Making Metal Matter

Jeff Ellinwood seems to have been born with a natural ability for 3D design, but Hilltop Industries and Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) have helped the 17-year-old to perfect the art — and raise more than $1,000 for charity in the process.

Jeff Ellinwood, soldering at the Hilltop
work center in Mount Morris

“My dad and my mother both say that, at age three, I took the entire phone apart at home, then put it back together and it still worked,” Jeff says, with a chuckle. “The story has never changed, so I’m pretty sure that it might be factual.”

Fourteen years later, Jeff put those same design and assembly skills to work with the creation of two metal sculptures — a lizard (with fellow student Brandon Jensen) and a dog — that would sell for hundreds of dollars each, with proceeds benefiting local not-for-profit agencies. Jeff’s work was part of United Way’s “Steel Harmony” auction, held May 31st in Geneseo. The auction of more than 40 animal sculptures created by students in metal trades instructor Olie Olson’s program at GVEP raised more than $18,000 for the United Way of Livingston and Wyoming counties.

You could say that Jeff entered the metal trades program by way of Hilltop. Just over a year ago, he was introduced to the process of joining metals together when he was placed at Hilltop through Livingston County Workforce Development’s Livingston Youth Employment Program (LYEP). For five weeks last summer, Jeff soldered electrical components for Star Headlight and Lantern, a Hilltop-contracted manufacturer of lights for emergency vehicles.

Jeff’s dachshund
sculpture sold at
auction for $650

“On his first day of work, he was already composed and confident,” says Outreach Coordinator Jean Angililli. “He acted like he had done this forever. As time went on, he showed leadership skills and helped the other youth, and also anyone who was there working, if they were having trouble.  Ultimately, Jeff was able to attend the GVEP welding program — and he really got his start learning to solder at Hilltop.”

Jeff’s passion for metalworking extends beyond the school and work. He is considering a career in electrical engineering and robotics, and in his spare time, he welds pieces for the chassis of go-karts. And while he may not be taking apart any telephones these days, he still enjoys his share of tinkering.

“Basically, I make stuff,” Jeff says. “Whenever I get bored, I think, ‘Well, maybe I could make this, and it would be kind of cool.’ It becomes my project for the day, or whatever amount of time it takes me."

Mark Your Calendar: Family Forum is June 18th

Dear Friend:

I am writing to let you know that we are having a Family Forum on Wednesday June 18th at 6:30 PM at Hilltop (3 East State Street, Mount Morris). We will provide information about some important changes to services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York State. These changes will have a direct impact on you and your loved ones.
We will try to answer some of the following questions that you may have:

• What will services look like in the future at Hilltop?
• Will the workshop close?
• Where will my loved one work?
• What new services are being offered?
• How can I help?

Additionally, we will provide an update on the work of Congressman Chris Collins and State Senator Cathy Young on behalf of people with disabilities. Attached please find a letter that we recently received from Congressman Chris Collins, about the status of his inquiries into New York State's plans to close sheltered workshops and a letter from Senator Cathy Young about the status of "safety net" legislation she proposed to maintain the full array of services for people with disabilities in New York.
Family Forum
Wednesday June 18th at 6:30 PM
Hilltop, 3 East State Street, Mt. Morris

Get information about the future of services for people with disabilities in New York State.
Sincerely,


Chris Peterson
Executive Director
The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming

Attachments:
Letter from Congressman Chris Collins
Letter from State Senator Cathy Young

The "Hive" Comes Alive at Annual Spelling Bee

Stacy (left), Lori, and Ashley laugh it up with
the Geneseo Rotary team prior to the Bee.

After a year of silence, the buzz was back Thursday, May 1 as The Arc-Hives (Stacy Dynski, Lori Peraino, and Ashley Pankratz) delivered a honey of a performance at the 5th Annual Catholic Charities Spelling Bee, taking 6th place among a field of 17 teams.  The trio made it past "auxiliary," "balloon," "mosquito," "distraught," "accommodate," and "harangue" before falling victim to an acute case of "logorrhea," a word that means excessive and often incoherent talkativeness or wordiness.  The Penny Saver Fillies won the Bee when second-place finishers the Stellar Spellers failed to spell "seneschal."

“Opening Doors” Campaign Reaches $800,000 Goal

The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming has successfully reached our goal of $800,000 for the “Opening Doors to Children’s Bright Futures” capital campaign, a fundraiser for KidStart, our agency’s school for young children with special needs.

Tim McCallum (L), Lyle Lehman,
and Marcy VanZandt unveil
the Opening Doors capital campaign
thermometer signifying a grand total
of $800,000 raised.

“None of this would have been possible without the contributions and the efforts of staff, volunteers, people dropping nickels, dimes, and quarters into donation boxes, and people writing checks for $100 and $50,” said Arc Foundation President Tim McCallum. “It all adds up.”

Campaign donors joined staff from The Arc at the Big Tree Inn in Geneseo April 4 for a ceremony to officially close the campaign.

Three years ago, The Arc embarked on the Opening Doors capital campaign, the first capital campaign in our 50-plus year history. “Opening Doors” sought close the financial gap caused by the need for a new building for the KidStart program, which was displaced from its home on the SUNY Geneseo campus due to planned construction by the college.

“We were on the ropes, not really knowing what we would do with a very vital program, really the program that started The Arc,” said Executive Director Chris Peterson.

