OSWEGO COUNTY EDITION Director: Sabine Ingerson
September 2014
What’s Inside: ARISE Groups
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UNIQUE 2014
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UNIQUE 2014
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Community News
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Farm Camp
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MSC Blog
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Fun Page
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Calendar
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Employment
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ARISE Center for Independent Living ARISE Oswego 9 Fourth Ave Oswego, NY 13126 (315) 342-4088
ARISE Pulaski 2 Broad St Pulaski, NY 13142 (315) 298-5726
ARISE Fulton 113 Schuyler St, Suite 2 Fulton, NY 13069 (315) 887-5156
ariseinc.org /ARISEcny
Our Mission To work with people of all abilities to create a fair and just community in which everyone can fully participate.
Saturday, September 13th at Franklin Square, Oswego On-site Registration 6:30pm, Event at 7pm Register at www.ezracereg.com Register and join us on September 13th for a unique and fun evening! We will host a 5k Run/Walk where participants can wear glow-in-the-dark clothing and body paint, glow sticks, battery operated lights and well...anything that lights up at night!! You may also choose to come in costume. What about a lion, gorilla or a clown? The event will start with a dance and then we will head to Fort Ontario, stop for another dance, and then return to Franklin Square to close out the event with one more dance (for those that have the energy). The event will start at Franklin Square (West Seneca and West 4th Street) in the city of Oswego. On-site registration will be at 6:30 (early birds at 6 pm). We also have glow in the dark t-shirts that cost $15 pre-sale or $20 on the day of the event. So what else makes this event unique? You can choose to do a blended run/walk. Runners will start out at the front and leave Franklin Square first. You can complete the 5K without stopping or you can decide to stop and join us at the Fort Ontario dance. Pick and choose what you want to do. Run the entire distance, walk some of it, or maybe do half and half! This event is open to people of all abilities. We welcome anyone and everyone. Use of wheelchairs, power chairs, scooters, strollers is allowed. Please call if you have questions about special needs so that we can accommodate you. All of the money raised from this event will support programs that help prevent people from being forced into institutional settings, as well as our efforts to ensure accessibility in people’s homes. Each time we are able to prevent a person from entering or leaving an institutional setting, we open up the world for them to live independently and with dignity. You can be such an important part of helping people achieve their goals and dreams. Come out and have fun, be part of the crowd that gives independence back to others. Come…dance, run, walk, laugh at yourself and Light Up The Night. How will you ‘Light Up The Night?” Contact Jim Karasek @ 342-4088 x206 or jkarasek@ariseinc.org for more information, to volunteer, or become a sponsor.
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ARISE Groups Oswego Social Club
Self-Advocacy Group
Friday, September 19th 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Friday, September 19th 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
We will be doing an apple tasting to celebrate Autumn! This group is open to anyone who is 18 years of age and older. Please contact Jen Stanard at 342-4088 ext. 209 if you have any questions.
Self-Advocacy is a group for people who want to advocate for change. For additional information, or if you have an issue you would like the group to advocate for, please contact Ken Skillen at 342-4088 ext. 226.
Sibshops
Central Square Social Club
Saturday, September 20th 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
TBA 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Please watch your mail for information about this month’s event! We will be meeting at the Oswego office. If you have any questions, please call Sabine Ingerson at 342-4088 ext 210.
Please watch your mail for information about this month’s event! If you have any questions, please call Vicki Affinati at 342-4088 ext 225.
Ramps Update This is shaping up to be an extremely busy year for our ramp program. Each build is unique in its own way and gives freedom and independence back to the family. We have a couple of new volunteers this year and we have challenged them almost every weekend. Many of our recipients have found volunteers on their own and that allows us to spread out our “experts” to accomplish more. The weather has also favored us as it has managed to stay clear during all of our builds. We wanted to share a couple of thank you letters, for a few reasons. The first is that we love what we do and these notes are the greatest form of “food for the soul”. The other reason is that we love letting others know that this program changes lives in so many ways. Dear Jim and Kris: We can’t thank you enough for the wonderful new wheelchair ramp you provided for us. It has definitely given (name of recipient) freedom that he hasn’t experienced in a long time. Among other things, he can enjoy watching our grandchildren play in the yard or at the playground nearby. He can even take a “walk” around the neighborhood once again. We are so grateful to not only the two of you, but also Ricky from the First United Methodist Church, Robert from Novelis and “just Mike” for spending several hours on a warm sunny Saturday to make it happen. Even though we had some willing workers, we would have been lost without your experience to direct the project. Thanks also to those from the Oswego church for building the modules that enabled the ramp to go up as quickly as it did. Another Note: We received a ramp from ARISE last summer. We are so very grateful! It made life so much easier for us. My father had dialysis 3 times weekly. He passed away in April. ARISE came to take the ramp this Saturday. I hope it helps the next people as much as it helped us. We always are looking for support to give people back independence and dignity. Consider joining us as a volunteer, making a donation, or coming out to Light up the Night! (See front page) Page 2
UNIQUE Magazine 2014 August 14th was a wonderful evening! We celebrated the opening reception of the UNIQUE 2014 exhibit at the Everson Museum. Many of the 59 artists and writers featured in the magazine were in attendance. We were so pleased to chat with several of our Oswego artists. While some of them have been in UNIQUE many times already, such as Jeremy Kelley, Derek Grindle, Josh Webster and Vivian Golding, it was Benjamin Kellogg’s first time in UNIQUE with a poem entitled “Autism Awareness”. You can also check out Ben’s writing by going to the blog “Autism after 16”. In the past, we’ve been able to bring the UNIQUE exhibit to Oswego County, and we hope to do that again this year. More information will be coming soon. In the meantime, we would like to congratulate all the artists who are featured in UNIQUE. If you would like a copy of the magazine, please stop by the office.
