Inclusion Matters
JULY 2021
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Advocates Partners with American Red Cross |
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Advocates sponsored an American Red Cross Blood Drive in our Liverpool Office on May 11, 2021. Jin Sook Swizdor (pictured left) is a long time dedicated Red Cross volunteer. She has been instrumental in Advocates' partnership with the American Red Cross since February 2020, when we proudly became an annual Red Cross Blood Drive site.
Advocates provided blood donations to 45 people in urgent need in our community in May thanks to Jin Sook, her Red Cross coworkers, and 15 employees who donated the gift of life. You can help meet the ongoing local need for donations by scheduling at www.redcrossblood.org. We thank everyone who helped make this year's blood drive a success!
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Advocates' Liverpool Art Gallery |
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“A picture is a poem without words” – Horace
If you have an opportunity to visit Advocates' Liverpool office, be sure to check out our newest addition - an art gallery featuring talented artists who are part of the Advocates family. Six artists will be featured each quarter, each displaying two works of art!
The gallery's summer collection consists of watercolor, abstract, scenic, and portrait paintings. Accompanying each piece will be the artist's biography. Paintings will be showcased in the main hallway adjacent to the lobby.
All paintings will be returned to the artist upon completion of the exhibit. Artists who are interested in selling their artwork will have the opportunity
to do so while their artwork is on display. Interested in exhibiting your artwork? Please contact [email protected].
A heartfelt thank you to Chase Salmons for generously sharing your creative talents and managing our Art Gallery!
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New Companion Care Service |
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As Advocates strives to meet the changing needs in our community, we are happy to announce the launch of our new Companion Care program. This private pay service does not require OPWDD/Medicaid eligibility. Our first intake meetings and Companion Care provider interviews are in process.
Please see below for additional information. We welcome you to reach out to [email protected] if you have a loved one in need.
We are here to help!
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Annual Employee Training Additions:
First Aid Course and
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Course
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Advocates has chosen to add two important topics to our Annual Employee Training beginning in August 2021. First Aid training aims to enhance the skills of employees while contributing to the health and safety of those we support. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training is a building block for Advocates' commitment to ensuring that our agency is a welcoming environment for all people.
We are able to provide quality services because of the dedication, passion, care, and experience of our team members and we are proud to offer progressive new trainings!
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Additional Professional Development Opportunities for Mentors |
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In addition to the Annual Employee Training through Relias, all Mentors are eligible for paid professional development hours through Advocates Virtual Trainings. These quarterly trainings are hosted for families, self-advocates, and employees and are advertised via email, Facebook events, and listed in the Employee Constant Contact communications document within Paycom's Employee Self-Service document folder.
Full-time Mentors also receive the benefit of 40 hours/year of professional development time in order to work from home on Relias elective courses to enhance skills and knowledge with over 300 topics to choose from!
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Advocates-Sponsored Syracuse Mets Games |
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Take me out to the ballgame!
Advocates is excited to once again sponsor Syracuse Mets games throughout the baseball season! Discount tickets ($10) will be available to individuals & families who receive services from Advocates along with employees.
Discount tickets can be purchased on game days at the will call window at the ticket office for $10 for the 300-Level/ADA seating.
Join us on July 13th and July 18th, as the Syracuse Mets take on
the Rochester Redwings. Visit historic NBT Bank Stadium for some exciting baseball action, summer-long promotions, and of course, fun with your friends from Advocates!
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Advocates Kickball - Summer Session |
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We are happy to announce that Advocates' kickball league is resuming! The 8-week session will run from August 4th to September 22nd for people ages 11+ who receive services from Advocates.
This session will be held on Wednesdays from 5 – 6 PM at Carrier Field of Dreams, 1033 Kinne St., E. Syracuse, NY 13057. The fee for this session is $25 per person. Payments will be accepted at the Liverpool office; please make your check payable to Advocates Incorporated.
Registration form and check may be mailed to:
Attn: Finance - Kickball
290 Elwood Davis Road, Suite 101, Liverpool, NY 13088
Completed registration form and payment must be received by July 20th.
For more information or to request a registration form, please email Recreation@advocatesincorporated.org or contact Justin: (315) 412-2605.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on the field!
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Advocates' 16th Annual
Charity Golf Tournament
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Advocates’ 16th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, presented by TOMRA and Schupan Beverage Recycling, will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at the Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Golfers will enjoy playing on PGA-level golf courses in a spectacular natural setting. Golf packages include morning refreshments at registration, 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch on the turn, social hour, meal, online auction, participation gift, and program acknowledgement. Shotgun start is at 11:00am.
Registration is open, reserve your place today! Email [email protected] or call (315) 469-9931 to register.
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Sponsorship packages are still available! To promote your business as a generous community supporter, see information below or contact [email protected] |
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Advocates' Virtual Stroll & Roll 5K |
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Advocates will be virtually hosting our 3rd annual Stroll & Roll 5K in October 2021! You can join in the fun by strolling, rolling, or running a 5K (3.1 miles) at a location of your choice anytime and anywhere during the week of October 10 through 16, 2021. The 5K can be completed all at once or in several different walks!
This 5k virtual race is your chance to safely join people from all over the country to benefit children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. So, lace up your shoes to make a difference while enjoying the company of your family, friends, or pets in your neighborhood or favorite park!
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Advocates’ mission and guiding principles center on helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live richer lives. Advocates' Mentors perform a wide variety of person-centered supports and services so that individuals with disabilities can fully participate in their homes, schools, and communities in a meaningful way. Our Mentors work hard to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities living in New York State.
Meet Advocates Mentor, Joshua Salzman. Josh’s work philosophy centers on “always trying to be available for the individuals I work with.” His career goal is to assist individuals with disabilities and their families, to grow and lead meaningful lives.
“Knowing that the work I do changes peoples’ lives in a positive way is rewarding and what I like most about being a Mentor," Josh told us.
Josh’s background has prepared him well for Advocates. While attending Buffalo State College, Josh created an empowerment resource focused on supporting friends diagnosed with disabilities. The mission of the “Abilities Support Group” was to offer a safe place for “people from all walks of life, to share stories about their life, and be supported by everyone in the room.”
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Josh's efforts at Advocates
have gone beyond the solid Mentorship he provides to individuals like Chase and
their families. Josh has dedicated his time to various initiatives within the agency, all of which foster community connections and enable people to live meaningful, enriched, and fulfilling lives. Josh has recently supported Chase to become Advocates' Art Gallery Manager!
Our dedicated team of 1,100 Mentors plays a critical role in the lives of those we support.
Please encourage your caring friends and family members to make a difference while making a living with a career at Advocates. We welcome future team members to apply on our website!
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ADVANCING INCLUSION | EMPOWERING LIVES | CREATING COMMUNITY |
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