ARISE - Exceptional Family Resources

11/21/2025

URGENT COMMUNITY REQUEST

Donate Wheelchairs and Shower Benches — Help Us Support Local Families!

ARISE and Exceptional Family Resources are in urgent need of new or gently used wheelchairs and shower benches to help individuals with disabilities maintain independence, safety, and dignity.

Your donation can make a life-changing difference for someone in our community.

🦽 Items Needed:

Manual or transport wheelchairs

Shower benches or chairs (clean and in good condition)

💙 How You Can Help:
Donate today or spread the word! Every contribution helps us continue empowering individuals to live fully and independently.

📞 Contact Us:
Jeff Parker 315.671.4651
Chad Norton 315.727.2922

Learn more at www.ariseinc.org

11/20/2025

Honor. Empower. Support: Veteran Directed Care with ARISE-EFR 🇺🇸

At ARISE-EFR, we believe veterans deserve more than care — they deserve choice, control, and dignity. Introducing our Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program, which allows eligible veterans to self-direct their home & community-based services according to their own needs and goals.

👉 What VDC offers:

You manage a flexible budget and decide how to spend it

You choose who provides your services — family, friends, or paid caregivers

You schedule care when it works for you

Support and guidance from a person-centered counselor

The chance to remain independent and in your own home

This isn’t just care — it’s your care, your way.
Learn more: https://conta.cc/4nzleTO

11/19/2025

🎨✨ Celebrating Our Creative Team! ✨🎨

In early October, two of our very own—Gabe Kelsey and Heather Zeiner—had artwork featured in the 2025 On My Own Time (OMOT) exhibit at the Everson Museum of Art through CNY Arts! We are so proud to see their talents shine in such a meaningful community showcase.
🖼️ Featured Works:
• “Joyful Bloom” by Heather Zeiner
• “Unprecedented” by Gabe Kelsey

The opening reception featured inspiring remarks from CNY Arts Executive Director Alexander Korman and State Senator Rachel May, both highlighting the importance of creativity, community, and the incredible artists who make Central New York such a vibrant place.

👏 Please join us in congratulating Gabe and Heather on this wonderful accomplishment—and in celebrating the creativity alive within our ARISE-EFR team!

11/18/2025

🍁 Join Us for November Fun Fridays! 🍁

Join us throughout November for a month full of fitness, creativity, community, and fun! All events will be held at Redeemer Covenant Church (7565 Morgan Road, Liverpool) unless noted otherwise.

✨ November 7th
• 10:00–11:30am – Elevate Fitness
• 1:00–2:30pm – Let’s Make Gnomes!

✨ November 14th
• 10:00–11:30am – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• 1:00–2:30pm – Talent Show (show off your skills!)

✨ November 21st — AT COLLAMER UNITED CHURCH
• 10:00–11:30am – Thanksgiving-Style Potluck
• 1:00–2:30pm – Zumba

✨ November 28th
NO Fun Friday — Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

🔔 Reminder:
Please RSVP for all Funtastic Friday activities so we can plan accordingly! Failure to RSVP by the deadline may impact participation in that day’s activities. RSVP by Monday at 12pm each week by emailing: recreation@contactefr.org

We can’t wait to spend another month of fun, friendship, and fall festivities with you! 🍂💛

11/18/2025

🎙️✨ Spotlight on one of our youngest advocates!
In this week’s ARISE–EFR Podcast, CEO Bruce Drake talks with 10-year-old Jace Downing and Community Inclusion Supervisor Jen Barkley about Sib Shops, summer rec, volunteering at the farm, and what it’s really like to be a sibling of a child with disabilities.

This episode is full of heart, honesty, and inspiration.
🎧 Tune in here:

In this heartwarming episode, CEO Bruce Drake sits down with 10-year-old Jace Downing, one of ARISE–EFR’s youngest participants, volunteers, and natural advocates. Joined by Jen Barkley, Community Inclusion Supervisor, this conversation shines a l...

