SEPTEMBER 2022

Christopher Von Tersch

Christopher Von Tersch is a wonderful artist who enjoys working with glass and creating oil paintings. He has been creating art for about three years, and has taken some art classes to learn different techniques. 

We thank Chris for participating in our Art Gallery!

Amy Cavallaro

Amy Cavallaro is a talented artist who enjoys creating diamond art. Amy demonstrates great patience and precision when adding the diamond pieces to the canvas. Her skills result in beautiful pieces like the one featured in our Art Gallery.

We thank Amy for her unique contribution to the gallery!

Even Mother Nature couldn’t stop us from enjoying our highly anticipated Advocates Family Picnic! More than 450 people receiving services from Advocates and their family members/Mentors attended the event on August 17th. It was great seeing so many familiar, smiling faces enjoy an afternoon of entertainment, food, and friendship!

We thank everyone for braving the brief rainstorm in order to join in the fun. We also send our sincere thanks to Onondaga Lake Park, all food and entertainment vendors, and the personnel from the local emergency services organizations. As always, the event wouldn’t have been possible without the many Advocates staff members who selflessly dedicated their time and efforts. We thank you!

Presented by: Dr. Christina Michaelson, Ph.D |

Le Moyne College Positive Psychology Professor

September 20th @ 6pm

Typically, we spend a lot of our attention on problems, challenges, and what is not right in our lives and in the world. That certainly benefits us in many ways as we solve problems, meet challenges, and even prevent some difficulties. However, in that process, we tend to neglect to notice some of the positive experiences in our lives and to appreciate them, and research has demonstrated that an increased focus on gratitude can add to our happiness and quality of life. In this presentation, we will talk about some specific strategies for shifting our focus to the positive, developing appreciation for our experiences, and thus adding to our life satisfaction.

Planning for the Future: An informed discussion on supplemental needs trusts, wills, power of attorney,

and health care proxy

Presented by: Scott E. Koldin, Esq. | Koldin Law Center, P.C.

October 26th @ 6pm

Join us for a discussion on various legal and financial planning strategies for a child or adult with a disability. Topics of discussion will include supplemental needs trusts, wills, power of attorney and health care proxy.

A Pure Treasure

“It’s kind of a miracle that I’m even here.” After Jin Sook Swizdor shared her story with us, it’s understandable that she feels this way.

Jin, age 40, was born in South Korea to parents who were fortunate to have survived the Korean War. Her parents’ survival story is only the beginning of Jin’s improbable and remarkable path in life, however. When Jin’s mother gave birth to her, it was apparent that Jin had some serious health issues. Just over a year later, Jin was found abandoned on a street corner.

She spent the next three years at an orphanage, estranged from the only people who ever knew her and lacking the resources, care, and attention that children critically need.

Hope was restored when Jin was adopted in 1986 by an American family through a social welfare agency. She came to the U.S. to live with her new parents when she was almost 5 years old, and developed an immediate rapport with her adoptive mother, Jennifer. Because of her delays and physical challenges, Jin was written off by teachers and medical professionals at a young age. Her family was told that she would never succeed in school, and that she would almost assuredly be institutionalized in the future.

Jin and Jennifer failed to accept these bleak and predetermined destinies. The two worked hard on Jin’s education, which they both saw as the cornerstone to her success in life. Jin demonstrated more hard work and determination by achieving her first-degree black belt in taekwondo, which led to greater self-discipline, confidence, and leadership ability, to name a few. Jennifer’s gentle but constant pushing in the classroom and beyond paid great dividends. “She’s always worked harder than most people you’ll ever meet,” she said of Jin, noting that her name means “pure treasure.” Jin went on to graduate from Nottingham High School, earning her diploma without taking even a single special education class. Receiving her degree in Human Services from Onondaga Community College is one of Jin’s greatest achievements. Her intellect, hardworking nature, and independence led to another milestone event in 2010 – moving into her own apartment. “These were great moments for me because they showed just how far I’ve come,” she said.

Jin’s triumphs over the years have come despite her disability and detrimental effects of her early childhood. While some people shy away from adversity, Jin faces it head-on. Her dedication, perseverance, and support from her mother and Advocates Mentors mean she’s able to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. 

“I’ve worked with people from all over the world and with different agencies, and she’s the most interesting, determined person I’ve ever worked with,” said her Mentor through Advocates, Iona Bingham. “She has a nice personality and enjoys helping others in different ways.” Whether it is at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo or Advocates-sponsored events, such as an American Red Cross Blood Drive, which she has coordinated over the past two years, Jin loves volunteering in her community. When she isn’t giving back, Jin enjoys seeing her friends from Advocates, acting, playing musical instruments, and shopping. Two of Jin’s other interests, traveling and photography, were exercised simultaneously when she, her mother, and her adopted sister, Mee Hye, ventured back to South Korea in 2017.

The trip was an exciting one for the family of three, as they explored major cities and rediscovered the girls’ birthplaces. Despite seeing famous landmarks and meeting interesting people, the excursion wasn’t full of happiness, Jin admitted. “It was a memorable but very emotional trip,” she said. “Visiting my orphanage, seeing the room I slept in as

a baby, seeing infants who might not be adopted… It all just hit me.” This impactful experience, though difficult at times, was a necessary one for Jin. “Some people would never want to go back,” she said. “I feel that by going back, I was able to get some closure. It’s also helped me appreciate all that I have today.”

Among the things Jin is thankful for are a supportive family and friends and the ability to self-direct her services through Advocates. “I love being able to participate in community activities that I like,” she said. “And if it weren’t for Advocates, I wouldn’t have you,” she continued, looking to her Mentor, Iona. “It really gives me a great feeling working with her,” Iona said. “Helping her achieve the things she wants in life is my pleasure.”

Jin hopes to continue volunteering and entertaining, and aspires to be a famous actress in the future. Though she is left with scars from her childhood and still faces her share of obstacles today, Jin is resolute on looking toward the future and focusing on her many blessings instead. “Many adoptees have an emptiness in their heart because they never meet their parents or find their families,” she said. “But I’ve overcome so much to get to this point and have my mother and Advocates to thank for that.”

Nearly 40 years ago, Jennifer opened her heart and home to a young girl she had never met who lived 7,000 miles away. That girl has amounted to the caring, respectful, and determined individual Jin is today. We are privileged to have this “pure treasure” as a part of the Advocates family, and are proud of all Jin does to contribute to our various causes!

If you have a caring family member or friend who is looking for meaningful work and the opportunity to support someone as inspirational as Jin, please encourage them to

apply on our website. We look forward to meeting them!