Dear Supporters,
It’s hard to believe Summer is just around the corner! Where is the time going?
As our community slowly reopens, we here at ACHIEVE continue to evaluate and safely implement our own reopening plan, awaiting further updated guidance from the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. We’re just as excited as so many individuals and their families for the return to normal, but only when we can ensure that we are able to do so safely, adhering to all guidelines and best practices.
To help drive towards that return to normal, we were proud to partner with UHS Hospital recently to host two pop-up drive-thru vaccination clinics at our sites in Binghamton and Norwich. As vaccine rates have been declining, these clinics have been a convenient alternative to some who are on the fence about inoculation, and as community leaders we were excited about the opportunity to do our part. Thank you to everyone who participated or shared the clinic information.
One additional hurdle to reopening is workforce recruitment and ensuring that we have sufficient staff ratios to safely provide programming. While this is not a problem unique to ACHIEVE, and provider organizations across the State are struggling, it’s an unfortunate barrier to safely reopening and bringing everyone back when we are able. If you or someone you know is looking to start their new favorite career, I’d invite you to consider joining the ACHIEVE family and finding out why we’re #ACHIEVEProud. Information on open positions and applying can be found in this newsletter.
As a reminder, out of an abundance of caution we made the difficult decision to transition our annual Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony to a virtual event again this year. Plans are well underway for the 2nd Annual Virtual Awards Ceremony and Dance Party on Thursday, June 24th at 5:45 PM, and will include our Annual Membership Meeting. Last year’s virtual broadcast saw over 2,000 people tune in for a night of fun and recognition, and we hope you’ll join us again this year. More information on this event can be found below.
Again, I’d like to remind our supporters that our 2021 Membership Campaign is in progress and will run through August. For $1, you and your family can become a Member of ACHIEVE and demonstrate your support for our organization and the individuals we serve. I personally ask you to consider becoming a Member and recruiting others to join as well.
As always, on behalf of myself and everyone here at ACHIEVE, thank you for the support and have a wonderful June!
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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Drive-Thru Vaccination Clinics |
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We were proud to partner with United Health Services and offer two pop-up drive-thru Moderna vaccination clinics to the public at our sites in Binghamton and Norwich.
Thank you to UHS and everyone who came out or shared the information on these clinics! Together, we can all do our part and get our community back to normal.
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New client alert!
CWS has partnered with M. Becker & Associates!
M. Becker & Associates, Inc. is home to a variety of coated fabrics which can be used in many different ways including apparel, seating, footwear, luggage, bags, and wherever abrasion resistance is required.
M. Becker provides fabrics of all textures to customers from all over,
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including Canada, the UK and even Disney Animation Studios in Los Angeles, California!
CWS is very excited for this opportunity to work with M. Becker and help to provide new and innovative fabric designs!
Does your business have filling or packaging needs? Find out how CWS Packaging's creative solutions can help meet your needs at www.cwspackaging.com.
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April Employee of the Month
Congratulations to our April Employee of the Month, Recreation Respite Team Leader Celeste Barbera!
Celeste is a positive ray of light within our agency who is adored by participants, families, and staff. When she walks into the building, everyone knows, because individuals treat her like a celebrity.
Celeste always goes the extra mile, whether it be dressing up for theme activities, encouraging folks to step out of their comfort zones and try new things, or even chatting with someone when they are feeling down to help turn their day around. She is respectful and pleasant to everyone she encounters, and is truly an asset to her department and ACHIEVE as a whole.
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May Employee of the Month
We're proud to recognize our May Employee of the Month, Transportation Coordinator Lisa Hoag!
Lisa is always kind, friendly and makes everyone feel welcomed each and every day, and is a genuine, caring, helpful person who exudes positivity and lives the ACHIEVE Mission.
Lisa has stepped up in many ways during the COVID pandemic; not only in her everyday job duties, but with all the extra tasks she offers to take on, none more important than making sure every person she comes in contact with is having a good day.
Congratulations, Lisa!
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#WhyIACHIEVE is proud to feature Leann Griffin, Program Manager for Hamilton Drive IRA!
In her five years at ACHIEVE, the individuals at Hamilton have become her home away from home, and she enjoys the genuine excitement she receives every day she walks in the door.
To Leann, her job is important to her because the passion she feels for human services allows her to learn and grow, be motivated, and ensure she's being the best she can for those she supports!
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#WhyIACHIEVEis excited to highlight Mauri Misiaszek, Community Habilitation Provider who's been with ACHIEVE for four months!
Before joining ACHIEVE, Mauri was a Special Education teacher for 36 years, and loves working part-time at ACHIEVE because it gives her the opportunity to reconnect with some of her favorite former students and their families.
Working in this field has always made Mauri feel like she's making a difference in the lives of others, and she's having a great time continuing to do so here at ACHIEVE!
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Carly Crispino - Program Manager
Eric Lindsey - Assistant Residence Manager
Tammy Vinal - Program Manager
Heather Sabines - Assistant Residence Manager
Robert Pierson - Assistant Residence Manager
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Carol has been employed by Binghamton University for 10 years. She currently works at the Einstein Café on campus, having worked at the Marketplace Cafeteria previously.
