Photos by Tom Rivers – Christi Waldron, a rape crisis counselor with RESTORE, addresses the crowd at a crime victims’ rights gathering Friday night at the Orleans County Courthouse. Waldron was presented with the 16th annual Milford Phinney Victim Advocate Award.

Orleans County First Assistant District Attorney Susan Howard, left, presents Christi Waldron with the Milford Phinney Victim Advocate Award. The late Phinney was an assistant DA.

RESTORE, which was previously called Rape Crisis Service, displayed T-shirts made by victims of sexual assault.

ALBION – Christi Waldron has earned a reputation as a passionate advocate for victims of sexual assault in Orleans County.

Waldron, a rape crisis counselor with RESTORE the past 2 1/2 years, often speaks on behalf of victims with the district’s attorney office, will help them get needed medical care and sometimes will just sit quietly by them during a court appearance.

“She brings a lot of energy and passion to her job,” said Susan Howard, the first assistant district attorney for Orleans County.

She presented Waldon with the Milford Phinney Victim Advocate Award during a crime victims’ rally on Friday evening at the Orleans County Courthouse.

Waldon works with rape and sexual assault victims in Orleans County and also in Brockport.  She worked with 51 clients in 2013, including 16 children abused sexually, 12 adults abused sexually and four adult survivors of child sexual abuse.

Seventeen of the cases involved in criminal charges with seven resulting in convictions. Waldon said sexual assaults largely go unreported.

“We live in a culture that still blames victims of sexual violence,” Waldron said when she accepted her award. “A culture that says these acts are somehow a result of the victim not being careful enough, or too drunk, or dressed inappropriately. Rarely is the focus ever on the perpetrator.”

Waldron said some schools only educate girls about sexual violence. Men are affected by the crime as well.

“Sexual violence affects most everyone at some point in their lives,” she said. “This is everyone’s problem.”

She participated in 25 community education programs and connected with 1,300 people through outreach events in 2013. Cultural norms need to change to reduce sexual assaults, she said.

Waldron thanked other agencies and staff for working with crime victims. She said she is committed to her job and seeing a change in society.

“I do this in hopes that one day the culture will change and the myths about sexual violence and blaming will disappear,” she said. “But most importantly I do this for the victims who feel they don’t have a voice or any options when something like this happens.”

Friday’s event at the courthouse culminated Crime Victims’ Rights Week in the county.

Howard said the week is empowering for those who work in the criminal justice system.

“We gather to give ourselves energy to get through the difficult things we have to deal with,” Howard told the group.

Agency honors businesses and workers at banquet

File photo by Tom Rivers – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley addressed supporters of The Arc of Orleans County in June when quad-amputee John Robinson visited as part of his bike ride across the Erie Canal. Hawley was named winner of the Arc’s “Best Friend Award” on Friday.

Press release, Arc of Orleans

HOLLEY – The Arc of Orleans County named Steve Hawley the winner of the agency’s “Best Friend” award on Friday during its annual awards banquet.

Hawley, the area’s state assemblyman, fought to restore state funding for the agency after the governor’s budget proposed a 6 percent or $308,000 cut.

He has been a supporter for The Arc personally as a sponsor of the Arc’s annual golf tournament, and Hawley attends numerous Arc events. His father, R. Stephen Hawley, won the “Best Friend” award when he was assemblyman in 1982.

The Arc honored businesses and Arc consumers during the banquet on Friday. The following received awards:

Della’s Chocolates in Medina, Business Partnership Award

This honor is presented to a business that works in partnership with The Arc’s Vocational Services department to assist people with disabilities in achieving their work related goals.

Della’s owner Susan Fuller did not hesitate when asked to take part in the ETP program, and was more than willing to give Jen Haberger a chance to prove her abilities. Sue was patient and understanding as she trained Jen on many different job tasks and later made her a full-time employee.

