Dear Supporters,
Leaves falling from the trees and the days growing shorter make it clear that fall is in the air!
October is always a festive time at ACHIEVE, and this year was no different. Even as we’ve had to reduce outings in the interest of everyone’s safety, staff have once again shown just how creative they can be by bringing fall activities to those we support; from pumpkin decorating to trick or treating. I hope you’ll check out some of the fun activities in this month’s newsletter.
While we were optimistic that we’d be able to be able to host our 2nd annual Half-K Classic – Walk & Roll fundraiser in-person, we successfully transitioned it to a virtual event that we were able to open up to our entire region. Thank you to all our corporate sponsors for their support, and to everyone who walked, ran or even rode in a classic car to be featured in our Finish Line Photo Album! More photos from that event are included in this newsletter as well.
As we continue to experience an upward trend in the spread of COVID-19 in our community, I want to assure everyone that we are vigorously evaluating and monitoring best practices that will keep our staff and those they support safe. I’m incredibly pleased with the conservative measures we’ve put in place that have resulted in limited exposures across our agency over the last eight months, and I’m confident that this approach will continue to minimize spread to ensure everyone stays healthy and safe.
2020 has certainly been a challenging year, but as we start November, I also have to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for at ACHIEVE. Our caring and dedicated staff have been exceptional, and there’s been no shortage of community support during these difficult times. I’m so incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported our agency, and cannot thank you enough.
From all of us at ACHIEVE, I wish you and your family a safe and healthy Thanksgiving!
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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Kenny Kenyon has displayed how accepting changes and learning new skills will make anything possible. Kenny has been a member of ACHIEVE’S Supported Employment program since 2018, and new to the Employment Training Program and Supported Employment program. Kenny, like many other individuals, has learned to move forward instead of backwards during the course of the pandemic. Kenny spent the beginning of the summer applying for jobs and was hired by Lowes in Vestal in August. Kenny is a Carts/Loader staff. He brings in carts, takes care of trash, and assists customers with loading merchandise in their vehicles.
Kenny receives about 18 hours of employment and is excited that he earns more than minimum wage. The days have been busy and Kenny makes sure to follow suit and complete all of his work before the end of his day. He loves that he can work outside, as he has a passion for weather and counting his steps on his FitBit. His scheduling manager, Brian, has continued to give Kenny great reports, stating that he is so happy that Kenny comes in every shift and goes right to work with little-to-no direction. He knows what he needs to do and he gets it done. Kenny also has adapted well to all of the new rules and regulations that we all continue to learn surrounding the COVID outbreak. Kenny’s journey shows how ACHIEVE strives to bring the best out in the individuals that we serve, and also assist them with continuing to maintain successful and meaningful employment.
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Joey Pedro has been a Employee at Lowes for over two years now. Joey started out with the position as a Parking Lot Attendant, but, over the two years, Joey has become very versatile at work. Joey has learned how to load product properly in customers vehicles, and he helps out in the Garden Center moving product around on the tables. He waters plants and properly displays them. In the past year, Joey has mastered the register, and fills in when his coworkers are on break. Joey keeps up on all his training and is currently learning how to mix paint.
Joey has been a great asset to our staff. He is always willing to pitch in to help in all service departments including Lawn & Garden, Lumber and Paint. He fills in when his coworkers call in. With the hours being limited in the Fall and Winter months, it is great that Joey is so versatile. We enjoy Joey working here, and greatly missed him when he was off during the COVID-19 pandemic.
James Lambert
Manager of Front End Operations
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Benjamin Schoener has been working in the Paint Department for Lowe’s on Upper Front Street in Binghamton for one year. He enjoys working with his coworkers, supervisors, as well as helping customers. Joe (Lowe’s Store Manager) and Dave (Lowe’s HR) have been a huge help in supporting and guiding Ben to be at his best. They both believe that Ben is a joy to have at Lowe's, and that Ben always comes in to work with a great attitude, and leaves work with a great attitude. |
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We'd like to thank Lowes for providing meaningful employment to individuals served at ACHIEVE! |
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Attention area business owners: Are you interested in diversifying your workforce? Are you seeking dependable, quality employees? Please consider a partnership with ACHIEVE as we look to place individuals of varying abilities into meaningful employment positions. We currently have a pool of 54 available applicants ready to meet your business needs. For additional information please contact Jason Harriott, VP Community Based Services at [email protected] or 607-231-5259.
