MARK GILLESPIE/Livingston County News
The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming has joined a list of business and industry honorees compiled just one-per-year since 1979 as The Livingston County Business of the Year.
A surprise entourage consisting of Livingston County Chamber of Commerce staff and nomination committee members interrupted Chris Peterson, executive director for The Arc, during his daily duties last Thursday to make the announcement. The group included committee chairman Tim McMahon and member Matt Gaynor, Chamber president Cynthia Oswald and staffer Debbie Cisco, and Livingston County Deputy Director of Economic Development Julie Marshall.
McMahon read the proclamation, recognizing The Arc as a force promoting business development and the quality of life in Livingston County.
“You are an economic driver in this county,” Oswald offered. “There are many things you do for us here, those we know about and some you do very quietly. We appreciate them all.”
An invitation was extended to Peterson and other Arc administrative officers to attend the 32nd Chamber Business & Industry Day Luncheon, June 18, at the Genesee River Restaurant, at which the award will be officially presented.
The Arc came into existence in 1961 when a group of Wyoming and Livingston County parents of children with disabilities banded together to advocate for programs and services addressing those disabilities.
But it took until 1974 for The Arc to organize into an actual service providing agency, operating vocational and residential programs for disabled persons.
The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming is one of 55 chapters affiliated with the New York State ARC, which itself had existed since 1949, working to replace institutionalization with more humane treatments for the mentally and physically disabled.
The objective of The Arc has always been to lend dignity and individualization to the lives of disabled persons who might otherwise not be able to realize those qualities.
Under the banner of Hilltop Industries (because the first worksite was on Murray Hill), the early workforce produced pallets and did furniture refinishing.
Other worksites were in Warsaw, York and in Mount Morris. Current worksites are in Mount Morris at 3 East State Street and 18 Main Street, and in East Avon just north of Exit 9.
The Hilltop Industries division employs 275 people in vocational activity. The workforce is engaged in printing, small assembly and packaging, and has substantial contracted work with other area businesses.
All packaging and assembly work is ISO certified to international quality standards. The accreditation, requiring renewal every three years, was re-established in March of this year.
The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming additionally operates 14 residential homes where a total 86 clients live.
“KidStart” is the third major division of The Arc. More than 300 children attend daily sessions. These activities will soon be moving from the Holcomb School on the SUNY Geneseo campus to a new facility at Hampton Corners.
All told, The Arc employs about 600 persons in full and part time capacity, including its large transportation division, which is an essential element serving the other divisions.
See complete story in our June 10 print edition.
