Arc of Oswego County to Celebrate Progress for People With Disabilities With Statewide Week of Service

FULTON-Arc of Oswego County and nine chapters from the Central region are joining people with disabilities, staff, and families across the state to celebrate The Arc New York’s 75th Anniversary with 75 Acts of Service. The Week of Service, which runs June 1-8, commemorates the organization’s historic achievements for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), a celebration of inclusion, and a call to action for continued engagement from communities across New York. Together, they’re mounting 75 service projects in a single week to improve parks, neighborhoods, and communities across the state.

The Arc of Oswego County will volunteer at Second Chances, a free furniture and clothing shop in Oswego that runs on the generosity of the community. Arc of Oswego County will also work with the City of Fulton’s Department of Parks and Recreation on a park clean-up and painting project.

75 years ago, the people we support today would often have been isolated or institutionalized. These projects showcase their contributions as active and engaged community members and remind us that opportunities for people with disabilities benefit us all.

“This statewide effort is a reminder that we are stronger together,” said Erik Geizer, CEO of The Arc New York. “We can each make a difference in our own community. Together, we’re rallying hundreds of people to make positive change together. That’s how the parents who founded The Arc New York drove progress, and we best honor their legacy by continuing their work.”

Celebrating 75 Years of Advocacy & Opportunity

One mother’s three-line ad in the New York Post ignited our entire system of support for people with disabilities.

In 1949, Ann Greenberg placed a classified ad in The New York Post, seeking other parents needing support for their children with disabilities. Her son Jerry had been denied admission to public school due to his intellectual and developmental disabilities. A handful of parents responded to the ad and met in Ann’s NYC apartment. Within just a few months, hundreds of parents got involved. There were virtually no supports or opportunities available at the time, and it was common for doctors to tell parents that the best place for their child was in an institution. But these parents wanted more for their children.

The organization they founded evolved to The Arc New York, the largest provider of supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York State. Today, 35 local Chapters of The Arc New York provide supports and services for more than 60,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in every county of New York state, and The Arc’s full reach extends nationally.

In the 75 years since its founding, The Arc New York has driven transformation and progress in the lives of people with disabilities, fought and ended the abuses of institutionalization, and developed a robust system of community support in our mission “to provide people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities the ordinary and extraordinary opportunities of life.” 

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About The Arc New York

The Arc New York is the largest family-based provider of services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York State. Since 1949, The Arc New York has been a strong advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with I/DD. For more information, visit [The Arc New York’s website].

About Arc of Oswego County

 Arc of Oswego County is a private, not-for-profit organization providing programs and services to individuals with disabilities since 1953. Services include community habilitation, respite services, and senior day habilitation programs. Its mission is to be a leader in the field of developmental disabilities, committed to meeting the needs of individual growth, productivity, and independence through education, advocacy, and increased community acceptance and participation. Its sister agency, Oswego Industries, Inc., provides services to children and adults with disabilities: together, they create a comprehensive support system for Oswego County residents with disabilities.