(Left-Right): Tom Ruf, Justine DeLuca, Hannah Brown, and Kaleb King.

Geneseo – When college seniors Hannah Brown, Justine DeLuca, Kaleb King, and Tom Ruf walk across the Wadsworth Auditorium stage as part of the Ella Cline Shear School of Education Convocation on Friday, May 11th, they will look back on their college years as the time of their LIVES.

“We’re excited because we’ve been working for this for the past four years, but we’re nervous because we are leaving behind part of ourselves,” explains Kaleb, who will earn a place in SUNY Geneseo history as a member of the first graduating class of the LIVES Program.

LIVES, which stands for Learning Independence, Vocational, and Educational Skills, allows a close-knit group of students with disabilities to experience the academic and social aspects of university life while preparing for careers that fit their interests and skill sets.

Since entering the LIVES Program as freshmen, Hannah, Justine, Kaleb, and Tom have blossomed under the guidance of LIVES Teacher Danielle Everts and Life Skills Assistant Sue Sullivan, discovering and working toward career goals—and finding out that their aspirations aren’t so different from their non-disabled counterparts.  Kaleb is pursuing a career as a graphic designer, Hannah will work at a school, Justine will enter the world of retail, and Tom aspires to work in a restaurant.

The LIVES Program is made up of students who are diagnosed with developmental or intellectual disabilities, such as Down Syndrome or Autism.  Upon acceptance into the program, each student participates in an individualized diagnostic assessment. Based on these assessments, and information from students regarding their individual goals and needs, a plan of study is developed.  At the end of a successful four-year term, students are awarded a Certificate of Completion at commencement.

LIVES students are routinely found auditing traditional classes, participating in tests and homework assignments, and partaking in placements that are similar to internships.  According to Justine, they live pretty typical college lives, with experiences that mirror those of their non-disabled peers.

“I was a very shy person when I first started college,” she explains.  “I would have trouble talking to even one person. Now I’ve learned that it’s okay to share how I feel.  Music really helped me to get out of my shell.”

Justine’s breakthrough came when she audited a dance/yoga class, where she felt comfortable expressing her creativity.  Soon, she was actively participating in all types of group presentations with her LIVES peers.  Justine’s increased confidence led to a placement in the SUNY Geneseo mailroom, where she found her groove sorting and delivering mail throughout campus.

Upon graduation, Justine will put those skills to work as a clerk at Finders Keepers, a Mount Morris thrift store operated by The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit agency that provides services for individuals with disabilities.

Hannah will also find employment at a branch of The Arc, as a helper at KidStart, the agency’s children’s services program.  She will work there part-time after graduation while pursuing her GED and earning First Aid certifications.  At the end of the 15-month GED program, she hopes to secure a full-time job as a KidStart aide.

The LIVES Program enabled Hannah to gain experience in her chosen field through placements in the Schoolof Educationand a practicum at GeneseoCentralSchool.  Hannah cites Geneseo Professor Annmarie Urso’s Classroom Management class as an inspiration for her career pursuits.

“This is an upper division undergraduate class on how to manage a classroom,” Dr. Urso explains.  “Hannah participated eagerly, was a good cooperative partner on in-class activities, and added to our class. Having a GED will open up several opportunities for her.”

At 55 years old, Tom is among SUNY Geneseo’s oldest graduating students.  While he aspires to work in the field of food service, the LIVES experience itself was the culmination of a lifelong dream.

“Tom’s goal since I started working with him was always to go back to school,” says Kathy Grant, who supervises an Arc-operated group home inAvon where Tom lives.  “Even though Tom is a non-traditional student in terms of age, he has been a committed participant these past four years.  Tom rarely misses a day of school, and he looks forward to going each and every day. I believe that being on the campus keeps his mind and body sharp.”

