ONTARIOARC.BLOGSPOT.COM WWW.ONTARIOARC.ORGCREATING GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2

ARCLife

CRUISIN’ HITS RECORDIn its 18th year, Ontario ARC’s only summer fundraiser “Cruisin’ for a Cause” raised more than $62,000 – a record year and a 42 percent increase over last year’s net. The event, which was attended by nearly 550 people, took place on August 19. Proceeds benefited Ontario ARC’s recreation programs, which deliver a wide array of activities for individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. Swimming and Continues on Page 5

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORSLynne H. Erdle, presidentPatrick R. Boyle, vice presidentElizabeth A. Palmatier, secretaryCharles P. McCausland, treasurer

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Joseph M. Bognanno

DIRECTORSJames Colizzi Gretchen Daugherty James Gerling Robert Gleason Peter Lijewski Norma McWilliamsMary Kate MorrellMarie O’HoroDiane PogodaJohn A. Schuppenhauer, Esq. Michael SheridanChristine Supple Bruce Teague Kathryn WegmanDeborah Wilbur

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORWilliam Castiglione

PUBLISHING TEAMWriting, design and layoutIn House Graphic Design, Inc. + Cindy Lee Associates

PhotographyJan Regan Photography

Would you like to be a regular ARCLife reader? Go to our website (www.ontarioarc.org) for our online version or call 585.394.7500 and ask to be added to our mailing list.

Participate in our blog at ontarioarc.blogspot.com

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

United Way of Ontario County

2

ARCLife

On the cover: People arriving back at the dock after a scenic cruise aboard the Canandaigua Lady.

ARCLife OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2

AUTISM ADVISORY BOARD FORMING Ontario ARC is forming an Autism Advisory Board as an important early step in developing its comprehensive autism program. The organization currently has plans to provide a regional location to make available information, support, training and resources to persons interested in Autism Spectrum Disorders. ARC is working in conjunction with Dr. Caroline Magyar, director of the Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, which is located at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Ontario ARC is looking for a diverse board membership that will provide as many points of view as possible: parents,

teachers, law enforcement officials, attorneys, employers, individuals served, and other professionals.

“We’d like this group of people to share their thoughts on our plans for the Center, help us achieve our goals, and suggest – as well as help us form – partnerships in the community and with other agencies,” explains Noreen Quinn, senior associate executive director of Ontario ARC.

TO JOIN THIS BOARD

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Ontario ARC’s Autism Advisory Board please contact Noreen Quinn at 585-919-2022.

Congratulations to long-time Ontario ARC Board members Jack Schuppenhauer and Joe Bognanno on their recent election as president and treasurer, respectively, for our state association NYSARC, Inc.

As NYSARC, Inc. president, Jack will help lead an organization that has 55 chapters with a presence in every county in N.Y. State and serves over 60,000 individuals with developmental disabilities. In his role as treasurer, Joe will assist in providing oversight of the $1.7 billion budget of NYSARC, Inc. and its chapters.

Rarely does a NYSARC, Inc. chapter have two individuals serve as officers of the state organization. This is a great honor not only for Jack and Joe, but our chapter as well.

Also, in this newsletter we welcome Marie O’Horo, Bruce Teague and Diane Pogoda to our Board of Directors and Paul Barrett and Mark Gearan to our Community Advisory Board. We say good-bye to long-time board members Deb Proffitt, JoAnn Greco and Wade Sarkis (although Wade has agreed to serve on our Advisory Board and our new Foundation board, which you’ll hear more about in our next newsletter).

We currently have close to 60 individuals who serve on either our Board of Directors or our Community Advisory Board. All of these individuals give their time and talents and ask nothing in return. They serve because of their commitment to Ontario ARC and the people we serve. My thanks to each and every board member – your support gives us a stronger community presence and makes us a better organization.

Sincerely,

Bill Castiglione Executive Director

A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bill Castiglione, Executive Director

Jack Schuppenhauer, NYSARC, Inc.

President

Joseph Bognanno, NYSARC, Inc.

Treasurer

• Budgeting basics with Glenn Houle.• Electrical safety (what to, and not to do, around electricity and power lines) with Heinz Jungermann of RG&E.• Gardening with Marge Rafferty.• Introduction to computers, e-mail and the Internet with Kate Myers, who runs the computer lab at Bloomfield Elementary School.

