ArcLife
RECORD-BREAKING COMMUNITY SPIRIT AT THE 16TH ANNUAL TURKEY TROT
This Thanksgiving, the Canandaigua Turkey Trot saw its largest turnout yet as more than 700 participants gathered to take part at the 16th annual event at F.A. Baker Memorial Park. The yearly-held run/walk was a resounding success, raising over $21,000 to benefit The Arc Ontario’s diverse range of innovative programs and services. Please turn to page 3.
ArcLife
The Arc Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities or other challenges and their families. We offer personalized services and supports that foster life-long fulfillment through active citizenship and enriched community living.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Patrick Boyle, President
Dr. Barbara Risser, Vice President
Kathryn Wegman, Secretary
Lynne Erdle, Treasurer
Elizabeth Palmatier, Assistant Treasurer
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Bobby Greco, Jr.
Michelle Raeman
DIRECTORS
Gretchen Daugherty
Robert Doeblin
Scott Gerstner
Danusia Klestinec
Charles McCausland
Benjamin Northrup
Jessica Sheridan
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
John Astles
PUBLISHING TEAM
Design and layout
Windhill Design LLC
Photography
Jan Regan Photography
Creative Writing
Josh Dubin, The Arc Ontario
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The Arc Ontario
3071 County Complex Drive
Canandaigua, NY 14424
585.394.7500
www.thearcontario.org
MESSAGE FROM JOHN ASTLES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As we turn the page to a new chapter in 2026, I find myself reflecting on the incredible strength of the community that surrounds The Arc Ontario. Your continued partnership allows us to fulfill our mission of fostering independence and active citizenship for the individuals we support, and for that, I am sincerely grateful.
This holiday season has been particularly vibrant. Our 16th annual Turkey Trot achieved a record-breaking turnout of over 700 participants, raising more than $21,000 for our innovative programs and services. The energy at F.A. Baker Memorial Park was matched by the festive atmosphere at Eastview Mall, where our dedicated volunteers spent weeks at our Gift Wrap Booths. While we are still finalizing the fundraising totals, the impact of these community-driven efforts is already being felt across our agency.
Innovation remains at the forefront of our work. This fall, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we welcomed state leaders and OPWDD Commissioner Willow Baer to our Employment & Training Center to witness how we are utilizing Virtual Reality and AI to bridge the gap to competitive employment. This commitment to progress extends to our educational partnerships, as we recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of our College Experience Program at Hobart & William Smith Colleges. This enduring collaboration continues to yield wonderful results, such as the inclusive CPR training recently hosted on campus by HWS students to help our participants earn life-saving certifications. We also continue to expand our vocational training through a key partnership with Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES.
We also have much to celebrate regarding our talented staff and participants. I am proud to announce that Cindy Gales was honored with the 2025 Jerry Archibald Award for her exceptional dedication and professionalism. Additionally, we celebrate Peter W., a Custodian at Spot On Cleaning Company, for his NYSID Outstanding Performer Award. These accolades ensure that our agency remains a leader in advocacy and support.
I am honored to lead The Arc Ontario as we look toward a future of even greater possibilities. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey and for helping those we support achieve their fullest potential. I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful and fulfilling year ahead.
Sincerely,
John Astles
Executive Director,
The Arc Ontario
On the Cover: Over 700 trotters joined The Arc Ontario for its 16th Annual Turkey Trot Fundraiser on Thanksgiving morning.
John Astles
The evolution of the Turkey Trot has been tremendous, growing from 65 participants when it first launched sixteen years ago, to over 700 registrations this year. While the morning was chilly, the atmosphere was defined by the high energy and community spirit that have come to define this tradition.
We are deeply grateful to the neighbors, friends, and families who chose to spend their holiday morning with us. This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our donors, and the essential backing of our sponsors. We look forward to building on this momentum and seeing everyone back next year for our 17th annual Turkey Trot!