Kaleb entered the LIVES Program with an aptitude for art, which he was able to refine by mastering Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and other computer design tools.  Since joining the LIVES Program, he has illustrated political cartoons for SUNY Geneseo’s student newspaper, The Lamron; his art has been displayed at the College Union Gallery; and he designed the logo that represents the LIVES Program.  His immediate post-college design ambitions include freelance work for Rochester-based Rhino’s Pizzeria.

“My advice to the future LIVES students is to be true to yourself, never question the things that matter to you, and always be flexible when it comes to change,” Kaleb says.

The LIVES Program strives to admit 8-10 new students each year.  The program is funded through a collaborative partnership with the college, The Arc, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP),  and Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office.  It was conceived by SUNY Geneseo Assistant Dean for Disability Services Tabitha Buggie-Hunt and Professor Elizabeth Hall, who are optimistic for the future of the program and its quartet of 2012 graduates.

“While the program is still a work in progress as I suppose all programs are, I am very pleased with the strides our students have made in the areas of academics, socialization and independence,” Dr. Buggie-Hunt says.  “I am, however, most gratified and surprised by the way each student has really blossomed in his or her ability to self-advocate and make career decisions.  All of our graduates will be pursuing work that suits their interests and abilities, and we could not ask for anything better than that.”

Employees and the people they support worked together to make contact with community vendors to display ARC food donation boxes, designed and decorated by program participants from their day hab center.   The individuals and staff from the day hab center collected food from the boxes weekly and transported the items to their work center where they were weighed and then stored until April 4, 2012, when staff and three active program participants split the food donations in half and delivered a little over 1500 pounds of food to each of the food shelves.  Both food shelves were extremely surprised and grateful at the amount of food we collected and Kathy Bishop from JCEO sent along these kind words:

“It was nice seeing you again. On behalf of Clinton County’s neediest residents, Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO) thanks you for your generous donation of 1600 lbs of food. This donation will enhance our ability to achieve our mission and continue to meet the needs of others. JCEO is truly grateful for the support the Advocacy and Resource Center has shown our agency.”

The Chapter could not have been as successful as they were this year without the help of the community businesses that supported their efforts and their agency employees who donated as well.  The Chapter extends a special “thank you” to Hannaford’s, Kinney Drug, Remax, Primelink, Durocher’s, The Pennysaver, Yandos, H&R Block, Southside Grocery, Country Corner Diner, Sam’s Club, CVPH Medical Center, Adirondack Stables, DDSO, Glens Falls National Bank, Dannemora Federal Credit Union, Casella Waste Management, Plattsburgh Convenience Store and Deli, YMCA, Phil’s Chevrolet, Town of Plattsburgh, and Hometown Deli for all participating in the food drive.

This story is one of many examples of how NYSARC Chapters and their staff give back to their local communities. For more examples, please see our NYSARC Gives Back publication.

NYSARC Gives Back: We make a difference. We Are NYSARC!

Seneca Cayuga ARC has a guardianship committee consisting of six dedicated members of the community.  The committee currently provides support to four individuals for whom NYSARC, Inc. holds guardianship. Guardianship ensures that people with disabilities who are unable to make medical decisions or major life decisions on their own have people who can make informed, caring decisions on their behalf.  For more information on guardianship contact Terri DeJohn at (315)612-0159.

Bringing Food “Over the Mountain”

Long-time volunteer Gerard Minn from Ellenville Day Hab stocks the food pantry at FAMILY of Ellenville.

Ulster-Greene ARC Ellenville Day Hab staff and individuals have provided assistance to FAMILY of Ellenville’s food pantry every month without fail since 2000! For twelve years now, our Ellenville Day Hab has coordinated the pick-up of FAMILY’s monthly order from the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York order in Latham, NY, delivering it “over the mountain.” Two or three individuals out of six “regulars” assist with the large delivery. In a related project, individual Gerard Minn has also been volunteering on a weekly basis at FAMILY, breaking down and measuring caseloads of bulk rice, macaroni, etc.f and filling quart-sized bags with gloved hands.  Since the economic crisis hit, food requests have grown steadily, which has meant more work for the volunteers. Says FAMILY of Ellenville Director Lisa Cavanaugh, “The help we receive from Ulster-Greene ARC to provide emergency food to community members in need is a shining example of community members helping each other. We especially wish to acknowledge Day Services Manager Peter Campbell. It was his idea more than a decade ago to assist us with the food orders, and he and his staff and consumers have been faithfully meeting the truck every month since then. Most recently, in one of the big storms, Peter drove over the mountain from his home to get the van and then drove to Monticello and picked up a large order for us. We were awestruck by his sense of responsibility, and his dedication is an acknowledgement of our work and an inspiration to us.”