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October 2020
Shannon Westbrook
Day Habilitation Specialist
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On behalf of the Executive Management Team and the Staff Appreciation Committee, we are honored to award Shannon Westbrook, Day Habilitation Specialist in Broome, with ACHIEVE's October Employee of the Month!
To read more about Shannon and why she was selected as Employee of the Month, visit our website by clicking here!
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Half-K Classic Walk & Roll |
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Thank you to everyone who walked, ran or rolled and participated in our virtual Half-K Classic – Walk & Roll over the last week! It was great to see all the pictures come in of everyone enjoying the beautiful fall weather! |
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Join us Tuesday, December 1st as we take part in the global day of giving and participate in Giving Tuesday.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more information on how your donation this Giving Tuesday will help our agency!
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Promotions
Congratulations to the following employees for receiving a promotion in September!
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- Shari Caudell - Director Community Engagement
- Sadie Kinner - Assistant Residence Manager
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It’s no secret that 2020 has presented many challenges. Yet as an agency we were able to overcome them thanks to remarkable leadership displayed across our three counties. Our leaders continuously support, motivate, make tough decisions, and strive for us all to be the best versions of ourselves.
On October 16th, we took a moment to thank the incredible leaders here at ACHIEVE and wish them a Happy Boss's Day!
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Everyone loves watching the foliage at our Cutler Pond Day Habilitation change as we enter the fall months. Staff and individuals thought this would be a perfect photo opportunity! Happy fall, everyone! |
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In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a few members of Day Habilitation made beautiful pink wreaths and key chains! |
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In honor of National Dessert Day yesterday, participants had a blast beautifully decorating their own cookies (and eating them, too!) |
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We'd like to thank Walmart Johnson City for their generous donation of supplies for our Day Habilitation programs! These will happily be used by the individuals supported!
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October presented many beautiful days, and we took full opportunity of them! Staff were able to safely go to orchards and go apple picking with the individuals supported, and then make delicious treats with the many apples picked! |
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Staff and individuals in Norwich had a BLAST visiting Peila View Farm in Oxford. It was a full day of fun with a corn maze, barnyard animals, and tractor rides!
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Staff at our Main Street house decided to hold a little carnival outside. Everyone had a great time, ESPECIALLY playing cornhole! |
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All throughout ACHIEVE, we have been having so much fun getting our own pumpkins and decorating them for Halloween! While Halloween won't be the same this year, decorating pumpkins is one tradition that we were thrilled we could still partake in. |
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As Halloween was approaching, some of the staff and individuals at our Cutler Pond Day Habilitation thought it would be a fun idea for everyone to make their own haunted houses, and they came out very spooky! |
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Housemates at our Carlton location took advantage of some of the beautiful weather we had last week and had one great big outdoor picnic together! |
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Catskill Cattle Company delivered pumpkins to our Cutler Pond location so that the individuals supported could come out and select their very own pumpkins. Many Halloween activities are restricted this year, so this was a very welcome piece of normalcy.
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Did you know that you can make the cutest fall decoration with just a roll of toilet paper, felt, and some ribbon? Some of the individuals at our Day Habilitation made some of the cutest toilet paper pumpkins we've ever seen! |
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Individuals at our Cutler Pond Day Habilitation made their own eye masks for Halloween! Now if they just pair it with the perfect face mask, they'll have a pretty Halloween-y costume ready to go! |
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In everyone’s safety, we’re unfortunately unable to go trick or treating or host our annual Trunk or Treat this year, but we have some the best staff ever who got creative. Staff safely packaged goodie bags for all the individuals we support, got dressed up, set the bags on house porches, rang the doorbell, and waited a safe distance away to see the surprised faces! |
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Members of our Chenango residences were excited to have their voices heard and hit the polls for early voting, despite the crummy weather. For Debbie, it was her first time, and she was proud to participate in being heard.
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November 3rd is Election Day. Issues and legislative proposals that directly affect the intellectually and developmentally disabled are brought up all the time at local, state and federal levels of government. Voting gives everyone a voice in these decisions. Please make a plan to exercise your voice safely this Tuesday.
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Coming to Mailboxes Soon: |
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Thank you to our 2020 Sponsors! |
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Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date with all that ACHIEVE is doing! |
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