College Experience Students Connecting With More Communities

The Arc Ontario’s College Experience program, with locations at Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) and Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), is an innovative approach to post-secondary education for individuals with disabilities or other challenges. These college campus environments provide personal growth opportunities surrounding work, life, and social skills with the end result being employment, just like traditional college students. Options available to enhance the experience include auditing classes and access to campus extracurricular activities, athletic facilities, and other student life activities.

The College Experience is a growing program that continues to evolve around the needs of the students through avenues such as connecting with service-learning students, and matriculated classmates. In 2019, The Arc Ontario’s College Experience began participating in U.N.I.T.E. (Unified National Inclusion Through Exercise) a locally-created endeavor that organizes college-level sports programs for students with special abilities. U.N.I.T.E.’s fully integrated athletic competitions inspire families, college students, and entire communities. In March, College Experience participants and students from FLCC, MCC, Roberts Wesleyan College, and HWS gathered in Spencerport for the program’s first inter-collegiate bowling tournament. Fifty-five bowlers competed in the incredibly successful event hosted by Roberts Wesleyan. The event attracted a large assembly of spectators, including families, friends, and Roberts professors, administrators, and athletes. A post-tournament pizza party and medal ceremony cemented new friendships and paved the way for future collaborations on and off the playing fields.

The College Experience programs at FLCC and HWS continue to grow each year. Traditional college students are involving their supported peers, forming friendships, and creating an environment that is accepting of difference.

Specific to HWS, students enrolled in the Transition and Disability class are being paired up with the College Experience students, working together outside of class on readings, projects, and homework assignments. These expanding friendships have been a valuable experience for everyone involved.

New this year, The Best Buddies program and the College Experience Outreach (CEO) Club has enhanced the on-campus engagement and resulted in building excitement and community among all the young people who are learning, and growing, together. Students of all abilities are supporting one another and making friendships and memories that can last a lifetime.

To learn more about the College Experience program at The Arc Ontario, contact JoEllen Schaefer at jschaefer@thearcontario.org or (585) 919-2118.

Cheers to a Successful Wine Mixer!

Cheers to a successful Wine Mixer hosted by Ontario ARC!

The event raised nearly $52,000 for the Friends of Ontario ARC Foundation and Ontario ARC’s growing menu of programs and services for people with disabilities or other challenges. The fundraiser, which was held at The Cracker Factory on April 27th, featured food and wine, live music from The Swooners and Ontario ARC’s Creative Expressions music program, and exciting live and silent auctions.

Thank you to the event sponsors for their generosity and support of the Wine Mixer: Sovereign Sponsor– Constellation Brands, Debbie & Don Culeton Imperial Sponsors— Finger Lakes Partners, M/E Engineering – John & Mary Lou Dredger, Relph Benefit Advisors, Shepard Ford, The Bonadio Group Jeroboam Sponsors— Alesco Advisors, Ashley Homestore of the Finger Lakes, BCI Koch Division, Bill Cram, Inc., Brian, Kelly & Kyle Meath, Geneva Club Beverage, Nationwide Retirement Plans – Dan Cavaretta, Wegmans Magnum Sponsors— Barbara & John Beca, Canandaigua Financial Group, Canandaigua National Bank, Doyle Security Systems, Inc., Dr. Dawn Santiago-Marullo & Mr. Thomas Marullo, Frank J. Marianacci, Inc., Halco, HEP Sales/North Main Lumber/ Bright Ideas, InHouse Graphic Design, Inc., Lawrence & Kathleen Cargnoni, Leonard’s Express, Scott Greene, Re/Max Properties Agent, The DiMarco Group.

Ontario ARC would also like to thank the Honorary Chairs of the Wine Mixer, Debbie and Don Culeton as well as the emcee for the event, Mike Rusinko, for their generosity and commitment to Ontario ARC.

To stay up to date on all of the events happening at Ontario ARC, visit ontarioarc.org/events. To learn more about becoming a sponsor for Ontario ARC’s Signature Fundraising Events, contact Michele Wistner at (585) 919-2156.