Autism Awareness By: Benjamin Kellogg
Awakening to this reality was scary at first, not so much now Understanding the effects of this condition is an ongoing process Timid nature from the start, But confidence came as barriers fell away Intelligence helps immensely: Now if only I wasn’t so weak physically? Senses are hyperactive, generally functional, slightly unfocused My outlook remains sunny; I work to clear the clouds Acknowledgement of my limits and overcoming them continues Working toward acceptance in the wider world is rewarding, too Actions in positive directions remove the negative stigma One piece at a time Repeating mistakes is common in my life; I’d like to stop them Education continues on life skills and new ways “Never thought I’d survive this long,” I think to myself at the start of some days Extreme emotional reactions used to be frequent, Still happen sometimes Slowing down and taking in all details has greatly helped Stopped to see how far I have to go; I like my chances, I keep walking on Ben's first children's book has been published! It is on Amazon.com and is entitled, "Noah and Logan Learn to Clean." It's about two boys that learn to clean up their playroom before their nap. Ben is still working on getting his author page up, but the book is up on Amazon and ready for any interested reader. Ben decided to start this book series to help other children with autism learn basic life skills and social skills. Of course, any child will enjoy this book too! This is just the first book in the series that Ben plans on publishing. Ben is a 23-year old with autism. He lives in upstate New York and recently completed an Associate's degree in Arts and Humanities and Social Science, with a concentration in writing. Page 3
UNIQUE 2014
Oswego County Artists Gary Forbes—Mexico, NY Vivian Golding—Oswego, NY Derek Grindle—Oswego, NY Jeremy Kelley—Constantia, NY Benjamin Kellogg—Mexico, NY Joseph Lisi—Phoenix, NY Josh Webster—Mexico, NY
Honorable Mentions Kim Grindle—Oswego, NY Kathleen Roland—Fulton, NY
Boy Scout Builds Accessible Picnic Tables
For his Eagle Scout project, Travis Kemp, a Boy Scout from Troop 715 in Fulton, completed and installed two picnic tables and two benches. One picnic table was designed for wheelchair accessibility compliant with ADA guidelines. Shown at the table with Travis is Jim Cronk, peer advocate for independent living skills training at Oswego ARISE. The benches and tables are at Great Bear for all to enjoy! Page 4
Community News Fulton Community School You will be hearing “Fulton Community School” more and more in the coming months and you are sure to wonder…What is it?...Where is it?....Can I enroll my kids in it?.....Let us answer these questions for you. Fulton Community School is a collaborative endeavor with Fulton City Schools as the lead, as well as Oswego County Department of Social Services and OCO Community Services. An Advisory Council of Oswego County agencies, including ARISE, has been meeting for months to identify needs, write the Community Schools Initiative grant, and create the vision. The mission of the Fulton Community School is to provide equitable access to community resources, services, and educational opportunities for all residents within the Fulton City School District in a safe environment. Collaboration with community partners, families, students, and schools will ensure sustainable and measurable academic achievement, leadership development, self-sufficiency, and community engagement. Our focus is: Academic Development Family Support and Engagement
Healthy Minds and Bodies Community Engagement
Fulton Community School will be located at the Fulton Junior High. Two rooms have been dedicated for use. Room 5 will have a couple desks with partitions for individual meetings and Room 4 will have tables and chairs for groups and workshops. Other space in the school may be available for use when not being used by the school. Starting in September, community resources and services can offer the Community School as a location to meet folks interested in services. The Community School will be open 9am – 9pm weekdays. Starting in October, Vicki Affinati, our advocate, will be at the school on Tuesdays to assist anyone with any disability who would like to access ARISE services .