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM AT HWS CELEBRATES TWO DECADES OF INCLUSION
A landmark anniversary celebration was held on Friday, November 14, commemorating 20 years of The Arc Ontario's College Experience Program at Hobart & William Smith Colleges. The special event, hosted at the college’s Bartlett Theatre, was a joyous occasion that featured refreshments, lively tunes from The Arc Ontario's own Dapper Rats band, and plenty of smiles as the community came together to honor two decades of inclusion, learning, friendship, and unforgettable campus experiences. This successful, longstanding collaboration highlights the transformative power of immersive education.
The College Experience Program is one of The Arc Ontario's most innovative and enduring programs, offering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience college life firsthand. The core focus is empowerment: participants build essential life skills, foster independence, refine their social acumen, and develop the self-advocacy necessary for greater autonomy after graduation.
The 20th Anniversary celebration was a beautiful tribute to our partnership with Hobart & William Smith Colleges and the many lives transformed by this pioneering program. We look forward to many more years of continued success and expanded opportunities.
NYSARC TRUST SERVICES AWARDS OVER $13,000 IN GRANT FUNDS TO THE ARC ONTARIO
The Arc Ontario has been awarded significant grant funding from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services to support our agency’s Guardianship Program.
NYSARC Trust Services administers supplemental needs trusts (SNT) and pooled trusts, which are crucial tools that dramatically improve the lives of people with disabilities by allowing them to maintain financial eligibility for Medicaid and other necessary government benefits.
This year, The Arc Ontario received $13,783 to enhance our Guardianship Program. This funding is critical as it allows us to provide essential legal advocacy and support for people who would not otherwise have a legal guardian or advocate. Supported by Chapter staff and dedicated community volunteers, our Guardianship Program currently provides guardianship services to 2 individuals and remains ready to assist 7 more as a Standby guardian, and 2 more for an Alternate Standby guardian.
EXPANDING CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH W-FL BOCES
The Arc Ontario and Wayne-Finger Lakes (W-FL) BOCES are strengthening their commitment to community inclusion and competitive employment through several collaborative initiatives. By combining resources, we are creating clear pathways to success for individuals across our region.
A cornerstone of this partnership is The Arc Ontario’s College Experience Program. Since September 2024, W-FL BOCES students have been fully immersed in campus life at Finger Lakes Community College and Hobart and William Smith Colleges. By auditing classes and participating in campus clubs, students develop the technical expertise and confidence necessary to excel in the modern workforce.
The collaboration also extends to the Orchard Café, located at the BOCES Regional Support Center in Newark. This
vocational training site features North Star Café products and provides hands-on, realworld employment experience. Individuals supported by The Arc Ontario manage café operations, building practical skills that increase their independence and future employability.
Additionally, following a successful Summer 2025 pilot, our Pre-Employment Transition Services continue to grow. Students from two BOCES programs now visit our Employment and Training Center throughout the school year for specialized instruction in work readiness, self-advocacy, and job exploration.
This strategic partnership is a powerful testament to our vision of an inclusive community. Together, we are not just teaching professional skills; we are building a foundation of confidence and belonging that empowers every individual to thrive.
GIFT WRAP BOOTH FUNDRAISER RETURNS TO EASTVIEW MALL
As the holiday season draws to a close, we are looking back on another wonderful year of our Gift Wrap Booth fundraiser at Eastview Mall. This annual tradition remains a cornerstone for the Friends of The Arc Ontario Foundation, and we are incredibly proud of the work accomplished at our booths throughout the busy shopping weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. Over 240 dedicated volunteers contributed their time and wrapping expertise to process hundreds of holiday gifts, with funds directly supporting The Arc Ontario.
This tradition is made possible through the generosity of our local community and the long-standing support of our partners. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the management at Eastview Mall for providing our space, and a heartfelt thanks to the volunteer teams who staffed the booths with such festive spirit. We are grateful to everyone who stopped by to have a gift wrapped; your contributions ensure that we can continue to expand our resources for those we support across Ontario County.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 JERRY ARCHIBALD AWARD NOMINEES
& WINNER
Congratulations to Cindy Gales, Direct Support Professional, for being named the recipient of the 2025 Jerry Archibald Award! We would also like to offer our congratulations to all of this year's dedicated nominees for their hard work and commitment to our agency values.
