Genesee County man earns state award

This week in Albany, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C - Batavia) and
members of the State Assembly jointly observed "Disabilities Awareness Day."
It honors individuals living with disabilities and helps inform legislators about related issues.
Hawley announced that one Genesee County resident earned the Excelsior Award for Excellence.
"This year's Excelsior Awards nominees are all outstanding individuals who, despite their
disabilities, have helped make their communities better places and I am very
proud to honor them," Hawley said.
The Excelsior Award for Excellence honors the extraordinary achievements and public service of those who have overcome physical disabilities and other personal challenges.  The nominees will be presented their awards at a ceremony hosted by Assemblyman Hawley in the district within the next few weeks.
The Genesee County honoree is Erik Goodrich, nominated by the Genesee County ARC.
Goodrich is a participant of "Prep for Life," a community-based college program which teaches life and vocational skills to adults with disabilities. The goal is to prepare them to live in a less-structured environment and to get meaningful employment.
With newfound confidence, Goodrich has taken on the challenge of public speaking, including engagements at the National Day of Caring and with special-education classrooms and developmental-disabilities programs.
He has been an active member of TEAM (Together Empowered Advocates Meet),
a youth-leadership project sponsored by Genesee ARC, through which he helped
beautify a local park for an Earth Day project.
Goodrich is also an active member of many community organizations, including the Kiwanis's Aktion Club, YMCA Challenger Sports Program, Genesee County Animal Shelter, the Richmond Memorial Library, the Genesee County Nursing Home and the Austin Park Concession Stand. He rings bells for the Salvation Army at Christmas time, too.