Carol takes pride in being a team player when she's working the grill area in between prepping food, and is willing to fill in on other positions as needed, especially when things are busy. Carol always keeps a positive, happy attitude working side-by-side with her coworkers. She takes safety and sanitation seriously and is always keeping busy around the shop making sure all levels of cleanliness are consistently being followed.
Carol welcomes the supports and services of ACHIEVE's Supported Employment programming. She enjoys knowing that she has the supports to assist and provide her guidance on any new tasks or issues that come up to ensure she's successful. Overall, Carol is successful in her job and is extremely grateful for being employed by Binghamton University for the last 10 years!
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Thank you for the meaningful employment,
Binghamton University!
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Let's check in with Chef Kurt, who has upgraded his cooking skills to Grill Master!
Kurt made turkey burgers to treat everyone at Wildwood to a BBQ, with a housemate pitching in with some sugar free peanut butter cookies!
Keep up the culinary deliciousness, Kurt!
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Who doesn't enjoy a little cookout and some baseball with friends? Everyone in Norwich got together for some outdoor time, enjoying some burgers, hot dogs and America's favorite pastime! |
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The gentlemen at Patterson Street IRA thought their back porch could use some pops of color, so they spent an afternoon painting rocks!
They came out great and will definitely be a nice splash of color when they're spending time outside!
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Community Habilitation Help Vaccination Efforts |
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Our Community Habilitation team wear a lot of different hats!
Over the last few months, members of our Community Habilitation team have been hard at work educating those they support about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, and getting anyone interested scheduled and vaccinated.
Great work, team!
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Kylee Hits the Tennis Courts |
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Kylee expressed a desire to learn how to play tennis to her Community Habilitation provider, so they took advantage of the beautiful weather we've been having lately and got her out on the court!
Great job, Kylee!
Our Community Habilitation team is always looking for new full and part-time team members. View our employment opportunities at
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Why's Tommy smirking? Because a rainy day is the perfect time to make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup!
Tommy's Community Habilitation provider Tammie was more than happy to assist him with the delicious meal and help continue building Tommy's cooking skills!
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Building Language Skills Through Cooking |
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Our wonderful Speech Pathologist, John Adams, worked with Ed and John on their cooking skills, using the opportunity to continue building their speech skills by learning new vocabulary words and talking through the process of cooking, the ingredients they were using, what they were making and how it tasted. |
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Due to COVID, it had been a while since our Core Rooms were able to make and donate dog treats to the local shelters, and everyone was all smiles baking some goodies for man's best friend! |
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Spring Cleaning at Carlton |
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Carlton Street took advantage of the nice weather and worked together to start sprucing up the front of their house. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to get started on a new project, and are looking forward to it being complete in a few weeks! |
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Muffins are the best! Individuals at Helen Street had a great time making some delicious butter and blueberry muffins! |
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Patty celebrated her 81st birthday with phone calls, video chats, and even a special guest staff pop-in by her former Program Manager, Racheal!
There were smiles and laughter all through the day, leading up to full bellies of her favorite meal - spaghetti and meatballs!
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Mahlon, lifetime member of the West Colesville Fire Company, celebrated a milestone birthday with a drive-thru celebration, including a stop by the Greene Emergency Squad!
Thank you to everyone who came out to make his day special!
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You Are Cordially Invited to
2nd Annual ACHIEVE Awards & Virtual Dance Party
Featuring the annual ACHIEVE Membership Meeting
June 24th, 5:45pm to 7:30pm
Streaming Live
Presented by
Mirabito and the ACHIEVE Foundation Board of Directors
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We are excited to announce our the return of our virtual Annual Dinner Dance and Award Ceremony, featuring our Membership Meeting!
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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Thank you W & W Nursery & Landscaping for donating apple trees to Country Club Lane! Everyone is excited now that they're planted and can begin caring for them, and can’t wait for the apples to start growing.
We appreciate your support of this legacy project for the residents in this home!
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Become a Member of ACHIEVE for just $1! |
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Our members give us a voice.
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The more members we have, the bigger our voice.
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By becoming a member, you show that you support ACHIEVE and our mission.
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There are no emails, no mailings - just proof of your support.
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If you contributed to our 2021 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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Your Legacy, Our Future
Planned Gifts to ACHIEVE
The ACHIEVE Foundation seeks to support ACHIEVE’s mission to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The growth of the Foundation is determined by planned gifts from our community and family members. These gifts are the cornerstone of our Foundation and allow us to continue to offer a wide range of programs and services.
Every year, more donors are discovering the benefits of supporting ACHIEVE through their estate plans. These planned gifts are the cornerstones to the ACHIEVE Foundation and support the programs and services of our organization.
Charitable Bequest through Last Will or other Estate Plan
Individual Retirement Account
Stock and Securities
Real Estate
To learn more about Planned Giving, or to make a donation, please contact Preston Evans, Vice President Development and Donor Relations, at (607) 352-3280 or pevans@achieveny.org
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Thank you to our 2021 Platinum Partners
and Sponsors!
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