Welcome
We are very pleased to announce that Jennifer Torrese has joined ARISE as our new Manager of Community Services. Jennifer’s passion for ARISE and the independent living philosophy is contagious. She has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in education. Her professional experience includes teaching as well as case management. Please join us in welcoming Jennifer!
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Farm Camp News By: Sabine Ingerson When I met the bus at the end of the first day of Farm Camp, the participants were tired. Tired from being out in the fresh air, grooming and riding horses, fishing, riding bikes and cycle cars along the path, and enjoying interactive games and crafts. Thanks to funding we received from Family Support Services, OPWDD, we were able to offer a day camp experience for adults this year as well. Several of the individuals have attended camp in the past as youth but then aged out. The excitement was great when they found out that they were able to go again! This year we had a group of adults who went to the Farm at the end of July and a group of youth who went in August. Brigette Walker, our staff member, and experienced farm camp counselors accompanied the groups. If you think Farm Camp is something you would like to participate in next summer, please contact Sabine Ingerson at 342-4088 ext. 210.
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MSC Blog Hello my name is Jineane Hanson and I have been a Medicaid Service Coordinator with ARISE for five years. Fall is the favorite time of year for me and my family. As summer is coming to a close, my family and I continue to find fun things to do. It is also important for my family to start preparing for the colder weather ahead. Some things to do in the fall include the Fall Jamboree hosted by Ontario Orchards (near Sterling) as well as the Sterling Nature Center where there are nice trails to stroll and new memories to make for you and your family. Beaver Lake Nature Center (Baldwinsville) also has a Fall Jamboree with several things to do and see. Beaver Lake Nature Center offers several trails to walk and hike. Canoes are also available so that you can paddle on the lake. The homemade doughnuts and apple cider are always a fun fall treat! There are several games for children young and old. There are vendors with merchandise for people to browse and purchase. The hay ride is always fun to do. Now, we cannot forget the live puppet show for the entire family!
there are several orchards locally that offer this opportunity during the fall. Pumpkin patches are also fun for you and your family to pick the perfect pumpkin. As the weather begins to turn from warm to cold it is important to remember to bring animals inside for shelter and to provide straw and hay in dog houses as temperatures get colder. It is important to cover plants outside to protect them from frost. Dressing in layers during this time of year is also helpful for everyone and assists with heating costs until it is necessary to turn the heat up when colder weather approaches. Enjoy the upcoming fall season as I know my family and I will!
Rice Creek in Oswego is also fun to explore during the fall with all of their trails to explore. If you enjoy apple picking Page 7
Special Interests Ontario Orchards 7735 Rt. 104 Oswego, NY 13126 Sterling Nature Center 15380 Jenzvold Rd Sterling, NY 13156 Beaver Lake Nature Center 8477 East Mud Lake Rd Baldwinsville, NY 13027 Rice Creek Field Station Brownell Rd Oswego, NY 13126
Fun Page
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10 Fresh Food Giveaway Pulaski Park United Methodist Church 3:30 pm
11 12 Fresh Food Flame Concert Giveaway St. Joseph West Linear Park The Worker Oswego 1001 Tulip 6pm St Liverpool
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Labor Day Oswego ARISE Closed 7
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13 Light Up The Night 5 K Race Details on page 1
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17 18 Reception Honoring Our DSP staff Oswego 2pm-4pm
20 19 SibShops Social Club 1:30pm12:00pm3:00pm 4:00pm Details on Self page 2. Advocacy 12:30-1:30pm
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**17th** Fresh Food Giveaway North SYR North Syracuse Christian Church 3:30 pm Page 9
**15th** Fresh Food Giveaway Fulton Believer’s Chapel 4:00 pm
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NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 25
ARISE 9 Fourth Avenue Oswego, NY 13126 Phone: Fax: TTY:
OSWEGO, NY 13126
(315)342-4088 (315)342-4107 (315)342-8696
ariseinc.org Address Service Requested Mailing Address Goes Here
Employment
ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation) is an agency in the New York State Education Department that has helped many individuals with disabilities find and keep employment. You may know the agency from it’s previous acronym: VESID. Over the past year, ACCES-VR has helped over 900 people in Central New York (including 80 in Oswego County) succeed in careers ranging from customer service to information technology. Services to help eligible individuals reach their employment goals may include but are not limited to: job coaching, employment counseling, advocacy, and financial assistance with training, equipment, and work uniforms. If you or someone you know has a barrier to employment and is interested in applying, please call (315) 428-4180 to register for an information session or to receive an application.