Greetings Everyone!
September was another busy and exciting month here at ACHIEVE. It was filled with pumpkin farms, football games, celebrations, and awards!
We began the month with a celebration of Tioga Downs Casino as they were given the Employer of the Year Award by The Arc New York at their September Board of Governor’s meeting in Albany! Tioga Downs has been partnering with ACHIEVE for over 13 years and hires several individuals who receive job coaching services from our agency. You can read more about our relationship with Tioga Downs and the recognition they received, later in this newsletter.
Also, ACHIEVE’s overACHIEVEr's Half-K Classic event was held on Saturday, September 28
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in Norwich, New York. We had beautiful weather, a great turnout, and raised over $6,000 for our organization! Thank you to the many corporations and individuals who supported this inaugural event. Congratulations to our Development Team, Preston and Shari, who led the planning on this very unique event and thank you to all of our staff who volunteered!
On October 1
st
we celebrate the 1 Year Anniversary of the opening of On the Pond ~ At Cutler. This adult social program has been received so well by the individuals who attend and their families. Every day there are interesting activities, visitors on site to share new experiences, and fun day trips being had where individuals supported explore all that our wonderful community has to offer!
Finally, I am eager to share that ACHIEVE continues to facilitate job matches with area business partners. There are dozens of individuals we support through our employment services division that are actively training for a job and many others who are job searching. As many local businesses are seeking to build a qualified workforce and to fill existing vacancies, we believe ACHIEVE can be a resource and part of the solution. To learn more about customized employment, job carving and supported employment services please visit our website at
www.achieveny.org
or call our Vice President of Community Based Services, Jason Harriott at 607.231.5259.
As always, I thank you for your support of our organization. Enjoy this edition of the Beacon.
Warm Regards,
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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As part of our ongoing Council on Quality and Leadership Accreditation work plan, ACHIEVE is seeking your feedback! Whether you are a parent/family member of a person who receives services, a business in the community who contracts with the agency, another human services organization, or a member of our community, we are looking for your input on the quality with which ACHIEVE does business. Please let us know your thoughts and ideas. Your voice is important and we look forward to hearing from you!
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Please click on the link below to complete the survey:
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"See Something, Say Something" Anonymous Reporting Portal is Live!
Submitted By: Ross Rinaldo
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You can now anonymously report your security and safety concerns through the ACHIEVE website at:
This portal is meant for concerns involving:
Workplace violence
Domestic violence
Safety hazards
Security and Safety Suggestions
Crisis intervention
It is not meant for reporting:
Neglect of Individuals
Sexual misconduct
Corporate Compliance
If you are not sure what category your concern fits under, please fill out the form and include contact information so that Ross Rinaldo, Director of Workplace Safety and Security, may direct you to the proper reporting procedure.
Additionally, Ross' door at Cutler Pond is always open to discuss safety and security concerns. The well-being of every person at ACHIEVE is a community effort.
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Ross Rinaldo, Director of Workplace Safety and Security
rrinaldo@achieveny.org
607-377-4125
125 Cutler Pond Road
Binghamton, NY 13905
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Thank you to everyone that attended and supported our inaugural overACHIEVEr's Half-K Classic in Norwich!
This fun walk started at the East Park in Norwich and ended with a lunch reception at the Northeast Classic Car Museum! This 0.6 mile race offered our overACHIEVErs a chance to take a cider and donuts break, and some even rode to the finish line in a classic car!
At the reception, overACHIEVErs enjoyed lunch from Tuller's Catering, silent auction generously donated by Parlor City, enjoyed music by ACHIEVE's very own Devinne Meyers, and everyone had a chance to check out the Northeast Classic Car Museum! ACHIEVE was even able to announce their October Employee of the Month, who volunteered to serve on the Half-K Committee, Belle Burchill!
Everyone had a great time, and we can't thank our supporters enough for making this event a success!
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Taking Packaging Beyond the Box
Submitted By: Preston Evans
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Thank you Manufacturing In Focus for the great profile on
CWS Contract Packaging Services
and their support of our individuals through meaningful employment in this month's issue!
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Taking Packaging Beyond the Box
There is nothing standard about CWS Contract Packaging, which works from three facilities in Norwich, New York. With partnerships in cosmetics, drugs, and retail firms across America, this packaging provider has been praised for its service...
