Russ Neale, a
community partner of The Arc of Delaware County, has shared his love of
woodworking by providing many classes over the past several years. Over a period of 8 weeks students learned about
the types and properties of wood and how they can be used as well as how to
operate and work safely with the tools and equipment in his workshop. Russ’s class is very popular and and when
students show their finished projects to friends,
co-workers, and family
members, the more people want to participate.
This summer Joe
Pantale, Tina Cawley, Robert Dircks, and Tracey Rossi enjoyed creating a variety of personal projects including small
wooden chests, bird houses, and a team project that Robert and Tracey worked
on, a fabulous park bench that was
donated to Resources for Industry in Walton, NY. The pride and enjoyment over their finished
projects can be seen on our Flickr site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/delarc/14935643034/
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| Dave Riordan and Bill Vagts enjoying a ride on the Delaware and Ulster train. |
Several folks from Community Living Skills- Arkville celebrated
the fall season with train rides; baking, hiking, and keeping our scenic highways
clean.
Kelly Piskacek and her guest Bill Vagts enjoyed a fall train
ride compliments of the Delaware and Ulster Railroad in Arkville, NY in
appreciation of the assistance Kelly gave to the train service. And, Garett Morgan, an avid outdoorsman, took
to the trails to take in the beauty of the Catskill mountains.
Helping to keep the scenery beautiful, David Greenwood and
Danny Woytowich volunteered to help clean along the parks and roadways in the “Adopt-a
Highway” program.
Enjoying the fall harvest, Cathy Ippolito and Roseanna
Starkweather used winter squash and honey to make healthy and delicious treats.
Everybody enjoyed the beauty of the season and the Catskill
area in their own way. We hope you did too!
On 9/11/14 James Eisel, Chairman of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors and Supervisor of the Town of Harpersfield, kicked off the opening of the“Before I Die” community project at noon today before a large group in Delhi’s Courthouse Square honoring the tragic events of 9/11 with a moment of silence. This project allows people in Delaware County to share their thoughts, dreams, and aspirations with the community.
Mr. Eisel introduced a number of people from the county including Tina Mole’, the Supervisor of Bovina and Vice Chairman of the County’s Board of Supervisors; Wayne Shepard, Director of the Office of Aging; Elizabeth Sova, Director of the SUNY Delhi O’Connor Center for Community Engagement; Jason Thomson, Superintendant of the Delaware Academy Central School District in Delhi, Reverend Sarah Hooker, First Presbyterian Church of Delhi, Tammy Christman of the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care; and Steve Finkel from The Arc of Delaware County.
Mr. Finkel noted that “The 7 organizations supporting this program, including the Veterans Services Agency of Delaware County, the County Maintenance Department and the thousands of Delaware County people they serve and represent, have been very supportive of this unique program that started in 2011 in New Orleans with a young artist named Candy Chang.” The program has grown to reach out to over 70 countries in 34 languages, from China, Russia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, to South and North America, crossing all political, social, ethnic, religious and geographical
boundaries.
“Getting this program launched was a team effort, a real community program that included Justin Foster, a SUNY faculty member in their Building Technologies curriculum and 10 of his students that helped construct and install the Before I Die boards in the Square, and Nicholas Wager, who, with Rev. Hooker were the social media and technical wizards behind getting the word out to all, “ Finkel added.
Finkel concluded by thanking everyone….”for coming, caring and sharing….and importantly, giving back to your community on this very important national day of remembrance.
For more photos of this event visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/delarc/sets/72157647484400742/
On the opening day of school Amanda Green shared her dream
of becoming a teacher’s aide with students at Delaware Academy High School. As part of a team of presenters which included
Rev. Sarah Hooker from the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi and Steve Finkel
from The Arc of Delaware County, Amanda helped encourage students to
participate in the upcoming “Before I Die” community wall that will be
available Sept. 11th- Oct. 17th at the Courthouse Square in Delhi, NY. By sharing her dream she hoped to encourage
others to share their thoughts, ambitions, and dreams.
Amanda told of the many steps she has already taken towards
achieving her dream including receiving her GED earlier this year and seeking classroom
experience by volunteering in Mrs. Coleman’s Kindergarten class at Delaware
Academy. She has updated her resume and
hopes to obtain a full time teacher’s aide position in the future. Amanda knows that dreams become reality only
when people are committed and patient.
