Dear Supporter,
After weeks of snow, it seems like we’re finally starting to see the beginning of some warmer weather with Spring just around the corner.
Vaccination efforts and education continue to be top priority across our agency, especially following the encouraging news from New York State that any individual with a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability was eligible for the vaccine effective February 15th. This opened up the opportunity to all individuals supported across ACHIEVE, and we thank New York State for recognizing the need to prioritize this population, as well as everyone who joined us in advocating for expanding eligibility for their inclusion.
I’m happy to report that through efforts across our agency as part of Phase 1A, an overwhelming majority of individuals supported in our Residential programming and our Direct Support staff have now received both doses of the vaccine, and we continue to work with community partners to both educate and vaccinate all eligible staff and individuals across the organization that wish to do so. Whether that’s a Community Habilitation provider driving an individual to their vaccination appointment, or providing supports for a small group of individuals to get to a community vaccination clinic, we’re working together across all departments to bring this prevention to all.
It may still be off in the distance, but by working together as a community, we’re starting to feel optimistic for a return to some much-needed normalcy on the horizon.
Speaking of a return to normalcy, March marks Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and I invite you to learn more about the talents, interests, and concerns of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across our community. We support so many talented and genuinely gifted people at ACHIEVE, and it is our pleasure to highlight a few of them throughout the month of March in our newsletter and on social media.
March also sees the launch of our annual Membership campaign. For $1, you and your family can become ACHIEVE Members for 2021 and help us have the loudest voice possible when it comes to advocating for those in our care. More information on this year’s Membership campaign can be found below, and I personally hope you’ll consider signing up.
As always, thank you so much for your ongoing support of ACHIEVE and those we support each and every day.
Best regards,
Amy
|
|
Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
2020 Joslin Outstanding Performer |
|
ACHIEVE, in collaboration with Bates Troy and the New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID) hosted a recognition ceremony for Joslin Outstanding Performance recipient Gene Warren III.
"We're so proud of Gene on this outstanding honor, and so happy that we can be a part of his success through our partnership with Bates Troy, alongside other employers who are improving the lives of those we support through meaningful employment opportunities," said Amy Howard, ACHIEVE CEO.
Beginning in 2004, the Joslin Outstanding Performer Award was established by NYSID to recognize individuals who personify exemplary work performance and demonstrate how meaningful employment can change one's life. Joslin Outstanding Performers are selected for their high performance and serve as role models to others. Senator Fred Akshar, ACHIEVE Chief Executive Officer Amy Howard and President of Bates Troy Brian Kradjian hosted a special award ceremony for Gene to celebrate and recognize all of his hard work. Gene also had a chance to virtually meet with Katie Tucci, Regional Sales Manager for NYSID.
"Gene's attendance and work ethic are excellent," said Kradjian. "He is nonstop from the beginning to the end of his shift. What's nice about Gene's positive energy is that it resonates to the rest of his fellow employees. As an employer, you can't ask for anything more," Kradjian said.
Warren III, who is a Bates Troy employee and has received ACHIEVE vocational services through their Supported Employment program since March 2017, was one of 51 recipients across New York State for the 2020 award. Warren has been employed at Bates Troy since April 2019 as a dry-fold linen operator.
|
|
|
|
David has been involved with Supported Services since 2012. In 2014, David found work as a part-time custodian, however he was laid off in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. David and his Employment Services Professional (ESP) worked extremely hard to find another job, and in August 2020, David was offered a position as a Cleaner-Sanitizer at the Cracker Barrel in Binghamton.
David is responsible for cleaning bathrooms, windows, and doors, along with mopping floors. He is also responsible for other general cleaning duties inside and outside of the building. He keeps the areas that he is responsible for clean and spotless, and is always willing to do other assigned duties. David’s main concern is to make sure all areas that customers encounter are disinfected and cleaned to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
David’s attendance is excellent, and he is very dependable and reliable. He also stays up-to-date with all company assigned training and store activities. David loves his job and works 4 to 5 days a week, 3 to 4 hours per day. David is well-liked by his co-workers and all the management personnel at the restaurant. Scott Needles, the General Manager at the Cracker Barrel restaurant, says that David is, "doing a great job and is very considerate to all customers and his co-workers."
Most of the management at the Cracker Barrel restaurant have said “they cannot function without David’s help in keeping the restaurant clean and safe.” David has definitely worked himself into being a key employee at the restaurant!
By Leo Genung - Employment Services Professional
|
|
25th Annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic
Bowl-a-Thon
|
|
This year’s Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic will look a little different!
Midway Lanes and Fun Zone is helping ACHIEVE
by offering an amazing package perfect for the whole family,
and great team building for your organization!