3

DIVERSE EXPERIENCES, EXPERTISE ADDED TO BOARD

VOLUNTEERS VITAL TO

“PATHWAYS” This spring, Ontario ARC kicked off its new “Pathways” program, to introduce participants to possible career and interest areas and provide them with basic skills in employment areas. The program relies on a number of volunteers who dedicate their time to sharing their interests and talents, most of them over a six-week period.

“We’ve had great feedback from a lot of the volunteers, many of whom haven’t had any experience working with people with disabilities,” says Michelle Jungermann, community inclusion manager with Ontario ARC. “Because the experience they had and the relationships they developed with the ‘students’ were very positive, they’ve said they look forward to coming back.”

Sessions ranged from personal safety courses to leisure-time activities. Most classes had anywhere from five to 10 people in them, while outdoor activities or one-time presentations could accommodate up to 20.

Programs that ran in this inaugural few months – with much thanks to the volunteers who made them possible:• Beneficial bugs, a presentation by Liam Philipson.• Book club, led by Ashley Nelson.

The Ontario ARC Board of Directors welcomes three new members: Bruce Teague, co-owner of Finger

Lakes Partners Insurance; Diane Pogoda, teacher in the Rochester City School District; and Marie E. O’Horo, associate commissioner of the Office of Mental Retardation and

Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), retired. Outgoing members of the board are Wade Sarkis (11 years), JoAnn Greco (seven years) and Deborah Proffitt (nine years).

Bruce has been involved with Ontario ARC since the early 1970s and has been finance chair for Finger Lakes Regional Health for the past seven years. He spent more than 30 years on the board of the National Bank of Geneva, serving as director in his final term.

“I am excited and energized to be serving on the board of an agency that I have worked closely with for over 30 years,” he says.

Diane holds a Master’s of Education in Special and General Education. Her son has Fragile X Syndrome and Diane is the

founder of the Pogoda Family Fragile X Resource Group. Her organization has raised more than $130,000 for the research of Fragile X Syndrome.

Having spent her career in service to those with developmental disabilities, Marie is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Mary Cariola Children’s Center, a member of the School of the Holy Childhood Long-range Planning Committee, and the Ethics Committee of Lifespan.

Marie E. O’HoroBruce Teague

Diane Pogoda

• Introduction to knitting, led by Noma Kent.• Recreation and leisure activities, two sessions: one led by Brian Scheetz, the other by Sam Post. • Yoga class, with YMCA instructor Joy Valentine.• Zumba with Coleen Avery of Uptown Fitness.

Coleen Avery leading the Zumba class as part of Ontario ARC’s Pathways program. Participants had a lot of fun while learning the new way to stay healthy and fit.

I look forward to contributing in any way I can to the fine work done by ARC over the past several years.”

TWO APPOINTED TO COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARDOntario ARC has appointed two new members to its Advisory Board — a board of local community members and business leaders that provide community-based input about the agency’s programs and services. Joining the board are President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges Mark D. Gearan, and Publisher of the Finger Lakes Times Paul Barrett.

In maintaining an advisory board, Ontario ARC seeks to use the talents and creative

4

Ontario ARC staff and participants released colorful balloons into the sky to celebrate the Eberhardt Center’s 20th anniversary.

EBERHARDT CELEBRATES 20 YEARSOntario ARC’s Eberhardt Center is celebrating 20 years offering day programs that provide opportunities to help those with developmental disabilities learn and grow as individuals.

“I had no idea what I was getting into. We were a group of new staff anxiously waiting for the doors to open, and I remember the first day: the clients were great!” says Keith Murphy, a therapy aid at Eberhardt. “It’s been a pleasure to work here. It’s a very caring and compassionate organization that does a tremendous job in working to meet the needs of individuals.”

Noreen Quinn, senior associate executive director of Ontario ARC, considers the most obvious change that has taken place over 20 years to be the range of services provided.

“When we first opened, everyone had the same services and same plan. Now we do things on a much more individual basis. We look to what skills a person has and work to build those up; we assist in personalized areas of need,” she explains.

There has also been a move from a center-based program, where participants stayed on-site all day, to a community- based program: community members come to the Center as interns or volunteers, and participants provide community services through programs such as Meals on Wheels.