Ontario ARC to Host Open Interviews April 23rd in Canandaigua

We’re hiring Residential Direct Support Professionals in 16 beautiful homes throughout Ontario County! When you join our team, you’ll be making a difference every day. In someone else’s life and in your own.We’ll be hosting Open Interviews for our Residential Direct Support Professional positions on April 23, 2019 at our main facility in Canandaigua. Drop in between 3PM & 5PM for an interview on the spot! Be sure to bring a copy of your current resume.As a Direct Support Professional in Ontario ARC’s residential homes, you will work directly with the people we support, connecting with them, providing personal support, and encouraging them to be as independent as possible while reaching for their goals.Our support staff has a wide array of experience, but all are known for being compassionate and patient. Sound like a great fit? With full time, part-time, and substitute positions in 16 beautiful homes throughout Ontario County, we are sure to have a position that is right for you! Apply online & view current job opportunities: ontarioarc.org/careers RSVP on Facebook

Our Story:

Founded in 1954, Ontario ARC is a resource for people with disabilities or other challenges and their families, providing services and supports that encourage people to fulfill their potential. When you join our team, you’ll be making a difference every day; in someone else’s life and in your own.

Our Workplace:

We are proud to have built a friendly, diverse workplace that nurtures uniqueness, celebrates individual strengths and offers our staff countless opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. We welcome your enthusiasm and creativity and encourage you to take advantage of professional development, educational trainings, and team building opportunities. View Consider a Career With Ontario ARC Brochure

Be the Winning Bidder at Ontario ARC’s Wine Mixer!

Raise a glass – and funds for the Friends of Ontario ARC Foundation! Join Honorary Chairs Debbie and Don Culeton for Ontario ARC’s Wine Mixer on Saturday, April 27th. The event kicks off at 6PM at The Cracker Factory, 35 Lehigh Street in Geneva. Proceeds from the Wine Mixer will benefit Ontario ARC’s growing menu of programs and services that support children and adults with disabilities or other challenges in Ontario County and the surrounding region.

The festive evening will feature the sounds of The Swooners, a special guest performance by Ontario ARC’s Creative Expressions musicians, impeccable cuisine by Lake Country Catering, complimentary wine, a sundae bar, an exciting live auction, auction boards, silent auction, raffles, and more. Artwork by Ontario ARC’s Creative Expressions artists will also be showcased and available for purchase throughout the evening.

Purchase a Ticket

Tickets to the Wine Mixer are $125 each.

Bidding in the Online Auction

Ontario ARC will also host an online auction to benefit the Wine Mixer prior to the evening of the live event. Bidding in the online auction opens on April 10, 2019 at 8AM and runs through April 26, 2019 at 9PM.Using a mobile device or computer, you can bid in the online auction from the comfort of home before Wine Mixer. 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 BidderYou can pre-register online at biddingforgood.com/ontarioarc/wine-mixer 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 April 10th 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. Select items will be available for shipping.View the Wine Mixer Online Auction

Auction Boards

At this year’s event, we are also excited to bring back our popular auction boards. Similar to Super Bowl squares, you will be able to purchase a square for the chance to win some incredible prizes!

Hotel Accommodations

Ontario ARC is also proud to partner with area hotels to provide overnight accommodation discounts in the Geneva area for our event attendees. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Geneva Finger Lakes will offer rooms for $179.00 per night to Wine Mixer guests. To make a reservation, call (315) 789-2900. Holiday Inn Express in Geneva will offer rooms for a special rate of $150.00 per night through April 5, 2019. For reservations, call (315) 787-0530. Geneva on the Lake will offer (3) rooms at a 40% discount; then 25% off after first three rooms are booked. For reservations, call (315) 789-7190 and ask to speak with Joan or Kristen. All discounts are based on availability. Be sure to mention Ontario ARC’s Wine Mixer when making your reservation. We encourage Wine Mixer guests to book their hotel accommodations early to ensure availability.For over 60 years, Ontario ARC has provided high quality services to people of all ages with disabilities or other challenges, encouraging them to reach their full potential. Your generous support of the Wine Mixer gives individuals – both today and tomorrow – the opportunity to be one with their communities.

