Inclusion Matters

MAY 2025

A Career Full of Compassion

Before our interview with Tora Ryder even began, her face was lit up with joy – not because of the spotlight, but because she had just finished working with someone receiving services from Advocates. “It was a wonderful day, and he (the man she supports) just puts me in the best mood,” she beamed. This moment perfectly captured her passion for the work she does every day, and is indicative of the deep fulfillment she finds in making a meaningful difference in others’ lives.

Tora has worked for Advocates for just over 11 years. Her lengthy tenure with the agency comes after having worked for nearly a decade as a paramedic – a clear reflection of her commitment to serving those around her. When it came time to transition from the stress and demands of being a paramedic, she thought back to a role she’d once had many years ago that left an indelible mark on her. Working as a bus monitor for the APW school district is something Tora never forgot, due to how rewarding it was. “The students with disabilities needed someone to be their advocate, a voice to tell them everything was going to be okay,” she said. “The connections I formed at that job were beyond important to me.” A friend of Tora’s who had worked in the IDD field suggested she give it a try, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Tora has primarily supported the same gentleman, Chris (pictured left), for the duration of her time with Advocates – a sign not only of her reliability, but also of her ability to help someone navigate the complexities of different stages of life. “From where I started with people to where they are now is unreal,” she said. Tora’s reflection on the many positives she’s seen and been a part of did not come without also recalling the challenges. She touched on how everyone’s challenges are different, that some are more significant than others, and that while one approach may work well for one person, it may not work at all for another. Tora was clear when saying the families of those she’s supported have always been just as supportive of her in return, but that naturally, family dynamics play a role in everything. 

When asked what direct support staff can do to help eliminate conflict and work collaboratively with one’s circle of support, Tora did not hesitate. “You must constantly and openly communicate with the families you support,” she said. “It’s important to factor in what the family wants while always keeping the person (receiving services) in the center of your mind. It’s about checking in with the family often to ensure that goals are being met and that everyone is happy.”

Tora also had advice for those who are new to the field, or those simply new to working with a particular person. “You have to give it time,” she said emphatically. “Not everyone is a match, but you never know unless you give it an honest chance.” You can find no better example of this than Tora and Chris. “The very first week of working together,” she recalled, “Chris locked himself in his room and didn’t want to do anything at all. But if I didn’t give up on him then, I never will.” Had Tora immediately opted to look for a different person to support, both she and Chris likely would have missed out on a relationship that today means the world to them both. “I care so much about him, and he must feel the same about me, because he calls me his second mom.” 

Their journey together is a testament to persistence and patience. What started with closed doors and silence has grown into a bond built on trust, mutual respect, and deep emotional connection. Tora traces some of her success with Chris and her success overall to her mother. “The patience I’ve been gifted with definitely comes from her,” she said. “Her drive, how she’d never say a bad word about anyone, just everything about her…it made me want to emulate her.” With years of dedicated, compassionate service behind her – and a deep commitment to following her mother’s example – it’s clear that Tora has become the kind of role model anyone in the helping professions would be proud to follow.

Outside of work, Tora enjoys doing anything outdoors, particularly spending time with her children, kayaking, bike riding, and camping.

Advocates is proud of the work that Tora does, and is privileged to call her a member of our dedicated team.

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!

We are thrilled to announce that the Advocates' Fayetteville Doug Klepper Community Center is once again open for reservation by people receiving services and Mentors!

Monday-Friday

9:00AM-11:00AM

11:15AM-1:00PM

2:30PM-4:30PM

Reservations can be made by emailing reception@advocatesincorporated.org

We have secured a new office space in Liverpool! We welcome people we support and families to utilize two dedicated conference rooms for Mentor interviews or Circle of Support meetings with their Broker or Coordinator. Our Training Support Specialists will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 5pm for Mentors if assistance with eVero is needed. We look forward to seeing you at our new location!

Advocates

7710 Maltlage Drive

Liverpool, NY 13090

Career-Specific Vocational

Training Program

Monday, June 16 @ 6pm

(virtual event)

Presented by Erin Leahey

Vocational Training Specialist/Lead Program, AccessCNY Employment Department

Traveling With Your Special Needs Child/Adult

Monday, July 28 @ 6pm (virtual event)

Presented by Barbara Hoffman

Assistant Coordinator,

Parent to Parent of NYS

Although these events are free to attend, eligible individuals must be enrolled in our FSS Training program in order to register.

Do you enjoy music, food, and meeting new people?

If so, we hope to see you at our next John Wolford Coffee House!

Our next Coffee House dance will be held on Friday, May 16th from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Christ The King Church (21 Cherry Tree Circle, Liverpool, NY 13090).

This is a free event for people receiving services from Advocates that offers, music, dancing, and an opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new ones. Space is limited to allow for the first 120 adults receiving services from Advocates.

Although this event is free to attend, eligible individuals must be enrolled in our FSS Recreation program in order to register.

Last call to register for our 7th Annual Stroll & Roll!