Working with the “Angels”

Ulster-Greene ARC Wall Street Day Hab has been volunteering for the last four years with Angel Food East, a non-profit organization providing daily hot meals to home-bound people living with HIV and AIDS in Ulster County. Individuals volunteer on a rotating schedule of four days per week that allows everyone to take part, and they look forward to the opportunity to interact with fellow members of their community. When asked why they wanted to participate, some mentioned “helping others,” the chance to “meet new people,” and the bonus of “a lot of fun!” The almost-daily excursions enable them to see other parts of the county, but what’s most significant is how their long-term service to their community enables them to see themselves.

Providing for “4 Paws”

Ulster-Greene ARC Pecora Center Day Hab has been working with the Town of Saugerties Animal Shelter for one year now, collecting a variety of pet food for the shelter’s “4 Paws Pantry.” In April of 2011, the Kingston, NY ShopRite allowed the agency to place a collection box inside of the store’s exit, and Day Hab individuals keep watch on the growing donations. Once a month, they bring donated goods to the shelter and help the staff to put them away. While there, participants also take time to hold and play with the cats. Shelter Director Marie Post regularly sends them thank-you cards and refers to them as her “angels.”

Bringing Books to Children

In Kingston, NY, Ulster-Greene ARC individual Tim Russell has been a long-term volunteer for The Lisa Libraries, a non-profit organization which donates new books to organizations working with children in poor and under-served areas. Tim does data entry and stocks books for the organization, which supplements under-filled shelves as well as provides books to many children who may never have owned a book before. “I love going to work,” says Tim, “and helping children to get books that they can’t get themselves.” Tim helps out two half-days each week for the local program, part of the national project which, since 1990, has contributed over 350,000 books to nonprofit organizations.

Celebrating Spring with Seniors

Ulster-Greene ARC individuals from our ARC Apartments decided to commemorate “NYSARC Gives Back” Week by creating spring decorations for The Family Lodge Senior Residence in Saugerties, NY. Eight individuals wanted to do something special for the seniors living at The Family Lodge because their van often drove by it and one individual asked who lived in “that nice house.” Because of their interest, Ulster-Greene ARC staff contacted the residence and arranged for a get-together. As individuals created spring table décor to their new “old” friends and got to know each other!”

Voice! ⁸ runs from Friday, August 17 through Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Martin-Mullen Art Gallery located in the Fine Arts Building on the SUNY Oneonta campus.  Winners of a total of $1,300 in prize money will be announced at the opening reception which takes place Friday, August 17 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.  A dance, featuring live music, will follow at 7:30 pm at the Morris Complex, SUNY Oneonta.  Both the opening reception and the dance are free and open to the public.

The submission deadline is Friday, June 22, 2012.  For more information, please call 607-432-8595 or visit the website at www.arcotsego.org to download a copy of the call brochure and the application form.

Dr. Brenda Smith Myles

Download the Save-the-Date Flyer

“Ziggurat Model” & “Hidden Curriculum”:
Practical Solutions for Understanding Rules in Social Situations

Monday, September 24, 2012 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | 4229 Stuhlman Road, Vernon Downs  | Verona, NY

A full day seminar for families, NYSARC staff, teachers and professionals

Sponsored by:

Herkimer ARC
Madison Cortland ARC
The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter

For more information, contact Carol Roy 315.574.7780

The effort is part of WWARC’s NYSARC Gives Back President’s Project Week that took place March 25-March 31.  NYSARC, Inc. is WWARC’s parent company which has 49 local Chapters throughout New York State.  All chapters are initiating similar efforts throughout the state.  WWARC Chapter President and volunteer Anne Marie Lockhart said, “As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary of serving and being supported by our community, this is a small way that we can say ‘thank you’ by helping another local worthwhile not-for-profit agency like the SPCA.”

