4 Camp Abilities Completes Its 29th Year Empowering The Visually Impaired
7 MONOPOLY: Rochester Edition announced
8 State-of-the-Art Outdoor Fitness Court® Studio Opens In Chili’s Union Station Park
10 GC Fire Commissioner James Werth Recognized
10 Gates Big M Raises Money For St. Theodore’s Food Pantry
11 Elmgrove UMC Welcomes Reverend Ann Brown
11 Tickets On Sale For Foodlink’s Festival Of Food
12 Arts Workshops At Local Libraries
12 CCCSD Looking For Literacy Volunteers
12 Rochester Red Wings August Game & Promo Schedule
13 Buffalo Bound Pedestrian Bridge
14 Graduating Monroe County 4-H Youth Awarded Scholarships
15 GCC Team Members Honored With SUNY Chancellor’s Awards For Excellence
17 Digital Portal Launched To Connect Eligible Families To Free Or Low-Cost Child Care
Cover Photo by Karen Fien
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Camp Abilities completes its 29th year empowering the visually impaired
by Tami Raco
Did you know that Brockport is the home to Camp Abilities, a week-long educational sports camp for visually impaired children? This unique camp takes place annually at the SUNY Brockport campus. It draws children ages nine to 19 from all over the state who are visually impaired, blind, or deaf-blind, as well as coaches and volunteers from all over the world. Participants reside at the campus dorms and spend the week learning new sports and engaging in fun and enriching camp activities with oneon-one coaching.
Camp Abilities aims to help students feel more confident by learning and engaging in various sports and activities. It was founded at SUNY Brockport in 1996 and has grown to empower tens of thousands of visually impaired children in the U.S. and abroad. Camp Abilities is offered in more than six locations in NYS and 30 locations worldwide.
Dr. Lauren Lieberman is the founder and director of Camp Abilities. She grew up with siblings who dealt with hearing
loss and dyslexia, and she had challenges related to attention deficit disorder. Attending summer camp enriched Lauren’s childhood with positive experiences. Her mom volunteered at a summer camp that Lauren and her siblings attended. She has cherished memories of making new friends, exposure to new activities, and sports accomplishments. These opportunities fueled her passion to help as a volunteer at camps while attending college at West Chester University for Physical Education. continued on page 5
All smiles while paddle boarding. Photo by Karen Fien.
Coaches help a camper learning to swim. Photo by Lili Lieberman.
Tandem biking. Photo by Karen Fien.
Participants getting ready for the Fourth of July parade in Brockport. Photo by Karen Fien.
In her first year there, she developed a pivotal connection with Monica Lepore, a professor who taught Adapted Physi cal Education at West Chester. Adapted physical education is the art and science of developing, implementing, and monitoring a carefully designed physical education program for those with disabilities. This relationship between Lauren and Professor Lepore influenced Lauren’s career trajec tory. It turned into a lifelong mentorship and friendship, leading to the creation of Camp Abilities.
Lauren pursued an adaptive P.E. con centration in her undergraduate program and then went on to her master’s at the University of Wisconsin, leading to her Doctorate at Oregon University. Throughout her academic career, she also continued with her volunteerism in this specialized field of adapted physical education. Be fore beginning her doctorate program, she taught at the Perkins School of the Blind, the country’s first school for blind students, founded in 1829, and attended by Helen Keller. As Dr Lieberman’s experiences in this field continued expanding, so did her passion for adapted physical education for the sensory-impaired population.
paddle boarding, and sailing. This year, they added blind tennis. Dr. Lieberman continues to lead the camp, which is staffed by many coaches, counselors, future teachers, and countless volunteers.
Upon completion of her doctorate, she accepted a position at SUNY Brockport in 1995 to teach adapted P.E. That is where her experiences, education, and passion came together to begin the foundation of Camp Abilities.
Dr. Lieberman recognized that the col lege did not have a program specifically designed for students with visual impair ments. With Dr. Monica Lepore’s help, she created Camp Abilities. Endless hours of grant writing, fundraising, educational plan ning, working with the NYS Commission for the Blind and the college, as well as recruit ing student teachers and volunteers, laid the infrastructure for the program.
Camp Abilities of Brockport was the first camp in the region to serve children with visual impairments. What began initially at SUNY Brockport as a camp for the visually impaired has evolved into camps through out the state, the country, and internation ally, with 30 locations for Camp Abilities worldwide.
