Inclusion Matters
SEPTEMBER 2021
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Direct Support Professional
Recognition Week
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From September 12th through September 18th, 2021, we pay special tribute to Direct Support Professionals, whose critical supports for people with disabilities enables them to live, work, and thrive in their communities.
It is through the hard work of the more than 1,200 Advocates Mentors that we are able to provide individuals with disabilities and their families with the highest level of supports and services.
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The "heart" and soul of what we do.
At no time in our history has the work of our Mentors been more needed or appreciated than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your dedication during trying times is a testament to the heart and soul you put into your work!
Help us celebrate by showing your appreciation to our Mentors - whether they are coworkers, support a loved one, or simply make a difference in your community.
To our Mentors: we are beyond grateful for your work - not only during Direct Support Professional Week, but every day!
As a token of our appreciation for our Mentors, we will be holding five daily drawings for $50 Amazon gift cards. Advocates' Mentors, please visit our Facebook page from Sept. 13th - 17th to see if you are one of our lucky winners!
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Advocates' Online Auction
16th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
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As part of Advocates' 16th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, you're invited to preview and bid on some exciting auction items! Bidding is now open. Choose from over 25 packages donated by local businesses and community leaders.
Bid strong and bid often on the items you want most!
100% of the proceeds will benefit children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thank you to all of our dedicated supporters for making this our most successful Golf Tournament to date!
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Advocates Virtual Training |
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Preventing Parent Burnout: Stress Management for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Presented by: Barbara Hoffman | Parent to Parent of NYS
September 13th | 6:00pm
Join us for this training to discover positive ways for
caregivers with extraordinary responsibilities
to cope with and effectively manage stress.
Please include in your email:
Name of person receiving services
Name/s of person attending
Name of Care Manager
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Advocates-Sponsored Syracuse Mets Games |
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Take me out to the ballgame!
The baseball season is winding down, and we hope you're able to join us for our final Advocates-sponsored Syracuse Mets game!
Discount tickets ($10) are available to individuals & families who receive services from Advocates along with employees. Tickets can be purchased at the will call window at the ticket office for $10 for the 300-Level/ADA seating.
Join us on September 15th at 6:35 PM as the Syracuse Mets take on the Worcester Red Sox. Visit historic NBT Bank Stadium for some end-of-summer baseball action, and of course, fun with your friends from Advocates!
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Advocates' Virtual Stroll & Roll 5K |
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Time is running out!
Advocates' 3rd annual Stroll & Roll 5K is rapidly approaching, but there is still time to register!
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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Emotion Into Art - Canceled |
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In order to safeguard Advocates' artists and attendees, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this indoor event which was scheduled for December 3rd.
We hope to offer this wonderful event in the future. In the meantime, thank you for your understanding and please stay safe.
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Passionate. Diligent. Advocating.
Three words that Elyssa Stallcup says best describe her. Three words that also embody the spirit of mentorship.
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Elyssa has been a Mentor with Advocates for more than four years but has been mentoring her twin brothers, both of whom are diagnosed with autism, for as long as she can remember. From an early age, she has played an integral role in their development, helping them with everyday tasks and learning new skills.
Unbeknownst to Elyssa, her personal experience was setting her up for future successes professionally. Her firsthand glimpse of life in the disability world has benefitted her in ways that go beyond a paycheck, however. “I got an enhanced world view because of my brothers, and they opened my eyes in a lot of ways,” she said. Despite knowing of the services her brothers received, it was by sheer coincidence that Elyssa discovered she could work in the disability field herself.
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While attending SUNY Oswego, Elyssa worked at a shoe store not far from the school’s campus. A routine day at work wound up changing Elyssa’s life in ways she couldn’t have imagined. She had the pleasure of interacting with pair of young women entered the store who were working together, one of whom had Down syndrome.
After completing their transaction, Elyssa watched in admiration as the young women left the store. There was clearly a mutual respect between the two, and the Direct Support Professional's compassion towards the person she supported warmed Elyssa’s heart. Because of her background and this eye-opening experience, Elyssa decided to follow a new career path. The rest, as they say, is history.
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Soon after this encounter, Elyssa applied for a Mentor position with Advocates, and was quickly hired by a young woman named Hannah. With her evolving skill set, valuable on-the-job experience, and an ever-growing appreciation for work in the disability field, Elyssa aimed to take her career to new heights. She changed her major to linguistics, largely due to having helped Hannah with her goal of refining her skills in both Spanish and English. Working with Hannah in this way and seeing her progression led to Elyssa setting a new goal for herself – to become a teacher for those whose second language is English. |
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When asked about her accomplishments through her work, Elyssa was quick to show her humility. “I don’t want to take credit for anything Hannah has achieved,” she said. “I love seeing the results, but the strides she's taken are because of her determination, not anything I did.”
By not seeking praise for her work, Elyssa shows why she is that much more deserving of it. Her earnest desire to provide the best support possible is most apparent – whether it’s to the families she supports, others in the community, or members of Advocates’ staff who have witnessed her person-centered approach. Brittany Jewell, Training and Support Specialist Supervisor at Advocates, shared with us her recent observation of Elyssa’s exemplary work at our Fayetteville community space.
“She (Elyssa) was asking (the person she supports) how he'd like her to support him differently the next time, or what he'd like to do more independently next time,” Brittany said. “I thought this was great because it makes him aware of what his goals are. Observing them in person was a really great experience.”
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Advocates is proud to have a workforce comprised of caring, dedicated people like Elyssa. We thank you for the work you do each and every day!
Do you have a friend or family member who would be a great Mentor? If so, please encourage them apply on our website. We look forward to meeting them!
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ADVANCING INCLUSION | EMPOWERING LIVES | CREATING COMMUNITY |
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