Opened in January 2011, KidStart’s new Lehman School in Groveland is a 33,000-square-foot facility built by local contractors to meet the needs of children from birth to 5 years. Located on 7.8 acres of land, the school includes 12 classrooms, 16 therapy offices, an evaluation center, a multipurpose room for training and large motor activities, and a playground.

The Lehman School is named in honor of children’s services pioneer Dr. Lyle Lehman. Ninety percent of the building is dedicated to serving children, while only 10 percent is used for administration.

Over its three-year existence, the Opening Doors campaign received contributions from almost 300 individuals, small businesses, corporations, foundations, and community groups. Through their support, KidStart is able to continue to help more than 300 children and their families every year, with services for children with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, speech, and physical disabilities.

“As a parent who had a daughter who started at KidStart, successfully became an integrated student at Letchworth, and now lives in one of our Dansville houses and works at Hilltop, I can safely say that she couldn’t have done it without the great start that she got at KidStart,” said Marcy VanZandt. “To all of the ‘parents-to-be’: your donation is money well spent.”

“I always say that it’s not a building that makes a program; it’s the people that work in the building that make the program,” added KidStart Director Chris Lynch. “We have a very dedicated staff that really makes the KidStart program what it is.”

Among the donors present at the campaign wrap-up were KidStart Special Education Teacher Dianne Cicero, who was the first person to give to the Opening Doors campaign, and local landowner Harold Stewart, who donated much of the land for the Lehman School.

KidStart, Livingston Arts to 'Light Up the Night' August 14 at Rockin’ the Arts 2014

The staff and boards of Livingston Arts and KidStart are excited to announce that Rockin’ the Arts 2014 will be held at The Wadsworth Estate on August 14 and the theme is “Light Up The Night.”

This fundraiser, hosted by Livingston Arts and KidStart, will benefit both children and art. Help us celebrate local artistic talents, local flavors, and music. Last year’s event was a sold-out success with 200 attendees.
The event will once again feature a live auction as the focal point of the evening, hosted by Teitsworth Auctions. New this year, a silent auction and Chinese auction of smaller items will be offered throughout the evening. Kelley Teitsworth joined the planning and event committee this year as consultant, sharing her knowledge in marketing, event planning, and auctions.
Applications are being accepted from artists who would like to participate. Click here to download an application, or call 243.6785. Entry deadline is Friday, April 18.

“I am looking forward to the variety of pieces we receive from artists, and their creative interpretation of light,” notes Livingston Arts Director Chris Norton. This can be something that is actually functional such as a light/lamp/torch or perhaps a painting that captures the delicate warm light of a sunset.

Proceeds from the auction and ticket sales for the event will be divided equally between Livingston Arts and KidStart. Livingston Arts enriches life in Livingston County by encouraging and promoting the arts and cultural activities. KidStart's special services, day care, and Head Start programs are unique because they serve children both with and without disabilities in an integrated setting.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For updates on the event or to become involved, visit facebook.com/RockintheArts or call Livingston Arts at (585) 243-6785.

Dine Out for The Arc on April 4th!

Come to the Big Tree Inn in Geneseo on Friday, April 4th (4:30pm 'til 9:00pm) to help raise money for The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming and enjoy a delicious meal too!

The Big Tree Inn will donate 10 percent of all pre-taxed food sales from any guest that presents this fundraising ticket to The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming.  So spread the word -- and join us for some great food on April 4th.

Make your reservations today!  And remember to print this fundraising ticket and present it to your server. 

Local Arc Underscores National Affiliation with New Logo

The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming has revealed a dynamic new logo as the face of the agency.  The logo, which is a version of its national parent agency's trademark, will be used on The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming's signs, buses, publications, Web site, and at community events.

According to Executive Director Chris Peterson, the new logo represents "a new day for The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming."   The agency will remain focused on the needs of local individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD), and will gain increased public awareness through national advertising and being associated with other Arc chapters across the country that have adopted similar logos.

The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming is one of more than 700 state and local chapters of the national Arc, the nation’s largest and leading organization dedicated to the rights and quality of life of people with I/DD and their families.

"The national Arc is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the country," Peterson explains.  "They introduced this logo three years ago, and their intention is for it  to become as recognizable as United Way, Red Cross, Special Olympics, and others that immediately mean something when people look at their logo.  We are confident that it will bring increased recognition and awareness to our programs and services."

Nationwide efforts toward wider brand recognition for The Arc recently hit a crescendo with news that Comcast and NBCUniversal have agreed to take on The Arc as a national partner.  Through a three-year commitment, the media giants will provide The Arc with $3.7 million in cash and in-kind support, including airtime to promote The Arc’s public service announcements on cable and broadcast channels and xfinity.com.

Foundation President Tim McCallum,
Senator Catharine Young, and
Arc CFO Martin Miskell

 

Locally, the logo was introduced on December 13th at The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming's staff holiday party, where it was unveiled by agency staff and New York State Senator Catharine Young, herself a former Arc employee at the Cattaraugus County chapter.  In the weeks that followed, the logo has been adopted at the agency's Web site (www.lwarc.org) and on its printed materials.  Rebranding will continue throughout 2014, as the agency rolls out new signage for its buildings and vehicles.

Individuals who receive services from The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming are optimistic that a boost in national recognition will lead to greater support for a cause that is close to their hearts.

“It is exciting to introduce the new face of our organization to the community,” says Lisa Irwin, president of the agency's Self Advocacy group.  "The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming is a very important part of my life and it is because of their support that I am able to achieve my goals and determine my own life.  This new identity will let everyone know that we are moving forward and making a difference every day.”