Arc Alliance Announces Newly Appointed Co-Chairs

Advocacy

Arc Alliance is a self-advocacy group hosted by The Arc of Monroe comprised of people with disabilities across the Rochester region. The group meets monthly to talk about the latest issues that people with disabilities face in their communities, as well as practical solutions to bring meaningful change. In 2022, Reenie Levy and Josh D. were voted to lead the group as the new co-chairs. Meet Reenie I have been at the Arc of Monroe since 1985 when I worked in the Arc workshop until I was 40. I advocated to take the R word out of our organization’s name …

Arc of Monroe Welcomes New Assistant Director of Nursing

Staff Perspectives

The Arc of Monroe welcomes Nicole Emler, MSN, RN to her role as the Assistant Director of Nursing. Niki returns to the agency with 20 years as an RN and 8 years as a Nurse Practitioner. “Niki’s previous role at The Arc as a residential RN and her supervisory role in rehab and long-term care facilities makes her a perfect fit for this very important position within the agency,” Sue Sproule, Director of Nursing at The Arc of Monroe, said. “We look forward to the enhancements her presence will create within the medical team!” Our nursing team works tirelessly to …

Understanding The Intersection of Black & Disability History

Advocacy, Stories Of People We Support

For decades, civil rights advocates have led the way in creating meaningful change in American society for many diverse groups of people. As the Civil Rights Movement picked up momentum across the United States in the mid-1900’s, the Disability Rights Movement mirrored many of the same efforts, creating an overlap in advocacy for both populations. Generations of Black people and people with disabilities were treated in horrific ways throughout our nation’s history. In order to help create a more welcoming, kind community, self-advocates and supporting staff of Arc Alliance – a self-advocacy group organized by The Arc of Monroe – …

Snow Much Fun with Ballantyne!

Stories Of People We Support

Ballantyne Day Services had snow much fun taking advantage of this winter weather! Staff treated everyone to hot cocoa, games at the lodge and sledding at Harris Whalen Park for a fun outing. Ballantyne Day Services is designed to support the specific needs of aging adults, including those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit www.ArcMonroe.org/Day-Services-Ballantyne.

Identifying Aspiration Pneumonia

Health and Wellness

Have you ever experienced a meal where something “went down the wrong pipe”? If so, you’ve experienced what’s known as aspiration. This is a fairly common occurrence that can occasionally lead to aspiration pneumonia when someone can’t cough up whatever has entered his or her airways. Pneumonia is a breathing condition in which there is inflammation (swelling) or an infection of the lungs or large airways. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when food, saliva, liquids, or vomit is breathed into the lungs or airways leading to the lungs, instead of being swallowed into the esophagus and stomach. As you can imagine, aspirating …

Love Your Job! 3 Reasons I Love Working at The Arc of Monroe

Employment, Staff Perspectives

Love Your Job! 3 Reasons I Love Working at The Arc of Monroe Do you love what you are doing? Do you want to love what you do? Then maybe a career at The Arc of Monroe is for you. Here are 3 reasons Vice President of Programs & Services Mike Catalano loves working at The Arc of Monroe. Amazing People we Support and Staff I love working at The Arc because of the people we support and our staff. I learn something new every day and I have more appreciation for the little things, because I think we take so many things …