Kicking Off A New Decade At Liberty ARC

After 50 wonderful years of living at home with his mother, Diana, Kraig began a new and exciting chapter of his life in May 2025 when he moved into his new home with Liberty ARC.

“Kraig has been doing great” shared Diana. “I had no idea what to expect. We’ve lived together for 50 years. He’s doing very well, and he’s settled in very nicely. He’s experiencing his first chance of independence. He likes making decisions on his own and is beginning to advocate for himself.”

Diana expressed she had some concerns during the move because of Kraig’s limited vocabulary, but shared staff are doing very well understanding Kraig, and Kraig is very patient with everyone. Diana was also unsure how Kraig would adjust to the changes, but said he has been “going with the flow.”

Kraig and his mother have a wonderful relationship and the two have shared and continue to share many experiences together. For Kraig’s 50^th birthday and Diana’s 80^th birthday, they went to Las Vegas to celebrate their significant milestones.

“Kraig loves casinos,” Diana said. “He enjoys getting dressed up and going out on the town.”

Kraig has a slew of interests and looks forward to trying new things at Liberty ARC. Every Wednesday, Kraig and Diana continue to go horseback riding. Kraig also enjoys going to shows and the two recently enjoyed seeing Shania Twain in concert.

What is different now though Diana shared is that Kraig asks for assurance that he will return to his home after their outings.

“He asks when we go out for an outing if he’s going back to his house, so I know he really likes it there,” Diana shared. 

Diana added Kraig enjoys his staff at the house and has built a joking relationship with Cassondra Lozano, a Program Manager at Liberty ARC.

“He loves to be teased,” Diana said. “If you do something silly you can bet he’ll be watching and he’ll laugh. He has a knack for doing that”

Cassondra also described Kraig as a “jokester” and shared details about the move.

“He did really well moving in and has gotten close to several of his housemates,” Cassondra said.

She went on to share, “Kraig likes his room because he has privacy and alone time. He likes being on his own. He also likes being involved in the community and continues to do many activities with staff, his housemates, mom, and more.”

Some of Kraig’s other activities include bowling with Clever Pin Spotters, strength training with Warriors on Wheels, going out to eat, and watching movies, especially ones with Elvis in them. Diana said Kraig also enjoys watching movies on the large television at his home and has discovered some new programs he enjoys to watch on the Roku device at the house.

Diana also expressed her gratitude for the support they received from the Liberty ARC team during the transition process, including from one of the agency’s Admissions Coordinator Debbie Wallin and Dr. Tobie Dorn, a Consulting Psychologist at Liberty ARC.



“Dr. Dorn was very helpful. Debbie Wallin took us to tour the home and helped us get going in a good direction,” Diana said. “The entire process has gone very smoothly and I am grateful for the support we received from the team at Liberty ARC.”

Summer Time Fun

Liberty Foundation's Denim and Diamonds BBQ & Country Concert Featuring Skeeter Creek is Back!

It's time to get back in the saddle for Liberty Foundation's Annual Denim and Diamonds BBQ & Country Concert! Skeeter Creek will be back on the stage this year, too!

Join us on Friday, October 3rd from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. under the big tent at 47 Liberty Drive in Amsterdam. Come out for a fun night, while supporting a great cause!

There will be music, dancing, craft brews, a delicious BBQ dinner, and the always popular, Lucky Corks & Lucky Forks spirits and gift card pull.

Get your tickets to the hottest event of the year HERE!

Proceeds benefit people with disabilities supported by Liberty ARC to live their best lives.

Call For Artists -

Liberty ARC's Creative Expressions Art Show

Are you an artist or know of someone who's work needs to be seen?

Liberty ARC is inviting and encouraging artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities from all across New York State to submit their artwork and showoff their talents as part of this year's annual Creative Expressions Art Show!

Every year, Liberty ARC showcases the inspiration, originality, and enthusiasm of artists with disabilities with their welcoming and inclusive art show.

Submit your application today HERE. Applications are due by October 1st.

All are invited to attend the show on Wednesday, October 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Century Club in Amsterdam. Light refreshments will be served.

"Turtl-ey" Having An

"Aquari-iffic" Time

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Liberty ARC's Night at the Amsterdam Mohawks in July was one for the books!

For the third year in a row, people supported took to the field for a pre-baseball game. Liberty ARC's bell choir, the Bell Tones, performed the National Anthem in front of a packed stadium, and both Joe Rice and Bill Hinkel threw out a first pitch.

This special night of baseball was also a wonderful opportunity to partner with New York State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara as Tuesday was his annual Autism Awareness Night.

My Best Life is...Having a Pet of My Own

When Dolly the cat needed a new home, Jenny and her housemates knew there was a place in their hearts and house for a new friend.

Jenny’s staff at Liberty ARC have been discussing getting her a cat for some time, after her mother mentioned to them that Jenny used to have a cat and loved it. It was perfect timing around Christmas when Dolly was looking for her new forever home, and Dolly has been with Jenny ever since.