She said that she worked toward her GED goal for 5 years. “The hardest part
is doing it every day, trying to schedule time to fit it in. It’s hard, but
don’t give up!” To view Amanda’s
previous story about earning her GED: http://arcstories.blogspot.com/2014_03_01_archive.html
And in the journey toward her goal
of becoming a teacher’s aide, Amanda has gained experience in public speaking
and really enjoyed getting to know the children in the Kindergarten class. “The kids are so much fun! “ She shakes her head
and laughs, “When my back is turned, (it is so funny) some of the things they
try.” She also shared that she hand selects a story to read to the class and is
amazed by all the questions they ask about the story.
The famous Chinese philosopher Lao-tsu said, “The journey of
a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Amanda is well on her way to
making her dream a reality.
Whether a graduating student plans to continue his/her education, join the work force, or pursue some other interest at home or in the community, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) may be able to offer supports and services to ease the transition.
To help students with developmental disabilities and their families learn more about what supports and services are available following graduation, The Arc of Delaware County is hosting what OPWDD refers to as a Front Door (i.e. front door to services) presentation on September 24, 2014, from 5:00 until 6:30 p.m.
This free presentation will take place at The Arc of Delaware County, 34570 State Highway 10, Walton, NY 13856. To register or for more information contract Kim Shaw at 607/865-7126, ext. 104 or kshaw@delarc.org.
“Before I Die” is a global art project that invites people
to reflect on their lives and share their personal aspirations in a public
space. Humbly launched in 2011 by an artist from New Orleans, Candy Chang, the
program has spread to 70 countries, in 34 languages on over 500 “walls”…..crossing
all political, ethnic, religious and geographical boundaries.
The program will be
kicked off on Thursday, September 11 at Noon at the Courthouse Square in Delhi
and is tied in with the anniversary of 9/11 as part of the National Day of Service and
Remembrance. “The program allows people to share their feelings,
ambitions, dreams and goals in a very public, yet anonymous way,” said Sally
Kauffman, a resident of East Branch, who is joining the team on the 11th
for the kickoff. “We hope that the community will join us on the 11th
at noon to launch this community-based program focused on bringing people and
their thoughts together in a creative and inspirational way,” she added.
The Before I Die
boards will be up in the Square from September 11th through October
17th. Boards have been
posted worldwide from Russia, China, the Middle East, Europe, Africa,
Australia, and Japan to North and South America. “The three boards in the Delhi Square are
really shared spaces where people of all ages can write their views on the
meaning of life, opportunities yet to be achieved, express sadness, joy,
forgiveness…even shame…the range of emotions will match the number of people
that will share their aspirations with everyone who views them,” emphasized
Becky Townsend from Walton.
Come by Courthouse
Square, Pickup a Piece of Chalk & Share With Us. It Will Feel Great To Do
So!
“We simply ask that
people treat these 3 spaces with dignity, respect and care---they are, after
all, everyone’s spaces and thoughts to share,” said Renee Maxwell of Delhi. A number of Delaware County organizations
have come together to support this program, including: Catskill Area Hospice
and Palliative Care, The Arc of Delaware County, the Delaware County Office of
the Aging, the First Presbyterian Church
of Delhi, the Delaware County Veterans Service Agency, SUNY Delhi, Delaware Academy Central School District at
Delhi and the Delaware County Maintenance Department. “In fact, last year SUNY Delhi students had
a Before I Die program on campus. It was
a great success and we’re glad it has moved to a more community based
location,” noted Elizabeth Sova, SUNY’s Director of the O’Connor Center for
Community Engagement. “We encourage everyone to come by the Square on the 11th,
or any day until October 17th
to pick up a piece of chalk and share their thoughts and dreams,” she
added. Visit the website: http://beforeidie.cc/ . “Like” us on Facebook:
BeforeIDieDelhi,NY .
Photo
caption: Come by Delhi’s Courthouse Square starting at
Noon on September 11th to
share your thoughts and feelings on one of the 3 “Before I Die” boards…it will feel great to do so!
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| The Arc of Delaware County Staff |
The Arc of Delaware County held it's Staff Retreat at Scott's Family Resort in Deposit, NY on August 1st.
During the morning session, employees from all departments and facilities mixed together and had fun getting to know each other during the relay races and variety show skits they performed.
Blue skies prevailed during the afternoon so that everyone could enjoy the water sports, outdoor volleyball and horseshoe courts, golf, and relaxing at the water's edge. Many enjoyed the various workshops presented by staff. A great day was had by all! View photos of the fun had by Staff at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/delarc/sets/72157646170789921/
To learn how you can become a part of our team visit our Career page on our website:
http://delarc.org/~delarc/index.php/careers/
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New Employees Recognized at the Retreat
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