Warren and Washington Counties ARC provides services, advocates for, and offers opportunities to over 300 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, enabling them to realize their full potential.

Cathy Cloutier, Executive Director of SPCA of Upstate NY, stated that the call could not have come at a better time to help.  “I don’t think that many people think that tough economic times can affect our pet population, but it really does.  WWARC’s offer to help is coming at a time when donated supplies are running low”.

WWARC collected supplies at their 26 facilities throughout Warren and Washington Counties as well as the just opened Petco on Upper Glen Street.

This story is one of many examples of how NYSARC Chapters and their staff give back to their local communities. For more examples, please see our NYSARC Gives Back publication.

NYSARC Gives Back: We make a difference. We Are NYSARC!

DELMAR, NY (04/04/2012)(readMedia)– Every day, volunteers from NYSARC, Inc. Chapters participate in a large variety of community activities. From food drives to Meals on Wheels to blood drives, NYSARC’s involvement in the local community is vital to the survival of many other non-profits. This was never more apparent than last week when NYSARC’s 55 Chapters around the State joined together in a celebration of community called the NYSARC Gives Back President’s Project.

“Volunteers from [NYSARC's Putnam County Chapter (PARC)] are an integral and invaluable part in the successful implementation of our programs,” said Rosemarie Yasiejko, site manager at the East Fishkill Friendship Center, part of the County Office for the Aging. “PARC has provided nearly weekly services at the East Fishkill site for at least 10 years and has been instrumental in running meal delivery routes for our Beacon and Fishkill locations as well,” she added. The Putnam County Chapter also participated in Meals on Wheels and local recycling projects.

Elsewhere, the Columbia County Chapter’s employees and volunteers donated more than 1,500 cans and packages of food to the local BackPack Program and sold flowers to support the American Cancer Society, raising more than $2,800. The Broome-Tioga (ACHIEVE), Genesee, Livingston-Wyoming, Montgomery (Liberty), Niagara (Opportunities Unlimited), Oneida-Lewis, Ontario, Orleans, Rockland, Saratoga, Seneca-Cayuga, Sullivan, and Ulster-Greene Counties Chapters all participated in food drives in association with their local food banks, a partnership made possible by the Food Bank Association of New York State. Together they collected more than two thousand pounds of food, benefiting hundreds of families. The Schuyler, Steuben, and Chemung Counties Chapters combined their efforts and packed 1,080 bags for the BackPack program of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.

“I think this is very unique and wonderful that a nonprofit organization like Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara had their participants, their participants’ families, and their employees do something like this for another nonprofit agency,” said Carol Palumbo, NiaCAP’s family development and nutrition supervisor.

NYSARC’s Otsego County Chapter exceeded their blood drive goals, collecting 33 units of blood, enough to save the lives of 99 people. The Madison-Cortland Counties Chapter also held a blood drive. Paula Sheehan, a Madison Cortland ARC employee, commented, “I like helping people–it’s amazing to think that you’re saving a life by donating blood!” Other Chapters held community clean-up projects, volunteered at their local veteran’s centers, and worked at nearby animal shelters. The St. Lawrence County Chapter alone participated in more than 25 different volunteer programs and the Self-Advocacy Group from the Delaware County Chapter continued its practice of holding monthly fundraisers.

“We’re hoping other community agencies with needs for volunteers will contact us,” said Jeanette Frank, executive director of the Arc of Schuyler. “Maybe they can be helped by people with developmental disabilities. We want to be involved and feel good about having the opportunity to help.”

