oNtarIoarc.BloGspot.com www.oNtarIoarc.orG

Volume 4 Issue 2

ARClifecreatING opportuNItIes for people wIth INtellectual aND DeVelopmeNtal DIsaBIlItIes

march | aprIl 2013 Newsletter

pursuING total health aND wellNess Matthew Marion exemplifies Ontario ARC’s approach to wellness. Since the mid-’80’s when he expressed an interest in fitness, agency staff have supported Matt by connecting him with fitness trainers as well as helping him equip a gym in the basement of his home, one of the agency’s residences. Continues on Page 5

On the Cover: Matt Marion (right) works out with his personal trainer, Eric Su Chet.

ontario arc is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. we offer personalized services and supports that promote independence, recognize individual uniqueness and value quality of life.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSlynne h. erdle, presidentpatrick r. Boyle, vice presidentelizabeth a. palmatier, secretarycharles p. mccausland, treasurer

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Joseph m. Bognanno Deborah wilbur

DIRECTORSJames colizzi Gretchen Daugherty James Gerling peter lijewski mary Kate morrellmarie o’horo Barbara G. risser. edDJohn a. schuppenhauer, esq. Karen springmeiermichael stapletonchristine supple Bruce teague Kathryn wegman

ExECUTIVE DIRECTORann scheetz

PUBLISHING TEAMWriting, design and layoutIn house Graphic Design, Inc.

Major PhotographyJan regan photography

share your e-mail address with us and receive agency news and information. Visit ontarioarc.org to sign up today!

Find us on Facebook! facebook.com/ontarioarc

Participate in our blog at ontarioarc.blogspot.com

Ontario County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc.3071 county complex Drivecanandaigua, New York 14424585.394.7500 www.ontarioarc.org

United Way of Ontario County

2

ARClifeARCLife Volume 4 Issue 2

lIVe well, staY well wIth oNtarIo wellNess Now message from Brenda estey, ontario arc senior associate executive Director

march /aprIl 2013 Newsletter

We have enjoyed the benefits of a wellness program here at Ontario ARC since 2001 but now we are ramping it up! We’re constantly striving to incorporate health and wellness in all we do for the people we support, as well as our staff.

Our agency continues to look at all components of wellness including physical, social, emotional and spiritual. We have a comprehensive curriculum geared toward promoting good health and incorporating it into a variety of activities and events. Our new initiative, “OWN It!,” stands for Ontario Wellness Now and encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own health. This wellness program is well rounded and appealing, so people can OWN it and make it work for them.

For example, for the first time, we have a team of employees training for the Seneca 7 77-mile run around Seneca Lake April 21. We also have had volunteers come to the agency and teach a Zumba class to

participants in our Pathways program. In the future, we’re hoping to develop a fitness center at the Main Facility and hire an instructor. Until then, a number of events featuring local vendors and presenters will help educate staff members and participants about healthy living habits.

If you are interested in sharing your time and talents in fitness and wellness, please contact Brenda at 585-919-2120 or bestey@ontarioarc.org.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS EVENTS FOR 2013 INCLUDE:

• Comprehensive biometric screenings for employees, which help determine the risk level for health conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

• Weight Watchers groups in Canandaigua and Geneva for staff members.

• Wellness Fair on May 17 at the Main Facility, 10am – 2pm, featuring representatives from health organizations, physical therapists, homeopathic medicine professionals, yoga instructors and more. Open to the general public.

• Cubby Chase July 27; Ontario ARC will once again team up with Finger Lakes Health for this family-friendly 10K, 5K and 1-mile kids’ fun run. Open to the general public.

• Chosen Trot 5K Fun Run/Walk in Canandaigua, to be held in November. Open to the general public.

Brenda Estey

3

New Group for GIrls taKes holIstIc approachWhen Ontario ARC started a wellness group for adolescent girls, Sarah Russell was eager for her 11-year-old daughter, Erinna McCarthy, to join. Sarah has older teenage daughters and knew that many girls struggle with puberty, body awareness and fitting in with their peers. Erinna, who is on the autism spectrum, resisted discussing her feelings and talking about “girl things.” “A group like this for girls is ideal for Erinna,” Sarah says.

