Press release/provided photos
BATAVIA — Last Wednesday night was Arc GLOW’s 2nd Annual Awards Banquet and Annual Meeting.
Over 300 staff, individuals, family members and community members came to the Batavia Downs to honor the 12 award recipients. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and representatives from Senator George Borello and Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s office were also in attendance.
“October first marked our official three-year anniversary as Arc GLOW; we have accomplished so much as one agency,” said Martin Miskell, CEO.
Additionally this year, Arc GLOW launched Genesee IGNITE in partnership with Genesee Community College. This, and the LIVES program through SUNY Geneseo which celebrated 15 years in April, are Arc GLOW’s inclusive higher education and college experience programs.
Two other agency milestones which were celebrated this year were Hilltop in August which celebrated 50 years and Finders Keepers Thrift Shop which celebrated 15 years in June.
Over 137 Arc GLOW staff also celebrated longevity milestones ranging from five to 40 years of service in 2024.
“We completed our first phase of the strategic plan to examine where we are, where we want to go, and how we are going to get there. Our first major initiative resulted in a Brand Marketing Plan, and we will be working with Causewaves to guide us through,” Miskell said.
In the coming year, Miskell said Arc GLOW aims to:
· Look to expand the variety of our programming to meet every interest and ability.
· Roll out the Brand Marketing Plan to include a new mission and vision statement.
· Advocate for more funding and grants.
· Continue to make renovations to Arc GLOW homes and sites to accommodate the needs of the individuals it serves.
· Increase staff retention and recruitment to be the employer of choice.
· Increase community awareness in Arc GLOW.
Rebecca Leclair was the emcee for our event. She is a Geneseo native and proud graduate of Geneseo Central School and Syracuse University. She has 30 years of broadcast journalism experience having anchored local news in Rochester and currently serves as a media consultant for corporate and non-profit clients.
Leclair’s sister, Cindy Parker, worked in the senior rehab program as a direct support professional for The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming for 12 years and was Martin Miskell’s classmate at Geneseo Central Schools.
The award recipients this year were the following:
Self-Advocate of the Year
Nate Johnidas
“This year was a big one for him. Nate set many goals for himself this past year regarding his desire to be more independent. In an effort to facilitate this, Nate took the appropriate measures to become his own guardian and representative payee,” said Jill Pegelow, vice president of self-direction and community services. “His self-advocacy efforts paid off and he was successful in reaching these goals and now resides his own apartment in the community. Nate continues to work with staff and natural supports to maintain his independence in his new apartment.”
Johnidas also ran for and was voted president of the Self-Advocacy All-Stars. As president, he led the group in preparing for the annual talent show and reached out to community members to invite them to speak at the 3rd Annual Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self-Advocacy Day.
Community Services and Self-Direction Person of the Year
Brittany Murphy
“Brittany is currently supported in both Community Services and Self-Direction,” Pegelow said. “She shows outstanding participation within the Community Services Department. She regularly attends the Genesee County Meet Ups activities, and shows respect to all of her peers and staff members during these Respite services.”
Murphy also provides numerous suggestions for future activities, and delivers feedback on previous activities, allowing staff members to plan and improve upcoming outings. She contributes to her community by volunteering with animals during Community Habilitation Services.
KidStart Employee of the Year
Margaret Putman
“Maggie is the force which drives KidStart’s Admin Team. She has been with KidStart, as an Administrative Assistant, since 2007,” said Stephanie Metz, vice president of children’s services. “She is the primary liaison between our 17 school districts and five counties, ensuring the accuracy and timely submission of all paperwork, and facilitating meetings between KidStart providers and all outside entities.”
Metz also said Putman is the creative mind behind all of KidStart’s social media posts and parent communication fliers.
Supported Employment Person of the Year
Elizabeth Padilla
“Liz took on a front-desk receptionist job at Walnut Street in September 2022. Over the past two years Liz has shown growth, tenacity, and excitement regarding her employment,” said Kellie Kennedy, vice president of day and employment services. “Liz is always looking for something new to learn and takes great pride in mastering new skills. She is a friendly face for all who visit the Walnut St. location and provides quality customer service.”
If you asked Padilla a few years ago about working the front desk, she would have responded with hesitation Kennedy said. Now, she jumps feet first with a can-do attitude.
Pre-Vocational Person of the Year
Tammy Reimels
“Tammy has been willing to try new jobs in the work center, learn new skills and expand her work experiences,” Kennedy said. “The work center is expanding programing—doing work readiness groups and pre-vocational activities. Tammy has begun to explore these areas too.”
Kennedy said Reimels has shown growth at work and a willingness to try new things, building work skills and relationships at work.
Day Habilitation Person of the Year
James Gibbs
“James is such a wonderful part of our Without Walls program. He is always willing to help staff or his peers and comes in every day with a smile,” Kennedy said. “James participates in every activity with no complaints. He is hard working as well as polite. He has shown so much growth and we can’t wait to see what else he is capable of.”