Stanton Signs of Medina, Heritage Award

The Heritage Award was developed to honor a business or organization that consistently assists The Arc, and the people we serve, in achieving our mission.

Stanton Signs co-owners Greg and Barbara Stanton have partnered with The Arc for many years.

They have a provided their services to support the many fund-raising activities the Agency holds. They designed the shirt logo for the annual 5K for many years. They also update the corporate banner and the golf signs for our annual Golf Tournament, often on a moment’s notice. They most recently worked with Eagle Scout Matt Prawel to create and install a beautiful new sign at the entrance of Camp Rainbow.

Duane Smith, Orleans Enterprises Worker of the Year

Duane Smith began at Orleans Enterprises in 1988. He starts his day by giving staff a smile, a handshake, and a “You’re cute.” He has worked on a variety of piece-rated tasks. He is well liked by his co-workers and staff and is a great asset to Orleans Enterprises.

Brian McAvoy, Orleans Enterprises Worker of the Year

Brian McAvoy has been named the Orleans Enterprises Worker of the year due to his outstanding dedication to the workshop.

Brian comes in to work each day and displays a positive attitude and willingness to try any job that is put in front of him. His great work ethic, excellent attendance record, and optimistic outlook are qualities and values are qualities that other workers aspire to achieve.

Kurt Hoffman, Community Service Award

With a winning smile, a willing spirit and positive attitude Kurt touches many through hours of service each week. Born with Down syndrome, a heart defect, speech, physical, and visual impairments, Kurt has overcome many obstacles. Kurt works 15 hours each week performing various tasks and services for local organizations. He regularly vacuums at Della’s Chocolate, St. Mary’s and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina.

Joe Barchet, Self-Advocate of the Year

Joe Barchet is an active member of the Self Advocate All Stars. More importantly he is a true Self Advocate for his rights, wants, and needs, and those around him. One of Joe’s goals was to live on his own in the community. When Joe was in his early 20’s, he moved from his parents home to the original “co-ed” IRA, with 24/7 supervision. Joe then moved to another home where he had more independence and “supported” supervision and then into a supportive apartment on his own.

Joe is also a hard worker, working in the past at Orleans Enterprises and then with the mobile cleaning crew. Joe worked at Associated Brands for several years before being accepted into the internship program through Supported Employment that connected him with Fisher’s News Stand, Medina YMCA, and Albion Redemption Center. He has worked hard to advance himself to his current position of regular employee at Albion Redemption Center.

Cecelia Robison, Mobile Crew Worker of the Year

Cecelia Robison has been with The Arc of Orleans County Supported Employment Program since 1984. She works on the Medina Mobile Crew. Cece knows what is expected of her and always strives to do her job to the best of her ability and will assist her supervisor and co-workers when needed.

Jennifer Haberger, Community Worker of the Year

Jennifer Haberger worked diligently with the Job Developer on work skills that she would need to be successful in the community. Jen was placed at Della’s Chocolate, where she started out by learning to package the candy.

Sue Fuller, the owner of Della’s has been a wonderful employer, and this has been a great asset towards Jen’s success. Jen was placed there on a trial basis with hopes that she would be able to become a permanent employee. Jen worked hard to achieve this. Her productivity was great and she was always willing to learn new job duties.

Sandy Marchesoni, Enclave Worker of the Year

Sandy Marchesoni has worked at the Ford Gum enclave since June 2011. Sandy has a firm grasp of what is expected of her at work and is always willing to do any job tasks assigned to her. Sandy will assist her co-workers when needed and is an asset to new staff when they cover the enclave. She also helps out at Orleans Enterprises when they are in need of extra help. Sandy is a role model when it comes to having excellent attendance as well as her exceptional work ethic.

Cameron Morgan – By Tom Rivers, editor

MEDINA – A Medina High School senior has been named a special mention to Business First’s 2014 All-Western New York Academic Team. That designation puts him in a group of the top 100 high school seniors in eight counties of Western New York.