Behavioral Specialist Jennifer Danker-Stiles developed and leads the 24-week session, which includes Erinna and six other girls, ages 10-14. Jennifer covers a new topic each week such as nutrition, relaxation, body image, personality and assertiveness among others. She includes yoga because it is a great form of exercise to help with breathing and relaxation. Jennifer also guides them

through an imagery piece, where the girls listen to quiet music, and focus on their feelings and thoughts.

“Erinna has definitely become more open,” says Jennifer. “She almost always will share a piece of her imagery. The group atmosphere has done well for her social skills and feeling comfortable.”

The girls in the group work on “a bit of everything” when they target social skills – greeting, listening to others, waiting for the signs to join in. “It’s impressive to see how patient and accepting they are of each other,” adds Jennifer.

“Erinna developed some lovely friendships with girls in her school this year and I credit this program with that ability,” says Sarah. “She has been more outgoing and taken more risks. She has been having more social invitations; it’s a dream for a mom. She just had to take that first step.”

presIDeNt’s proJect weeK: collectIoN for happY taIlsOntario ARC held a pet collection drive March 11-29 resulting in $1,000 worth of food and supplies for animals currently living at Happy Tails. The effort was part ofNYSARC, Inc.’s President’s Project Week, a consolidated effort among ARC chapters statewide to perform community service. NYSARC’s President, Jack Schuppenhauer has been a board member of Ontario ARC for more than 30 years and is a past president.

Collection boxes at Ontario ARC’s Main Facility and Eberhardt Center in Canandaigua plus the College Experience sites at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Finger Lakes Community College filled up with canned dog and cat food, pet collars and leashes, Kong toys and much-needed ink cartridges for the office staff at the shelter.

One of the Pet Connections goals, according to its program manager, Gail Furst, is for Ontario ARC participants to give back to the community including

animals. “Happy Tails depends a lot on outside contributions. With our pet collections drive, we are helping show the

people we support different ways they can help their human and animal neighbors,” says Gail.

NYSARC President Jack Schuppenhauer and his daughter Hilary along with Annie the English bulldog.

Erinna practicing yoga.

saVe the DateThe CUBBY CHASE RACE in Geneva will be held Saturday, July 27. Ontario ARC and Finger Lakes Health Child Care Center split the proceeds of the popular 5K and 10K races and a 1-mile Fun Run. The runs and associated family activities all kick off at the Child Care Center behind Geneva General Hospital.

4

aNother toast-worthY “opeN our Bottle NIGht!”Wonderful wine and food plus a live auction with terrific packages made for a festive evening at the 2nd annual “Open Our Bottle Night” on Saturday, March 23. The event, held at the New York Wine & Culinary Center raised close to $54,000 for Ontario ARC’s programs and services. Lauren Dixon and Mike Schwabl challenged the crowd of close to 250 people by offering to match contributions made during the live auction and cash call. Dixon and Schwabl generously donated an additional $17,600 and brought the event’s total to just under $75,000. Lauren, along with Jerry Archibald and Tom Fountain, were Open Our Bottle Night’s honorary chairs.

“We are incredibly thankful for the support we received from Lauren Dixon, Mike Schwabl, our generous sponsors, and friends in the community who make Open Our Bottle Night such a wonderful event,” says Ann Scheetz, Ontario ARC’s executive director. “It is inspiring to have so many people who truly believe in the work we do at our agency.”

Guests enjoyed both local and international wines, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, interactive cooking demonstrations and the jazz sounds of renowned artist John Nugent and friends. John, along with Chef Jeff McLean, emceed the live auction, which included a 10-day trip to a waterfront condo in Mexico, private dining experience at the NYWCC with wine pairing and box seat to see “Wicked” at the Auditorium Theatre. In addition, a piece of artwork from the agency’s Creative Expressions program went to the auction’s highest bidder.

THANK YOU TO THE 2013 OPEN OUR BOTTLE NIGHT SPONSORS

Cubby Chase race participants Don Mekeel, Jan Regan and Kathy Kanada share their excitement after finishing the run.

Children and adults of all ages participated in family activities and are shown here ready to start the 2012 CuBBY CHASE RACE in Geneva.