Residential Person of the Year
Monica Mineo
“Monica lives at our Garfield IRA right here in Batavia,” said Deb Tuckerman, vice president of residential services. “Monica has a huge love of purses and cell phones, and she is known for writing fan letters to celebrities, often receiving a response in return!”
Mineo over the past few years has shown great improvement in her daily living skills and independence. She is always willing to assist both staff and her housemates, and she works as a bus monitor and helps people with their seat belts.
Direct Support Professional Person of the Year
Heather Taft
The residential manager of the Reed Street IRA in Avon, Taft also has been named one of four recipients of a statewide Thomas A. Maul Direct Support Professional Excellence Award. Through this award, The Arc New York recognizes individuals who consistently demonstrate excellence, creativity, and commitment in providing supports to people with intellectual and other disabilities.
“This award is presented in honor of Thomas A. Maul, who during his tenure as OMRDD Commissioner from 1993 to 2006, addressed many of the long-standing issues that face our organization and the people we serve,” Tuckerman said.
Employee of the Year
Heidi Wyant
Wyant has been with the agency for almost three years—coming to Arc GLOW from Community Action of Orleans Transportation. So, although she has only been with the agency since 2021, her impact has been felt by the people we serve for over 30 years since CATS had a long-standing partnership with Arc of Orleans and later Arc of Genesee Orleans.
“The impact that Heidi has on the agency is far more in depth than most people realize. She supervises over 30 employees, is responsible for the transportation of over 200 adults and children, all with some type of special need, on more than 25 bus routes,” said John Prospero, vice president of transportation. “In addition, Heidi is responsible for managing our northern vehicle fleet of about 100 vehicles—which entails everything from fleet maintenance to fuel and oh by the way now is done in a NYSDOT certified facility. And here is one other tidbit that I am guessing most of you do not realize—Heidi’s operation transports people throughout seven counites. In the three years that Heidi and I have worked together, she has brought in new business, recruited drivers and literally doubled the number of bus routes and the people we serve.”
Friend of Arc GLOW
Hoffman Hanafin & Associates
Hoffman Hanafin is Arc GLOW’s insurance broker for the agency’s general liability insurance and workers comp.
“They are one of our largest sponsors. Not only are they consistent, this year they helped facilitate our involvement in an insurance captive that is helping us improve our safety throughout the agency and reduce our costs,” Miskell said. The team at Hoffman Hanafin are so important to what we do as an agency given our fleet size and the incredible number of properties that we have; the level of expertise is something that you cannot put a price on. We are constantly reaching out for best practices and information. Hoffman Hanafin is a true community friend and supporter of Arc GLOWS mission and vision.”
Business Partner of the Year
Aunt Cookie’s Sub Shop
Aunt Cookies was chosen and nominated because they support the LIVES students through internships and has offered one of the students a per diem position over the summer to help continue to grow his skills.
“The staff at Aunt Cookies offers the LIVES students an opportunity to learn all aspects of a job and supports them while they learn,” said Rebecca Leclair, emcee. “The staff have taught the students how to make orders, how to take orders and how to work in a safe kitchen environment.”
Volunteers of the Year
Kevin and Dawn Fisher
Kevin Fisher is a member of the Arc GLOW Board of Directors. He was elected to this leadership position 14 years ago when a friend that was on the board was moving out to the state, and encouraged him to step up. “It seemed like the right thing to do,” he said the staff newsletter.
The Arc is just one of the disability-related organizations that the Fishers devote their time and energy to. The other is the Down Syndrome Parent Support Group of Genesee County, Inc. Kevin and his wife Dawn joined the DSPSG following the birth of their daughter Colleen, 33 years ago. Dawn is the group’s current and longtime president.
“When Kevin and Dawn became parents of a child with a disability, they also assumed new roles, as advocates. They quickly learned the importance up speaking up and speaking out not only on behalf of their daughter, but all people with disabilities,” said Cheryl Englert, board president. “They are a resource for other parents of children with special needs, offering support, advice and listening ears.”
Three Arc GLOW Board of Directors were recognized for their service: John Haugh, Susan Maha and Michelle Mahler.
Additionally, Arc GLOW recognized the Tuohey family and their commitment to Arc GLOW. Mary Lou Tuohey announced she will be retiring from her family business Case-Nic Cookies at the end of 2024.
“The Tuohey family is the true definition of a community friend and supporter of Arc GLOW’s mission and vision,” said Englert. “The Tuohey family always can be found volunteering at Arc events or organizing fundraisers to benefit Arc GLOWs programs and other communities. Mary Lou constantly provides cookies for our fundraisers and events, and her daughter, Nicole, heads her own fundraisers. Her Have a Heart Campaign raised over $2,300 this year that benefited many programs within the agency.”
The event was DJed by Josh Tiede, a self-advocate and public relations officer of the Batavia-based GLOW Trotters self-advocacy program. Stephanie Wagner, a participant at Academy Street Day Habilitation Program in Albion, sang and played the piano.
To learn more about Arc GLOW services, support, or employment opportunities, visit their website at ArcGLOW.org