Dear Supporter,
Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season!
As we begin 2021, we’re encouraged by New York State’s decision to include individuals in our Residential program and the staff who support them in the first wave of COVID-19 vaccinations. This is a much-needed first step towards a safe return to normalcy for many of our individuals, and we thank everyone who joined us in advocating for their inclusion in this first round.
Alongside other provider agencies across the state, we continue to monitor vaccine distribution and staunchly advocate for both those we support and the dedicated staff providing that care to be a priority as vaccination becomes more readily available. This is critical to ensuring the health and safety of everyone across our organization, and we will actively encourage participation in these efforts.
As I look back and reflect on 2020, while it was an incredibly difficult year, I’m also moved by the teamwork and collaboration that occurred across ACHIEVE and within our community. There’s no shortage of examples of staff, family and community members stepping up to support our agency, all in service of the individuals we support, and for that I’m beyond grateful. In particular, I have to recognize our exceptional staff who rose to many challenges over the last nine months, often with smiles on their faces. Your work on behalf of those we support is invaluable, and I sincerely thank you.
As a new year begins, I can’t help but feel optimistic for the months ahead at ACHIEVE. I’m so appreciative of everyone who stood by us in support in 2020 and am hopeful for what’s ahead in 2021.
On behalf of all of us here at ACHIEVE, Happy New Year to you and your family!
Amy
|
|
Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Annual Appeal
Your Gift Makes a Difference
|
|
Thanks to the generosity from our community, ACHIEVE has reached 54.8% of the Annual Appeal goal in just its first month! Thank you to everyone who has donated!
But we need your support . In order to keep that momentum going and continue providing exceptional services to those we serve, we rely on generous gifts from supporters, like you, who want to make a difference in thousands of lives.
Please consider donating today.
|
|
Did you know that you can leave a piece of your legacy with ACHIEVE and have an impact on the individuals we support for decades to come?
It's as easy as leaving a small gift in your will.
Interested in learning more on how you can support the ACHIEVE Foundation? Click the button below or reach out to Preston Evans, Vice President Development and Donor Relations, at pevans@achieveny.org or (607) 352-3280.
|
|
Thank You for Your Service
Louise Schabloski
Human Resources Generalist
|
|
Congratulations to the following employee for receiving promotions at ACHIEVE!
- Lisa Cebula, Assistant Residence Manager
|
|
|
|
Day Habilitation
Holiday Plates
|
The holiday spirit is alive at ACHIEVE, with our individuals in Core Room 8 making holiday crafts out of pie tins. Everyone was really proud of the work and effort that they put in. And they should be, because they came out great!
|
|
|
|
We spent December trying to spread the holiday spirit as much as we could, so Danielle and Anna got creative and decorated their van with as many holiday decorations that they could find!
|
|
Snow Globes to Melt Your Heart |
|
We can't help but smile alongside our individuals who made these fabulous snow globes! They came out great and we have a feeling they'll be used to decorate Cutler Pond for years to come! |
|
Just before the huge snowstorm hit, some of our folks in Day Hab
made these adorable snowmen. Nice Job!
|
|
Individuals at Helen Street have been keeping busy in these wintry days with all sorts of activities, including making these delicious
Christmas cookies!
|
|
|
Mischievous elves visited Helen Street and were up to no good all month. The individuals had fun seeing what trouble they got up to each morning and even suggested they should get a time out or be sent back to Santa for being so naughty! |
|
We asked our amazing staff to show us their Holiday Spirit,
and did they ever! Thanks for sharing with us!
|
|
|
|
While celebrating at Courtly Circle, a special visitor stopped by to wish everyone a merry Christmas on his way back to the North Pole! Everyone had a great time singing, enjoying their breakfast, talking to their family members, laughing, and especially opening gifts!
|
|
Happy Birthday Shalease!
The one and only Shalease celebrated her birthday virtually with her friends at Broad Street, Helen Street, Chapin Street and North Broad Street! She was happy to share her special day with her friends and her favorite Division Manager, Matt! On top of the virtual party, she was surprised with 40 gifts to help celebrate and wouldn't let
COVID ruin her day!
Happy birthday, Shalease!
|
|
Having Fun at Helen Street |
|
Individuals at Helen Street spent the days leading up to Christmas keeping busy and having fun. They hosted a movie night with their own Polar Express, spent a day doing Christmas fun and games, held an ugly sweater day that included lots of activities, and of course, Santa stopped by with presents delivered in the shape of snowmen and snowwomen! |
|
Thank you to everyone who joined us in advocating for prioritizing the intellectually and developmentally disabled in the first wave of vaccines! Together, our voices made a difference for those we support! |
|
First Phase COVID-19 Vaccine |
We've been encouraged and pleased with New York State's decision to include OPWDD certified congregate care sites, like our IRAs, in the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination for individuals and the staff supporting them. |
|
|
One of the many challenges that 2020 presented us with was the inability to host our four signature events in person. These fundraisers, the Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic, our annual Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony, the elegant Savor the Summer, and our newest event, the Half-K Classic – Walk & Roll, are important to help fund programming here at ACHIEVE.
We are proud to have been able to pivot to three virtual events in 2020, and are so happy to report that, thanks to the unwavering support of our sponsors and community, they were tremendously successful! Thank you to everyone who showed their support for these new events in untreaded waters!
While there is a vaccine coming very soon, there is still a lot of uncertainty about when we will be allowed to host congregate events again. With that in mind, we are preparing for every contingency for these events in 2021! Whether in person, or virtual, ACHIEVE’s events will go on, and we hope you can join us!
Keep your eye out for more information, coming soon.
|
|
|
|
Sponsorship Opportunities
& Platinum Partnerships
|
|
The success of each event depends on the generosity of our local community and business partners. Looking ahead at 2021, we will continue to face new challenges and the threat of new and ongoing funding cuts and withholds.
Now more than ever, our fundraising events are vitally important
to ensure we can continue providing crucial programming to the individuals we support!
Corporate sponsorships are one determining factor in the success of all ACHIEVE events, and in turn provides benefits to our sponsors!
In 2019 ACHIEVE launched its Platinum Partner Program, which gives additional recognition for to any organization who sponsors all four of ACHIEVE’s signature events, at any level, with benefits year-round. We have many levels available, and Platinum Partner packages start as low as $1,000 for the year.
For more information click “Become a Sponsor” below, or email Shari Caudell, Director of Community Engagement at scaudell@achieveny.org.
Please consider joining these amazing organizations who have already signed up as Platinum Partners in 2021!
|
|
Once again, we'd like to thank
all our 2020 sponsors!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
