Arc GLOW celebrates five years of 4-county agency serving people with disabilities

Posted 11 November 2026 at 7:52 am

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.