ARISE - Exceptional Family Resources

🌈 Happy Pride Month from ARISE-Exceptional Family Resources! 🌈

This June, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the many voices, experiences, and identities that help make our communities stronger.

At ARISE-EFR, we believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and the freedom to live as their authentic self. Pride Month is a time to celebrate progress, honor those who have paved the way, and continue working toward communities where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered.

Join us throughout the month as we celebrate Pride and the incredible diversity that makes our community shine. ✨🏳️‍🌈🎉

Happy Pride Month!

🎉 You're Invited to the 2026 ARISE-EFR OPWDD Annual Picnic! 🎉

Join us for an evening of food, fun, and friendship as we continue a beloved tradition for ARISE-EFR participants receiving OPWDD services and their families!

📅 Tuesday, August 18, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 The Spinning Wheel
7384 Thompson Rd. N.
Syracuse, NY 13212

Get ready for a fantastic evening featuring:

🎵 DJ and music
🎨 Face painting
🎈 Balloon artist
🎲 Bingo
🎯 Lawn games
🍔 Delicious picnic favorites and sweet treats

Whether you're reconnecting with old friends or making new ones, this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate summer together with the ARISE-EFR community!

Registration is required. Please RSVP by August 11 at 3:00 PM.

👉 Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/dnPSyxVfZ9?origin=lprLink

We can't wait to see you there! ☀️😎🎉

When you or a loved one lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility, having someone in your corner matters.

The Ombudsman Program at ARISE-Exceptional Family Resources is here to advocate for the rights, dignity, and well being of residents across Central New York.

Ombudsmen work alongside residents and families to listen, investigate concerns, and help find solutions. They also empower individuals to speak up and advocate for themselves. Best of all, this service is free and confidential.

Serving Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, and Cortland counties, this program is a vital voice for those living in long term care settings.

If you have questions, concerns, or simply want to learn more, support is just a call away.

Learn more here: https://contactefr.org/services/accessibility/ombudsman-program/

Today, we recognize Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates freedom, resilience, and hope.

Juneteenth reminds us of the importance of dignity, opportunity, and belonging for all people. It is a time to reflect on our shared history, honor those who fought for freedom, and continue building communities where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive.

As we observe this important day, ARISE-EFR celebrates the strength, contributions, and rich cultural heritage of Black Americans and encourages reflection, learning, and connection within our communities.
❤️🖤💚💛

☀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ What a great evening at the 2026 Syracuse Workforce Run! 🎉

On June 9, our ARISE-EFR team headed to Onondaga Lake State Park to join hundreds of community members for this annual event. With temperatures soaring, event organizers made the smart decision to adjust the race from a 5K to a 2-mile walk to help keep everyone safe and comfortable. 💧🌡️

Our team showed up with plenty of enthusiasm, positive energy, and team spirit! From staying hydrated to cheering one another on along the route, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect, get moving, and enjoy time together representing ARISE-EFR. 🙌🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

A big thank you to everyone who participated and represented ARISE-EFR so proudly. We had a fantastic time and are already looking forward to next year!

🌈 What a day at the CNY Pride Parade! 🌈

Here's a quick peek at some of our amazing ARISE-EFR crew celebrating, marching, and connecting with the community this past Saturday! 🎉

From colorful outfits and smiling faces to sharing resources and celebrating the many voices that make our community so vibrant, our team had an incredible time at this year's CNY Pride Parade.

This is just the beginning! 📸✨ We captured lots of great moments and can't wait to share more photos and highlights with you soon.

Stay tuned for more Pride Parade fun! 🏳️‍🌈🎶☀️

🎉 Join ARISE-EFR as we celebrate the 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act! 🎉

On Monday, July 6, we'll gather with community members, advocates, families, and allies to honor the progress made through the ADA and continue advocating for equal access and civil rights for all.

📅 July 6, 2026
⏰ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Meet at 11:15 AM outside Syracuse City Hall, 233 E. Washington Street

The celebration will include:
🎶 Live music from the David Clark Learning Center Band and The Arc of Onondaga Chorus
🏛️ ADA flag raising and community proclamations
🗣️ Remarks from local leaders and advocates
🚶 A march to the Jerry Rescue Monument in Clinton Square

ASL interpretation will be provided, and a Centro van will be available for those unable to walk the full route.

ADA t-shirts will be provided to participants!

All are welcome to join us, including team members, people we support, family members, friends, and community allies.

Please register by June 30 to help us plan for attendance:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/c1wCUeSiur?origin=lprLink

Together, we celebrate, advocate, and march forward. 💙

🎉 BINGO IS BACK IN CHITTENANGO! 🎉

Calling all ARISE-EFR participants enrolled in OPWDD services! Join us for an afternoon of fun, laughter, friends, and prizes at our Outdoor Bingo event at ARISE at the Farm! 🌞🎱🏆

Whether you're a bingo champion or trying your luck for the first time, this is a great opportunity to connect with friends, enjoy the outdoors, and win some exciting prizes!

📅 Wednesday, June 17
⏰ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 ARISE at the Farm
1972 New Boston Street
Chittenango, NY 13037

Please remember that everything at the farm is carry-in/carry-out, and we ask everyone to be respectful of the animals and any lessons taking place during the event. 🐐🐴

📧 RSVP by Friday, June 12 to [email protected]

We can't wait to see you there for a bingo-filled morning of fun! 🎉🌟🎁

🌈🎉 Come celebrate Pride with ARISE-Exceptional Family Resources! 🎉🌈

We're excited to share that members of our team will be participating in the CNY Pride Parade and Festival on Saturday, June 13th!

🎊 March with us as we celebrate the strength, diversity, and individuality that make our communities vibrant and welcoming.

📍 Parade begins at Destiny USA at 11:00 AM
🏳️‍🌈 Look for the ARISE-EFR team in the parade
🎪 Stop by our table at the Inner Harbor to say hello, learn more about our programs, grab some information, and connect with our team!

Whether you're marching, cheering from the sidelines, or enjoying the festivities, we can't wait to celebrate with you. Come join the fun, spread some joy, and help make it a day to remember! 🌟🎶🎨🎈

See you at Pride! 🌈✨

🚀 Future leaders, changemakers, and community builders in the making! 🌟

Last Thursday, ARISE-Exceptional Family Resources was proud to be part of the Oswego County Youth Career Summit at the Oswego County Fairgrounds! 🎉

Hundreds of 8th grade students from school districts across Oswego County stopped by to explore career opportunities and learn more about the many ways people can make a difference in their communities. 🏫✨

Our team enjoyed connecting with students at our tradeshow booth, sharing information about the important work ARISE-EFR does as an Independent Living Center and highlighting careers that help remove barriers, support independence, and strengthen communities. 🤝🌎

A big thank you to the event organizers, educators, and students who made the day such a success! We loved the thoughtful questions, great conversations, and enthusiasm from the next generation. 💡🙌