Dear Supporter,
The holiday season is definitely upon us!
While things still look a little different here at ACHIEVE, that hasn’t dampened anyone’s spirit, which you’ll see in this month’s newsletter, with plenty of fun and creative fall, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving activities taking place throughout November.
As we continue to grapple with community spread of COVID-19, we also continue to monitor and evolve our practices agency-wide to ensure the safety of the individuals in our care and those who support them. As an agency, we understand the need to do our part to limit and isolate spread both internally and throughout our community, a charge we take very seriously, as we have since the first days of the virus.
Today happens to mark the annual worldwide day of giving, #GivingTuesday, where nonprofits across the world will raise billions of dollars towards their Missions. And by now, hopefully you’ve received our Annual Appeal outlining some of the challenges and achievements we’ve experienced this year. There’s still time to get your year-end gifts in and have a direct impact on the lives of the 2,200 individuals we support here at ACHIEVE. Information on donating to #GivingTuesday as well as our Annual Appeal are both included in this month’s newsletter.
During this season of reflection, I’m again reminded of all the people and businesses who have reached out to show their support over the last few months, and once again want to sincerely say thank you to our wonderful community. Whether sewing hundreds of face masks, or providing meals to essential staff on lockdown, these efforts have had a positive impact across our agency for all of us, and we are beyond grateful.
As we move into December, the colors of the holidays are popping up all across ACHIEVE, bringing with them the excitement that the season brings! From all of us at ACHIEVE, I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday!
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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Now Offering a $200 Sign-On Bonus! |
For a limited time, we are offering a $200 sign-on bonus for all newly-hired full time Direct Support Professional – Residence Aide positions.
Some limitations apply.
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Black Friday, Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday!
Today is #GivingTuesday, the world’s largest day of giving to nonprofit organizations.
This year for #GivingTuesday, we’re raising money for weekly in-house COVID-19 testing for 20% of staff and individuals working in our sites in designated Yellow Zones. This testing is crucial to identifying and isolating asymptomatic staff and individuals early in a high-risk environment, and helping our agency contain spread among an immune-compromised population.
This testing has already helped ACHIEVE identify a number of asymptomatic positive cases, enabling us to continue doing our part to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Every $100 raised today for #GivingTuesday helps us to pay for another test and keeps our individuals and those who support them healthier and safer. Please consider donating to ACHIEVE today.
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Our amazing staff took this beautiful group photo and asked the housemates at our Helen Street home what they liked about ACHIEVE. Their responses ranged from enjoying doing things together, making new friends, having their own room, and having staff that encourage their independence and treat them like family. This is why WE ACHIEVE! |
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Some of the guys at ACHIEVE were thrilled to participate in No-Shave November this year, and were really proud of their progress! |
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Chocolate Covered Marshmallows |
Participants at our Day Habilitation program made some delicious chocolate covered marshmallows and decorated them with colorful sprinkles. Not only did they look great, but they tasted great too! |
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The guys at Clarkson have been staying busy the month of November! Not only did a few fill out their voter ballots, but they were able to celebrate Kenny's birthday with some of their closest friends! |
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Housemates at Broad Street had a little going away party for their dear friend Mike! Mike has been with ACHIEVE for over twenty years, and has made so many lifelong connections with his peers. He is moving away to be closer to his family, but everyone is thankful to have been able to grow close to such a great friend like Mike. Good luck, Mike! |
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Participants at our Cutler Pond Day Habilitation stayed in the holiday spirit by making beautiful fall dream catchers and pinecone turkeys! |
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Participants across the organization wanted to share their support for the men and women who served our country this year for Veteran's Day. They enjoyed sharing stories about fellow family members and friends who are veterans themselves! |
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The ladies at our Sunset house got crafty using some paint and leaves from outside to make leaf art! It was a fun activity to do together, and the final project came out looking great, of course! |
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In order to get ready for Thanksgiving, residents in our Supportive Apartments in Norwich took their decorative Halloween pumpkins and turned them into Turkey centerpieces! Very creative, and they look amazing! |
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A few individuals at Cutler Pond Day Habilitation participated in a Recreation Program - Nailed It! After watching some highlights from the Netflix Baking Show, individuals tried to replicate some turkey cupcakes, and they certainly NAILED IT! |
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Our Recreation Respite program introduced their very first "Swellness" challenge to keep everyone in our houses connected and healthy while having fun - the Turkey Trot! Congratulations to our Chenango Supportive Apartments for winning the Turkey Trot challenge! Not only did they make awesome turkey hats, but they also walked a collective total of 58.55 miles!
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Everyone is receiving their ACHIEVE gear they ordered during our fall apparel sale, and Randy is clearly loving his! Thanks to Logowise for setting up our apparel sale so our employees and individuals can show they are #ACHIEVEProud, and for being one of our valued Platinum Partners in 2020!
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Congratulations to the following employee for receiving a promotion in the month of October!
- Kimber Hancock - Customer Liaison
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We have so much to be proud of here at ACHIEVE, and the opportunities we have to touch others' lives daily.
But we 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.
Please consider donating to us today.
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Thank you for your generosity and have a fantastic holiday season! |
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Did you know ACHIEVE is approved to be a designated charity for Facebook fundraisers? And it's really easy to do!
Around your birthday Facebook will usually prompt you, but any other time, click the … in the New Post box, select “Support Nonprofit”, and search for ACHIEVE. All set!
As you’re aware, especially in 2020, we can always use more funding to continue providing premier services to our individuals. Please consider ACHIEVE for Facebook fundraising efforts around your birthday or other special event, and encourage your friends and family to do so too. While an easy way for our organization to raise money in service of our individuals, it’s an even better way to share our Mission and what we do with our friends and family.
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Don't forget to follow us to stay up-to-date with all that ACHIEVE is doing! |
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Thank you to our 2020 Sponsors! |
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