ARISE - Exceptional Family Resources

ARISE - Exceptional Family Resources Our office is located at 635 James Street Syracuse, NY 13203. Our staff and agency serve individuals with disabilities throughout Onondaga County.

For urgent after-hours issues, dial (315)433-6062. If life-threatening, dial 911. Our office is located at 1820 Lemoyne Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13208. Our staff and agency serve individuals throughout Onondaga County.

From all of us at ARISE-EFR, thank you for being part of our journey this year. Your support helps strengthen individual...
12/24/2025

From all of us at ARISE-EFR, thank you for being part of our journey this year. Your support helps strengthen individuals, families, and our community every day.

Warm holiday wishes and best wishes for the new year!

โœจ Generosity in Action โœจWe are incredibly grateful to Ellie Montreal, a 5th grade student at Gillette Middle School, for...
12/23/2025

โœจ Generosity in Action โœจ

We are incredibly grateful to Ellie Montreal, a 5th grade student at Gillette Middle School, for an extraordinary act of kindness and compassion.

Ellie was the winner of the Shop with a Cop essay contest hosted by the Cicero Police Department and instead of keeping the gifts she selected, Ellie chose to donate every single item to agencies and causes in her community, including ARISE-Exceptional Family Resources.

This thoughtful donation was proudly accepted by Max Smith, Community Inclusion Supervisor at ARISE-EFR, and serves as a powerful reminder that compassion has no age limit.

Thank you, Ellie, for your generosity, your heart, and for inspiring all of us. ๐Ÿ’œโœจ
Our community is brighter because of young leaders like you.

๐ŸŽ‰ Kids Night Out โ€“ Get Some Air! ๐ŸŽ‰Calling all kids ages 6โ€“12 with OPWDD eligibility, join ARISEโ€‘Exceptional Family Resou...
12/23/2025

๐ŸŽ‰ Kids Night Out โ€“ Get Some Air! ๐ŸŽ‰

Calling all kids ages 6โ€“12 with OPWDD eligibility, join ARISEโ€‘Exceptional Family Resources for a fun, high-energy Kids Night Out at Get Air!

๐Ÿงฆ FREE to attend
โœ”๏ธ Bring your own jump socks & snacks
โœ”๏ธ Jump socks available for purchase onsite for $5

๐Ÿ“… Thursday, January 8
โฐ 5:00โ€“7:00 PM
๐Ÿ“ 7687 Frontage Rd, Ste 4, Cicero, NY

๐Ÿ‘‰ Please remember:
โ€ข All attendees must be accompanied by a DSP, family member, or natural support
โ€ข Transportation is not provided

๐Ÿ“ฉ RSVP by January 2, 2026
Email: recreation@contactefr.org

โš ๏ธ This event was rescheduled, we canโ€™t wait to see you there!

๐Ÿ“ฑ Scan the QR code on the flyer to complete the waiver ahead of time and get ready to jump!

Honor. Empower. Support: Veteran Directed Care with ARISE-EFR ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธAt ARISE-EFR, we believe veterans deserve more than care...
12/19/2025

Honor. Empower. Support: Veteran Directed Care with ARISE-EFR ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

At ARISE-EFR, we believe veterans deserve more than care โ€” 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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ What VDC offers:

You manage a flexible budget and decide how to spend it

You choose who provides your services โ€” 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 isnโ€™t just care โ€” itโ€™s your care, your way.
Learn more: https://conta.cc/4nzleTO

โœจ Adaptive Design Holiday Hackathon Highlights โœจOn December 15, our Adaptive Design team hosted a Holiday Hackathon fill...
12/18/2025

โœจ Adaptive Design Holiday Hackathon Highlights โœจ

On December 15, our Adaptive Design team hosted a Holiday Hackathon filled with creativity, collaboration, and joy โ€” and the impact was incredible.

Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, five families joined us in person, each leaving with at least one switch-adapted toy (most went home with several!). In addition, our team adapted multiple toys for families who werenโ€™t able to attend, ensuring even more children experience inclusive play this holiday season.

A heartfelt thank you to Empower Federal Credit Union in Baldwinsville โ€” whose generosity went above and beyond. Their donation was doubled to $1,000 thanks to the incredible support of the Empower Federal Credit Union Persons with Disabilities ERG.

Together, weโ€™re building access, independence, and joy, one adapted toy at a time.

๐ŸŽ„๐ŸŽ Still searching for a last-minute holiday gift?Surprise that special ARISE-EFR team member, volunteer, or supporter w...
12/17/2025

๐ŸŽ„๐ŸŽ Still searching for a last-minute holiday gift?
Surprise that special ARISE-EFR team member, volunteer, or supporter with something theyโ€™ll actually love, ARISE-EFR merch!