On average, Brockport Camp Abilities is residence to 50 students each year who participate in a wide variety of sports, such as track, goal ball, swimming, beep basketball, blind soccer, tandem biking, kayaking,
Despite the college’s generosity, Brockport Camp Abilities costs $140,000 annually. The meals are donated and served by the Lions Club, Brockport Police Department, Cooper Vision, and SUNY Brockport University Police. Donations from businesses, the community, grants and a $1,000 per student donation from the NYS Commission for the Blind help to offset the
expense to the students’ families opening the opportunity to more students.
Tori, a volunteer from Syracuse, helped as a coach this year at Brockport Camp Abilities. She is visually impaired and first came to Brockport in 2015 to participate in Camp Abilities as a high school junior. Tori hoped it would be fun, but the experience far exceeded her expectations. “At first, I really wasn’t sure if I would get a lot out of it,” she said. “But this experience ended up being life-changing for me.” A few years after attending Camp Abilities, she began volunteering at the Saratoga Camp Abilities and went to college for social work. She has since graduated and is pursuing her master’s in expressive art therapy to help bridge the social emotion learning for those with disabilities. “I hope to someday create a camp like Camp Abilities, but using art therapy,” Tori said.
Sailing is one of the many sports that the campers at Camp Abilities can experience. The Brockport Yacht Club generously provides sailboats and volunteers to help with this part of the camp.
Jim Balmer, a member of the Brockport Yacht Club, has been helping with the sailing program at Camp Abilities for ten years. “Today, we had a 12-year-old girl who sailed for her first time. She started out fearful and did not want to try steering. In no time, with the help of the coaches, she overcame her fear and steered the sailboat. It was rewarding to see her confidence grow right before my eyes. It feels so good to give and help,” he said.
continued on page 6
Tori (left), a former camper who describes the experience as life-changing, returned this year as a volunteer. Photo by Karen Fien.
Tennis was a new offering this year.
Photo by Lili Lieberman.
Running track. Photo by Lili Lieberman.
Camp Abilities
continued from page 5
Kris Scheppe, from Naples, Florida, also helps teach sailing at Camp Abilities. He is a visually impaired U.S. World Champion sailor who loves teaching blind people to sail. Lauren’s father and her brother, Marc, also come in from out of state to help with Camp Abilities, especially with sailing. Kaisu Hynninen is a visually impaired future coach who traveled from Iceland to Brockport to learn more about Camp Abilities with the intention of bringing the program to her country.
This year’s 29th annual Brockport Camp Abilities ran from June 30 through July 6. “The community provides us overwhelming support,” said Dr. Lieberman. “The mayor, the local businesses, Lions Club, and police see the value of this program and help support us to empower children with sensory impairments.”
Dr. Lieberman added, “More than 63,000 children in the U.S. have visual disabilities, and camps like Camp Abilities help them become physically active and productive members of their schools and society.”
Dr. Lieberman continues teaching at SUNY Brockport as a Distinguished Service Professor for undergraduate and graduate-level classes, helping others learn to teach sports and recreational activities to people with sensory impairments. She has co-authored 24
books on adapted physical education and was awarded a Global Fulbright Scholarship for the Camp Abilities she began in Ghana, Brazil, and Ireland.
To learn more about Camp Abilities, volunteer with the program, or donate, visit https://www.campabilities.org/.
to head out
Ready
sailing are: (l-r) back row – Charlotte Gunther, Rich Wiest, Marc Lieberman, Jerry Bocyck, Helouise Rod, Alex Stribing; middle row – Nancy Stevens, Kaisu Hynninen, Dr. Lauren Lieberman, Kris Scheppe; front row – Jim Balmer. Photo by Karen Fien.
Charlotte steering the sailboat. Photo by Karen Fien.
MONOPOLY: Rochester Edition announced
The iconic Mr. Monopoly made a special appearance at The Strong National Museum of Play on July 19 to help publicly announce the next official MONOPOLY: Rochester Edition board game, under license from Hasbro.
MONOPOLY: Rochester Edition will replace the perennial board game’s famous Atlantic City squares, from Boardwalk to Park
Place, with Rochester businesses, nonprofits and landmarks. The Rochester board will also include customized Community Chest and Chance playing cards as well as MONOPOLY money, ensuring every detail of the game pays homage to the region. Other than MONOPOLY: The Hamptons Edition (Long Island), Rochester is the only location in New York State to be chosen for this distinction.
