OSWEGO COUNTY EDITION Director: Sabine Ingerson
September 2017 September is DSP Appreciation Month What’s Inside: ARISE Groups
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Unique
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Ramp Program
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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
What is a DSP you might ask? A DSP is a Direct Support Professional. Many of the individuals we support call these staff members their ARISE worker. DSPs provide the supports that enable individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities to live, work, and enjoy as independent a life as possible in the community they live in. In Oswego County, ARISE employs approximately 60 DSPs who work in the Community Habilitation Program, the In-Home Respite Program, and assist with the many recreation programs. They share their passion and talents; for example they started a guitar club, golf club, reading club, and cooking group. They encourage, teach, introduce new ideas, and support. In August the Habilitation coordinators and many of the DSPs planned a picnic at Breitbeck Park for the individuals they support. There was plenty of food that many of the individuals had prepared themselves as well as hot dogs and hamburgers. Staff organized kickball and basketball games, as well as a scavenger hunt. Many took the time to paint rocks to leave around town to brighten the lives of others. Much laughter and singing could be heard. It was a wonderful day.
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.
On behalf of the staff at ARISE, I want to thank the DSPs for their dedication, dependability, and talent that they have shared during the last year. This program would not be possible without their work. Knowing that you made a difference in the life of another person is a very good feeling. If you think you know of anyone who would be a good addition to our team of DSPs, please invite them to contact Jen Torrese at jtorrese@ariseinc.org for more information. Sabine Ingerson 1
ARISE Groups SibShops
TBI Group
Saturday, September 23rd
Tuesday, September 12th
Friday, September 15th
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
11:30 AM
Meet at the Oswego office to go to the Fish Hatchery and Salmon River Falls.
(This is a reoccurring meeting that takes place the 2nd Tuesday of each month)
Please email: We will be meeting at the ARISE jczirr@ariseinc.org or call Oswego office and Jessica Morley from Jeanne Czirr (315) 342-4088 BIANYS will be joining us. If you have any X209 for information. questions, contact Shannon Morrell at (315) 342-4088 X245 or Christine Ward at X201
Self-Advocacy Group
Meeting at the Oswego Pontiac Building Community Room 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 Josh Solazzo at (315) 342-4088 X213.
Pictured are: Shane Hoey, Coordinator of the ARISE & Golf Program (middle) along with two golf professionals, John Fowler (right) and Dustin Jones (left), who volunteered their time to provide lessons at ARISE’s annual golf clinic on August 29th.
July and August have been very busy months at ARISE. The County of Oswego proclaimed July 26th as ADA Awareness Day to celebrate the 27 th anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act which has helped to remove so many barriers in the lives of people. In July ARISE was able to offer a weeklong day camp for adults at ARISE at the Farm in Chittenango. One of the highlights was the talent show where the campers sang, danced, and read a story they had written. In August a group of youth and their siblings spent a week at the farm as well. There was fishing, riding bikes, and time to pet the farm animals, as well as activities on the accessible playground. The siblings met with a clinician to talk about the unique challenges they face having a brother or sister with a disability. The farm sure is a magical place. We appreciate all the efforts of the staff and parents to make this such a successful event. The Community Connections Group went to see the musical Grease performed by the Oswego Players while the Teen Group and Sibshops spent a day at Seabreeze. More activities will be planned for September. 2
Unique
Puzzle by: Benjamin Kellogg I like the thought of one of autism’s symbols being a puzzle piece. My life sometimes feels like a series of puzzles, or maybe a large one with many parts. Either way, trying to put my life in order, and keeping it together, is a full-time job. A pile of pieces can make me excited, but also a bit anxious. So many pieces, too many similar shades of color. “Where do they all go?” I think. Putting the “frame” together first is the most important part for me; Without the corner and border pieces in place, I feel lost. Similarly, my life is “framed” by my family, my home, and the values I cherish. Placing all the difficult pieces of my life within this “frame” Helps me to maintain a sense of normalcy. Physical issues, from movement to vision and more, affect me on a daily basis. I find it hard to put names to faces at times, even with people I know well. Some everyday activities are difficult because I forget some steps. Sometimes I just completely “zone out,” for reasons I cannot always explain. Every day it seems I have at least one moment like this. Life does not always make sense to me, But I do my best to get along with everyone and accomplish what needs doing. Making sense of chaos and restoring order, Putting the world back together as it should be, makes me feel better, Especially once I have gotten all the pieces in place. My life is full of endless puzzles, mysteries, and riddles. I can solve some on my own, but I need help with others. Once I figure them out, though, my anxiety disappears. I welcome each one as it comes, As I come closer to completing my life’s puzzle.
