Arc Alliance Self Advocacy Group
The Arc of Monroe is an inspiring organization supporting people who are living their lives with an unprecedented focus on POSSIBILITIES!
Arc Alliance Self Advocacy
Arc Alliance is a self advocacy group organized by The Arc of Monroe that is comprised of people with disabilities. 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 2023, the incredible efforts of this group were recognized statewide as Arc Alliance was named Group of the Year for both the Western/Finger Lakes Region and New York State by the Self Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS).
Want to get involved?
The group is open to anyone in the greater Rochester area! Members do not need to receive services from The Arc of Monroe to be part of Arc Alliance. Email Bekka Fifield to learn about how to join.
2025 Goals & Discussion Topics
All goals and discussion subjects are planned out by Arc Alliance members and staff leaders to engage attendees and the community in healthy discussion about issues and topics surrounding people with disabilities. Some examples for 2025 include:
- Learning about The Arc of Monroe’s advocacy goals
- Common language about disability
- Independent Living
- OPWDD
- How the news works
- Crime Prevention
- Local Legislators
- Organ Transplant Discrimination in People with IDD
- Disability Awareness Month
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Arc of Monroe Contacts
Bekka Fifield
Advocacy Manager
(315) 955-9310
rfifield@arcmonroe.org
Government Representatives
Senator Charles E. Schumer
780 Third Avenue, Suite 2301
New York, NY 10017
Click to Email
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Kenneth B. Keating Federal Office Building
100 State Street
Room 4195
Rochester, NY 14614
Click to Email
Congressman Joseph Morelle
3120 Federal Building
100 State Street
Rochester, NY 14614
Click to Email
Resources
- Advocacy Tool Kit
- NY Alliance Resources
Arc Alliance meets monthly at The Arc of Monroe headquarters and on Zoom. Email Bekka Fifield if you have questions or need the Zoom link.
2060 Brighton Henrietta Townline Rd.
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 271-0660
Upcoming Events
January 30, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Welcome, 2025 Advocacy Goals
February 27, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Scott Spezzano
March 27, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | OPWDD Presentation from Maria Torgalski
April 24, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Retired Channel 13 News Anchor Don Alhart
May 28, 2025 1p.m. – 3 p.m. | Tour of Monroe County Sheriff Office Zone B
June 26, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Assemblymember Jennifer Lunsford
July 31, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Non-Discrimination for people with IDD in Organ Transplantation with Charlotte Woodward
August 28, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
September 25, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
October 30, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
November 20, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
December 18, 2025 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | End of Year Party
Meet the 2024-2025 Co-Chairs
Every year, the Arc Alliance Co-Chairs work with the group’s Arc of Monroe staff leader to determine what projects to work on, facilitate meetings and advocate in their community. Damon Thomas and Mike Kirchoff were voted to lead the group in 2024 by other members.
Morgan Bertch
Morgan Bertch has also been with the Arc Alliance for a year as he is also in the ExperienceWorks! Program. What being a self advocate means to Morgan is being able to speak up for yourself and helping others do the same. He likes the fact that he gets to meet people from other groups during the Arc Alliance meetings that he wouldn’t typically get to, as members from other programs within The Arc of Monroe, as well as other Arc divisions attend the meetings. Becoming co-chair was exciting to Morgan because he wants to be able to help people and has experience in event planning. He will even be helping to plan the regional conference held in Rochester. He also looks forward to having guest speakers in, mentioning bringing in his brother who works in HVAC to provide heat and air conditioning to buildings within The Arc of Monroe. In his free time, Morgan likes to go for walks outside when it’s warm and listening to the police scanner.
Mark Seccombe
Mark Seccombe has been in the Arc Alliance for one year. He comes from ExperienceWorks! a prevocational program providing volunteer opportunities out in the community. He likes the Arc Alliance because he gets to learn new things and now that he’s co-chair he will have a hand in selecting speakers to come and meet with the group. His big goal is to get Bills Quarterback Josh Allen to come in. When Mark isn’t at program or in his Arc Alliance meetings, he enjoys going to Buffalo Bills and hockey games. He’s also an Alter Server for his church.
Arc Alliance in the News
Autism speaks joins over 375 organizations in calling for reversal of layoffs at the Department of Education
To Combat Direct Support Professional Shortage, Arc Advance Academy Trains In-house to Those Without Prior Experience
The Arc of Monroe opens a new training center
More Advocacy Resources from The Arc of Monroe
If you’re interested in learning more about how The Arc of Monroe is leading the way in advocacy efforts for people with disabilities in our region, we invite you to visit our advocacy page. There, you will find information about how to contact your local government representatives, our agency’s stance on various disability issues and how to help empower people in your community to take action.