To ensure the board captures the most essential elements of Rochester, community recommendations from the public are being solicited for locations to be considered as squares on the board. Top Trumps USA, the American division of Winning Moves International and creators of classic games and puzzles is seeking well-established Rochester businesses and nonprofits to be part of this historic way to honor communities across the city. Public submissions and business inquiries can be sent to rochester@ toptrumps.com.
“Rochester is such a unique community with a rich history and a ton of community pride,” said John Marano, a Top Trumps representative. “We aim to ensure that MONOPOLY: Rochester Edition is an accurate portrayal of what locals and tourists love about this charming region. From fantastic museums to rich cultural icons, we would love for everyone to get on board and send us their favorite organizations and landmarks around town to include in the game.”
MONOPOLY: Rochester Edition will debut early 2025 and will be available in stores and online, at CVS, Amazon, and at select local Rochester retailers. The final squares for MONOPOLY: Rochester Edition will be announced in early 2025. To learn more about MONOPOLY city experience boards, visit www.toptrumps.us.
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Rochester Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Robert Duffy (left) joined Mr. Monopoly and others at the Strong National Museum of Play on July 19 to announce the upcoming MONOPOLY: Rochester Edition. Photo from @RochesterChambr on X
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 17.
State-of-the-art outdoor Fitness Court® Studio opens in Chili’s Union Station Park
MVP Health Care, the Town of Chili, and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) have partnered to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® Studio to Union Station Park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, July 17. The MVP Health Care Fitness Court Studio will provide the community with increased access to outdoor exercise programs.
This Fitness Court Studio was developed by MVP Health Care, Town of Chili, and NFC to expand free access to high quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for all in the community. It features two workout areas separated by a mural wall designed by the Chili Art Group to showcase the setting and to inspire people as they enjoy the benefits and energy created by a great outdoor workout. The Fitness Court Studio delivers the powerful seven-minute full body workout on one side and a versatile outdoor class area for enjoying yoga, Zumba, Pilates and other popular group wellness activities on the opposite side.
Created with people aged 14 and over and with all abilities in mind, the workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court App which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience.
“The launch of the MVP Health Care Fitness Court in Union Station Park is a step towards providing access to resources that can change the trajectory of someone’s health and wellness journey,” said MVP Health Care’s president and chief executive officer, Chris
Del Vecchio. “As a leading health care services company, investing in our local communities and offering new, innovative wellness options like the Fitness Court reinforces our commitment to giving back to the people we serve and places we call home. We are proud to partner with NFC and the Town of Chili to bring this unique opportunity to the local community and look forward to seeing you on the Fitness Court.”
Town of Chili is one of 27 outdoor Fitness Courts in a series of MVP Health Care Fitness Courts, joining the growing network across the state.
“National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome the Town of Chili to the campaign as a leader in New York, championing health and wellness for their residents,” said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “The addition of the Fitness Court Studio, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the community.”
“Providing high quality, no cost recreation and fitness opportunities to our residents is key to a healthy community,” said Supervisor David Dunning. “This is a very exciting addition to the park. The Fitness Court will add to our already great menu of recreational programs and also provide a great workout while enjoying being outdoors.”
For more information on MVP Health Care’s support of NFC, visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/NewYork.
Provided information
Photo by Gary Sajdak.
Fitness Court® Studio at Chili’s Union Station Park
Users can do a seven-minute full body workout by going through the different station on one side of the Fitness Court Studio. Photo by Gary Sajdak.
The opposite side is a versatile outdoor class area for enjoying yoga, Zumba, Pilates and other group wellness activities. Photo by Gary Sajdak.
ran a – Fill partNYS and Northeast. raise food Milk is asked hard keeping raised their Dilover July funds Church will pantry runs St. Provided information and photo
My Hometown Neighbors
Elmgrove UMC welcomes Reverend Ann Brown
On July 14, the members of the Elmgrove United Methodist Church welcomed Reverend Ann Brown to their church family. Rev. Brown comes to Elmgrove UMC from Red Creek UMC. In addition to her appointment at Elmgrove UMC, she will also be sharing her time with the Brockport UMC.
