Thank you Mr. Golisano

The FLCC College Experience was given the opportunity to thank Mr. Golisano for all his generous contributions he has made to the area organizations. To help celebrate the 25th anniversary and surprise party of the Golisano Foundation, Bill Castiglione Executive Director, FLCC College Experience individuals, Jen Cairns Community Habilitation Specialist and Allison Cassara Communications Coordinator, traveled to Channel 10 news studios and recorded a thank you for all that Mr. Golisano has done for Ontario ARC. It was a huge honor to participate in the celebration for Mr. Golisano.

What is Rotaract?

The Rotaract Club on the HWS campus is very similar to the Rotary clubs in your communities. This club is currently working to be a part of the Geneva Rotary. The Rotaract Club does lots of different community service projects in the Geneva area.

Some of the Rotaract Club members attend the same Transition class that the HWS College Experience individuals attend. While talking in class one day, it was agreed upon that the College Experience would really like to participate in some of the Rotaract activites.

This month both groups came together to make many creative Halloween cards. The cards will be distributed through the Geneva Living Centers, North and South. Everyone agreed that they were glad to make the patients day a bit brighter by sending them the cards.

The groups plan to get together to make Thanksgiving day cards.

Keeping the heartbeat going

The staff at Ontario ARC are a very important part of the agency's mission and vision.  They are on the front lines everyday providing high quality services and making sure that each of the individuals we serve has the supports they need to live a full life.  And the agency works very hard to make sure that each member of its staff has the tools they need to do this.

Last week, the agency's programs -- with the exception of the Eberhardt Center -- were closed for the day.  Not because of Columbus Day -- we are 24/7 operation for the most part.  Staff from the Community Experience, College Experience programs, and Community Learning Centers gathered at Steamboat Landing for a full day of training and team building activities.

Staff got refreshers on Q-Straints (Val Colombo & Transportation), HIPPA / Corporate Compliance (Brenda Estey, associate executive director),  Waivers / OPTS / Petty Cash (Karen Niedermier, internal auditor), and 147's (Barb Davis, director of staff development and quality assurance).  In addition, Mike Kephart and Tonya Finn from the agency's clinical team gave a presentation called "Expecting Independence v. Parental Caretaker role."  But, it was all serious business.  The team also got the chance to learn some new exercises and do a scavenger hunt.

Our trainers and training programs are what keeps the heartbeat of Ontario ARC going.  Not only does it keep us in compliance, but it ensures that each individual receives high quality services.  So, what could be more important than that?

Kudos to Ann Scheetz, Julie Dunn, Wendy Nelson, and Richard Thomas for a great day of training!

Residential Camp a success!

Anyone who truly enjoys the "great outdoors" needs to come visit the Finger Lakes region. We have some magnificent scenery, beautiful sunsets, and picturesque lakes. It's no wonder that outdoor activities -- swimming, camping, hiking, biking, etc. -- are hugely popular.  And for the past three years, Ontario ARC has capitalized on the beauty of the area by hosting a three-day camp for individuals living in our residential program.

For three days, campers get to enjoy the outdoors by participating in wide variety of activities.  From canoeing to hiking and even arts and crafts -- nobody leaves without a smile! And, its all in part to our terrific staff, who work tirelessly throughout to ensure that everyone happy.

Here's a few pictures from this year's camp, which was held on Oct. 8 through Oct. 11.:

Scarecrow Contest 2010

Ontario ARC's Community Experience participated in the 2010 Scarecrow Contest. The Canandaigua Business Improvement District organizes the contest, which is currently display throughout the streets and sidewalks of historic Canandaigua all of October. The Community Experience made a hippie scarecrow named “Bubba”. All 12 individuals help personalize Bubba, who has long black hair with words written on his clothes such as "peace", "love", and "happiness." He also has patches on his pants and large sunglasses. Stop by and see “Bubba” and all the other scarecrows!

Guest essay: Spreading awareness of autism

Noreen Quinn was featured in Sunday's Daily Messenger for her guest essay about autism and what Ontario ARC is doing to help people on the autism spectrum.  It's a great read!

Rochester honors employers during National Disability Employment Awarness Month

Eight hours can either go really quickly or drag on for days.  Work is an important part of our lives -- we spend half of our estimated waking hours there.  For some people, you see your coworkers more often than you see your significant other, children or other family members.  Not only does it pay the bills and put food on the table, but it can help boost confidence and impart a sense of pride.

This is especially true for people with disabilities.  To help support the people we serve at the agency, Ontario ARC has developed a unique model for assisting people with disabilities succeed in the workforce.  We've developed strong relationships with businesses and organizations throughout the Rochester and Finger Lakes areas to create job opportunities.  And recently, we had the chance to nominate our good friends at F.F. Thompson Hospital and Bonadio Group for the Rochester Area Employment Network's Annual Employer Awards.  And, the best part?  They won! F.F. Thompson Hospital won the 2010 Regional Award for National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  Bonadio Group was the winner of the 2010 Local Award for National Disability Employment Month.

F.F. Thompson Hospital from left:Linda Farchione, Jennifer DeVault, Terry Ovenshire, Miriam Wilkerson, Sue Kirkwood

Bonadio Group from left: Nicole Myhill, Carol J., and Jerry Archibald

F.F. Thompson Hospital and Bonadio Group were nominated by Kathy Shay from VESID and Michele Wistner from Ontario ARC.

