When ACHIEVE's head chef took some time off, there were many people excited to step in and help out in the cafeteria! Program participants, along with ACHIEVE's Division Managers, Vice President of Programs, and Vice President of Development and Donor Relations spent two weeks cooking, serving, and cleaning in the cafeteria!

Thank you to everyone that gave to the Danielle House in the month of February! It was great to see members of the community come together and donate to such a great cause.

March was Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - a campaign that seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness to the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live. For the entire month of March, ACHIEVE took part in #DDAwareness19 - each week having a different theme.

Click on any of the photos below to learn more about the amazing individuals we serve!

James had been waiting a long time for this Knicks game and was very excited that it was finally here. We stayed at the New Yorker Hotel which is literally across the street from Madison Square Garden. It was a very exciting game that came down to the final shot. We met many people from Ireland visiting for Saint Patrick’s Day. We also experienced a wonderful dinner at the famous Butcher and Banker restaurant. James said that he had a great time and that he looks forward to another trip next year.  

Individuals from ACHIEVE houses - Chapin and Main Street - love attending Bible Study on Tuesdays! They are amazing in what they know and how much they are willing to learn about the Lord. They are very active in reading and participating in the class each Tuesday Night.

Tioga is prepared to hatch some little chicks in about three weeks! All individuals are welcome to visit and learn more about the life cycle of a chicken! Everyone is excited to get weekly updates, and are working diligently on picking out names for the soon-to-be chicks!

March 21st was National Down Syndrome Awareness Day - and everyone at ACHIEVE took part by wearing some crazy socks! Staff even held a sock contest and the winner won a beautiful sock bouquet!

On March 25th, 50 members of ACHIEVE joined others in the Capital building in Albany for the 1,000 Person Rally. Thanks to the immense support from ACHIEVE members, the community, and our legislators, Governor Cuomo announced that he will not sign the budget unless it includes funding for a livable wage for our Direct Support Professionals!

ACHIEVE would like to thank Auchinachie Cares for their generous donation on March 22nd! It is thanks to the continued support from our community that we are able to be the areas leading provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

“Thank you for being a friend!” What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by honoring amazing friendships we have all made in Rec, Golden Girls style! We had a marathon of the show, played Golden Girls trivia games, and enjoy a themed dinner of Sophia’s Sicilian spaghetti, Pussycat pepperoni rolls, Blanche’s Southern sweet tea, and of course: Cheesecake for dessert.

Saturday, March 23, 2019 was National Puppy Day. To celebrate, the Recreation Respite Program collected donations, baked treats, made toys, snuffle mats, and nap mats, then delivered all of the items to both the Front Street Animal Shelter and the BC Humane Society. Both shelters were very thankful, and were kind enough to give the groups private tours and meet some pups!

ACHIEVE and the SUNY Broome BC Center were honored to have the Carle Irish Dancers perform for them on March 14th! In fact, one of ACHIEVE's individuals, Austin, performed as well! To view our live video of the dancers, click here!

As the weather starts to warm up, we try to get as much time outside as we can! In preparation for this warmer weather, some of our individuals went out to clean up the greenhouse! Everyone is excited to start planting and utilizing it!

Whether you are a Strike Force or a Gutter Gang, you won’t want to miss the 24th Annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic! A fun filled day of bowling, prizes and community spirit, co-chaired by Assemblyman Clifford Crouch and Assemblyman Chris Friend. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 6th, 2019 at Ideal Lanes. This tournament is great way for companies to promote team building or family fun time, as well as the opportunity to become this year’s reigning champion!

This signature event is an evening full of celebration and dancing, combined with a brief membership meeting and highly anticipated awards ceremony. The evening provides an opportunity for ACHIEVE to recognize the many accomplishments of our program participants and staff as well as express our sincere appreciation for the friendship of our community partners.

Presented by M&T Bank, this elegant tasting event features offerings from over 40 of the region’s finest restaurants, wineries, and breweries. The expected 500 guests also enjoy live entertainment and an impressive silent auction overlooking the beautiful vistas of Cutler Pond. The evening culminates with a breathtaking fireworks display.

This unique event includes a Half-k fun run ending at the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, New York. Bring the entire family to walk, run, or ride your way to the museum! Enjoy free admission to the Northeast Classic Car Museum, an opportunity to ride in a classic car, lunch reception, finish line photo, commemorative t-shirt, prizes, and more! More details to come!

Kathy is a very talented vocalist. Kathy has a beautiful voice and is often humming while working, providing a pleasant gift to those around her. Kathy identified that one of her hopes is to become a professional singer and she has the talent to do so. Kathy has participated in a recording session, and often sings the National Anthem for ACHIEVE's events. Kathy brings great joy to everyone at the end of the work day when she sings along to whatever is on the radio. Kathy has an extensive repertoire of musical knowledge and can often be heard singing along with country, classic rock, R&B, hip-hop, classical and new age…all done with perfect pitch. It is a real privilege to hear her talent.