Rev. Brown was born and raised on the island of Jamaica, West Indies, and she later migrated to the U.S. where she was able to continue her education. Rev. Brown is a Provisional Elder in the UMC. She is a graduate of the Drew University Theological School in NJ, and completed her BA in Psychology at The College of New Rochelle, NY in 2016. She is continuing her education, and is working towards her certification in Spiritual Direction. Rev. Brown is passionate about her beliefs, and feels that she has been called to share her love of the Lord with all those she connects with. She is looking forward to supporting the many programs already taking place at the Elmgrove UMC, and also sharing new ideas and options for more outreach and missions.
Rev. Brown has two adult children and a four-year old granddaughter. She has many varied interests, which include traveling with her family, participating in a variety of outdoor activities, and connecting with new people who quickly become friends.
All are welcome to meet Rev. Ann Brown. Services are every Sunday morning at 10:45 a.m. Elmgrove UMC is located at 1500 Spencerport Road, Rochester.
Provided information and photo
Tickets on sale for Foodlink’s Festival of Food
The region’s best and biggest tasting event is returning this September. Tickets are now on sale for the Festival of Food, Foodlink’s annual fall fundraiser. The event will be held on September 16 at the City of Rochester Public Market.
Dozens of Rochester-area food and beverage vendors – from restaurants to wineries, and bakeries to breweries – will gather in one place for one special night to benefit Foodlink and the thousands of people who benefit from its programs and services. The festival features an all-you-can-eat-and-drink experience for more than 1,000 guests, in addition to live music, raffles, and more. This year, Something Else will be the featured band, and Wegmans Food Markets returns as the presenting sponsor.
Attendees can purchase tickets ($75 for general admission and $110 for VIP) at FoodlinkNY.org/FoF24.
Provided information
his Eagle project, Brenden Saunders of Churchville BSA Troop 133 constructed a Little Free Pantry that is located in front of Union Congregational Church, 14 North Main Street, Churchville. The free food pantry allows community members to take what they need and leave what they can to help local families. All food and materials for the project were donated by ANG Markets, Tops Markets, Lowes, and Home Depot. Brenden is a junior at Churchville-Chili High School and life scout working towards his Eagle.
Provided information and photo
For
Arts workshops at local libraries
Free art workshops for adults and youth are coming to two Monroe County libraries over the coming months. Contact the libraries for more information.
Ogden Farmers’ Library
269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport, 585-617-6181
• Altered Book Workshop – August 5, 6 to 7:30 p.m., adult
• Hand Bookbinding –Sept. 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m., adult
• Altered Book Workshop – Sept. 12, 2 to 3:30 p.m., adult
• Altered Book Workshop – Oct. 19, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., youth
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of The Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts.
Provided information
CCCSD looking for literacy volunteers
Churchville-Chili Central School District is looking for people with a little time each week and a desire to help children in the elementary schools.
Volunteers would work one-on-one or with a small group of students, reinforcing literacy skills taught by the teacher, assisting students working independently in centers, reading with students to practice strategies, playing word study games, or helping students during Writer’s Workshop. Volunteers will coordinate with their host teacher to work out a schedule.
Basic training is provided for all volunteers. The district will host the first training in September and then host additional sessions throughout the year as needed. Those who have already been trained and volunteered in a school are welcome to attend training again, however, it is optional.
Those who are interested in volunteering should contact Literacy Volunteer Coordinator Eileen Johnson by email at ejohnson@ cccsd.org or call 293-1800 ext. 7045.
Applications and policy forms will be available in mid-August. Stop into any elementary building main office or the Central Office Administration Building (door 26) or email Eileen Johnson for the documents to print. The completed applications/policy forms should be turned into the Administrative Office (door 26). Eileen Johnson will contact volunteers to connect them with a host teacher. The district follows all safety guidelines for volunteers. Provided information
Buffalo-bound pedestrian bridge travels through the area on the Erie Canal
The Ralph Wilson Park Bridge will serve as the entrance to Ralph Wilson Park, a massive community-driven redevelopment project transforming a 100-plus-acre City of Buffalo waterfront park into a world-class recreational destination. But the bridge had to make quite a journey to reach its final destination.