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Walmart Makes Ramp Building a Company Event
We are very excited and grateful to welcome Walmart as a sponsor of the Oswego Ramp Program. Recently, staff from the Walmart in Fulton/Granby completed 2 projects. First they built ramp sections and then they installed the completed sections to build the ramp. It was an enjoyable time for everyone!
Pathfinder Building the Community with Ramps We are so grateful and would like to thank Pathfinder Bank, a sponsor of our Ramp Program for many years, who took on the task of assembling a rather large ramp during unfavorable weather conditions and some successfully experienced first time power tool use. A great time was had by all. Special thanks to Ron Tascarella (fourth from right) from Pathfinder Bank who is also a member of our Oswego Advisory Committee! With funding made available through the Office for the Aging, ARISE was able to purchase more aluminum ramps which are set aside for individuals referred from the Office for the Aging. We value the partnership and the opportunity to make access to homes safer. We are sad to report that Patrick O’Leary, who had been a team leader for the aluminum ramp program and also worked with members of the Believers Chapel in Fulton to repair and take down ramps, passed away suddenly. We want to extend our sincere sympathy and gratitude to his family and friends. He is greatly missed. 4
MSC Blog
Crystal Bracy Medicaid Service Coordinator
Back to School It’s almost that time of year again…back to school! The start of a new school year can be very exciting but can sometimes cause stress and anxiety for both children and parents or caregivers. Here are some tips to help everyone be physically and emotionally prepared for a new school year: 1. Ease back into a healthy bedtime routine To help ease back into the routine of waking up early for school, wake up late sleepers a little earlier each day as summer vacation comes to an end. Try starting at least two weeks before the actual first day of school. 2. Start on summer homework ahead of time Easing back into your schoolwork can also be a great way to prepare before the start of a new school year. Try starting on a packet of summer homework well before the first day of school. If your child's school does not give out summer homework, maybe buy workbooks or even use educational apps as a refresher before going back to school full-time. 3. Keep a family calendar Having a central calendar that everyone shares can also reduce confusion for the whole family. A classic paper calendar will do, many families also opt to use a shared Google calendar. 4. Chat about today’s events and tomorrow’s plans. While it is important to support learning throughout the summer, don’t spend the last weeks of summer vacation reviewing last year’s curriculum. All kids need some down time before the rigors of school begin. For some kids, last-minute drills can heighten anxiety, reminding them of what they’ve forgotten instead of what they remember. 5. Ease into the routine. Switching from a summer to a school schedule can be stressful to everyone in the household. Avoid first-day-of-school mayhem by practicing your routine a few days in advance. Set the alarm clock, go through your morning rituals, and get in the car or to the bus stop on time. Routines help children feel comfortable, and establishing a solid school routine will make the first day of school go much smoother. 6. TAKE A DEEP BREATH! With all this preparation, your kids will be in great shape. If you're relaxed and calm, they'll head off to school feeling excited and ready to get to work 5
Fun Page
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September Sun
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Labor Day
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Fresh Food Giveaway Christian Life Assembly, Syracuse 3:00-5:00p
Office Closed
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Fresh Food Giveaway Believer’s Chapel 3:30-5:30p
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Fresh Food Giveaway St. Joseph’s The Worker, Liverpool 3:30-5:30p
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Self Advocacy group
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Fresh Food Giveaway No. Syracuse Christian Church
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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.
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