Ontario ARC Creates COVID-19 Resource Line

Ontario ARC has created a resource line for people in the community to provide support during the COVID 19 pandemic.  Individuals and families living in the community who have questions can email covidquestions@ontarioarc.org  or call (585) 919-2179 and leave a non-urgent message with any questions they have and we will get back to them within 1 business day.

Ontario ARC Employee Wins Statewide Direct Support Professional Excellence Award

Ontario ARC is pleased to announce that Joan Barkley, a direct support professional with the agency, has been awarded the 2019 Thomas A. Maul Direct Support Professional Excellence Award.  Through this award, Joan is recognized for consistently demonstrating excellence, creativity, commitment and high-quality care in providing support to people with disabilities or other challenges.

Joan was hired in September 2012 and initially worked at Ontario ARC’s Pearl Street residence.  After a short time working there, she decided to transfer to the agency’s Parrish Street residence where she has served ever since.

“Joan is a wonderful asset to Parrish Street and an excellent direct support professional,” said Andrea Hill, Residential Supervisor with Ontario ARC’s Parrish Street residence.

Joan was one of only four direct support professionals in the state to receive this honor. The prestigious award is presented in memory of Thomas A. Maul, former OMRDD Commissioner from 1993 to 2006, whose contributions helped address many long standing issues faced by people with intellectual disabilities and other challenges.

This year’s award was presented during a luncheon at The ARC New York’s 70th Anniversary Fall Meeting on Friday, November 15, 2019 at Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, NY.

Ontario ARC Receives CQL Accreditation

Ontario ARC is pleased to announce that the agency has earned a national accreditation for Person-Centered Excellence from CQL, The Council on Quality and Leadership. Organizations that are awarded accreditation by CQL meet a stringent set of criteria and go beyond NY State requirements. Ontario ARC’s accreditation status is valid for the next four years. The agency is honored to join the group of 200 international organizations that have received CQL accreditation.

A team of Ontario ARC staff, members of the agency’s Self Advocacy group, family members and community members were immersed in the CQL accreditation process.  This included an in-depth review of the current services and supports offered by the organization.  The focus of the process is on empowering people who receive support from Ontario ARC to make even more choices in how they live their lives.

Ontario ARC was recognized for its exemplary efforts in consistently providing and exploring additional living and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other challenges. The agency continues to provide its participants with innovative opportunities such as the College Experience program, the JET program (Jobs, Exploration, and Training), Bad Dog Boutique and North Star Coffee, as well as extensive community-based day activities.

In awarding Ontario ARC with the national accreditation, CQL commented that the quality in the agency’s services is a result of the dedication of Ontario ARC Direct Support Professionals. For more than 40 years, CQL has been a leader in raising the bar for human service organizations and systems to continuously define, measure and improve the quality of life of all people.

New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. Honors John Bifarella through William B. Joslin Awards Program

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to recognize the contributions people with disabilities or other challenges make to the workplace. This month, Ontario ARC is pleased to announce that John Bifarella, a person supported by the agency, was recognized as a 2019 Joslin Outstanding Performer through New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc’s (NYSID) 16th annual people-centered awards program. Bifarella is being recognized for his work with Spot On Cleaning Company, a division of Ontario ARC, where he has been employed for 40 years.

Spot On Cleaning Company, a division of Ontario ARC, is a social enterprise providing employment opportunities for people of all abilities. Spot On Cleaning Company maintains over 20 contract sites and provides commercial cleaning services to high-traffic, secure, public buildings throughout Ontario County.

NYSID is a not-for-profit business which administers Preferred Source contracts for products and services in support of state and local government procurement budgets. NYSID’s annual Joslin Awards Program celebrates excellence in Preferred Source employment by New Yorkers with disabilities. More than 700 individuals have been named Joslin Outstanding Performers since 2004. All Outstanding Performers receive a certificate of achievement and cash award, and are featured in an annual yearbook.

Exciting Afternoon with the New York State Troopers

On September 25, 2019, participants in the OARC First Responders Flight had the  opportunity to learn more about the State Police Forensic Lab.  They were introduced to Trooper Klewicki and Investigator Armstrong and got a behind-the-scenes look at some of the day-to-day operations of the State Police – how exciting!!!

They saw the Vehicle Bay where  vehicles are processed for evidence,  how finger prints are gathered and processed from start to finish, the Evidence Vault where evidence is stored and how it is used in various court cases, and the process and office where motor vehicle accidents are reconstructed.