Congratulations to both companies! And, THANK YOU for creating job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Victor Yoga Studio to raise funds for agency

Visit the Victor Yoga Studio online

Yoga is not only relaxing -- it can be very renewing.  Its a great way to unwind from a crazy day and prepare yourself for the crazier day ahead.

On Oct. 22, our friends at the Victor Yoga Studio will host a 65-minute Karma Vinyasa Restorative Yoga class with Amy Warcup at 6:30 p.m. It is a donation-based class and all proceeds go towards the agency and its autism initiative.  The studio recommends a suggested contribution of $10-$16.

The class will begin with 45 minutes of heat-building vinyasa practise, followed by 25 minutes of relaxing and open restorative yoga.  Vinyasa is breathing synchronized movements -- typically a series of poses done in a sequence.  It's a great way to try something new, unwind from a week of work, and support Ontario ARC.

Hope to see you all there!




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Agency to host "Benefit Basics" seminar on Oct. 19

Social Security and Supplement Security Income can be very intimidating -- but very important for people with developmental disabilities. Not only does it help financially, but it can provide a sense of security for the individual and their family.

To help you through this process, Ontario ARC will host an educational seminar -- "Benefit Basics -- on Oct. 19 at its Main Facility. The seminar will feature speakers from the Western New York Advocacy for the Developmentally Disabled (WNYADD) -- including Roger Nellist, WNYADD's executive director, and Jennifer Blais, WNYADD's benefits specialist. Nellist and Blais will cover topics such as eligibility, how to apply for benefits, and how other resources and employment can affect your benefits. In addition, the night will include a social hour beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the presentation starting 7 p.m. Not only is it educational, but it is a great networking opportunity as well.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Kathy Kanada at 585-919-2149.

BT's 9th annual Halloween Bash!

I don't know if anyone else noticed -- but the Halloween candy and costumes were out early this year!  Summer wasn't even over and I saw a whole aisle dedicated to the October holiday in a local store.  Now, it has really kicked in and I can hear people buzzing in the hall ways here at Ontario ARC about their plans for the upcoming holiday -- especially from one person in particular.

Every year, Bob Taddario -- known in these parts as just "BT" -- hosts his annual Halloween Bash at The Sons of Italy in Geneva.  BT is a substitute enclave supervisor and works closely with participants, helping them achieve their professional goals while on the job.  For his annual Halloween celebration, he books great rock bands, tarrot card readers, and fun "tribute" guests, such as Flavor Flav, Elvira, and Linda Blair from The Exorcist.

BT and Sons of Italy 2009 president Jamie Kaim drop
off a check from last year's Halloween Bash.  
From left: Donna Auria, Bob "BT" Taddario, 
Bill C., and Jamie Kaim.

What makes his Halloween Bash so special?  He donates back one dollar for each ticket sold to Ontario ARC -- and the proceeds go towards support our wide variety of programs and services.  Not only does he work for Ontario ARC, but BT is also an avid supporter of the agency.  He strongly believes in our mission and vision and it is reflected in his work with participants and in his philanthropy.

Tickets to the Halloween Bash are $5/person and $10/couple presale and $7/person and $12/couple at the door.  To purchase tickets, contact BT at 315-694-2416 or The Sons of Italy at 315-781-2242.

News Round Up

• IrishCentral.com -- Mark Kennedy Shriver celebrates mother's legacy in Ireland
• Cincinnati.com, serving the Cincinnati, OH-area -- Group looks to offer disabled housing option
• Physorg.com, a web-based news service about science -- New registry to accelerate research on Fragile X syndrome 

October is National Disability Employment Month

Click to read official Presidential Proclamation at whitehouse.gov

Each year, Congress and the President of the United State mark October as National Disability Employment Month -- providing a "renewal" focus on increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the country.  In addition, 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) -- a landmark piece of legislation that worked to ensure equality for people with disabilities.

Here's PSA featuring President Obama issued in July through Disability.gov

 

 Here at the agency, we committed to finding meaningful, employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and hope to share some our success stories with you this month.  A big "THANK YOU" goes out to the local businesses in the Finger Lakes region and local Rochester-area that hire people with developmental disabilities.

In the meantime, please enjoy some previous, work-related posts:

•  A Very Busy Week
• Happy 100th to G.W. Lisk
• A Tribute to Abbey Industries

Museum of disAbility History

I love going to museums -- I find them to be absolutely fascinating, like an extremely large, building-sized time capsules that gives us a glimpse into the stories and lives of people from other times.  As a child, I was able to visit museums in various cities -- Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C -- thanks to my father's line of work. I'm always on the lookout for interesting museums to visit -- from the fun and playful (such as the Jello Museum in LeRoy) or the serious and historical (like the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto).

click to visit site

Today, I found another one to add to my list -- the Museum of disAbility History in Buffalo, NY.    Its mission is to collect, preserve, and display artifacts that speak to the history of people with developmental disabilities.

The great thing about this museum is that if you aren't heading out to Buffalo anytime it is available in a virtual format online, where it focuses on Media, Medicine, Society, Education, Advocacy, and New York State.  Why specific to New York State?  It's funded by a grant from great people at the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation and People, Inc. 

But, if you are traveling to the Buffalo area, I highly recommend you stop by the museum, which is having its grand re-opening on Oct. 15.  According to it's Web site, the Museum of disAbility History is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment.