Shari

Shari graduated high school in 1985 and came to work at the Arc of Steuben, where she started in screen printing. She has been working there for much of the past 25 years.

She has also worked in the kitchen, microfilming, janitorial and in the community, but always returns to screen printing. Her goal is to continue earning money, while learning good work habits and skills.

“My favorite jobs are registering and pulling apparel on the press. But my supervisor says that I do good cleaning, too,” she said.

Shari's favorite job to work on large-quantity jobs, like the Empire State Games. “I can make lots of money on it,” said Shari, who typically works more than 1,200 hours a year and works overtime whenever she can.

Shari's supervisors say she strives for accuracy, and has great punctuality and attendance. She’s also cross-trained in almost every screen-printing task, which makes her a very valuable asset.

Shari maintains her own home, budgeting and paying bills, with just a little support. Shari enjoys doing her own cooking and learning new recipes that incorporate nutritional foods.

Shari has become very independent regarding her medical needs, attending medical/dental appointments on her own with only occasional assistance to ensure she understands the doctor’s recommendations.

Shari and her longtime friend and companion, Frank, see each other daily at work and lunch. With help from staff, they get together on the weekends to attend community activities and spend a day each summer at Darien Lake. During the winter, Shari and Frank participate in Special Olympics Bowling. Shari also raises money in the CROP Walk for world hunger.

Shari is a big contributor to her church family, where she has an adopted family with whom she sits every Sunday. She shares duties of being a greeter, usher, and server in the coffee hour following morning worship.

Oh, and she does all this while coping with a severe hearing impairment. Shari’s is a life of challenges. And just as many successes.