11/17/2025

🎃👻 Throwback to a spooktacular Halloween at ARISE–EFR!
Our trick-or-treating adventure across our offices was full of frightful, silly, and downright charming decorations—and the costumes did not disappoint!
From creative door designs to incredible staff and trick-or-treaters costumes, the day was a total delight.

Thank you to everyone who joined the fun and made the celebration unforgettable. We can’t wait to do it all again next year! 💜🧡

11/15/2025

🎿 ARISE & Ski – 2026 Season Registration is OPEN! 🎿

Ready to hit the slopes with ARISE-EFR? Applications for the 2026 season open November 1, 2025, and close November 30, 2025 at midnight!

🌟 Program Details:
✅ Cost: $275 for the 2026 season
✅ Eligibility: Open to the public – no specific requirements
✅ Lesson Dates: Saturdays & Sundays, mornings or afternoons, January 17–18 through February 21–22, 2026

🙋‍♀️ How to Join:

Participants apply here: https://conta.cc/4nRA1Zn

Volunteers apply here: https://
conta.cc/3Xj3L6K

Learn more about the ARISE & Ski Program 👉https://www.ariseinc.org/services/recreation-and-art/arise-and-ski/

11/14/2025

✨Get cozy, get comfy, and get ready to dance!✨
Our next ARISE–EFR Friday Night Dance is a Cozy Pajama Party, and we can’t wait to see you there!

📅 Nov. 21 | 🕠 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 SALTspace
💵 $5 cash (DSPs/Natural Supports free)

Snacks for 50¢ | Pajamas encouraged | Good vibes guaranteed

Questions? Call ARISE-EFR Recreation: 315-707-7752

11/13/2025

🚀 New Podcast Alert! 🎙️
Check out Episode 112 of the ARISE – EFR Podcast: “Inside Advocacy: How Systems Change Happens” 🧠

In this episode, host Bruce Drake sits down with systems-advocate Phil Preen as they dive into:
✔️ What a statewide systems advocate actually does
✔️ How Phil’s background in community organizing and his sister’s disability shaped his work
✔️ The mission of independent living centers and how empowerment drives change
✔️ Real wins: accessible voting equipment, source‐of‐income protection, improved City Hall accessibility
✔️ Why keeping the “people first” lens in policy-work makes all the difference

Whether you’re passionate about disability rights, policy advocacy, or making real change in your community — this episode is for you! 💪

🔗 Tune in now and join the conversation: Listen here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2046097/episodes/18146130

📲 Don’t forget to share, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments!

Join host Bruce Drake of ARISE – EFR as he sits down with statewide systems advocate Phil Preen to unpack how meaningful systems-change happens in the world of disability rights and independent living. In this episode, we explore:What it real...

11/12/2025

🌾 Honoring a Legacy of Generosity and Inclusion

This past week, we proudly unveiled our new ARISE at Doc Marshall Farm sign — installed just in time to celebrate Doc’s 92nd birthday!

The sign commemorates the incredible generosity of Dr. James “Doc” Marshall, a locally retired veterinarian whose kindness changed lives across Central New York.

In 1998, Doc gifted a working horse farm in Madison County to ARISE, giving rise to what is now known as ARISE at the Farm — a place where people of all abilities can enjoy therapeutic horseback riding, school break programs, an accessible playground, fishing pond, and so much more.
Today, we extend our deepest gratitude to Doc for his ongoing support and unwavering belief in our mission.

Happy Birthday, Doc — and thank you for helping create a space that continues to bring joy, healing, and inclusion to so many.

👉 Learn more about ARISE at the Farm: https://www.ariseinc.org/services/recreation-and-art/arise-at-the-farm/

11/11/2025

Honoring Our Veterans Today and Every Day 🇺🇸

Today, we pause to honor and thank the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Your courage, dedication, and sacrifice protect the freedoms we hold dear.

At ARISE-EFR, we are deeply grateful to our veterans—both within our organization and throughout our community—for your service and your strength.

❤️ Thank you for your selflessness, resilience, and unwavering commitment to others.