Co-Chaired by Assemblymen Joe Angelino & Chris Friend with Clifford Crouch
|
|
|
|
Purchase your ticket for the Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic and receive:
¨ 3 Games of Bowling | Shoe Rental
¨ One game of laser tag
¨ One ride on the Spin Zone Bumper Cars
¨ One slice of pizza and a soda
¨ ACHIEVE Gaiter Face Cover
¨ One Entry for Grand Prize Drawing!
All for $40 per ticket!
Tickets can be redeemed between March 22nd and August 31st
Midway Lanes & Fun Zone | 213 North Jensen Road, Vestal NY 13850
All proceeds go to help ACHIEVE fund critical services we provide to over
2,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
For information on the Pin Crushing Classic, or to learn about Sponsorship Opportunities,
contact Shari Caudell, Director of Community Engagement
The health and safety of our community is important to us at ACHIEVE, as it is to Midway Lanes.
They have invested in ensuring that their facility is not only clean, but properly disinfected.
For a comprehensive list of their safety measures, please visit their website.
|
|
CWS Packaging has recently had the amazing opportunity to partner with Entry!
Stop the salt! Entry provides a chloride-free deicer that tracks like water, and can be used residentially or commercially, as well as being environmentally and pet friendly. Entry’s residue-free liquid formulation eliminates the mess of chloride salts that corrode and discolor walkways.
This partnership has given CWS the opportunity to work directly with NYSID (New York State Individuals with Disabilities) to offer these products to New York State communities. This includes schools, the Department of Corrections, the NYPD, the FDNY, and all local state-run facilities.
This is a great opportunity for CWS to collaborate with Entry and NYSID, and to be able to manufacture products in an environment where people from all backgrounds and abilities strive to reach common goals!
Are you a business in need of creative packaging and shipping solutions? Learn more about CWS and how they could potentially meet your needs at www.cwspackaging.com!
|
|
Tori Studer, Human Resources Generalist, Broome
Tori is an amazingly talented employee. She is always enthusiastic to collaborate and helps fine-tune ACHIEVE's visions to bring them to fruition. She possesses so many great skills that are a tremendous asset to ACHIEVE, including video production, visual graphics, and appreciating staff. Tori is the go-to person we all reach out to when we don’t know what to do. She has shown great leadership qualities as the Chair of the Staff Appreciation Committee, and one can easily see the drive and motivation she consistently displays to recognize and acknowledge the efforts of her coworkers. For all of her efforts of putting others first, she is certainly worthy of recognition herself.
Beyond Tori’s talents, she also is a genuine, beautiful person. She truly cares about her fellow staff, the individuals we support, and our incredible agency. She is universally loved by all who know her, and brightens the day of anyone fortunate enough to cross paths with her.
|
|
Congrats to the following employees for receiving a promotion in the month of February!
- Charles Quigley - Behavior Specialist
- Jonathan Sigler - Assistant Residence Manager
|
|
|
|
|
February 5th was national #WearRedDay, and staff and individuals across Cutler Pond Day Habilitation showed their support of The American Heart Association and their work supporting women's heart health by wearing red!
|
|
|
ACHIEVE will Be Participating in the the Tioga County Job Fair |
We've extended our
$200 sign-on bonus!
For March, all newly hired full time Direct Support Professionals - Residence Aide positions will receive a $200 bonus!
|
|
|
IMPORTANT for Job Seekers:
Job fair site will be open from March 10th at 10AM to March 12th at 11:30PM to view
employers listings, apply and upload resumés or message employers.
|
|
Legislative Policy and Advocacy Forum |
|
Thank you to Senator Fred Akshar, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, and Assemblymen Joe Angelino and Chris Friend for taking the time to meet with staff, individual self-advocates and Board Members to talk about this year's state budget and the direct impact that some of the proposed cuts and withholds will have on provider agencies!
We're so grateful for your ongoing support and know that you have our agency in mind as budget talks continue over the next few weeks!
|
|
Self love is extremely important in today's world. Our friends in Core Room 8 enjoyed making their own picture frames, and added pictures of themselves as a daily reminder of how beautiful and wonderful each of them are! |
|
|
|
Individuals in Core Room 9 love owls, and decided to show it by making these cute owl crafts! They had fun putting them together, and they came out great!
|
|
Individuals at Helen Street were keeping warm and busy with tie-dye, and created these colorful masks!
|
|
Since the first days of COVID reaching our community, our incredible staff have constantly had each others' backs and found ways to support one another.
The team at Sunset IRA brightened the day of everyone at Helen Street by surprising them with cupcakes for dessert! We're so thankful for our amazing Direct Support staff!
|
|
While we still can't go to the movies to have the full theater experience, we can bring the experience to the living room! Hamilton Street IRA residents put up their own big screen for a movie night! |
|
|
|
Did you know February was National Fly a Kite Day?
