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| Robert Quinn & Sarah Austin at HWS' graduation | Stephanie Bodine & Cathi Gephardt at FLCC's graduation |
Ontario ARC’s College Experience programs had something special to celebrate in May.
The program had four graduates join their college peers during commencement exercises at Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) and Hobart & William Smith Colleges (HWS). Stephanie Bodine and Cathi Gephardt participated in FLCC’s graduation and Robert Quinn and Sarah Austin participated in HWS’s graduation, both held on May 18.
The Ontario ARC programs are based on both campuses, giving young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunities to build social and work skills in a collegiate setting. Individuals who attend the program at either college are encouraged to participate in student and extracurricular activities and enjoy the student centers and athletic facilities. To date, the College Experience program has a success rate of nearly 100%, with graduates moving on to find work right here in the Finger Lakes region.
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| Elaine Hanagan |
Ontario ARC has submitted an entry for Elaine Hanagan in the Daily Messenger's "Salute to Nurses" in honor of National Nurses Week. Elaine has worked as a registered nurse in the agency's residential services for 26 years.
"Elaine does not let any challenge get in the way of delivering exceptional care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. People connect with her because she is approachable and down to earth and they respect her for her top-notch professionalism. She stays ahead of the curve by taking any available educational opportunity, keeping her informed and on the cutting edge of nursing."
(Back) Robert Quinn, Jessica Giovannini and (bottom left) Rachel Myers from the Ontario ARC’s College Experience program at HWS Colleges dropped off 10 lbs. of soda pop tabs to Eileen Buckley of the Dialysis Unit at Finger Lakes Health’s Geneva General Hospital. The unit will turn the tabs in for scrap metal with the proceeds going towards transportation, food and adaptive equipment for patients in need.
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| John Dredger | Stephen Martin | Salvatore Pitti |
Ontario ARC has added three new members to its Advisory Board, a panel of community and business leaders that provide community-based input about the agency’s programs and services. The new members are, as follows:
- Bloomfield resident John Dredger, PE, LEED AP, principal of M/E Engineering, P.C.
- Victor resident Stephen Martin, senior vice president of Canandaigua National Bank Trust
- Canandaigua resident, Salvatore Pitti, senior vice president, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
“John, Steve and Sal are well-respected in their fields and we are excited to have them join our Advisory Board,” said Ann Scheetz, executive director of Ontario ARC. “Their expertise will help us navigate through the anticipated changes we face in the coming years.”
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| NYSARC President Jack Schuppenhauer, his daughter Hilary and Annie, an English bulldog from Pet Connections. |
Ontario ARC collected $1,000 worth of pet products and supplies for Happy Tails during a recent Pet Drive hosted in honor of President’s Project Week – a statewide effort among ARC chapters to perform community services activities.
“We are floored by the kindness and generosity from our friends in the community, our staff and the people we support,” says Gail Furst, Pet Connections program manager. “Thanks to them, animals staying at Happy Tails will be well taken care of.”
Participants from the Pet Connections program took the lead in the collection and asked the community to donate canned dog and cat food, pet collars and leashes, animal toys and much needed ink cartridges for staff. They brought the items over to Happy Tails last week.
NYSARC President and Canandaigua resident Jack Schuppenhauer spearheaded this initiative. Schuppenhauer is also a 34-year member of Ontario ARC’s Board of Directors and Past President.
