May 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence (www.thearcjslc.org), is now accepting applications for the children’s Summer Camp at Dodge Pond in Fine, N.Y. The Rotary Clubs of St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties assist with sponsorship for this experience so that it may be offered to children with disabilities ages 8 through 20 at no charge. Additional funding also comes from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence Foundation (www.thearcjslc.org), held the 17th annual walk to promote acceptance of Autism Spectrum Disorders on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at SUNY Potsdam’s Maxcy Hall in Potsdam, N.Y. There were over 325 people in attendance and thanks to community support as well as sponsorship, the event raised almost $37,000.

The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence Foundation, Inc. announced today that it received a $25,000 Community Impact Grant from New York Life in support of the Bridges program and Bright Beginnings Early Learning Center. Bridges provides services and supports to children and youth with disabilities from age three into early adulthood and offers vital afterschool and weekend activities which help build social skills, grow independence, gain needed life skills, assist with schoolwork, and provide recreation. Bright Beginnings Early Learning Center offers specialized programming for children with disabilities, providing a wide range of services from infancy though age five, that include early intervention services, an integrated pre-school and an array of therapies such as physical therapy and speech services. The grant will help the organization add items to the playground at Bright Beginnings such as new shade structures and additional swings while also increasing the number of sensory items available for use by those with neurodiverse needs in both programs.