionals nominated by family and friends. 

To learn more about "Difference Makers" and nominate a direct support professional, please see the Parent to Parent of NYS and DSPANYS press release.

Roseland Waterpark's "Dunk a Lifeguard" booth to raise funds for Ontario ARC

If I had more time this summer, I would get myself to a waterpark.  I mean, really, what is better than a waterpark in the summer?  Especially after reading an article about how this June is the hottest month recorded ever.

Well if you are looking for a good reason to go, then I have one for you:  on Thursday July 22, Roseland Waterpark's "Dunk a Lifeguard" booth will be raising money for Ontario ARC.  Get three tries for one dollar.

Admission costs to Roseland Waterpark is available on its web site.  And -- as I'm sure you already know -- more information about Ontario ARC is available at our Web site.  Or if you have a specific question, leave a post on the blog and I'll get you the information as soon as humanly possibly.

Daily Messenger features FLCC College Experience program

Get your copy of today's Daily Messenger to read about Ontario ARC's College Experience program at FLCC and the incredible journey of its three recent graduates -- Matt, Jeff, and Scott...

Another round of congratulations is order for these gentlemen!  Also, a big thanks to reporter Mike Maslanik!

A closer look: Travel Training

Ontario ARC offers a wide variety of programs and services -- all with the same goal of helping people with developmental disabilities live an independent lifestyle while creating opportunities for personal growth.    Here's a closer look at the agency's brand new Travel Training service...

Ontario ARC's Travel Training is a short term, yet intensive, instructional service offered to individuals with developmental disabilities who are interested in using public transportation and traveling independently.  It empowers participants to travel safely while increasing their self confidence.  This service is multi-faceted and offers supports in the following areas:

• Time management -- "What time should I get to the bus stop if I have to catch the 1 p.m. CATS?"
• Planning routes -- "If I need to get to Eastview Mall from Geneva, how many times do I need to transfer buses?"
• Proper transportation etiquette -- "Is it OK to take up two seats or listen to my headphone loudly on the bus?"
• Emergency situations -- "What should I do if the bus I'm on gets into an accident?"
• Pedestrian safety -- "What's the best way to cross a busy street?"
• Problem solving -- "What should I do if I miss my bus?"

Travel Training also includes support in personal safety, reducing anxieties about traveling, reading bus schedules, and "stranger danger."  In addition, this services offers participants the opportunity to enhance basic math skills, learn how to purchase a reduced fare pass, and money management concepts.

Interested in learning more?  John Hurlburt -- the agency's travel trainer -- can provide you with more information about this exciting, new service.  If you are interested in signing up, please speak to your service coordinator or call JoEllen Meath -- the agency's central intake coordinator -- at 585-919-2118.

From OMRDD to OPWDD...

Today, Governor Paterson has signed a bill changing the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

Governor David A. Paterson today signed into law a bill which changes the name of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) to the New York State Office For People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The historic legislation removed the words “Mental Retardation” from the name of the State agency and from State statute and regulations, and will take effect immediately.

See the governor's official press release here: Governor Paterson Announces OMRDD to Become Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

Exploring living options

We have been talking about the variety of living options in Ontario County such as group home living, supervised apartment living, living with friends or family or in your own apartment. We then decided we would go visit an apartment complex.

We toured Camelot Square Apartments in Canandaigua and was able to see a one bedroom apartment they had for rent. We learned that when renting an apartment at Camelot that the heat, hot water and cable is included in your rent. You also have access to storage space and a laundry room in the basement. If you would like to have a pet, you have to pay an extra deposit.  But, no big dogs are allowed at Camelot Square.
We really learned a lot about renting and that each complex is different so you have to ask lots of questions when looking for a place to live. This information will come in handy as we plan our futures after college.

News Round Up

• Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale,FL: JAFCO celebrates groundbreaking of facility
• Journal Star, Linclon, NE: Mini Grants enhance the lives of Nebraskans with developmental disabilities.
• The Charlotte Observer, South Charlotte, NC: Autism didn't knock out this athlete
• The Chapel Hill News, Chapel Hill, NC: A place to belong