Ontario ARC has received a $150,000 grant from the New York State Department of Transportation’s Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program.
The grant will help the Finger Lakes Bus Service – the agency’s transportation department – purchase scheduling software to improve mobility options for people with disabilities and increase efficiency. Currently, Ontario ARC serves approximately 1,000 individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities who rely on the Finger Lakes Bus Service to transport them to day programs, recreation events, and their places of employment.
The Finger Lakes Bus Service currently maintains 90 vehicles that drive approximately one million miles yearly. JARC’s goal is to improve transportation services and other transportation alternatives for individuals with disabilities. The program is monitored by New York State’s Department of Transportation.
Ontario ARC is excited to announce a new partnership between Pet Connections and our friends at Happy Tails. Starting Tuesday, April 17, dogs from the shelter will begin visiting our Main Facility on Tuesdays and Fridays for socialization and obedience training. These dogs are carefully screened and undergo a test for temperament to ensure everyone's safety.
This new partnership has many wonderful benefits for both Ontario ARC and Happy Tails:
- Individuals who are interested in finding employment as a dog walker, pet sitter or kennel assistant can boost their resumes
- Potential adopters will know that the dog has been around people and has received training as a result of Pet Connections
- The people in our programs will continue to feel the powerful impact pets can have on their physical and social skills
- Kennels at the shelter will have a picture of the participants who worked with that dog, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment
We are very excited about this new opportunities and the potential it offers to the people we support at Ontario ARC. If you have any questiosn about this partnership or Pet Connections, please contact Gail Furst at gfurst@ontarioarc.org or (585) 919-2146.
Ontario ARC is hosting a free presentation to help local families understand the eligibility processes for the Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and Adult Career and Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR).
Overview of OPWDD & ACCES-VR will be held at the agency’s Main Facility in Canandaigua on May 8 at 6:30 p.m., led by Anitra Medlock from Innovative Transition. The presentation will give attendees a comprehensive overview of both organizations and how to utilize them to support your child with an intellectual or developmental disability as they approach high school graduation. Respite is available.
To reserve your seat, please contact Kathy Kanada, Ontario ARC’s transition coordinator, at 585-919-2249 or kkanada@ontarioarc.org.
More than 500 lbs. of non-perishable food items were donated to Foodlink, a regional food bank that distributes to local organizations that assist people in need with groceries. The food was collected during a month-long food drive hosted by Ontario ARC’s programs located throughout Ontario County.
“Thank you to our staff and everyone in the community who stopped by and made this possible,” said Donna Auria, director of community relations for Ontario ARC. “We are excited to make this contribution to a great organization like Foodlink that supports food cupboards in our area.”
Community members weren’t the only ones who stepped up to the plate. Ontario ARC’s Community Experience program collected and redeemed soda cans and used the proceeds to purchase approximately $30 of food to donate.
The food drive was a part of NYSARC Inc.’s President’s Project – a consolidated effort among ARC Chapters to perform community volunteer activities across the state during the week of March 25. NYSARC President and Canandaigua resident Jack Schuppenhauer spearheaded this initiative.
Ontario ARC’s inaugural fundraiser – Open Our Bottle Night – raised $20,000 for the agency’s newest offering, Pet Connections – an innovative program connecting pets and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“This was a great event for us that raised funds for Pet Connections, as well as introduced new people to our agency,” says Bill Castiglione, executive director at Ontario ARC. “Everyone seemed to have a good time and we are already looking forward to next year.”
More than 200 attendees participated in Open Our Bottle Night, which included a live auction emceed by Channel 13’s Ginny Ryan, entertainment by the U of R YellowJackets and tastings of rare and fine wines. The event was led by honorary chairs Ginny Clark, Lauren Dixon, Linda Farchione, Mayor Ellen Polimeni and Dr. Barbara Risser.
