Dear Supporters,
As our region continues to strategically reopen, we here at ACHIEVE are working with organizations across the state to develop a vision for what that looks like for provider agencies. While the future is uncertain, it is clear that we will need to take a new look at our congregate day services in an effort to keep everyone safe and healthy.
At this time, the suspension of Day Habilitation and Site Based Prevocational Services programs continues across New York. Like schools, these are densely populated programs and the risk of exposure to the virus is higher, especially amongst an already immunocompromised population. As we continue to proactively develop these plans, social distancing, decreased density and personal protective equipment are all major considerations in how we move forward.
Our residences remain closed to outside visitors for now, while continuing to implement a revised, yet still conservative, staffing plan that minimizes the number of essential workers entering, reducing the overall risk of exposure to those in our care.
As we evaluate and plan for reopening our programs, our Leadership Team is also diligently working on a workforce reentry plan. This will be a slow, phased-in process that is being comprehensively developed to include cleaning routines, density and staffing patterns, health screening and personal protective equipment usage.
Finally, I must commend, once again, our workforce who is supporting the individuals in our residences during this unprecedented time. They have remained flexible, committed and, more than anything, loving and loyal, and I can’t thank them enough. These have been difficult times, and our staff have gone above and beyond in demonstrating what it means to be #ACHIEVEProud and #ACHIEVEStrong.
The outpouring of support over the last two months has been and continues to be overwhelming, and all of us at ACHIEVE are so grateful to be a part of such a tightly-knit community that comes together in a time of crisis. I look forward to the day when we can be together once again.
Stay safe. Be well.
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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CWS Packaging, d
elivering strategic packaging, filling, kitting and assembly services and solutions since 1964,
was deemed an essential business during the COVID-19 outbreak. We’re proud that they were able to provide safe, essential services to Raymond Corporation, Berlin Packaging and BeWell Health. As New York begins to reopen, CWS is taking every precaution possible to ensure they can continue providing services to their valued customers, while ensuring the health and safety of their employees remain intact.
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New client alert!
Thank you,
Elide Fire USA
for choosing CWS to meet your packaging needs!
The Elide Fire Ball is an innovative, scientifically-proven and effective self-activating fire extinguishing solution for virtually any situation where there is the possibility of an accidental fire.
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Chuck E. Cheese Donation
Thank you to the managers at Vestal Chuck E. Cheese for donating lunch to our essential workers as part of your annual Day of Giving! We appreciate you thinking of us and ACHIEVE!
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During these fluctuating and unprecedented times, we often forget the dedication and the hard work an essential workers performs. Keith is one of those essential workers. Keith’s position is a vital part of Walmart because he is responsible for making sure that the shopping carts are sanitized thoroughly before the public can put their groceries and supplies in.
Keith has been employed with Walmart for 6 years, and says he really enjoys working as a means to support his family. The best part of the job is helping customers load their groceries into their cars, and many of the regular customers have become like family to him, often requesting his services to help them.
In addition, Keith says working has built skills, abilities and confidence in himself while integrating into the community. Keith states he has formed lifelong friendships with his coworkers, and said work is not like work because he enjoys what he does every day.
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Thank you for the meaningful employment, Walmart!
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The long lines that snake through the parking lots at grocery stores, buses carrying people to essential jobs, packages waiting outside doorsteps, and doctors and nurses gearing up for long shifts in hospitals. While many people work from home and await the end of stay-at-home guidelines, some workers continue to brave the COVID-19 pandemic to go to work to keep essential parts of society running. Katie is one of those essential workers. Katie has worked at Gregg’s Marketplace in Whitney Point for 6 years in the Deli Department.
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Katie’s responsibilities include preparing customer orders and packaging foods. That means making sandwiches, dishing up hot and cold foods, cutting all the varieties of meats and cheeses, and putting together food trays for special orders. Katie is proud to be considered Essential and strives to work hard every day. She enjoys working with her coworkers, supervisors, and seeing the customers shop locally. Katie has been sanitizing everything, maintaining social distancing, and helping customers. Katie is gratified to see that everyone has a valuable role in seeing us safely through this crisis, with the hope that we emerge together as an even stronger community. With all of the supports and guidance from ACHIEVE, Katie has stepped up to the plate and continues to show a positive attitude at this time of uncertainty. She would like to thank the other essential workers that are still servicing the needs of the community, are working long hours to keep the economy moving, and supporting the community during this extraordinary difficult time.
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Thank you for the meaningful employment, Gregg's Big M!
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"ACHIEVE isn't just a company - it's a community, it's a big family" and we are
#ACHIEVEStrong
. Our essential workers deserve all the recognition possible for the remarkable work they do each and every day. THANK YOU.
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We cannot express enough just how remarkable our staff are here at ACHIEVE. Not only have they been absolute heroes during the COVID-19 outbreak, but they have been going above and beyond to ensure that our individuals won't look back at these times negatively; rather they will look back and remember the amazing experiences they were given. We've been thrilled to share these experiences
on our Facebook page
, but below are just a few of the many exciting activities that are occurring at our houses.