Join us on Saturday, May 17th

to run, walk, stroll, or roll for Advocates! Advocates' Annual Stroll & Roll 5K will be held at Onondaga Lake Park (Willow Bay, 3858 Long Branch Road, Liverpool, NY 13090.)

The race begins at 10:00 am. There will be fun for the entire family, including a catered lunch, live entertainment, family games, face painting, and snacks. The top three winners will receive a cash prize.

All proceeds will benefit people with disabilities.

We hope to see you there!

Time is also running out for our online auction!

In conjunction with the 5K event, Advocates will be running an online auction, featuring getaways to tropical destinations, gift cards to local restaurants, various items provided by many local supporters of Advocates, and much more! For those unable to join us the day of the race, participating in the online auction is a fun and resourceful way to contribute to this great cause. 

We hope you'll join us anytime on Thursday, May 22nd for our next Dine For Dollars event at Red Robin, located at 610 Towne Drive in Fayetteville.

Red Robin will generously donate 20% of all pre-tax sales back to Advocates. To ensure Advocates receives credit, simply present the flyer (either printed or on your mobile phone) via the button below while dining in, or by following its instructions for online orders.

On behalf of our individuals, families, and employees, thank you for your anticipated support! We hope to see you there!

Friday, June 6th (5:30-8pm)

Join us for a very special evening just for you at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo! Tour the zoo, enjoy keeper chats, entertainment, games, activities, a picnic in the courtyard and more! Bring your support person and/or immediate family members (maximum of 4 tickets per guest, please).

Originating in the Netherlands at the Rotterdam Zoo in 1996, Dreamnight is an inclusive and educational cost-free evening for children with special health care needs and disabilities to enjoy the zoo. Every year on the first Friday in June more than 100,000 participants and their families and friends celebrate Dreamnight on six continents and in 23 countries around the world. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is the only zoo in New York state to take part in this annual global celebration.

Since 2008, many Central New York organizations have worked with us to provide individuals in our community the opportunity to participate in Dreamnight.

The Zoo will be returning to hard copy tickets this year. To request tickets, please click the button below and complete the form. Tickets will be mailed out once we receive your completed request form.

We hope to see you there!

Summer kickball is back!

We are happy to announce Advocates' 12 week Summer Kickball League will run from June 11th – August 27th for people ages 11+ who receive services from Advocates.

To limit cancelations due to severe weather, this session will be held at CNY Family Sports Centre (7201 Jones Rd., Syracuse, NY 13209) on Wednesdays from 4pm-5pm.

The fee to participate is $20 per person. Please make checks payable to Advocates Incorporated. Payment can be made in person on the first day of the session or dropped off/mailed to: 300 South Manlius St. Fayetteville, NY 13066. We hope to see everyone back on the field!

In case you missed it!

Advocates virtually held its Annual Talent & Art Show at the end of April.

Many of the skilled artists, musicians, and performers receiving services from Advocates participated, and it was our great pleasure spotlighting them throughout an entire week. If you didn't have a chance to view this year's talent, be sure to check out Advocates' Facebook page.

We send our sincere thanks to everyone who submitted an entry to this year's show, family members and Mentors who assisted with submissions, and to our virtual audience, whose support is much appreciated!

Acting Season is Upon Us!

The Spring season is synonymous with multiple outlets for the people Advocates supports to showcase their many talents. In addition to our Annual Talent & Art Show, Advocates collaborates with Syracuse University and Syracuse Stage to offer people opportunities to express themselves while enhancing their acting skills.

The All Star C.A.S.T. (Community Actors and Students Theater) was formed more than thirty years ago in the Syracuse University Drama Department in an effort to provide an outlet in Theater Arts for young people with special needs. Each semester, a group of actors and drama student-facilitators meet weekly to promote community inclusion, showcase individuals' unique talents, and to help all participants experience the joy of learning through creative play. The group aims to provide a safe, non-judgmental zone in which all participants can explore their creative voice through dancing, singing, and acting. At the end of April, the All Star C.A.S.T. held their final performances of the semester to display the participants' individual and collective creative spirits. The performances were the culmination of weeks of collaboration and camaraderie, and allowed the individuals the opportunity to showcase their talents with friends and family who attended.

Advocates sends its sincere thanks to Syracuse Stage, the instructors, and their caring, patient, and talented student facilitators. Their collective efforts not only guided students in their learning journey but also fostered an environment where they could forge bonds of camaraderie while making the learning experience enjoyable and memorable.

On behalf of all of us at Advocates, we thank you!

Did you know?

Advocates' Executive Director, Amy Dugliss, and Self-Advocate, Nicholas Courgi, collaborate each month to bring you an Advocates-themed podcast! The Inclusion Matters Podcast can be found by searching "Inclusion Matters Advocates" on Amazon Music and Spotify.

We hope you'll tune in monthly to hear inspiring stories from Advocates!

In case you missed it!

Check out a previous edition's spotlight on one of our dedicated employees, Eric Komar. Advocates thanks you for all you do, Eric!