3 Arc GLOW agency and staff honored at Self-Advocacy Conference

Photo courtesy of Arc GLOW – Arc GLOW Trotters Self-Advocacy group are shown at the 2025 Western Region Self-Advocacy Conference in Niagara Falls.

Press Release, Arc GLOW

NIAGARA FALLS – During the 2025 Western Region Self-Advocacy Conference on June 20 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, three Arc GLOW staff were honored.

During the Awards Luncheon, Arc GLOW received Agency of the Year. Director of Community Pre-vocation Erika Forbes, Self-Determination Assistant Sarah Campbell and Self-Advocate and staff Hannah Brown also all won awards; Forbes was named the Self-Advocacy Advisor of the Year, Campbell received Direct Support Professional of the Year, and Brown won Volunteer of the Year.

Arc GLOW also had workshops led by staff and featuring Arc GLOW self-advocates during the conference.

The Batavia GLOW Trotters Self-Advocacy group led “Living a Healthy Lifestyle,” and Nathan Johnidas, Arc GLOW self-advocate, worked with Erin McGuinness, a staff attorney with Disability New York, to present “All About Guardianship.” Andrew Johnston, an Arc GLOW self-advocate, was featured with Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS) Grassroots Field Assistant Allen Fontaine and Independent Support Broker Renee Christian on a panel about “Self-Direction.”

“The SANYS (Self Advocacy Association of New York State) conference is one of my favorite events.  There are so many great presentations to select from, our group has a hard time choosing,” Forbes said. “The Niagara Falls Convention Center is a beautiful venue. They are so accommodating for our groups and the staff are always so nice. The SANYS team that puts on these events always do a great job of selecting keynote speakers, presentations and activities that are both inspirational and fun. The GLOW Trotters group can’t wait to go again next year.”

SANYS was founded in 1986. This peer-led nonprofit has upheld the principle “Nothing about us, without us,” empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through training and community-building. SANYS offers support to over 150 local groups and six regional offices statewide, continuing to spark positive change.

Arc GLOW is a public nonprofit providing services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. For more information, visit ArcGLOW.org.