“It was determined that Dolly would go live with Jenny at her home as her team advocated for her and explained the predicted benefits of Jenny having a pet, as well as the other ladies in the home,” said Erica Francisco, an Assistant Director of Operations at Liberty. “The house is a smaller home with only a few ladies who were all interested in taking care of a cat and would like to interact and play with her. Dolly is a young cat and enjoys lots of play and interaction. This is the ladies' first pet, and it’s been a perfect match since day one.”

Erica said that Jenny will call Dolly “kitty” when she wants her and was very happy and excited to have her in the home. Dolly has also become a great comfort to Jenny and her housemates. 

“There were also times where Jenny seemed to be a bit anxious while rocking in her chair and Dolly jumped up into her lap. When Dolly did this, Jenny began petting her and slows or stops the rocking in her chair,” Erica said.

In March, the ladies sadly lost a dear friend and Dolly seemed to sense a shift as she increased her interactions with all of them in the house. 

“Dolly lost her first love, and the ladies lost their dear friend, within a few months of one another, so, the ladies and Dolly have been able to heal the hearts of one another,” Erica said. 

During the day, the ladies play with and interact with Dolly. Dolly can often be found on the couch or chair snuggling up with the ladies or being pet by them. Dolly also loves following her ladies around the home, too, like their little shadow. At night, Dolly has begun to sleep with Amy, one of Jenny’s housemates. 

The ladies take care of Dolly every day, both physically and financially, and it has provided them the opportunity to increase their independence, Erica said.

“While initially Dolly was intended to be a feline friend for Jenny, all the ladies have assumed responsibility and have greatly benefited from having Dolly in their lives,” Erica said. “She has increased the quality of their lives through therapeutic interactions and providing opportunities for the ladies to feel proud of themselves as they care for her.”

Summer Vibes For Spirit Week

Working At Liberty ARC Is A Family Affair

While Shannon Schuyler and her stepson, Brandon Schuyler, have had a different experience as to why they started working at Liberty ARC, both came to realize their love and passion for supporting people with disabilities.

Shannon, an Awake Night staff, has been with the agency for seven years and has worked in several of the residential sites. Though the years, Shannon has worked as a full-time Direct Support Professional (DSP), Relief, and Awake Night.

“I love a lot of things about Liberty,” Shannon said. “I love being an Awake Night in general. I get the guys I support up in the mornings and do their morning routine to get their day started. I care deeply about them, and the house I work in is very special to me.”

In 2024, Brandon started with Liberty ARC as an intern, and became a full-time employee when he turned 18.

Shannon suggested that Brandon apply for Liberty ARC’s Human Services Internship that gives high school students between the age of 16 and 17 the opportunity to gain valuable experience working at one of Liberty ARC’s residential sites through a paid internship. And that is exactly what happened with Brandon.

“At first, I was skeptical because I never imaged going into the medical field, and I did not think it was going to be something that I was going to enjoy as much as did,” Brandon said. “But I really love what I do.”

Shannon always tells Brandon how much she enjoys working at Liberty ARC. Through, Shannon working for the agency Brandon was exposed to the field at an early age and has met the people she supports.

Shannon said Brandon is very caring and nurturing, especially at such a young age.

“You need to have a caring personality to work in this field,” Shannon said.

During his internship, Brandon worked in a home in the upper region of Montgomery County and after connecting with those he was supporting, he was hopeful to be placed there again when he came a full-time DSP.

“Luckily for me that happened,” Brandon said. “They are always so happy to see me, and I love seeing them.”

Shannon shared she has a lot of pride for Brandon and the work he is doing for an agency that means so much to her.

“I am really proud of him,” Shannon said. 

Work Someplace Awesome -

Join the Liberty ARC Team

Want to work someplace awesome and make a direct impact in your community? Join the Liberty ARC team! We are hiring in Canajoharie, Fort Plain, and Palatine Bridge!

With flexible schedules, great benefits, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and more – you’re truly valued at Liberty. If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of others, a career at Liberty ARC is for you!

To learn more about careers at Liberty ARC, click HERE or call (518) 842-5080.

We are so grateful for our members!

Because of you, Liberty ARC has closed our most successful membership drive to date, with 3,905 members! A strong membership makes us a stronger organization, better positioned to advocate for our field and the people we support.

Thank you to everyone who became a member this year!

Christmas in July

Dining For A Cause

Liberty Foundation celebrated summer with their annual food truck event, Electric City Trucks, Taps, Corks, and Forks, presented by Don Brown Bus Sales, Inc., Hoffman Enterprises, and KeyBank, raising over $25,000 for Liberty Foundation in July. 

The night was a huge success because of the generous sponsors, volunteers, vendors, talented bands, and event participants. For the first time this year, a Battle of the Bands was held, showcasing local talents, Stretch, Better Than Debra, and Watch Reggie Run. Event attendees cast their vote for their favorite band to win the People’s Choice Award, which went to Better Than Debra.

The event was also featured in the Times Union. Check out the SEEN Gallery here.