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We all miss being able to get dressed up and go out to a nice restaurant - so some of our phenomenal staff members, Karla, Shawnta, and Marlene, brought the restaurant TO our individuals! Introducing, "Chateau de COVID", a fine-dining experience with special decor, music, appetizers, sparkling cider, and of course, 5-star staff. How amazing is this!
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Our community continues to state that we will never forget the times we are living in now. We'd have to agree - specifically because our exceptional staff are helping to create beautiful memories for the individuals served. Check out this amazing at-home luau that our staff put together, which will be an everlasting memory for our individuals.
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In the past two weeks, Community Habilitation has been working hard to ensure that as many individuals are getting the support they need. While the agency is keeping everyone safe by quarantining, Community Habilitation services were opened to the Supportive Apartments. Ten individuals that are living independently are now receiving extra support in their homes and with minimal community access through social distancing. Everyone seems to be enjoying the new friendships in a time when most have felt a lot of worry.
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Many of us have been missing the fact that salons have been closed, but we are thankful to have some talented hairdressers that work with our individuals! Quite a few have received fresh haircuts, which they've been thankful for, especially during some of these hotter days!
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To celebrate Dorothy's birthday, staff created a casino night for everyone! There were prizes, some card games, and even a slot machine! Click below to watch the video montage.
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Recreation Respite may not be meeting as we have in the past, but the fun has taken on a new look! We have been offering activities to participants via Zoom. Staff lead participants in games, guided discussions and fitness activities. We even had a costume day: Mel was a Zoo Keeper and her pup, Winston, was a gnome. Participants dressed up as a baseball player, Minnie Mouse, the Karate Kid, Harry Potter, Davey Crockett, Carole Baskin and a Pokemon character!
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Members of the leadership team stopped by our residences to express their appreciation and deliver some goodies to our incredible essential staff and individuals! While it might still be some time before we can be together again, it was nice to see the smiles on familiar faces (from safe distances, of course) and catch up for a few minutes!
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Patty celebrated her 80th birthday with her amazing housemates and staff! To make the day extra special, the house phone turned into a "party line", as staff and friends from across the entire agency called Patty to wish her the happiest of birthdays.
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Happy Birthday, Jeannine!
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Our remarkable staff are at it again! This time, they drove by Jeannine's house to make her birthday just a little extra special!
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Dorothy had an amazing time celebrating her 89th birthday with her housemates and staff!
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You Are Cordially Invited to
ACHIEVE Awards & Virtual Dance Party
June 19th, 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Streaming Live
Presented by
Visions Federal Credit Union and the ACHIEVE Foundation Board of Directors
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We are excited to announce our Annual Dinner Dance and Award Ceremony will be going virtual! While we are unable to host this event live this year, we had to continue on, because this very special event celebrates the accomplishments of our individuals and recognizes our amazing staff and community partners. So put on your party clothes or pajamas and join us for inspirational awards & dance celebration! Stay tuned to our Facebook page & your email for more details on how to connect to ACHIEVE Awards & Virtual Dance Party!
Visit our event page to learn more. In
lieu of tickets
, we are asking you please,
make a donation to support ACHIEVE
and their mission to advocate for and enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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On May 5
th, ACHIEVE was proud to join nonprofits across the world for #GivingTuesdayNow, raising $1,140 for our Employee Emergency Needs Support Fund. Thank you to all who donated!
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Thank you so much to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, lead by the COVID-19 Community Response Fund Alliance, for the $5,500 grant donation that helped us launch our Emergency Respite Services Program. Lead by the
United Way of Broome County,
Community Foundation for South Central NY, Conrad & Virginia Klee Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Mee Foundation, and Hoyt Foundation, and
Bates Troy, Inc. and
United Health Services, you allowed us to assist the community in a time of crisis!
#ACHIEVEProud
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Thank you to Commerce Chenango for providing meals to our essential workers and individuals in our Chenango residences as part of your Fueling the Frontline initiative! We appreciate you thinking of ACHIEVE during this time and know everyone loved the meals provided by Magro’s Pizzeria, Roma’s Pizzeria, Garf’s Deli, Trojan House Deli, Fred’s Inn and Canasawactca Country Club!
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Over the last few weeks, we've received an incredible outpouring of support, and are so grateful to be a part of a community that cares!
As the weeks have gone on, many have reached out asking how they can help. The individuals in our residences have been sheltered in place for everyone's safety, creating different clubs and groups to pass the time, and put together an Amazon Wish List. If you're interested in helping them out, please check it out!
We appreciate the consideration and continued support!
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Promotions
Congratulations to the following employees for receiving a promotion in April!
- Lindley Kavanaugh - Program Manager
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Become a Member of ACHIEVE for just $1!
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- Our members give us a voice.
- The more members we have, the bigger our voice.
- By becoming a member, you show that you support ACHIEVE and our mission.
- There are no emails, no mailings - just proof of your support.
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If you contributed to our 2020 Annual Appeal, as a thank you,
your membership has already been renewed, but please consider signing up your friends and family; the more members we have,
the stronger our voice!
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Thank you to our 2020 Platinum Partners!
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Thank you to our 2020 Sponsors!
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