ARISE Oswego Newsletter — September 2010
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Oswego County Edition
Oswego County Director: Sabine Ingerson
WHAT’S INSIDE:
- Most Improved Learner Award
- Independent Living Skills Classes
- ARISE Fall Jamboree Dance
- The Transition Corner
- Welcome to the ARISE Community Connections Group
- Would you like the opportunity to meet other parents and for your child to make new friends?
- Do you want to make a difference?
Our mission is to work with people of all abilities to create a fair and just community in which everyone can fully participate.
Most Improved Learner Award
A small reception was held at ARISE on August 18 to celebrate Chaz Barnes earning the “Most Improved Learner” award from Literacy Volunteers. The award is given to a basic adult learner who has accomplished more than anticipated in the area of reading, writing or technology skills in his or her first year of involvement with Literacy Volunteers.
“Not only has Chaz improved his skills, but his self-confidence has grown as well,” said Paula Baker, Program Coordinator at Literacy Volunteers, as she presented the award.
Chaz started with Literacy Volunteers in November 2009 and he has already improved his eading by one grade level, an impressive accomplishment in such a short period of time. For over six months, Chaz has been meeting with Alice Barry to improve his literacy skills. Outside the literacy training sessions, his Residential Habilitation Integration Specialist, Anna Kazykowski, helped to reinforce the lessons and to make sure he had transportation to attend.
Chaz’s mother, Paula, and brother, John, as well as his Medicaid Service Coordinator, Jineane Hanson, and Day Habilitation Coordinator, Darcy Beers all joined Chaz for the occasion. The collaboration between Literacy Volunteers and ARISE as well as Chaz’s hard work and determination make this a real success.
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Independent Living Skills Classes!
ARISE Advocate Jen Stanard recently developed a seven-class curriculum for independent living skills. The current course which began July 8, was so successful that we decided to offer it again. The next seven week course will begin Tuesday, October 5 from 10 am until 1pm at the ARISE Oswego office. The course is instructed by ARISE Advocates, Jen Stanard, and Jim Cronk, and ARISE volunteer, Genny Roarke.
The curriculum consists of six main components including: Budgeting, Housing and Apartment Rentals, Meal Planning and Nutrition, Cleaning and Organization, Transportation, and Employment and Job Searching. The last class consists of skills review and a ceremony for completing the seven week course.
For additional information regarding the Independent Living Course, or to register for the next class, please call Jen Stanard at 342-4088 ext 216.
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ARISE Fall Jamboree Dance
Date: September 24, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $3 per person plus donation of one canned food item appreciated.
Location: Oswego Armory (next to the YMCA)
R.S.V.P: Lee Wahlquist 342-4088 ext. 224
Must be at least 18 to attend.
If you would like to volunteer or help out at the dance please contact Lee.
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The Transition Corner
By: Vicki Affinati
Transition Services Coordinators
Central Square
Vicki Affinati
vaffinati@ariseinc.org
Mexico
Christine Ward
cward@ariseinc.org
Oswego
Kelly Howard
KHoward@oswego.org
The funding for the Transition Programs at both Central Square High School and Mexico High School has ended, which means that there will not be a Transition Service Coordinator in those schools for this coming year. The Transition Service Coordinator in Oswego High School will continue through this upcoming school year.
We want to encourage families to call ARISE in Oswego at 342-4088 and ask for assistance as needed.
We would also like to remind everyone of the following website where you can get lots of information on Transitioning: http://www.co.oswego.ny.us/dss/mental/resourceguide.html.
If you have any questions regarding this, please email vaffinati@ariseinc.org.
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Welcome to the ARISE Community Connections Group
We are very excited to start this new program for all of our young adults in our community. This group is for individuals with disabilities in their twenties (22-30) who live in the community alone or with their families and who want to find peer support. Participants will decide the social activities of the group, and may include bowling, attending sporting events, having dinner at local restaurants, going to plays, participating in local fundraisers, gardening and shopping in our local communities. This group will provide a structured framework for participants to grow their independent living skills, forge stronger personal relationships, develop informal supports, and make connections with their community that reduce their isolation and the potential for future reliance on paid staff and family.
We would like to invite all interested in joining the Community Connections group to a dinner at the ARISE office on September 22, 6:00-7:30 pm. The dinner will be catered by Canales Italian Restaurant. The dinner is free of charge for all participants courtesy of ARISE. Please come and join us! We would also like your input on ideas for future events you would like to attend or community events and programs we may be able to help with. We look forward to seeing you there. Please call either Vicki or Heather by September 20th if you plan to attend so we can order enough food.
Vicki Affinati
vaffinati@ariseinc.org
342-4088 ext. 225
Heather Lee
hlee004@twcny.rr.com
342-4088 ext. 243
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Would you like the opportunity to meet other parents and for your child to make new friends?
Where: ARISE
9 Fourth Avenue
Oswego, NY 13126
When: Wednesday evenings: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
September 16 – October 20, 2010
Who: Children (age 8 – 12) who have a developmental disability are eligible, and parents/guardians
Topics for students: “what it means to be a good friend”
- Identifying and understanding feelings and emotions
- Enhancing communication both verbally and non-verbally
- Working with peers as a team
- Engaging in cooperative play
- Dealing with feeling “bullied”……..and more
Topics for parents: “Dine and Discuss” (Facilitators: Kathy Auyer, Guidance Counselor, and Angela Voninski, School Psychologist)
- Stress relief
- Wellness and nutrition
- Coping strategies
- Organizing strategies
- Home/School connection
- Knowing your rights and developing advocacy skills……and more
Contact: Jen Stanard at 342-4088 x 216 for registration and further details.
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Do you want to make a difference?
Have you ever considered working for ARISE as an Integration Specialist? Permanent part- time positions are available working with individuals with disabilities in their homes and/or community, in our Residential and Day Habilitation Programs throughout Oswego County. As an Integration Specialist your job would be to assist people with disabilities learn to live a more independent life.
Required: High School diploma (or equivalent). Associates degree or experience working with individuals with disabilities is preferred. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age with valid driver’s license; and be willing to work flexible hours in the late afternoon, and / or early evenings. A background check is required for employment. Persons with disabilities and/or minority status are encouraged to apply. Rate starts at $9.00 an hour, or higher depending on experience.
Forward resume to:
ARISE
Attn: Community Services Manager
9 Fourth Avenue
Oswego, NY 13126
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