In June, the Ralph Wilson Park Bridge departed from Italy in four large sections aboard the commercial-shipping vessel Aralia. It crossed through New York Harbor on June 22 and traveled up the Hudson River to the Port of Coeymans. Carver Companies, which owns and operates the maritime terminal south of Albany, then took possession of the bridge and successfully offloaded the sections onto two 195-foot-long barges.
The bridge departed from Coeymans on July 5 traveling along the Erie Canal with Carver Companies’ marine towing division managing the delivery.
Tug-and-barge transport along the entirety of the canal, once commonplace, has become a rare undertaking. The complex journey requires traversing 34 locks, which serve as elevators for boats.
A four-person crew executed a “tandem tow” – one tug (CMT Otter) towing two hopper barges (CMT Kelly and CMT Hofmann) – for the majority of the 370-nautical-mile trip, switchng to singletow maneuvers when necessary to navigate tight turns on the route.
The crew had to make numerous adjustments to the weight of both barges to compensate for clearance hazards, including several bridges with minimal overhead and portions of the canal with low average water depths.
“This project is a significant undertaking, utilizing a vital piece of American history to transport a modern marvel. It’s a testament to both innovation and tradition,” said Carver Laraway, President and CEO of Carver Companies and the Port of
Coeymans.
People followed the bridge’s journery on social media and came out to see the spectacle, take photos, and cheer on the crew as they passed through the various canal communities.
The first barge arrived in Buffalo on July 16 (716 Day) to much fanfare. The tug then returned to Rochester to reconnect with the second barge, which was delivered to Buffalo on July 20.
Once assembled and installed, the 266-foot bridge will cross the I-190 highway and the CSX freight rail line, connecting the Lower West Side of Buffalo to the transformed park, which is scheduled to start opening in phases in 2026. Provided information
The CMT Otter reconnected with the second barge, CMT Hofmann, moving through the village of Spencerport, under the Martha Street bridge the afternoon of July 18. Photo by
The CMT Otter leaving Adams Basin early in the morning Thursday, July 18, to reconnect with the second barge, CMT Hofmann, at Lock 33 Canal Park in Rochester. Photo by Karen Fien.
The CMT Otter and the CMT Hofmann at the Adams Basin bridge July 18, heading towards Albion. Photo by Cameron Fien.
Graduating Monroe County 4-H youth awarded scholarships
Each year the Monroe County 4-H Program has the pleasure of accepting applications for two different scholarship funds to support learning after high school. The 2024 cohort of students have successfully navigated through in-person, virtual, and hybrid studies and are ready to step into post-secondary education in the fall.
The Norman V. Ryan Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated leadership and community service and are planning to enter a field of study or employment because of their 4-H activities and experiences. In 2024 one teen was chosen to receive the distinction of the Ryan Scholarship, Gianni Robles.
Gianni Robles plans to pursue a degree in Landscaping and Entrepreneurship. His 4-H Career began when he joined the 4-H team as a Summer of Opportunity intern. Robles shared, “Landscaping and owning my own business has always been a dream of mine, which I’m proud to say that 4-H is helping me get closer to that dream. I believe 4-H has helped and shaped me to be a better landscaper but also helped with skills that I didn’t know before. The 4-H experience has been one of the best opportunities that I have taken so far and I will definitely recommend it to other teens that are going into the same course study as me.” He also shared an appreciation of life skills developed through 4-H participation. “4-H has taught me to have better communication skills in many of the activities that they have done,” said Robles.
The Ralph S. Harper Scholarship chooses students planning to pursue careers in agriculture, environment, home economics, or closely related fields. Awardees in 2024 are Madeline Basset and Nora Sansouci.
Madeline Basset participated in 4-H through the Posh Ponies 4-H Club. Basset shared about the impact of community service activities saying, “You can’t be a Posh Pony and not be dedicated to community service. My favorite ones were helping clean the parks in the spring, serving dinners to homeless and of course the
removal of the intrusive water chestnuts in Braddock’s Bay.” Basset also spoke of the positive impact of 4-H Public Presentations. She was recognized with a proclamation several years ago and shared, “I was accepted at Syracuse University and the enrollment person told me that my 8 year old Proclamation awarded from County Legislator Steve Brew put me in her top 10 candidates. I was blown away that award on my application stood out.”
