ARC Celebrates 3rd Disability Mentoring Day

Pictured from left are Raymond Lewandowski, Executive Director of Madison Cortland ARC; Robert Finster, Director of Food and Beverage at Vernon Downs and Pat Dowse, Chief Operating Officer of NYSRA.

This week Madison Cortland ARC was pleased to participate in the third annual celebration of Disability Mentoring. On Wednesday, a kick off event for Disability Mentoring Day was held at the Canastota Library. Oneida Deputy Mayor Max Smith delivered a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Peter Hedglon proclaiming the day as Disability Mentoring Day.

Following the kick-off, students from Madison Oneida BOCES headed to local businesses for tours and job-shadowing activities throughout the morning.

“When I get out of school I would like to find a job in a salon. At Disability Mentoring Day you can learn lot,” said Becky Pratt, a junior at Vernon Verona Sherrill who is in the Cosmetology Program at BOCES. Pratt says she welcomes any opportunities for job-shadowing and career exploration. She likes learning what it’s like to be “on the job.” At Disability Mentoring Day, Pratt was able to shadow staff in the Public Relations Department at Madison Cortland ARC.

Speaking to Pratt, Executive Director Ray Lewandowski said: “I’m really glad to see you here so you can learn about what we do. The more experience someone has, the more choices they can make.”

“DMD has gotten bigger every year. More employers continue to get involved. The opportunity to go out to see real workplaces is great. It’s more important than anything else,” said Jack Campbell, Assistant Executive Director of Madison Cortland ARC.

Pat Dowse, Chief Operating Officer of NYSRA was on hand to give an award to Vernon Downs Casino in appreciation of their continued commitment to hiring individuals with disabilities. “We need to be partners with business owners in the community. Business Owners need to realize that the mission is not just about hiring an individual; it’s about embracing the whole idea of employment. It’s about the realization that they (employees with disabilities) are valuable employees,” Dowse said. NYSRA is an advocacy group designed to support and promote policy and other initiatives that help integrate and mainstream people with differing abilities into the community.

Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) promotes career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through job shadowing and hands-on career exploration. Local communities around the country organize their own activities to bring students/job-seekers and employers together for informational sessions about career opportunities and one-on-one mentoring with volunteers at public and private places of employment.

“This is the third year I have been involved with Disability Mentoring Day and I hope to be a part of many more. It is a great opportunity for businesses to focus on abilities and not on disabilities,” says Renee MacDonald, Transitional Advocate at Madison Cortland ARC and local DMD Coordinator.

Businesses that participated in this year’s Disability Mentoring Day include: Madison Cortland ARC, Oneida Nation Car Care, Utica School of Commerce, Madison County Recycling Center, Canastota Public Library and the Oneida Parks and Recreation Department.

On Friday, October 23, the mentees will be continuing their career exploration at a Career Fair being held at the State office building in Utica.

For more information on how to get involved as a mentee or as a business partner please contact Renee MacDonald at (315) 363-3315 or email: renee.macdonald@madisoncortlandarc.org.

ARC Celebrates 3rd Disability Mentoring Day

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