NYSARC, Inc. President John A. Schuppenhauer, who developed the idea of the NYSARC Gives Back President’s Project and kicked off the event through a food drive at his local Chapter in Ontario County, couldn’t have been happier with the event: “To see and hear these stories of how our employees, the people we support, and their families gave back to the local community really underscores the important role that NYSARC plays in New York State. It is amazing that many non-profits rely on NYSARC volunteers to make their programs possible.”

The volunteer efforts do not end with the President’s Project: NYSARC Chapters will continue to give back to their local communities as they have done, every year, since the Organization was founded in 1949.

About NYSARC, Inc.

NYSARC, Inc. is the largest not-for-profit organization in New York State and the United States supporting people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families. The 55 Chapters comprising the family-led Organization provide services in every County in New York State. NYSARC, Inc. supports over 60,000 individuals, employs 30,000, and has a membership of nearly 87,000.

During the month, there was an increase in the number and types of volunteer activities that individuals who receive ARC services will be providing for the community.  Ongoing efforts include delivering meals on wheels, stocking shelves in local food pantries, assembling and donating gift bags for pediatric patients at Geneva General Hospital, and making cards for our troops overseas and for residents in local nursing homes.

For the week of March 25^th, SCARC joined 54 other ARC chapters throughout New York in the NYSARC Gives Back Campaign, a statewide effort to unite volunteer efforts and to raise awareness of the contributions that people with disabilities are making to their communities each and every day.  This initiative was spearheaded by NYSARC, Inc. president and local attorney, John Schuppenhauer of Canandaigua.

During the NYSARC Gives Back Campaign, SCARC made animal treats for Beverly’s Animal Shelter, created centerpieces for Seneca County Office for the Aging, and assembled pizza boxes for Nice ‘n Easy locations.   The agency continued its agency-wide food collection for food pantries in Waterloo, Seneca Falls, Auburn, Union Springs and Throop.

Sprout Film Festival

St. Lawrence NYSARC and St. Lawrence University are cohosting a Sprout Film Festival sponsored by Blevins Brothers on Saturday, April 14, 2012.  The Festival is taking place at St. Lawrence University’s Gulick Theatre in Canton, NY.  Screenings will be held at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and highlight films related to intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Additional sponsorship is being provided by North Country Public Radio, and Potsdam Elks Lodge #2074.

Each session features different films and subject matters.  The 2:00 p.m. screening will run for 90 minutes and includes 11 short films on several types of developmental disabilities.  Themes for the movies include: the politics of disabilities, rock music, and the viewpoint from fathers of children with disabilities.  Four movies focus entirely on Down Syndrome.  The 4:00 p.m. session is on Autism Spectrum Disorders, as St. Lawrence NYSARC recognizes April’s Autism Awareness Month.  This screening will include five films and also runs about 90 minutes.  These movies show individuals in college, as artists, and a contestant on a quiz show!  Two of the short films are animated and completely from the perspective of people with Asperger’s.

“The Sprout Film Festival is being offered thanks in large part to our sponsors, and also to the community members who support our annual Autism Awareness Walk in September,” said Daphne Pickert, CEO/Executive Director of St. Lawrence NYSARC.  “This Festival is a great celebration of the accomplishments of people with disabilities, plus the movies are both entertaining and thought provoking!”

Autism Spectrum Disorders are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral changes.  More people are diagnosed with autism in one year than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined.  Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States.  St. Lawrence NYSARC has seen a significant increase in referrals for local children on the Spectrum over the past five years.

With early diagnosis and interventions, thousands of children with autism have shown significant improvement.  St. Lawrence NYSARC’s Children and Youth Services doubled in size in one year.  The program strives to assist with daily living skills, self-care, household chores, personal health care, personal financial management and appropriate social skills, just to name a few of their direct goals.

Admission to the Sprout Film Festival is free and this event is open to the public.  In addition to the movies being offered at the Festival, St. Lawrence NYSARC will also provide resources and information for services available to people with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  For more information, call: 315-386-3529 or visit: www.slnysarc.org.