Pictured from left to right, members of Arc GLOW who are a big part of the LIVES program: Vice President of Day and Employment Services Kellie Kennedy, Habilitation and LIVES Coordinator Dawn Scott, Director of Community Prevocational Services Erika Forbes, and Senior Director of Day & Employment Services Judy Welch.
Press release/provided photos
GENESEO — In 2008 leaders of SUNY Geneseo and the local Developmental Disabilities Services Office approached Arc GLOW, then The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming, to partner and develop a four-year college experience program for people with disabilities on the SUNY Geneseo campus.
Past and present students of the LIVES program standing together for a group shot.
Now, 15 years later, alumni and family gathered at SUNY Geneseo on Wednesday to celebrate the creation of that program; LIVES.
LIVES, which stands for Learning, Independence, Vocational, Education, Skills, provides an inclusive higher education and college experience on the SUNY Geneseo campus. Students are engaged in campus activities, on-campus clubs and organizations, and auditing classes and vocational experiences through internships on campus and within the Geneseo community. Upon commencement, the LIVES program supports the development of and improvement in: independent living skills to enhance success in community and family living; vocational and career exploration skills; and academic and practical skills with hands on opportunities.
“Our first academic year was 2008-2009, and we started with a small group of students and two staff people from the Arc,” said Kellie Kennedy, vice president of day and employment services at Arc GLOW. “LIVES was headquartered in the Frasier Library, and became affectionally known as the ‘Fish Bowl.’”
Genesee Valley BOCES joined the LIVES program partnership in 2009 and offers similar services for school age students.
Three of the four members of the first class were present at the LIVES 15-Years Gala Reunion: Kaleb King, Hannah Brown and Justine Deluca. However, one of the members, Tom Ruf, was not present as he passed away in 2021 at the age of 63.
Ruf’s story epitomizes the impact the program has had on many of the people supported through the last 15 years.
“Tom was a non-traditional student who achieved his dream of going to college at 51 years old. Tom just wanted to be like everyone else; he wanted to be like his twin brother and other siblings and go to college,” Kennedy said. “Participating in the LIVES program was truly one of the highlights of his life. He never missed a day, he worked hard at being a part of campus, and was even able to take a class on meteorology—his passion.”
From left: Arc GLOW CEO Martin Miskell, SUNY Geneseo President Dr. Denise Battles, retired Arc GLOW LIVES Coordinator Mary Coniglio, and Arc GLOW Habilitation and LIVES Coordinator Dawn Scott.
At the LIVES Graduation at the School of Education Convocation in 2012, then SUNY Geneseo President Chris Dahl presented Ruf with a special Perseverance Award for his hard work in the program.
“This program truly changes lives,” said SUNY Geneseo President Dr. Denise Battles. “I am always inspired when I see LIVES participants on campus, going to classes among the students as vibrant members of our Geneseo community.”
One LIVES student who Battles spoke of was Zachary Mogavero, an artist who produced a sketch for her of her. The sketch has hung in a place of honor in her kitchen for many years, and since then Mogavero’s art has showed up all around Geneseo.
“As a LIVES student, he approached me about using his skills to promote events on campus, and we gratefully accepted his offer,” she said. “This year, he designed the logo for our Geneseo Recognizing Excellence Achievement and Talent celebration, known as GREAT Day. Zach has developed abilities with graphic design and programs like Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for his work creating signs.”
“Because of the LIVES program, Zachary and other participants like him are given the opportunity to develop the talents they have and contribute to the communities in which they live,” Battles continued.
With the success of the LIVES program, at Wednesday’s gala in front of around 100 people, Arc GLOW gave a new announcement.
CEO Martin Miskell announces Arc GLOW’s newest college experience; Genesee IGNITE.
“Since our 2021 merger creating Arc GLOW, we began thinking about developing a similar program for the northern region of our GLOW service area — Genesee and Orleans,” said Martin Miskell, CEO of Arc GLOW. “Well I’m here to share tonight that plans are in place to do just that! Thanks to the hard work and wealth of knowledge of all the Arc GLOW staff connected to LIVES, we are unveiling a new program, partnering with Genesee Community College (GCC)! I am very excited to announce that our new college experience program with GCC is called Genesee IGNITE.”
Genesee IGNITE stands for Inspiring Growth and Nurturing Independence Through Education. It is currently on target to kick off this fall at GCC’s Batavia campus.
Genesee IGNITE is a two-year program, with an academic and vocational focus, covering areas including: budgeting, health and wellness, financial literacy and money management, relationship building and social skills, career exploration, community engagement, and preparing for independent living.
In the coming weeks and months, Arc GLOW will be accepting applications for Genesee IGNITE. The initial class will begin with five students at the end of August.
To download an application, visit ArcGLOW.org/apply-for-services