Nora Sansouci will be attending Monroe Community College in the fall to pursue a degree in Liberal Arts with an interest in education or social work. Nora has been an active member of the Posh Ponies 4-H Club. Sansouci participated in many community service activities and stated, “In some of the activities like Trunk or Treat, Valentine’s Day for Youth at Risk home, and feeding the homeless helped me realize I would want a career that helps people.” In addition to participation with her 4-H Club, Sansouci volunteers a few times a week at Heritage Christian Stables and works at Wondercare.
“It is a pleasure to watch each of these teen leaders grow and support others through their 4-H experiences. In reviewing applications and talking to these youth, the positive impact of their 4-H experiences is evident. We wish them all the best as they navigate their future education and career goals and look forward to hearing about their successes,” shared Susan Coyle, Monroe County 4-H Team Leader.
The Monroe County 4-H Program is offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension to the youth of Monroe County. 4-H is a worldwide youth development program open to all youth ages 5 to 19, who want to have fun, learn new skills, and explore the world. In return, youth who participate in 4-H find a supportive environment and opportunities for hands-on or “experiential” learning about topics that spark their interest.
Learn more about 4-H at http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/4-hyouth-development.
Provided information and photos
From left, Gianni Robles, Madeline Basset, and Nora Sansouci.
My Hometown College
GCC team members honored with SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence
Seven members of the Genesee Community College team have been recognized by the State University of New York for outstanding contributions to their profession, the campus and the community. The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence is given in recognition of consistently superior professional achievement and encourages the ongoing pursuit of excellence.
The following faculty and staff members earned a SUNY Chancellor Award for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Richard A. Schlesinger was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. This award recognizes consistent superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.
Dr. Schlesinger has been a member of our college’s communication faculty since 2016 and has taught a variety of courses including Interpersonal Communications, Speech, First Year Experience, Career Explorations, and Argue and Debate. Communication courses go well beyond the textbook since lessons need to come to life with real-world applications, and Dr. Schlesinger creates well-crafted lessons which are designed to build practical skills. He is a highly experienced individual known for creativity and adaptability both inside and outside the classroom and is committed to student success. In addition, he is the author of: “If You Don’t Ask The Answer Is No: A Practical Guide for Getting Through College Without Falling Through the Cracks” and is currently working on his second book.
for Excellence in the Classified Service, a system-level award established by SUNY to give system-wide recognition for superior performance and extraordinary achievement by employees in the Classified Service. These awards demonstrate the University’s commitment to individuals who provide superior service to its students and the community at large.
Michele has been a member of the college’s classified staff since her arrival in 2002. She began as a Clerk-Typist, became a Secretary, and has been in the role of Executive Secretary since 2009. Michele has cheerfully transitioned to different job responsibilities under different supervisors over the years and continually maintains a positive atmosphere. She has proven to be a “patient teacher” to new employees and often steps up to help at the Hub of the Student Success Center. Michele is involved in, and assists with, many campus events. In addition, she serves as secretary to the GCC Association Board and became a notary public in 2019.
Teresa L. Sukiennicki received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, which recognizes the consistently superior service contributions of teaching faculty. This service must be sustained over multiple years and may occur in a variety of venues.
Teresa has been a member of the College’s biology faculty since 2006 when she started as an adjunct instructor prior to becoming a full-time faculty member in 2009. She has been regularly involved with the Academic Senate, including being co-chair of the Academic Standards Committee for over eight years. She was the continued on page 16
Outdoor Adventure Club advisor for eight years, and regularly volunteers within the community. Teresa maintains her connections with educators outside of the College through her participation in several professional associations and gives back to the community through her weekly volunteer work at EquiCenter.
Elizabeth M. Simmons was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship, which recognizes consistently superior professional achievement in the field of librarianship.
Liz has been a member of our college since 2017 where she started as a Reference and Cataloging Librarian, and in 2019, she became a Systems & Electronic Services Librarian. She has served in a critical role as she navigated the library through some impactful changes including migrating the library’s website, establishing technical workflows and training staff for a new Library Services Platform, implementing a laptop loaning program for students, and configuring and implementing a study room booking software in the library. Liz is GCC’s SUNY Librarians Association campus delegate and is an active member of other state library organizations in addition to holding positions on a variety of college committees.
Karlyn M. Backus was recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. This award recognizes consistently superior professional achievement within and beyond the position.
