Inclusion Matters

JULY 2026

Turning Personal Experience Into an Everyday Passion

Amy Swan describes herself as energetic, fun, and consistent. It’s these qualities and more that have contributed to the praise she’s received from those she’s worked with in her role as a Mentor for Advocates.

For the past four years, Amy has demonstrated a strong sense of selflessness and dedication to the people she’s supported. Though she says she’s always had a strong work ethic, her mission at Advocates is deeply personal to her. 

“I have family members with disabilities,” Amy said. “In particular, my brother, Morgan, is the main reason I entered the field.” At just five years old, Morgan, who is nonverbal, was placed in Wilton Development Center in Wilton, NY. Although the establishment was 20 miles from home, Amy committed herself to seeing him daily. During their visits, Amy would assist Morgan with preparing and eating meals, help with personal care tasks, take him on day trips, or simply interact with him to keep him engaged and entertained. 

“Being there for him was rewarding to me, and seeing a smile on his face brought joy to my heart,” Amy said. “That’s my biggest reward…seeing him happy.” It's that sense of purpose – bringing support, opportunity, and joy to people's lives – that inspired Amy to build a career in human services. Her exposure to the disability world from an early age started her on the path to working in the field. In previous roles, she worked for Independent Support Services, as well as at Oswego Hospital. “I’ve always worked with a variety of people with special needs, and that’s where I’m most comfortable.”

Because Amy wanted to transition to a role that was more community-based, she joined Advocates on a part-time basis in addition to her position at the hospital. The mentor role was a good fit for her; so good, in fact, that she quickly decided she would leave the hospital and pursue mentoring full-time. Amy told us this was one of the best decisions she’s made in recent memory.

“I absolutely love working with the young ladies I’m supporting currently,” she said. “I love being able to help them while keeping them connected to the community.” Whether it’s helping them to achieve goals like maintaining a healthy lifestyle, creating task lists, or working on organizational and communication skills, Amy takes great pride in her work. “It’s so rewarding and fun, seeing their progress,” she said, noting what a believer she is in the self-direction model. “But what’s also great is knowing their goals and the activities we participate in are the ones they’ve chosen for themselves.” 

Maureen Bobbett, Community Habilitation Coordinator Supervisor, can attest to Amy’s impact as well as anyone within Advocates.  

“One of the people Amy supports was really struggling before Amy came into the picture,” Maureen said. “That person was new to the area and spent a lot of time at home, and so, I’d get phone calls from the family, looking for support.” Amy’s presence, Maureen tells us, made a positive impact from day one. “I don’t receive those phone calls anymore,” she said. “Amy has made a huge difference in her life.”

Outside of work, family is at the center of Amy's life. This summer, she's been soaking up time with her first grandchild and hitting the golf course with her husband, Bob. She also loves being outdoors – whether she's camping or running 5K races like Advocates' Annual Stroll & Roll, an event she looks forward to every year.

For Amy, mentoring has never been just a job. It's a chance to make the same kind of meaningful difference in someone's life that she always hoped her brother experienced. By encouraging people to pursue the goals they've chosen for themselves while celebrating their accomplishments, Amy continues to embody the compassion and consistency that first inspired her to enter the field. It's no surprise that the people she supports – and her coworkers – describe her as someone who brings energy, kindness, and heart to everything she does.

“Every time I speak with Amy, she tells me that this is not a job to her because she enjoys being with her individuals so much,” said Stephanie Keans, TSS/Self-Direction Coordinator for Advocates.

It's that genuine passion for helping others that makes Amy such a valued member of the Advocates team. We are grateful to have Amy on our team and thank her for the compassion, dedication, and positivity she brings to the people we support every day.

Do you have a friend or family member who

would make a great Mentor?

If so, please encourage them to apply on our website.

We look forward to meeting them!

Our next Dine for Dollar$ fundraiser will be held on Thursday, July 23rd at Stingers Pizza Pub, located at 4500 Pewter Lane in Manlius.

Stop in anytime between 11:30 AM - 9 PM for some delicious pizza, wings, or subs. Take a night off from cooking and enjoy an evening out while making a difference for the people Advocates supports.

Stinger's will generously donate a portion of all sales to Advocates, helping us continue our mission of empowering children and adults with disabilities. Please present the coupon below at your time of purchase.

We look forward to seeing you there,

and we appreciate your support!

Join Us "Fore" a Great Cause!

Advocates’ Annual Golf Tournament is right around the corner, and we’d love for you to be part of this special event!

Join us on Wednesday, September 16th at the beautiful Timber Banks Golf Club in Baldwinsville, featuring a stunning Jack Nicklaus Design course. Enjoy 18 holes of golf with cart, player gifts, on-course contests, lunch, beverages, a post-round networking reception, awards, an exciting auction, and a gourmet meal overlooking the scenic grounds.

Whether you’re a longtime participant or new to the tournament, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a day of golf while making a meaningful impact.

Not a golfer? No problem! Sponsorship and donation opportunities are available, which are a great way to promote your business and support children with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Advocates.

Promote your business while supporting Advocates!

Pin flag sponsorships offer a unique way to showcase your business at this year's golf tournament. A pin flag marks each hole on the course, ensuring every golfer sees your company's logo and message throughout the day.

Best of all, 100% of the proceeds from the sales of pin flags will benefit children and adults with disabilities.

After the tournament, your pin flag will be mailed to you as lasting reminder of your support and generosity!

This month marks the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the civil rights law that protects equal opportunity and access for individuals with disabilities while continuing to inspire progress toward accessibility and inclusion.

Advocates' Executive Director, Amy Dugliss, joined several employees and people receiving services from Advocates at the ADA Anniversary Celebration in downtown Syracuse on July 7. Participants took part in a flag-raising ceremony and marched from City Hall along E. Washington Street in recognition of the ADA's lasting impact.

The beautiful weather made for a wonderful day of celebrating accessibility, inclusion, and the ongoing advocacy to advance disability rights throughout our community.

To learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act, please click here.

Pride Month is a time to celebrate love, authenticity, inclusion, and the strength of the LGBTQ+ community. At Advocates, we proudly stand with and support our LGBTQ+ friends, families, and colleagues—not just during Pride Month, but every day of the year. Together, we continue to foster a community where everyone feels seen, valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Advocates was honored to once again participate in the CNY Pride Parade on June 20th! Marching in solidarity was a meaningful way to celebrate diversity, spread joy, and show our unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Dreamnight 2026 was a hit, and the beautiful weather made the evening even more special! On June 5th, Advocates teamed up with other local service providers and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo to create a memorable evening of fun, food, and entertainment for families and friends— and, of course, some quality time with the animals! A huge thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us, as well as to our incredible volunteers. We are so grateful for your continued support in making Dreamnight such a special experience!