Morgan is the fifth-ranked student in his class. He has been active in the school musicals, as drum major in the marching band and as Student Association president. He plans to attend either the University of Rochester or Columbia University to major in political science with a minor in human rights.

Business First said the Academic Team program is designed to spotlight students who pursue excellence both in and out of the classroom. The committee chose this year’s winners based on their records of academic achievement, school leadership and community involvement.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Cameron Morgan, Medina’s drum major, directs the 130-member band in the pouring rain on Sept. 21 during the Fall Festival of Bands.

Michele Bokman

Press release, GCC
BATAVIA – Genesee Community College is pleased to announce Michele Bokman has been named May 2014 Employee of the Month. Michele has worked at GCC for nine years.

She is director of operations for the Albion and Medina Campus Centers and is also an adjunct instructor, having taught the Career and Education Planning course for the last six years.

In her role as director of operations, Michele oversees day-to-day activities at both of GCC’s Orleans County campus centers. She handles everything from facility needs to course planning.

“Her oversight of the day-to-day operations of both centers is extensive and involves every aspect of the operations,” GCC officials noted in naming her Employee of the Month. “Michele has a can-do attitude, and she sets a positive tone for staff and the students.”

Michele played an instrumental role in establishing the Orleans County Advisement Team. She also contributes to the college community through service on the joint advisory committee for the centers, the College Assessment Committee and on the All-advisor Committee.

Prior to GCC, Michele was the field support manager covering Albany and New York City for a large national property and casualty insurance company. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University in French Language and Culture and a Master’s in Liberal Studies from The College at Brockport.

She loves the “unique work environment” at GCC. “I have the privilege of working with a group of people who value teamwork, innovative thinking and challenge each other to be the best.”

Michele lives in Albion with her husband Brad and their four children: Natalie, Chelsea, Matt and Mitch. Outside the College she serves on the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension board. She loves international travel and hopes to experience as many cultures as she can. “Water activities, snow skiing and a great book make me happy!”

Haley Maier, 11, raises money for Alzheimer’s Association

Provided photo – Haley Maier, 11, demonstrates how she makes crocheted necklaces, which she sells to benefit the Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Press release, Prudential Financial

An Orleans County 4-H member has been picked as one of two top youth volunteers in the state. She has been recognized through the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

Haley Maier, a sixth-grader at Barker Middle School, has raised money for the Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association by making and selling crocheted necklaces in memory of her grandmother, who died from Alzheimer’s disease before Haley was born.

Although she never knew her grandmother, Haley often listened to her older sisters talk about what a great grandma she was.

“She had done so much for everyone that I wanted to do something on her behalf,” she said.

Since her grandmother loved to crochet, and had been assisted in many ways by the Alzheimer’s Association after she became ill, Haley decided to crochet necklaces to support the Association’s work.

After her mother taught her to crochet, Haley, 11, began spending evenings and weekends making necklaces and then sold them to friends, classmates, family members, teachers and others in her community.

She also set up necklace displays at her pediatrician’s office and hair dresser’s salon, and demonstrated her crocheting technique at a county 4-H event.

“It makes me happy to know that people like my grandma could benefit from what I do,” said Haley. “I wish I had known my grandma, but somehow I know she is watching over me.”

Haley and Sean Egan, 17, of Staten Island will each receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C. for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 of 102 youth volunteers from around the country will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2014.

The Orleans County 4-H nominated two local youths for the award. Besides Haley for the junior division, the 4-H program picked Jonathan Trembley  for the senior division.

Jonathan, 17, is a resident of Albion and has been involved with 4-H for the past decade. Jonathan is very talented musically and sings, plays piano, drums, guitar, and bass guitar for church events and local holiday concerts.

You might also recognize him as the Village Blacksmith from the historical re-enactments that take place in the West Jackson Corners in Shelby.

He has performed at local nursing homes, and has also worked with the Care-A-Van Band ministry in Batavia as a percussionist.