Karlyn’s service to the college began in 2009 as an adjunct instructor, in 2011 she was hired full time as an ACE Program Specialist, she joined the college’s Records Office in 2019 as the Assistant Registrar and was then promoted to Registrar. She has always been an individual that embodies the spirit of “Serving Beyond Expectations”. She is well known not only on campus for her contributions of knowledge, teamwork and innovative solutions, but at the SUNY level as well. A few examples of her work include leading and supporting several digital transformation efforts, implementing a collaborative college-wide professional development group, and leadership roles within the college’s Academic Senate and Information Technology Advisory Council.
Amy V. Conley was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, which supports the pursuits foundational to sustaining the intellectual growth of SUNY institutions by recognizing consistently outstanding scholarly and
creative productivity, conducted in addition to teaching, by SUNY’s instructional faculty.
Amy has been a member of the college faculty since 2009. Some of her career highlights at GCC include her work with the Business Creators Club over the past 14 years and innovative contributions on delivering course content, specifically through hyflex. In addition, Amy is a faculty liaison with the pTECH Program, a 23-24 SUNY Online Ambassador, works extensively with The BEST Center to create and teach classes, mentors student participants in the annual business idea pitch competition, and is an active member of GCC’s Educational Initiatives and Career Services Committees. Beyond the classroom, she organizes countless activities including networking events and promotes student involvement in the community.
Laura J. Taylor was honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.
Laura has been a member of GCC since 2017, and since joining the College, has transformed the fashion degree program in several important ways. She oversaw the transition of the annual fashion show from the Forum to the Arena; and perhaps even more remarkably, was able to find a way to make the event possible during the pandemic. Laura works to maintain connections with fashion business leaders nationwide, strengthen relationships with fashion programs at four-year institutions, and has been instrumental in transforming GCC’s fashion degree program to modernize course content and provide students with the best possible resources available.
President of Genesee Community College Dr. James Sunser said, “We are incredibly proud of the exceptional individuals who have received the SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. Richard Schlesinger, Michele Terry, Teresa Sukiennicki, Elizabeth Simmons, Karlyn Backus, Amy Conley, and Laura Taylor have consistently demonstrated outstanding contributions to their respective fields, our campus, and the community. Their commitment to excellence and dedication have had a profound impact on our students and the overall educational experience at Genesee Community College.”
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Governor Kathy Hochul was joined by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand at the Club Fed
portal to help make free or low-cost child care more accessible to eligible families
Digital portal launched to connect eligible families to free or low-cost child care
On July 19, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of ny.gov/childcare – a digital portal to help make free or low-cost child care more accessible to eligible families statewide through New York State’s Child Care Assistance Program.
“We’re making New York more affordable and strengthening our economy by delivering free and low-cost child care to more families statewide, and making it easier for families to apply for this funding online,” said Governor Hochul. “As the first mom governor of New York, I understand the challenges of child care firsthand and I look forward to seeing this transformative program reach more parents and kids across our state.”
The state’s new digital portal makes it easier for families statewide to apply for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which covers at least 90 percent of weekly market rate child care costs for most eligible families. That means most eligible families of four will pay no more than $15 per week – saving families thousands of dollars in annual child care costs.
CCAP is already providing free or low-cost child care to approximately 100,000 families statewide. However, state officials estimate that hundreds of thousands more families statewide are likely eligible for CCAP and Governor Hochul encourages New
Yorkers to apply.
CCAP is a state program that helps working families across New York pay for child care. While eligibility is based on multiple factors including income and family size, many families may qualify for CCAP if their household income is at or below 85 percent of the State Median Income. Currently, 85 percent of the State Median Income for a family of four is approximately $108,000.
Previously, only families in New York City and Schenectady were able to apply for CCAP online, while most other families across the state had to apply by filling out a paper form. The launch of the state’s new digital portal ensures that families statewide can easily find out if they are eligible, apply online and access free or low-cost child care if eligible. This will help CCAP reach as many families as possible among the hundreds of thousands of families who may be eligible across the state.
The new digital portal is overseen by the New York Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Families can use an online tool on that page to pre-screen for eligibility and then immediately apply for child care assistance, removing any redundant processes and unnecessary reporting requirements placed on families.
Visit ny.gov/childcare for details and to apply.
Provided information
Child Care Center in Albany to announce the launch of a digital
statewide. Photo by Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.
