Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

As New York honors active and retired members of our military services, Governor Hochul today announced New York’s participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Even Exchange” program to provide opportunities for service members to put their military training to work as commercial drivers.

Under the program, qualified applicants who have been trained and educated to operate heavy equipment and machinery in the military will be able to use that experience to demonstrate the necessary knowledge to qualify for a Commercial Driver License (CDL), bypassing the need for a DMV written permit test.

“Keeping our economy growing and moving means we need qualified people to move goods across New York and the country, and those who have served proudly in the military are uniquely suited to do that,” Governor Hochul said. “This is not only a chance to give back to those who have protected us, but to also continue to make life affordable for New York families by ensuring we have the drivers necessary to give them more and better access to goods and services they use each day.”

This program will work in conjunction with the current Military Skills Test Waiver Program, which allows military personnel who are currently licensed or who have been employed operating the military equivalent of a commercial vehicle within the last two years to waive the road/skills test. Nationwide, more than 40,000 people have taken advantage of this opportunity since the program’s inception, including more than 3,100 New Yorkers.

New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen said, “Our service members develop highly specialized skills, sound judgment, and an exceptional work ethic while serving our nation, and those qualifications should open doors to meaningful civilian employment. I applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the tremendous value of military experience and taking practical steps to help veterans and transitioning service members put their training to work in New York’s economy. By participating in the Even Exchange program, New York State is helping create a more direct pathway from military service to civilian careers, reducing unnecessary obstacles and ensuring that the skills our veterans have already earned are recognized, respected, and put to good use.”

Organization has expanded programs, invested in facilities

Photos by Tom Rivers: This photo from Sept. 14 shows officials and supporters for Arc GLOW cutting the ribbon for the agency’s new office in Albion for Community Services and Self-Direction at 438 West Ave. Jill Pegelow, vice president of community services and self direction for Arc GLOW, holds the scissors for the ribbon-cutting.

Press Release, Arc GLOW

In 2021, the Arc of Genesee Orleans and The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming joined together to form Arc GLOW.

Five years later, the agency continues to grow its programs, facilities, and community impact across Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. This year alone, Arc GLOW held two ribbon cuttings: one for the new Golisano IRA in Le Roy and the new Community Services and Self-Direction location at 438 West Ave. in Albion.

Additional projects are underway, including the development of a Direct Support Training (DSP) Training Center, located at Arc GLOW’s administrative site at 18 Main St. in Mt. Morris and the Arc GLOW Community Center in Batavia. Renovations have also begun to transform the Hilltop sheltered workshop into the Career Exploration Center, a prevocational program aiming to promote community integration, expand volunteer opportunities, and provide meaningful job‑skills training.

In 2023, Arc GLOW bought the former Leicester school on Mount Morris Road to use for their day habilitation, community pre-vocational and recreation programs. In 2024, the agency was honored to be amongst the 82 non-profit organizations to receive funding from Tom Golisano, who donated $5 million to the agency.

Arc GLOW has launched innovative programs that create new opportunities for people with IDD. The Genesee IGNITE (Inspiring Growth & Nurturing Independence Through Education) college experience program, in partnership with SUNY Genesee Community College, came into existence after the success of L.I.V.E.S. (Learning, Independence, Vocational and Educational Skills), which is in partnership with SUNY Geneseo, allowing the agency to expand their inclusive college experience program.

Brittany Glasier, a behavior specialist with Arc GLOW, paints a temporary tattoo on Tammy Cummings of Barker as part of the 5th Annual Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self-Advocacy Day on May 30 at the Trolley Building, which is at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The Arts Collective is a new initiative where the people with IDD build confidence, make connections, and showcase unique talents while having fun and trying something new. Performances, in partnership with GO ART!, and made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the governor and New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!

“While we celebrate five years as Arc GLOW, we also recognize the 65 years of history, dedication, and commitment that brought us to this moment. That legacy is the people we have supported, the people who have been helped to lead more fulfilling and successful lives, as enabled and lifted every day by our families, volunteers, community partners, and the talented and dedicated professionals that make us go!” said Eric Parker, Arc GLOW board president, during Arc GLOW’s annual award dinner and meeting. “I am incredibly proud of what Arc GLOW has accomplished in five years, especially in the last year, and even more excited about what lies ahead.”

Martin Miskell, Arc GLOW CEO, highlighted some of the successes as a result of the merger during the meeting:

• Arc GLOW now supports about 2,000 people across Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties, and have grown to more than 1,100 employees in full-time, part-time and per diem positions.
• Arc GLOW has invested in updating and expanding their fleet and now own roughly 325 vehicles.
• Invested into infrastructure upgrades across homes and programs to ensure Arc GLOW has safe, accessible, modern and efficient resources which support people with IDD and its employees.
• Invested in IT systems and phones, as well as strengthened cybersecurity.
• The return of the Guardianship program.
• The increase in Arc GLOW outreach with community partners and referrals.
• Arc GLOW invested over $9 million in updating and expanding their fleet and now has roughly 325 vehicles.
• Over the past five years, $1.8 million has been invested into infrastructure upgrades at agency homes and programs to ensure Arc GLOW has safe, accessible, modern and efficient resources to support people with IDD and their employees.

“None of this happens because of one person or one department. It happens because of our dedicated employees, the individuals and families who trust us, our Board of Directors, volunteers, donors and community partners,” Miskell said. “As we celebrate five years of Arc GLOW, we can be proud of what we have built together, and even more excited about what comes next.”

Members and supporters of Arc GLOW and the Self Advocate All-Stars marched in the Albion Strawberry Festival Parade on June 14, 2025, and some carried signs including this one, “Be Kind, For Everyone You Meet is Fighting A Battle.”

Miskell outlined Arc GLOW’s 2027 goals, which include:

• Growing recreation opportunities for adults and children.
• Continuously looking at ways to save money and increase revenue to be financially viable and sustain the agency’s mission.
• Continued efforts and dedication to the agency’s Strategic Plan with the four focus areas of: creating a culture of flexibility, growth and development to attract and retain staff; adaption of program offerings to align with evolving community needs and interests; increase discretionary revenue to help the agency grow and sustain their mission; and creation of a strong community brand to bring Arc GLOW more awareness, more support and new opportunities.

“While five years is an important milestone, it’s also just the beginning,” Miskell said. “Here’s to celebrating where we’ve been, recognizing where we are today, and looking forward to all that we will accomplish together in the years ahead.”

To learn more about Arc GLOW and support its mission, visit ArcGLOW.org.

YATES – A section of Route 18 will be repaved, one of 68 paving projects around the state, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today.

The repaving will be on Route 18 from the Niagara County line to oak orchard Creek, covering Yates and part of Carlton. It will cost $81,000, according to the governor’s office.

Other nearby projects include:

• $2 million to resurface Route 5 (Main Street) within the Village of LeRoy and Route 19 (Clay Street) from the south village line to Randall Road in the Town of LeRoy and Village of LeRoy, Genesee County.
• $2 million to resurface Route 19 from Route 31 to Route 104, and Route 31 from Redman Road to the Sweden Corners Plaza entrance east of Route 19 in the Village of Brockport and the Towns of Sweden and Clarkson in Monroe County.

Hochul announced $100 million in funding for repaving projects in 68 locations across the state to help rejuvenate roadways impacted by the harsh winter weather. A total of 642 lane miles of state highways across every region of the state will be repaved under the State Department of Transportation’s “Harsh Winter Paving” program.

“New York’s roads face challenging conditions from extreme weather in all seasons, and this investment will help to rejuvenate some of the state highways most impacted by the harsh winter weather we see each year,” Hochul said.