Greeting
s Everyone!
I hope your 2020 has been off to a great start. Planning is well underway for our first agency event of the year: the 25th Annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic! This year, our bowling tournament will return to Midway Lanes and Fun Zone in Vestal. This bowling tournament sells out fast, so don't forget to get a team together and sign up! Details can be found later in the newsletter. As always, I thank you for your ongoing interest in and support for our organization and more importantly, the individuals we serve. As always, I thank you for your ongoing interest in and support for our organization and more importantly, the individuals we serve.
We hope you enjoy this edition of our E-Newsletter, and have a Happy Valentine's Day!
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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Sunrise Family Farm's Newest Employee
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Introducing William, or to those who know him, Bill, who started with ACHIEVE's Pathway to Employment program in Norwich in late summer of 2018.
Bill put 110% into every vocational experience he had in the community. His experiences included Pires Garden Center, YMCA Senior Center, River Road Automotive, and Tops Grocery Store. Bill was on his final experience at Sunrise Family Farm Yogurt plant, where he worked on packaging tasks, when the Plant Manager noticed Bill’s great work ethics and efforts, and asked if hiring him on was a possibility.
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It was discovered that their Greene facility was closer to Bill’s home, and a better fit overall for his personality. Bill has also had the added benefit of having Community Habilitation assist him with obtaining his employment goals! His coworkers and managers are enjoying him and happy to have him on-board. Bill truly enjoys his new job and is doing awesome at it! GREAT WORK, BILL!
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A huge thank you to Sunrise Family Farms for this outstanding opportunity for Bill!
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Successful Employment in Chenango
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If you were to ask Walter Marvin of Norwich what he likes most about his job in the bakery at Price Chopper, he’ll tell you that he enjoys always staying busy and learning new things. Walter is one of our most successful Supported Employment Program placements in Chenango County. He has worked at CWS Packaging in Norwich, since 2011 and is well known for being a hard, conscientious worker. Therefore, Walter was thrilled when he got the opportunity to go through the Employment Training Program to help him find work elsewhere in the community.
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Walter went through the various assessments required of the program in community settings, and discovered it was a great fit for a job in the bakery at the Price Chopper in Norwich. In addition, Walter has a great work ethic, learns new tasks quickly, and that he really hit it off with his supervisor at Price Chopper. Walter continues to work at CWS because, as Walter will tell you himself, he hates to be bored! Walter loves taking on new tasks at the bakery when possible, and wants to establish himself as a model employee at Price Chopper. Obviously, Price Chopper recognizes a great employee when they see one. Congratulations, Walter and keep up the great work!
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Thank you, Price Chopper, for employing 5 of our individuals throughout three counties!
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Amber Kerr
Registered Nurse
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On behalf of the Executive Management Team and the Staff Appreciation Committee, we are honored to award Amber Kerr, Registered Nurse in Chenango, with ACHIEVE's February Employee of the Month!
To read more about Amber and why she was selected as employee of the month, visit our website by
clicking here!
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Congratulations to Bob Fitch, former Employment Training Specialist, on his retirement! Bob has been with the agency assisting those we serve for 31 years! Thanks for all you've done, Bob!
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Promotion
Congratulations to the following employee for receiving promotions at ACHIEVE!
Brittany Geer - Director of Compliance and Innovation
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Thank You, Endwell Fire Department!
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We'd like to thank the Endwell Fire Department for devoting a night of training to our ACHIEVE Family!
In an effort to better serve their community, the Endwell Fire Department visited three of our houses so that in the event of an emergency they could be better prepared and more knowledgeable about the challenges they may face, and the people that they serve. It is a true sign of devotion, compassion, and caring that these men and women took the time to come help ensure a safer future for families.
Thank you for all that you do for our community, and a special thank you to Matt Grafton for working so diligently to make this plan a reality!
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Thank You, Mario's Pizza!
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Tioga Day Habilitation had a delicious Super Bowl Party on January 31st, complete with chicken wing dip, meatballs, and two sheet pizzas! When the pizza arrived, we asked how much the total was, and the gentleman that delivered it said, “We got it, you owe us nothing”, smiled and left. With all the negativity around the world today, let's remember that there are still so many good people! Thank you, Mario’s Pizza in Tioga!
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Participants from our On the Pond program were honored to receive Certificates of Achievement from Mayor
Rich David
for their consistent community participation, especially working with
Jablon Studios
on making holiday ornaments that were sold during the holiday season. Congratulations, everyone! What an honor!
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Paul has been going through Chemotherapy for the last several months, and he just completed his treatment. The staff at North Broad Street home in Norwich and the nursing staff, really went above and beyond so Paul could stay at home with the people who know him best and care for him through his treatment. This has involved daily trips to Binghamton for his Chemo treatment, as well as the nursing staff coming together to do G-Tube feedings, up to five times a day. Paul was finally able to ring the bell, symbolizing the end to his treatment.
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Party Night Planning Committee
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Introducing the 2020 Party Night Committee! This group is comprised of folks that love attending ACHIEVE's Party Night. The committee will work together on creating fun themes to ensure that each Party Night is a unique experience. Everyone involved will also learn how to work within a budget while planning out decorations, music entertainment, and refreshments.
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Opened in the fall of last year, the Art Room at the Chenango Day Hab is a hub of creativity and entertainment for participants. Offering a plethora of activities, both mornings and afternoons, the participants of the Art Room are invited to awaken their artistic senses. Including seasonal crafts, as well as artistic projects that intend to inspire more personal creativity, the Art Room invites participants to ‘open their mind’s eye’ as a way of encouraging growth and creation in an aesthetic way, by using various art media. Spending time in the Art Room and joining peers for artistic creation allows participants of Chenango Day Hab to work together with their fellow participants in a setting that is intended to harbor imagination, fun and togetherness.
