ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The Arc of Monroe County is expanding the Community Arts Connection (CAC) day habilitation program by increasing its service capacity and adding two instructors. The program currently serves 60 individuals and has four instructors. By 2011, The Arc plans to serve 80 individuals and add two instructors to the program, allowing for an additional 10 classes.  

 

“Our community has a rich arts culture,” said Barbara Wale, president and CEO of The Arc of Monroe County. “It is important that we share this robust culture with the individuals we serve and give them every opportunity to explore their own creative interests.”

 

As part of the expansion and the organization’s mission towards social inclusion, The Arc is looking for choreographers, musicians and artists from the Rochester community to work with program participants. Currently, CAC consists of professional working artists with ties to area arts organizations including Geva Theatre Center, Eastman School of Music, Nazareth College, and the Arts and Cultural Council of Greater Rochester.

 

“Community volunteers expose program participants to the arts through new eyes,” continued Wale. “Through this community exposure, our hope is that program participants will gain the confidence they need to join a community dance troupe, theatre group, book club, or writing or painting class on their own.”

 

CAC provides the opportunity for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to explore their artistic talents through visual arts, music, writing, theatre and movement. Program participants arrive with a variety of physical and emotional challenges and The Arc utilizes the arts to facilitate a full range of valued outcomes, including social, emotional and cognitive goals.

 

For more information on The Arc of Monroe County and Community Arts Connection please call 672-2228 or visit us at www.arcmonroe.org.

 

For more than 50 years, The Arc of Monroe County has been working with and for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc offers a variety of services designed to increase independence and self-sufficiency, and enhance the quality of life and self-esteem of program participants by providing them with meaningful social development, employment, community living, and enrichment opportunities. For more information about The Arc of Monroe County and its programs, call 585-271-0660.