Most unique and something Noreen says “We never would have dreamed of in 1990,” is the Creative Expressions Program. Art, music and horticulture projects are accessible to all participants. Through these,

musical performances are held quarterly, groups work with a horticulture specialist in the Center’s greenhouse on a regular basis, and enough art is produced annually to fill the walls of the Center.

“That program is a prime example of how the variety of opportunities available for people who come here have changed dramatically,” says Noreen. What has not changed, she says, is the role of the direct support professional in making the programs a success.

Ribbon Cutting for the Eberhardt Center, September 10, 1990. From left to right: Ellen Gutmaker, day treatment director; Kate Small, assistant executive director; Mark Brandt, NYSARC, Inc. executive director; Bill Castiglione, executive director; William Eberhardt; Robert Sickmond, board president at the time; Barb Hawes, OMRDD central office; Russ Siraguse, director of Newark DDSO; Frank Talomie, assemblyman 129th district.

thinking of community leaders in order to provide more responsive and strategic services to people with developmental disabilities.

“As participants in Ontario ARC’s College Experience Program, the Colleges have seen firsthand the work of the organization and the ability it has to empower and strengthen the individuals it serves,” says Mark. “I look forward to working with other community members to help Ontario ARC achieve its goals.”

Paul also notes the organization’s strong history in the region, “I am honored to be asked to serve on the ARC Advisory Board.

Paul Barrett, Publisher of the

Finger Lakes Times

Mark D. Gearan, President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Noreen Quinn, Ontario ARC’s senior associate executive director, speaks to a crowd celebrating the Eberhardt Center’s 20th anniversary.

ARCLife OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 5

2010 CRUISIN’ FOR A CAUSE SPONSORS

Cruisin’ Hits Record Continued from Cover outings to playgrounds, athletic activities and movies are supervised by highly-trained staff and are tailored to suit participants’ specific interests.

“Recreation is one of the most important programs offered by the agency because it gives participants a chance to experience the same recreation opportunities everyone has,” explains Donna Auria, director of development for Ontario ARC. “Plus, it provides a much needed balance to school, doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions.”

While the setting at Steamboat Landing and the cruise on the Canandaigua Lady have always been attraction enough for Cruisin’ attendees, this year’s event committee decided to mix things up a little, including bringing aboard steel drum band Caribbean Extravaganza and Rochester favorites Nik & the Nice Guys. Among the items auctioned were overnight trips to Atlanta, Ga., or Orlando, Fla.; tickets to a N.Y. Yankees game; a vacation package to the Caribbean and a week at a condo at Smuggler’s Notch.

“The success of this year’s Cruisin’ for a Cause stems from the strong, continual financial support we receive from the local

LEAD SPONSOR ($1,000+)Ashley Furniture Home Store of GenevaBognanno & Holden FamilyBonadio & Company, LLPDonna Durst, CPA, PCFinger Lakes Dental CareFinger Lakes Moose Lodge #823Finger Lakes PartnersGeneva Club BeverageGeneva Harley-DavidsonITT Goulds PumpsJames & Mary Ann RoseLawley InsuranceMalyj’s AutoNorma McWilliamsOntario Honda/Ontario MazdaShepard Brothers Ford, Inc.Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

SUPPORTING SPONSOR ($500+)Alesco Advisors, LLCBrian & Karen JoslynCanandaigua Financial GroupCB PhillipsClifton, Budd & DeMariaDixon Schwabl

community,” says Donna. “We cannot thank them enough for supporting us and helping create great opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.”

The Cruisin’ for a Cause committee, which is comprised of parents, local business leaders, and agency staff, is always looking for local community members to join or volunteer at the event. For more

El Rayess ArchitectsExcellus Blue Cross/Blue ShieldFirst Niagara BankGerry ArchibaldHarry & DavidHenderson’s Health Mart Pharmacies James & Elizabeth PalmatierKathy WegmanKey BankKoch ContainerLochland SchoolNationwideSteamboat LandingUptown FitnessWalmart of GenevaZotos International

CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR ($300+)American Precision ConstructionBill & Noreen QuinnBruce & Brenda EsteyChamberlain, D’Amanda, Oppenheimer & Greenfield, LLPChristopher Ginther, CFP – Ameriprise Financial Cliff & Monica Converse

