A $5,000 NYSARC, Inc. Trusts grant allowed the Herkimer ARC to expand recreational activities, including hosting Visiting Artist Megan Crimmins, left, to work with individuals with disabilities to create unique artwork. Artist Chris Sutton, right, shares his pottery that he made on a potter’s wheel. He was one of 25 artists who showed their pottery and art creations at a show at the Herkimer ARC’s Recreation Center.

Herkimer – Thanks to a $5,000 grant from the trustees of NYSARC Trust Services, children, teens, and adults enjoyed life enriching activities while participating in Herkimer ARC’s Recreation programs.

NYSARC Trust Services awarded the 2011 grant for the purpose of creating new or expanded recreation programs for people with intellectual or other developmental disabilities.

“With federal and state funding cuts, the NYSARC Trust Services recreation grant becomes even more vital to us to help provide additional fun and meaningful events for the individuals we support,” said Susan Streeter, Herkimer ARC VP Day & Community Supports. “The money allowed us to offer pottery classes with a visiting artist complete with art show, Tai Chi classes, and other art activities. Individuals, including those who normally would not get a opportunity to see Off-Broadway shows, went to see Grease, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. Thanks to NYSARC, Inc., one of our most popular activities seemed to be ‘theme nights’ with snacks or a meals based upon the group’s chosen theme. Giving $5,000 to also allow staff to see faces light up with joy when individuals spin their first pieces on a potter’s wheel or to hear the laughter that goes along with theme nights—the money in the end is a truly a gift to all of us.”

Falon & Michelle at Sirius/XM Studios in Rockefeller Center, NYC

Michelle King & Falon McBride represented Flame on “The Janette Show” on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio.  Flame, a rock band made up of people with developmental and physical disabilities, started in 2005 as a Lexington Center (the Fulton County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc.) recreation program and is now an innovative supported employment program.

“The Janette Show” episode aired the last week of November.  The show, hosted by comedienne, writer and TV producer Janette Barber, is recorded at the Sirius/XM studios at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, NY.

Michelle and Falon enjoyed the star treatment they received at Sirius/XM, including signing the Wall of Fame in their lobby.  Janette talked to the band and Flame management about Lexington and Flame and ended the 10 minute interview with an acoustic performance by Michelle and Falon of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl”.  “The Janette Show” is heard nationwide weekly on Sirius/XM station Starz 107.

The Herkimer ARC employs 209 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), who work within the agency’s Day Program, Family and Community Support, Sheltered Workshop, Residential Services, and Transportation. Recognition activities included presentations of gift certificates to local businesses and a cake at each work site.

“We have some of the most dedicated direct care workers, who provide tremendous services to the people we support each day,” said Kevin Crosley, Herkimer ARC’s president/CEO. “I continually hear  stories of how our employees make a difference in the lives of the individuals we support. As the New York State Fair came to an end this year, it reminded me of two of our DSPs, Missy Douglas and Cindy Dodson, who worked after school with a young man to help him learn to respond to potential medical emergencies. Kyle was at the state fair with his family, when his father became ill due to heat issues. Our DSPs worked with Kyle to teach him how to keep calm in an emergency and to seek out help or call 911. Kyle did just that and his quick response helped his father to get immediate, live-saving care. Today, Dad and son are together, and Kyle is both proud and confident in responding to his Dad’s needs. We are proud too,” Crosley added.

Crosley continued, “Individuals who need vital and meaningful support are more likely to live enriched lives if they have well-trained, experienced, and motivated professionals at their side. Our DSPs help our folks to stay connected to friends, family, community, and work. They are the life blood of our organization and it would be impossible to carry out our mission without them.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to share in this learning and networking experience with other professionals who understand the importance of recreation in the lives of people who have developmental disabilities.

Recreation: Bringing it all Together!
September 14-16, 2011
Ft. William Henry Hotel & Conference Center
Lake George, NY

Register today!

Highlights

THE MUSEUM OF DISABILITY HISTORY
The Museum of disABILITY History is the only “brick and mortar” Museum dedicated to preserving disability history and advancing the understanding, acceptance, and independence of individuals with disabilities. Come learn about this unique Museum, its exhibits, and educational programs and see “In the Game: Sports and disABILITY” – one of the Museum’s most popular traveling exhibits.
Presented by: Tess Fraser, Director

STRIDE ADAPTIVE SPORTS
In their 26th year, STRIDE Adaptive Sports is a volunteer non-profit organization providing over 7,000 free adaptive sport and recreation lessons annually to children & individuals with special needs. With focus on education in individual life-time sports, STRIDE is recognized as one of the leading adaptive sport programs in the Northeastern United States. This presentation will focus on an overview of providing extra-curricular programs for students with disabilities; and a relate valuable information on how to achieve success, including strategies for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and developmental disabilities.
Presented by: Mary Ellen Whitney, CEO & Founder

Stipends for overnight accommodations are still available through the generous support of the Trustees of the NYSARC Trusts.

Add the event to your calendar via the NYSARC Online Calendar

The mural, which depicts a bold-colored underwater scene, will hang at Chapman Pool at the Veteran’s Memorial Playfield. “Everyone put their special touches on the mural,” said Ashley Tyler, “It was a group effort and it was very exciting for us all to work on this together.”

The four-by-eight-foot mural has taken roughly two months to complete.