North Star Coffee Recruits Local Celebrity Baristas for Open House Week

Local Business, Town Officials, Board Members Come Together to Support North Star Coffee During Open House Week

CANANDAIGUA, NY – North Star Coffee has recruited five “Celebrity Baristas” from our local community who will be serving-up great beverages during the coffee shop’s Open House Week which runs March 11th – 16th. Each guest barista will offer a custom specialty drink based on their preferred beverages and flavors.

The full service coffee bar, located at 1880 Rochester Road in Canandaigua, is the first coffee shop of its kind in the area offering inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities or other challenges. “Our Open House Week is a great opportunity for our community to come together and acknowledge the men and women supported by Ontario ARC who work hard every day at North Star to reach their potential and let their personalities shine. By each of our guest baristas volunteering their time to roll-up their sleeves and step into the shoes of our staff for a couple hours in recognition of community inclusion, it’s just a special way to acknowledge the great businesses and partners we have in the community with a social conscious,” said Michelle Jungermann, Director of Meaningful Activities at Ontario ARC.

Mattiacio Orthodontics will be serving up “Sugar Free Caramel Delight” on Monday March 11th, from 8:30am – 9:30am. Canandaigua Town Supervisor, Cathy Menikotz will be creating delicious “Lady Lavender Cappuccinos” from 8am – 9am on Tuesday, March 12th. Ontario ARC’s Executive Director, Ann Scheetz will be making “Cherry Almond Lattes” and spinning the discount wheel on Wednesday March 13th from 10am – 11am. Jack Marren, Victor Town Supervisor and Chairman of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors will be whipping up “Cherry Cheesecake Lattes” on Thursday March 14th from 8am – 9am. On Friday March 15th, retired Canandaigua School Teacher and Ontario ARC Governing Board Member, Deborah Wilbur, will be creating “Warm Cinnamon Chai Tea” from 9am – 10am.

Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters beans will be on sale for $9.99/lb throughout the week, and customers can enjoy daily deals including:

• $1 off any regularly priced drinks on Monday, March 11th

• Buy one drink get one free between 3pm and 5pm on Tuesday, March 12th

• Spin the discount wheel for a surprise discount on your North Star Coffee purchase on Wednesday, March 13th

• Small coffee and a cookie for $3 on Thursday, March 14th

• 15% off North Star Coffee retail purchases on Friday, March 15th

• Save 50 cents off frozen drinks on Saturday, March 16th

For more information about North Star Coffee’s Open House Week, including daily deals, discounts, and more, visit northstarcoffee.org/events or North Star Coffee’s Facebook page, facebook.com/NorthStarCoffee.OntarioARC.

About North Star Coffee, A Division of Ontario ARC

North Star Coffee, a division of Ontario ARC, is a full-service coffee shop providing inclusive employment opportunities for people of all abilities in our community. North Star Coffee offers great local coffee from Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters in a unique, shared retail space with Flowers By Stella in Canandaigua, NY. All profits from North Star Coffee are reinvested into Ontario ARC, providing even more innovative programs and services for people with disabilities or other challenges in Ontario County and the surrounding region.  North Star Coffee is open Monday through Friday, 7AM to 5PM, and Saturday 8AM to 2PM (closed Sunday). To learn more about North Star Coffee, visit northstarcoffee.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2019

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jenna Turetsky, Communications Coordinator
Ontario ARC
P: 585.919.2123
jturetsky@ontarioarc.org

We Couldn’t Have Done it Without You!

Ontario ARC raised over $26,000 from the 2018 Holiday Gift Wrapping Booths at Eastview Mall! Over 400 volunteers worked from Black Friday until Christmas Eve to help raise money for innovative programs and services that support individuals with disabilities or other challenges!