Dobbs Family Auto Service Inc.Doyle Security SystemsEastview MallErik & Kate MorrellEwing Lettering & GraphicsFinger Lakes HealthFLH Medical, PCGremlin Medical SupplyGuardian IndustriesHalco Plumbing & HeatingJane Gavett/Pam Tichenor/Realty USAJeff & Ann ScheetzMacGregor’s of CanandaiguaParadise Perfected Yacht ChartersPettinger Sheet & Metal FabricationPotter HVAC & Metal Fab, Inc.Red Jacket PharmacyRoberts CommunicationsThe Gorham MarketThe Mediation Center, Inc.Thompson HealthUltrafab, Inc.

DONATING SPONSOR ($200+)AGL ServicesAlan & Sue Benedict

Apalachee MarineBarrett Marine, Inc.Bob & JoAnn GrecoBob & Michele WistnerBrian & Kelly MeathBrown & Brown InsuranceC.A. Reed Associates, Inc.Canandaigua Chamber of CommerceCasa Larga VineyardsD’Amico Chrysler Jeep DodgeDon Brown Bus Sales, Inc.German Brothers Marina, Inc.Happiness HouseIn House Graphic Design, Inc.J.C. Gerstner ConstructionJudith Rickey & Samuel EdwardsKenneth & Eva SteadmanOne Stop RepairPomco GroupPooler EnterprisesRalph & Jan GullaceReliant Community Credit UnionThe Kocher FamilyTrombley Tire & Auto

information, contact Donna at 585.919.2191. Additional information about the agency is also available at http://www.ontarioarc.org.

Special thanks to Nik and the Nice Guys, Moon Dog Sound, Constellation Brands, Ewing Lettering & Graphics, Moore Printing, A Touch of Class Catering by Anne Stevenson, Jan Regan Photography and Rockcastle Florist.

During Cruisin’ for a Cause on August 19, people enjoyed the food, music and Canandaigua Lady while raising a record $62,000 for Ontario ARC. Cruisin’ was attended by nearly 550 people.

With our deepest gratitude to the following supporters of Cruisin’ for a Cause and Ontario ARC:

IT’S A WRAP!

It’s the time of year again for holiday planning, shopping and wrapping. Every year, the Ontario ARC gift wrap booth at the EastView Mall in Victor raises approximately $20,000 for the agency while helping to spread some holiday cheer by giving shoppers the ability to quickly check off at least one chore. This year, the gift wrap booth will help the Agency fund its autism initiative.

Stop by the booth, which is open during mall hours from the day after Thanksgiving (“Black Friday”) to Christmas Eve, to support the Ontario ARC and let us support your efforts at a happy, productive and well-wrapped holiday!

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

Prsrt Std U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 780 Rochester, NY

AUTISM CO-CURRICULUM WITH SHERIFFMaggi Sullivan, autism coordinator at Ontario ARC, has always believed community partners need more information about people with developmental disabilities so they know what to look for and how to respond to these individuals in a crisis. An article about an autistic teen arrested for assaulting a police officer at his Ontario County school prompted her to reach out to community agencies, among them law enforcement. Ontario County Sheriff Phil Povero, who is also the training committee chair for the six county Finger Lakes Law Enforcement Academy, saw Maggi’s offer as an opportunity not only for the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, but for officers in the six-county region served by the

training center. The Sheriff’s Office has a certified trainer who already conducts a lesson on developmental disabilities, but now Maggi is working with him to supplement the Department’s existing autism training with the expertise and experience of Ontario ARC. Sheriff Povero hopes to also offer the program through the Academy, enhancing the level of instruction to Finger Lakes area police officers.

“We’re working together to bridge the gap between what we know and can do and what the deputies know and can

do,” says Maggi. Working with her on the training will be

Mike Kephart, applied behavior specialist with Ontario ARC,

and Cheryl Cramer, licensed clinical social worker.

“Ontario ARC brings a lot of knowledge and experience in working with and supporting persons with developmental disabilities,” says Sheriff Povero. “That enables them to offer a level of insight and knowledge important to all police officers.”

Ginny Kellogg at the Holiday Gift Wrap Booth.