From cozy hoodies and classic tees to cinch bags and more, our online storefront has the perfect way to show your ARISE-EFR pride this season.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Shop now:
๐Ÿ‘‰ https://makeanimprint.chipply.com/efrstore/

Comfortable. Meaningful. Mission-driven.
Because the best gifts give back. ๐Ÿ’œโœจ

๐Ÿ’ฌ We Want to Hear From You!At ARISE-Exceptional Family Resources, your experience matters. Weโ€™re inviting the people we ...
12/17/2025

๐Ÿ’ฌ We Want to Hear From You!

At ARISE-Exceptional Family Resources, your experience matters. Weโ€™re inviting the people we support and their families to share feedback through our Customer Service Survey.

Your input helps us understand what weโ€™re doing well and where we can continue to improve. The survey focuses on your overall experience with our agency and is not a review of individual staff.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ The survey is open through Friday, December 19th.

๐Ÿ“ฒ If you received a postcard in the mail, you can use that to access the survey โ€” or click the link below to participate:
๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BC6Y2WS

Thank you for taking a few minutes to help us better serve our community. Your voice truly makes a difference. โœจ

โœจ Imagine a community where access isnโ€™t a barrier โ€” itโ€™s a given.At ARISE-Exceptional Family Resources, weโ€™re working t...
12/16/2025

โœจ Imagine a community where access isnโ€™t a barrier โ€” itโ€™s a given.

At ARISE-Exceptional Family Resources, weโ€™re working toward that future every day. Your year-end gift fuels innovation, inclusion, and independence for people of all abilities.

Help us close the year strong with a $20,000 fundraising goal.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Donate now:
https://conta.cc/48uSJAt

The future is more accessible โ€” because of you.

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ NEW PODCAST EPISODE ๐ŸŽ™๏ธAdvocacy in Action: Inside the Ombudsman Program at ARISE-EFR๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Who speaks up when older adults...
12/15/2025

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ NEW PODCAST EPISODE ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ
Advocacy in Action: Inside the Ombudsman Program at ARISE-EFR

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Who speaks up when older adults in nursing homes or assisted living facilities have concerns about their care?

In the latest episode, ARISE-EFR CEO Bruce Drake is joined by Bill Rose, Program Manager of the Ombudsman Program, for an insightful conversation about advocacy, dignity, and protecting the rights of older adults across Central New York.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Learn how the Ombudsman Program supports residents and families
๐Ÿ“ž Discover when and how to use the Ombudsman Hotline
๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™€๏ธ Explore opportunities to get involved as a volunteer advocate

๐ŸŽง Listen to the episode:
๐Ÿ‘‰ https://conta.cc/3XXUQYR

๐ŸŒ Learn more about the Ombudsman Program:
๐Ÿ‘‰ https://conta.cc/49bYvsh

๐Ÿ“ž Ombudsman Hotline: 315-671-5108

โœจ Advocacy matters. Every voice deserves to be heard.

In this episode, ARISE-EFR CEO Bruce Drake is joined by Bill Rose, Program Manager of the Ombudsman Program, for an in-depth conversation about advocacy, dignity, and the rights of older adults living in long-term care settings.Bill shares his jou...

๐ŸŽ‰ Friday Night Dance โ€“ Holiday Party! ๐ŸŽ‰ARISE-EFR is excited to host our Holiday Friday Night Dance for participants aged...
12/11/2025

๐ŸŽ‰ Friday Night Dance โ€“ Holiday Party! ๐ŸŽ‰

ARISE-EFR is excited to host our Holiday Friday Night Dance for participants aged 18+! Join us for an evening of music, friends, and festive fun. ๐Ÿ’šโค๏ธ

๐Ÿ“… Friday, December 19th
โฐ 5:30pm โ€“ 7:30pm
๐Ÿ“ SALTspace โ€“ 103 Wyoming St, Syracuse, NY 13204

๐Ÿ’ต $5 per person (cash only)
DSPs and Natural Support attend at no cost.
Small snacks will be available for 50ยข. Dinner is not provided.

โœจ Open to all ARISE-EFR OPWDD service recipients!
RSVPs are not required, just come and enjoy!

๐Ÿš— Free gated parking is available on site.
Please remember: Participants must attend with a DSP, natural support, or be able to support themselves independently. Transportation is not provided.

If you have questions, please leave a voicemail for EFR Recreation at 315-707-7752.

We canโ€™t wait to celebrate the season with you! โ„๏ธ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿ•บ

๐ŸŒจ๏ธ Weather Update | Office Closure NoticeDue to the inclement weather, our ARISE-EFR offices at 635 James Street and 182...
12/11/2025

๐ŸŒจ๏ธ Weather Update | Office Closure Notice

Due to the inclement weather, our ARISE-EFR offices at 635 James Street and 1820 Lemoyne are closed today, Thursday, December 11th, 2025.

Both locations will resume regular business hours on Friday, December 12th, 2025.

ARISE-EFR team members: Please connect with your direct supervisor regarding reporting to work for today.

Stay safe and warm! โ„๏ธ

Address

635 James Street
Syracuse, NY
13203

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

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Our Mission

Exceptional Family Resources partners with people with disabilities and their families, providing services, information, advocacy and other supports to enhance lives and foster community acceptance.