While it was way too cold to go out and actually fly a kite, individuals in Broome County Day Habilitation made their own kites!
|
|
|
|
|
Gwen at Sunset Drive IRA has started parenting classes to learn to take care of her baby, "Veronica Marilyn Miller". Gwen loves to take care of the baby, and her favorite activity is trying to put her to sleep.
|
|
Getting Ready for St Patty's Day |
|
The Sterry Drive IRA crew is ready for warmer weather and preparing for leprechauns! |
|
|
|
Christian is one of the newest members of the Family Support Services team, and while he was training with another staff, he didn't just learn about Community Habilitation, he was able to exercise his inner Picasso and paint snowmen!
Welcome to the ACHIEVE family Christian, and nice snowman!
|
|
|
|
Tommy and David did their part to ensure their own safety and the safety of those around them, taking part in a recent vaccine clinic at SUNY Broome!
One by one, if we each do our part and get the vaccine when we're eligible, that light at the end of the tunnel will only get brighter!
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you Walmart of Johnson City f or donating all the house plants to Cutler Pond Day Habilitation! We were able to distribute them to our Core Rooms to use as an opportunity to teach the individuals how to care for them! We appreciate the consideration and chance to provide education and skills-building in a creative way.
|
|
Barb and the rest of Core Room 8 at Cutler Pond were feeling happy and festive, and made Valentine's Day lollipops! They look good enough to eat!
|
|
|
|
It was too cold to go outside to make a snowman, so staff at Chenango Day Habilitation brought the outdoors inside for some indoor snowmen! What a great idea! |
|
Every year, Endicott Sertoma donates a couple of teams to our Town of Union IRAs for their annual bowling tournament. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, they weren't able to participate this year, so Sertoma treated those houses to pizza parties instead!
A huge thank you, Endicott Sertoma! While we missed participating in your bowling tournament, everyone was really excited for their delicious lunches!
|
|
|
|
Your membership and inclusion in the agency helps support the individuals we serve by creating more opportunities for personal growth and achievements.
Your membership helps give them a voice! Membership provides our agency more power to advocate legislatively at the state and national levels.
As an agency, we continue to face economic challenges, and larger membership numbers gives us a stronger voice.
Please consider becoming a Member today.
|
|
ACHIEVE Events
Sponsorship Opportunities
& Platinum Partnership
Our four signature fundraising events, the Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic, our Annual Dinner Dance, Savor the Summer, and our Half-K Classic, are vitally important to help fund help fund programming here at ACHIEVE.
The success of each event depends on the generosity of our local community and business partners. Looking ahead at 2021, we will continue to face new challenges and ongoing funding cuts. Now, more than ever, our fundraising events are vitally important to ensure we can continue providing crucial programming to the individuals we support!
Corporate sponsorships are one determining factor in the success of all ACHIEVE events, and provide benefits to our sponsors!
ACHIEVE launched its Platinum Partner Program in 2019, which gives additional recognition to any organization who sponsors all four of ACHIEVE’s signature events, at any level, with benefits year-round. We have many levels available, and Platinum Partner Packages start as low as $1,000
For more information, click “Become a Sponsor” below, or email
See all the amazing organizations who have already signed up as
Platinum Partners in 2021 below!
|
|
Your Legacy, Our Future
Planned Gifts to ACHIEVE
|
|
The ACHIEVE Foundation seeks to support ACHIEVE’s mission to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The growth of the Foundation is determined by planned gifts from our community and family members. These gifts are the cornerstone of our Foundation and allow us to continue to offer a wide range of programs and services.
Every year, more donors are discovering the benefits of supporting ACHIEVE through their estate plans. These planned gifts are the cornerstones to the ACHIEVE Foundation and support the programs and services of our organization.
Charitable Bequest through Last Will or other Estate Plan
Individual Retirement Account
Stock and Securities
Real Estate
To learn more about Planned Giving, or to make a donation, please contact Preston Evans, Vice President Development and Donor Relations, at (607) 352-3280 or pevans@achieveny.org
|
|
Thanks to the generosity from our community, ACHIEVE has
reached 71.6% of this year's Annual Appeal goal of $70,000!
Thank you to everyone who has donated!
But we still need your support. In order to keep that momentum going and continue providing exceptional services to those we serve, we rely on generous gifts from supporters, like you, who want to make a difference in thousands of lives.
Your Gift Matters.
|
|
ACHIEVE's 2021 Platinum Partners! |
|
Don't forget to follow us to stay up-to-date with all that ACHIEVE is doing! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