The artists who worked on the mural are: John Brown, Nikki Oberg, Emily Wicks, Robert Gifford, Aeryn Mitchell, Brandy Bodah, Amber Scott, Jessica Wagoner, Jennifer Hall, Jon Sherman, Jamie Cady, Chad Guiliano, Rachelle Carney, Dan Storms, Darlene West, Nick Paddock, Patricia Vanderpool, Eric Benedict, Samantha Dobek, Mike Abbott, and Josh Templar.

Recreation: Bringing it all Together!
September 14-16, 2011
Ft. William Henry Hotel & Conference Center
Lake George, NY

Program and Registration Information to Come.  Stipends for overnight accommodations are available through the generous support of the Trustees of the NYSARC Trusts.

Want to help us promote this wonderful recreation opportunity? Print out this save-the-date poster and post it at your workplace.

Add the event to your calendar via the NYSARC Online Calendar

The first eight-week session began in March and is held in the aquatic center at the Oneida Y. It is a specially-designed aquatic program for children with sensory processing difficulties. Due to the success of the program, a second session is starting April 26.

Sensory Swim incorporates aquatic activities that promote motor and sensory development. The program serves children three to 12 years old who have varying diagnoses, including autism, developmental delays, pervasive developmental disorder, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and hearing or visual deficits, and is delivered by trained therapists.

Socialization is fostered by interacting in group activities with other children, sing-alongs, and instruction in swimming skills.

“The children and staff are having a blast. This has been a successful program both as a Community Habilitation activity and as a collaboration effort between the “Y” and ARC to provide a program for a specific segment of children in the community,” says Joann Ostwald, Community Habilitation Services Manager at Madison Cortland ARC. “It’s going wonderfully so far. It’s a great opportunity for kids to get together,” says Katie Caraher, a program leader. Caraher is a Speech Therapist at Vernon Verona Sherrill Central School, and leads swim lessons at the Y twice a week.

From left: Katherine Cummings, directs Xander Brown on the balance platform as Alex Terrell (face not shown) and Courtney Bennett look on.

Katherine Cummings, who works with Caraher on the program, is a Physical Therapist at Oneida Healthcare and has also been teaching swimming at the Y.

“The children are picked up at their homes every week for class. They often have their bags packed and are waiting at their door or in their driveway, eager for class,” says Jean Perkins Dana, Field Coordinator for the ARC Community Habilitation program. Every week, the children don goggles and flotation devices, and use the four-foot depth section of the pool which is roped off for class. Each 45-minute session begins and ends with a welcome and goodbye song. Class activities include a pool noodle exercise to give them resistance exercise; the children place each hand on each end of the noodle and with guidance, push the noodle down into the water. The children are also working with colored flotation balls for eye-hand coordination, and spinning on or jumping off a floating platform to work on balance skills.

Typically the age range in class is eight to 12, but other ages are welcome as well. The program tailors itself to individuals needs. One mother noticed a big change in her son since taking the class. Her son exhibited more energy and tolerance and even felt comfortable enough to go under water for the first time during one class.

The Sensory Swim program is held Tuesdays from 6:30-7:15. For more information, please call Colleen Herzog, Aquatic Director at The Oneida Family YMCA, 315-363-7788 Ext. 230.

Players of Utica president, Vince Scalise, said, “The arrangement benefits us because we have 10,500 square feet of theatre space that is not used at all during the day. We are just leasing the theatre space to The Arc at this time, but we hope to become more involved in actual mentoring. The Fine Arc program needs scripts so we are trying to supply scripts they can use. We will provide some guidance for StageWorks productions as well and they will be able to use the theatre for future productions.”

Fine Arc Day Hab, which is currently certified to accommodate ten individuals, takes place two days a week at Players’ Black Box theatre and three days a week at the program’s art studio. At the theatre, participants take part in drum circle, bell choir, dance exercises and practice elocution on stage. Fine Arc artists developed their own logo and are exhibiting their art work in various community spaces. They take trips to area museums and galleries to learn about different styles and forms of art and to get ideas. Local artists occasionally visit the studio to discuss their own work and provide guidance. The program also publishes Fine Arc News, a monthly e-newsletter.

Download Fine Arc News, January 2011

Download Fine Arc News, February 2011

For more information, or to get on the e-news distribution list, contact Gail Miskowiec, Director of Day Services at 315.272.1543 or email gfmiskowiec@thearcolc.org.

The grant is being utilized to purchase books, develop curriculum, and to fund book-specific activities and field trips that relate to the themes and storylines of the books.

Susan Streeter, Herkimer ARC vice president of Day and Community Supports, said, “Target’s generous grant is particularly vital to our agency as we face potential cuts at the state and federal levels. Studies have shown a correlation between early reading to and with children and success in school. Target’s grant will help children with developmental disabilities to increase socialization and communication skills, and to improve coordination, language and listening skills. Our goal is to promote a true love of reading, both at home and at school.”

Target’s early childhood reading grants support school, library, and nonprofit programs that foster a love of reading and encourage children to read together with their families. Several of the popular books purchased to date by the Herkimer ARC include: Ten Apples Up On Top; The Very Hungry Caterpillar; Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon; and We’re Different, We’re the Same. Field trips include a trip to the Fly Creek Cider Mill, shopping for coconuts, and playing in the snow at a local park.

For more information, visit www.herkimerarc.org or call Outreach Coordinator Monalisa Fermin at (315) 574-7822.