Once the tour of the Forensic Lab was finished, Trooper Klewicki guided the group on a tour of the garage where maintenance takes place on the trooper patrol vehicles, the indoor range and the communications center where calls and dispatch occur.  To end the tour, people were offered the opportunity to sit in the trooper patrol vehicles!

The participants met many Troopers and Investigators throughout their visit, which lasted over two hours.

Trooper Klewicki and Investigator Armstrong went above and beyond and  gave OARC participants a glimpse into many aspects of what New York State Troopers and Investigators do on a daily basis that most people are not aware of and do not see firsthand.  What a great experience!

Sneak Peek at Cruisin’ for a Cause!

Ontario ARC’s annual signature fundraiser, Crusin’ for a Cause, returns Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 5:30 PM. This exciting evening at Sonnenberg Gardens, 151 Charlotte Street in Canandaigua, benefits The Friends of Ontario ARC Foundation and Ontario ARC’s growing menu of innovative services for people with disabilities or other challenges in Ontario County.

Cruisin’ for a Cause will feature live entertainment by Nik and the Nice Guys with a special guest appearance by Ontario ARC’s Creative Expressions musicians, a menu of summer favorites prepared by Nolan’s on Canandaigua Lake, a wine and spirits ring toss, and exciting live and silent auction packages. Don’t forget to bid in our online auction before and after the event for even more chances to win!

Here is a sneak peek at a few of the live auction items that will be available at Cruisin’ for a Cause!

Get Outdoors in Park City

Be the high bidder and gear up for two exciting outings perfect for the true sportsman. This packages includes a full day guided fly fishing trip for up to 4 people in Park City, Utah.You’ll travel to the best fishing areas on the blue ribbon Provo River and other local waters. This package also includes a full day mountain bike rental for 4 from Jans Mountain Recreation Experts.You won’t want to let this one get away! *Lodging and transportation are not included in this package.

Escape to the Adirondacks

Enjoy a 5 day – 4 night (Monday – Friday) stay in a beautiful, three bedroom, year-round camp, located on Big Moose Road in Eagle Bay, between Old Forge and Inlet. Camp includes access to the private Eagle Bay Park Beach. Walking distance to the beach, coffee shop, restaurant, donut shop and tavern. Amenities include: Full kitchen, flat screen TV with Roku, internet, DVD and CD players, gas grill and outdoor fire pit. It is approximately 1/10 of a mile from Trail 5 and TOBIE Trail with many hiking trails nearby.

*Trip must take place within one year from purchase. Transportation is not included. Smoke-free environment with no pets allowed. Dates will be determined by winner & donor. Available June – October.

Get Ready for Our Online Auction Opening August 9th!

Ontario ARC will also host an online auction to benefit Cruisin’ for a Cause. Even if you can’t attend our live event, you can still support Ontario ARC! Bidding in the online auction opens on August 9, 2019 at 8AM and runs through August 25, 2019 at 9PM.

Using a mobile device or computer, you can bid in the online auction from the comfort of home. New auction items will be added weekly throughout the duration of the auction, so check back often for new additions!

How to Register as a Bidder

You can pre-register online at biddingforgood.com/OntarioARC/Cruisin before the event under “Register to Bid” in the upper right-hand corner of the site. Once you have completed the registration process, you are ready to bid in the online auction! If you have registered with Bidding for Good for one of our past auctions, there is no need to register again- just log into your account! Bid from home starting August 9th at 8AM! You will receive a text message alert when you are the highest bidder or have been outbid.

Pickup of items must be arranged with event organizers after the auction closes on August 25th. Select items will be available for shipping. Items in the online auction will not be available to view at Cruisin’ for a Cause.

All proceeds from the online auction support The Friends of Ontario ARC Foundation.

Register for the Car Show

New this year, Cruisin’ will feature a car show!

Cars will be on display as you stroll through the gardens on your way to the party tent! Vote for your favorite and help pick the “People’s Choice Award” winner! The car show will be held rain or shine.

Registration for the car show is $30 per driver or $40 for 1 driver and 1 guest.

If you are registering your vehicle for the car show, please plan to arrive to Sonnenberg Gardens by 4:30PM.

Questions? Contact Michele Wistner at mwistner@ontarioarc.org or (585) 919-2156.

All proceeds from Cruisin’ for a Cause will benefit The Friends of Ontario ARC Foundation and Ontario ARC’s growing menu of programs and services that support individuals with disabilities or other challenges and their families in Ontario County and the surrounding region.

Tickets to the Cruisin’ for a Cause are $60 each and can be purchased by calling Michele Wistner at (585) 919-2156.