Inclusion Matters

OCTOBER 2025

Easy Going, Yet Hard at Work

Meet Artie Bennett, one of Advocates’ newest employees. Despite having only been employed since June, Artie is really making a name for himself, due to his personality and the quality job he does. Though new to the team, he tells us that these things are more than just his trying to make a good impression – they are fundamental elements of who he is as a person.

“I’ve always been no-nonsense when it comes to my job,” he told us. “I get my work ethic from my father,” he added, noting his father’s passing in 2017. “I miss my dad, because he raised me the right way and taught me the importance of keeping a good job.” Artie’s impressive resume is a testament to his inherited work ethic, a drive to make his parents proud, and an inner determination to overcome challenges he’s faced as a result of his disability for most of his life.

“After school, it was hard for me to find a job,” Artie remembers, noting how different supports and services looked for people with disabilities decades ago. “I had a tough upbringing, and society kind of told me I’d never make it.” Despite the lack of resources that existed at the time, Artie’s determination would not allow him to settle for anything less than what he’d wanted out of life. “I began advocating for myself right after high school, and although I never went to college, here I am sitting at the top of my game,” he said.

Artie, now 56, has built a strong and steady career in the janitorial field, beginning in 1995 as a custodian at Le Moyne College. Because of the outstanding job he’d done for the college, the head of the department referred him to a colleague, as he viewed it as a potentially great career move for Artie. Artie would spend the next two decades working for Bristol Myers Squibb, demonstrating long-term commitment and reliability.

“Artie came to us with a long history of janitorial experience,” said his Supervisor at Advocates, Lexi Puma. “His expertise, commitment, and dedication have been instrumental in maintaining the cleanliness of our office.” Lexi went on to note some of Artie’s other desirable qualities, including his fine communication skills, a willingness to learn, and a true thoroughness with each job he undertakes. But as important as those things are to Artie’s job itself, it’s his demeanor that’s equally important to the culture of the office he works in. “When Artie arrives at the Liverpool office to start his day, he is always so positive that it can be infectious,” Lexi said. Advocates’ Office Manager, Brittany Jewell, concurred. "I'm so glad he has started working for us at the Liverpool office,” she said. “He truly gives it his all and is so on top of things."

Artie has come such a long way, overcome so much, and achieved goals he and others once thought he would never achieve. But the road does not stop here, he told us. “I want to keep doing what I’ve been doing – working hard and giving the best I have every day,” he said.

Part of the role of his mentors, like Rumpelstiltskin Morgan, is helping Artie to stay on track with both his professional and personal lives. “Artie has historically struggled with finding the right balance,” she said. “It’s my job to help him manage his work and the services he has in place, while making sure he’s finding time to achieve personal goals.”

When he’s not working, Artie likes photography, going hiking and bowling, watching movies, cheering on his favorite sports teams, and above all else, spending time with his girlfriend, Jennifer. Artie credits Advocates for enabling him to pursue the things he values in life while also helping him maximize his potential and abilities. 

“They’re great people,” Artie said of the many Advocates staff members he’s worked with in his decade of receiving services from the agency. “Everyone has given me great advice over the years, and now, they’ve provided me with this job. Brittany made me feel really comfortable here, and that’s why I’m able to succeed here. Thanks to them, they make me feel welcomed and supported.”

When asked about something he’s proud to have achieved, Artie did not hesitate. “Being the person I am today and keeping a job all these years,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d be anywhere near where I am today. If dad was still here, he would give me a hug and tell me what a good job I’m doing.”

Advocates is proud of the work Artie does, but is even more proud of the person he has become. If you are fortunate enough to bump into him at our new Liverpool office, be sure to introduce yourself. Artie’s personality will make you glad you did.

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!

Join us for an evening of music, dancing, food, and friendship!

Our next John Wolford Coffee House will be held on Friday, Oct. 17th from 6:30-8:30 PM at Christ the King Church in Liverpool (21 Cherry Tree Circle, Liverpool, NY 13090). Space is limited to allow for the first 120 adults receiving services from Advocates. Please bring your favorite snack to pass or a non-perishable item for the church's food pantry.

Attendees are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes!

Join us for Advocates Night at the Syracuse Crunch!

The Syracuse Crunch is once again collaborating with Advocates to provide discount tickets to people/families receiving services from Advocates along with employees. Join us on Saturday, Oct. 18th at 7pm as the Syracuse Crunch take on the Rochester Americans at Upstate Medical Arena at the On Center War Memorial.

Discount tickets ($22) can be purchased by contacting

Nancy Loh: (315) 473-4444 ext. 119 or online at: www.syracusecrunch.com/advocates using promotional code: ADVOCATES

Along with our friends at David's Refuge, Advocates is proud to co-host a Halloween Celebration later in the month!

We hope you'll join us for spooky fun and games at the East Area Family YMCA (200 Towne Drive, Fayetteville, NY 13066) on Saturday, Oct. 25th from 11am-1pm. Wear your favorite costume and enjoy indoor trick-or-treating, music and activities, a costume contest, and more!

We hope to see you there!

We hope you'll join us for Advocates’ next Dine For Dollar$ event on Tuesday, October 21st, from 5-9 PM.

Craving mouthwatering barbecue? Skip the kitchen and gather your family, friends, and coworkers for a flavorful night out at Smokey Bones (4036 State Rte. 31, Liverpool, NY 13090).

Indulge in savory ribs, juicy chicken, tender steaks, and more —while supporting a great cause. Smokey Bones will donate 20% of your bill to Advocates, helping us provide quality services to children and adults with disabilities. Simply present the attached flyer to your server to ensure your meal supports our mission.

We can’t wait to see you there!

We are filled with gratitude as we reflect on the incredible success of Advocates' 20th Annual Golf Tournament! This milestone year marks two decades of community, generosity, and unwavering support for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

To all of our donors, sponsors, and supporters, thank you for making this 20th anniversary so special. Your generosity continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we support. We also thank Timber Banks Golf Club and its amazing staff for hosting us!

And to our amazing volunteers - your time, energy, and dedication helped bring this event to life. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Advocates is honored to be the November beneficiary of the Speach Family Candy Shoppe's “10 Decades of Giving” community give-back initiative, through their Quarters 4 Change donation program.

The Candy Shoppe's new jukebox is now spinning vinyl records — and every song helps make a difference! For just 25¢ per play, customers can enjoy great music while they shop, knowing that 100% of all jukebox proceeds in November will go directly to support Advocates. The Speach Family Candy Shoppe is located at 2400 Lodi Street in Syracuse.

Want to give a little more? Larger donations are also welcome in-store. Not in town? You can still join in! When placing your order online, simply click the “Quarter 4 Change” logo at checkout and your donation will go to Advocates. Together, every quarter adds up to real change!

For more information on the Quarters 4 Change program, please click here.

Thank you for supporting Advocates and The Speach Family Candy Shoppe’s mission to give back!

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 Sujit Kurup!