SOVEREIGN SPONSORSconstellation BrandsDixon schwabl

IMPERIAL SPONSORSBonadio & co.m/e engineering, p.c.shepard ford

JEROBOAM SPONSORSchrisanntha construction D’agostino General contractorstom & lynne erdlefinger lakes partnersIBc engineering, p.c.

Jachles Imperiallawley Benefits Groupwegmans of canandaigua

MAGNUM SPONSORS a cleaner Imagealesco advisorsashley furniture home store of the finger lakesassembly minority leader Brian Kolbchamberlain, D’amanda, oppenheimer & GreenfieldDon & Debbie culeton

Doyle security systemslou & miriam Gouldhep salesInn on the lakeKathy wegmanKoch containerlechase constructionlyons National BankNational fire adjustment co.the canandaigua ladytom marullo & Dawn santiago-marullosalvatore pitti, wealth advisor, the pitti Groupwade & Joscelyne sarkis

The “Champagne Diva” with Amber Drennan and Ann Scheetz, Ontario ARC’s executive director.

5ARCLife Volume 4 Issue 2march /aprIl 2013 Newsletter

Health & Fitness, Continued from Cover Eric Su Chet has been Matt’s personal

trainer for the past two years. He helps Matt with his workouts, conditioning and targeting different muscle groups. “Matt is my hardest worker,” says Eric. “He puts everything in it. This is his passion and his love. I do this for a living and when I have a client who has the same amount of dedication, it’s a real pleasure.”

Matt and Eric run five or six 5K races a year and bike to keep in shape. But, Matt’s favorite activity is weight training. When Matt and Eric started working together two years ago, Matt could bench press up to 90 lbs. but now is bench pressing 210 lbs. Matt said that the heavy weights are the toughest part of the workout but he still enjoys every second of it. All his activity plus healthier eating has resulted in Matt losing 45 lbs.

“With his passion for weight training, results have come quite easily for him,” says Eric. “Matt always has new goals and

aspirations. He is getting better and healthier and enjoying the workout.”

“Our family is modeling ourselves on him,” says Dorothy Marion, Matt’s mom. She and her husband along with Matt’s twin sister, brother and their families are more active as a result of Matt’s influence. She adds, “Sometimes Matt says, ‘should you be eating that, Mom?’ He has a discipline about the need to exercise and the need to stay active and to watch his weight. He has fitness hard wired into every day.”

Matt takes a break with his personal trainer, Eric.

thaNK You NY BIrD DoG serIes aND NJ GuN DoG champIoNshIpsChildren with autism and other developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to attend 4-H Camp Bristol Hills this summer thanks to a $10,000 donation from the New York Bird Dog Series/New Jersey Gun Dog Championships for the second year in a row.

The Autism Center at Ontario ARC partnered with the camp to give children with special needs the opportunity to connect with their peers while building their communication and social skills during weekdays in July.

“We appreciate this generous donation and are grateful for the support of both the New York Bird Dog Series and New Jersey Gun Dog Championship,”

says Lora Winghart, Ontario ARC’s associate executive director of program services, “We are already gearing up for July and have received many inquiries about the camperships.”

From left: Tom Glynn, NY Bird Dog Series’ president; Brenda Estey, Ontario ARC’s senior associate executive director; and Jack Heim from NJ Gun Dog Championships

please JoIN us for our upcomING preseNtatIoN WHAT NOW? TOOLS & TIPS FOR FAMILIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERSSATURDAY, MAY 11, 2013 9:30am to 12pm

Learn about the best practices and techniques for working with individuals on the autism spectrum. Also included is a panel discussion featuring experienced parents and caregivers who will share their stories and address your questions. Our leader will be Cindy Mattoon, special education support services coordinator for Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. There is a $15 fee to attend this workshop, which will be held at Ontario ARC’s Main Facility at 3071 County Complex Drive in Canandaigua. To register or for more information, contact our Training Department at 585-394-7500, ext. 2300, or visit us online at ontarioarc.org/speakerseries.

Include Ontario ARC in your will or trust today and help us continue to make a difference in the lives of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

To learn more about planned giving, as well as other ways to support our agency, please contact Michele Wistner, director of development, at 585-919-2156 or mwistner@ontarioarc.org.

Leave a Lasting Legacy

Ontario County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc. 3071 County Complex Drive Canandaigua, New York 14424

Prsrt Std U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 780 Rochester, NY