NYSARC Grant Keeps L-W Arc Dancing All Year Round

Program participants at The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming took to the dance floor all throughout 2013 for a series of special-occasion celebrations that were made possible with financial help from NYSARC Trust Services.

NYSARC Trust Services is part of The Arc's state organization, NYSARC. In 2013, its Trustees authorized a $6,000 grant to the Livingston-Wyoming Chapter for the exclusive purpose of funding Chapter recreational opportunities. 

The money allowed the Chapter to offset the costs of Valentine's, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, and Semi-formal dances, as well as a Bowling Banquet for individuals with disabilities throughout its service area.  On average, 110 people were in attendance at each event.

"Many of the folks didn't have the opportunity to do things like these when they were in high school. Now, with the help of NYSARC Trust Services, they've been able to take part in dances, banquets, and other social activities with their friends and peers," says Cathy Sullivan, The Arc's Day, Community and Intake Services Coordinator.

The Arc is a private, not-for-profit agency with various programs to benefit people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. According to Ms. Sullivan, the NYSARC Trust Services grant-funded recreational activities were open to a wide cross-section of program participants, including those who reside in Arc-operated homes and those who live independently in the community.

The activities kicked off with a Valentine's Dance on February 9th, followed by a St. Patrick's Day Dance on March 9th, a banquet for participants in The Arc's popular Bowling program on May 23rd, and a prom-style Semi-formal on June 29th.  Capping off the use of grant funding in "spooktacular" fashion was a Halloween costume bash on October 26th.  The events were held at the Moose Lodge in Dansville, NY.

"The grant allowed our recreation team to provide a year-long calendar of entertainment for a low cost to participants," Ms. Sullivan says, noting that the money was used toward food, building rental, and disc jockey services.  "We were able to offer the Semi-formal dance at no cost and the others at a very low admission price."

About NYSARC Trust Services   
The Trustees of the NYSARC Trusts provided The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming with a $6,000 grant to support recreational opportunities for Chapter consumers.  The Chapter used this grant to hold a series of dances and banquets.  The NYSARC Trusts administer supplemental needs trusts that enable people who have disabilities to remain in their home and community and retain their Medicaid eligible services. The Trustees utilize remainder funds to benefit other persons with disabilities including unfunded Chapter guardianship programs as provided by statute.  In addition to the recreation grant, the Trustees awarded $1,225,500 to support Chapter Guardianship programs. Information on how you may benefit from a NYSARC Trust is available by calling 518-439-8323 or 1-800-735-8924 or at www.nysarctrustservices.org.