The annual award, named in honor of Jerry Archibald, a longtime friend and supporter of The Arc Ontario, is presented each year to a staff member who exemplifies the agency’s values of Commitment, Integrity and Respect while working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other challenges.
Cindy has been an instrumental part of our team for 17 years, currently serving on the night shift at our Bloomfield residence. She was recently recognized for exhibiting exceptional professionalism and composure during a critical medical situation. As the senior staff member on duty, Cindy utilized her extensive training and experience to expertly manage the emergency, providing immediate support until professional first responders arrived. This swift and effective action demonstrates the value of our staff training programs and Cindy's readiness to act when it matters most.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Cindy for her outstanding commitment to the individuals we support and for serving as an inspiration for all of us.
STATE LEADERS TOUR EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING CENTER DURING NDEAM
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October, The Arc Ontario showcased how we are shaping the future of inclusive employment through cutting-edge technology and innovation. On October 14, we were proud to host a delegation of high-profile state and regional leaders at our Employment & Training Center. The visit spotlighted our approach to equipping individuals with the skills necessary to secure and thrive in competitive employment. Distinguished guests included NYS OPWDD Commissioner Willow Baer, Regional Director Maria Torgalski, New York State Senator Pam Helming, The Arc New York CEO Erik Geizer, and Erica Dayton of the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation.
The tour focused on the agency’s integration of Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accommodate diverse learning styles and accelerate skill development. Through our VR Lab and
the Transfr Trek Platform, participants can explore over 100 career paths and 300 handson skills sessions in a controlled, stress-free environment. This innovative approach is further enhanced by a specialized AI Chatbot, developed in collaboration with the Rochester Institute of Technology, which helps refine communication skills tailored to the unique strengths of the people we support.
By removing traditional barriers to learning, the center now successfully provides specialized training and official certifications in high-demand fields such as Frontline Healthcare and Hospitality. Following the tour, leaders engaged in a discussion on how to champion these technological advancements and clear regulatory pathways to allow similar solutions to be deployed more widely across the state. The Arc Ontario remains committed to blending technology and compassion to foster true independence and career success for people of all abilities.
SPOT ON EMPLOYEE NOMINATED FOR NYSID OUTSTANDING PERFORMER AWARD
We are thrilled to announce that our very own Peter W., a Spot On Cleaning Company employee, has been honored with a prestigious NYSID Outstanding
Performer Award. The New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID) program celebrates individuals with disabilities who have overcome personal challenges and achieved meaningful success through employment on a NYSID contract. This award recognizes Peter's strong work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to excellence—qualities that make him an invaluable part of our team.
On Wednesday, October 29, we were delighted to surprise Peter with a special pizza party and a $500 check to celebrate this fantastic achievement.
INCLUSIVE CPR CERTIFICATION HELD AT HOBART AND WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES
In November, students in The Arc Ontario’s College Experience Program gained life-saving expertise through a unique, inclusive CPR training course held on the Hobart and William Smith campus. The session was led by HWS student, Ethan, as a specialized initiative for his developmental disabilities class with Professor Diana Baker. Recognizing the importance of accessible instruction, Ethan designed the curriculum specifically for individuals with disabilities, providing a supportive environment where our students could master critical emergency response techniques. Participants walked away not only with newfound confidence but also with an official CPR certification valid for one year. We are incredibly grateful for Ethan’s dedication and for the opportunity to support a project that fosters both safety and empowerment within our community.
A donation to The Arc Ontario is a thoughtful way to remember a loved one who has passed away or to honor someone special in your life. Every donation brings us closer to our vision that all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other challenges are one with their communities. To make a tax-deductible donation, please contact Suzi Istvan at 585.919.2130 or sistvan@thearcontario.org or visit thearcontario.org/donate.