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ACHIEVE staff represented the Agency at SPARK, a career exploration experience for eighth grade students, held at
SUNY Broome Community College
. Team members got to have conversations with students from all over Broome County about the various employment opportunities within ACHIEVE!
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Our On the Pond ~ At Cutler Red Hat Group is at it again! They have an absolute blast getting together for a fancy tea party and just a moment of elegance.
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Vocational YouTube Channel
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Check out our Vocational YouTube Channel, which will house video resumes of some of our amazing participants gaining work experience at local businesses!
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Photography Contest
Submitted by: Carol Rosenbaum, Community Habilitation Participant
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I grew up in Fishkill, NY and current live in Binghamton, working at SUNY Broome in food service. I have worked there for ten years, live independently, and am my own self advocate.
Although my father passed away when I was young and that didn't give me a chance to know him, I do know he enjoyed photography and I've been told that I get my eye for it from him. My sister gave me a Nikon camera and I'm still learning all the different settings. I have no set subject - I see it, snap it. I have taken some many different pictures which as made choosing just two for this ARC NY Contest very hard. My DSP, Audrey, has been encouraging me to take pictures that I want because as she says there is no wrong picture, it's whatever I like. If I win this contest or not, it's been great for my personal growth.
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The Place
Submitted by: Belle Burchill, Day Habilitation Trainer, Chenango
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Since the summer of 2019, participants from the ACHIEVE Day Habilitation in Chenango have been volunteering at a children’s center local to Norwich called "The Place" (The Christian Neighborhood Association). Activities in this volunteering opportunity include: assisting in playground play, arts and crafts, cleaning The Place facility, as well as an invitation to participate in a holiday dinner at the end of this last year.
The hard work and dedication of our participants also created another opportunity with a local early childhood education organization, The Family Enrichment Network. The participants at the Chenango Day Habilitation volunteer at these organizations at least once weekly. As a Day Habilitation Trainer who has worked for the ACHIEVE organization for a number of years now, it is both heartwarming and inspirational to see the efforts the Chenango Day Habilitation participants have put into interacting with the children and staff at these local, community based organizations in Chenango County.
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Our On the Pond ~ At Cutler received some furry visitors in January! Multiple therapy dogs came to spend the day with everyone, and brighten their spirits. The dogs had a wonderful time, as well.
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What do you like to do on a chilly day? Participants from our Chenango Day Habilitation Program enjoy giving some warm cuddles to the cats at the
Chenango SPCA
! Not only do they give them plenty of love, but they make and bring toys and treats for them!
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Sandra Kibbler
December 7th, 1943 - January 24th, 2020
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Sandra was a long-time resident of ACHIEVE's Helen Street house. Her legacy will live on with all of us who knew and loved her. We will remember Sandra’s smile, crafts, and dancing at Party Nights.
While we mourn her loss, we are grateful that she is not experiencing any pain. We would like to extend a sincere “Thank You” to all of the staff who have loved Sandra over the years. She was truly one-of-a kind, and will be greatly missed.
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The Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic
April 4th - Midway Lanes and Fun Zone
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Whether you are a Strike Force or a Gutter Gang, you won’t want to miss the 25th Annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic! A fun filled day of bowling, prizes and community spirit, co-chaired by Assemblyman Clifford Crouch and Assemblyman Chris Friend. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 4th, 2020 at Midway Lanes and Fun Zone. This tournament is great way for companies to promote team building or family fun time, an opportunity to play in Midway's new Fun Zone, and a chance to become this year’s reigning champion! Register now, as this tournament sells out each year, with more than 300 bowlers and spectators attending this annual event.
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66th Annual Dinner Dance
June 5th - The McKinley
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This signature event is an evening full of celebration and dancing, combined with a brief Membership meeting and highly anticipated awards ceremony. This year’s event will be held on Friday, June 5, 2020 at The McKinley at Huron Campus. The evening provides an opportunity for ACHIEVE to recognize the many accomplishments of our program participants and staff, as well as express our sincere appreciation for the friendship of our community partners. In addition, members will vote on the proposed Slate of Officers, and re-elect current and induct new ACHIEVE Board Members. More than 450 participants, including agency employees, participants served, and their families, corporate sponsors, and local dignitaries attend this annual event.
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11th Annual Savor the Summer
August 20th - Cutler Pond
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Over the past decade, Savor the Summer has grown to become a premiere event in the Southern Tier. Hosted by ACHIEVE and The Foundation Board of Directors, this year’s event will take place Thursday, August 20, 2020 at ACHIEVE’s Cutler Pond location. This elegant tasting event features offerings from over 40 of the region’s finest restaurants, wineries, and breweries. The expected 400 guests also enjoy live entertainment and an impressive silent auction overlooking the beautiful vistas of Cutler Pond.
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22nd Annual overACHIEVEr's Half-K Classic
October 17th - Norwich East Park
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This unique event includes a Half-K fun run ending at the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, New York. Bring the entire family to walk, run, or ride your way to the museum! Enjoy free admission to the Northeast Classic Car Museum, an opportunity to ride in a classic car, lunch reception, finish line photo, commemorative t-shirt, prizes, and more!
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Sponsorship Opportunities
T
he success of each of our events depends on the generosity of our local community and business partners. Corporate sponsorship and support is one determining factor in the success of any ACHIEVE event, and in turn has numerous benefits for you and your company!
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Annual Appeal
Thanks to the generosity from our community, ACHIEVE has reached 62.2% of the Annual Appeal goal! Thank you to everyone who has donated!
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
.
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Thank you to our 2020 Sponsors!
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