Read more
mags.manufacturinginfocus.com
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ACCO
Submitted By: Bonnie Hill
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AT-A-GLANCE, MEAD, MEAD WESTVACO are names you have probably heard of. These are the previous names for what is now ACCO Brands. This customer is once again doing business with CWS as of July 2019.
We last did business in 2010 with Mead Westvaco. The work we did consisted of rolling calendars and putting them into cartons, such as a poster would come in, or counting out different laminated wall calendars and placing them into master cartons. As work was slowing down for Mead Westvaco they pulled the work back in-house in order to keep their employees working.
Nine years later we are back in business with them!
Justin Parker, CWS Sales and Marketing Representative, reached out to ACCO in May of 2019. One week later, we reignited our partnership and have been running orders with them every month since.
At-a-Glance was one of the first companies to do business with CWS since its start in 1964. These jobs are completely manual in nature and the majority of our individuals, if not all, have worked on these lines at some point in their careers here at CWS.
We are currently doing large laminated wall calendars for ACCO, and foresee that our relationship with them will grow as we again show that our quality of work is outstanding. ACCO is always appreciative in being notified upfront if an imperfection is found. This helps ACCO’s image with the public and ours with ACCO.
We at CWS are grateful for every new and existing opportunity that comes our way and we relish the chance to show our customers just how great we really are!
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Success Story
Submitted By: Debra Carson
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Charlie began his road to success by participating in the Pathway to Employment Program in 2014. He was exposed to various community businesses such as Binghamton University dining hall, Johnson City Senior Center and Lourdes Hospital, where he gained the experiences of the “real world of work”. In addition, he attended job readiness classes and job clubs. He learned how to appropriately greet others, fill out applications, and use various resources to search for jobs. Most importantly, Charlie learned that he was interested in earning a paycheck.
Charlie was enrolled in the Employment Training Program in 2017, where he visited various businesses in an attempt to gain community employment. After some time, he was offered a paid internship opportunity at Uncle Tony’s Bar in Binghamton as a Custodian. Charlie was very excited to accept his first community-based competitive employment opportunity.
Via the Employment Training Program, Charlie was offered another opportunity for a paid internship at The Neighborhood Redemption Center, which he gladly accepted. Charlie’s responsibilities include filling an automatic hopper with cans and bottles, removing full bags of cans from the machine, replacing the machine with an empty bag, and restarting the machine. Charlie did so well that was hired by the business in July of 2019. He loves filling the machine with cans and bottles and enjoys maintaining the machines process independently.
Charlie loves his job. Charlie’s supervisor has stated that he has a strong work ethic and he wishes that he had more employees like Charlie. He has also stated that he is currently considering offering Charlie work more hours.
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Direct Support Professional's Week
Submitted By: Tori Studer
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DSP Week is a great opportunity to highlight the dedicated, innovative direct support workforce that is the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. This year, ACHIEVE highlighted specific DSP departments within the organization with ACHIEVE swag and videos from the individuals we serve. We ended the week on Friday by providing subs to the entire agency, as each employee plays an important roll in our individual's lives.
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Employer Recognition Award
Submitted By: Preston Evans
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We were honored to nominate
Tioga Downs Casino Resort
for the 2019
The Arc New York
’s Employer Recognition Awards, and we’re thrilled that they were one of four recipients of this year’s awards recognized at the Board of Governor's awards luncheon!
We value our 13 year partnership and appreciate the vocational opportunities and support you’ve provided our individuals over that time! Thank you and congratulations!
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Individuals with Disabilities Impact in the Southern Tier
Submitted By: Preston Evans
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We're proud to be partnered and work so closely with NYSID, who has employeed 300 individuals in the Southern Tier. As our very own Mario put it, "don't judge a book by its cover".
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Individuals with disabilities contributed more than $8M...
When it comes to unemployment, one minority group is often overlooked. According to the non-profit New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID), two-thirds of individuals with disabilities are unemployed in the state.
Read more
wbng.com
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Bench Builder
Submitted By: Guy Newman
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Jesse, otherwise known as ACHIEVE's Flag Expert, noticed the bench outside his house had seen better days. With very little assistance, Jesse took apart the old bench, sanded down salvageable pieces, cut new ones, painted, and put the bench back together! Now the house can enjoy a bench that's almost brand new!
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Meals on Wheels Celebration
Submitted By: Shawnta Smith
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ACHIEVE participants love volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Each year, they look forward to attending the Meals on Wheels Celebration, where they are recognized for their hard work as volunteers and get to enjoy a nice dinner with all the other local volunteers!
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New York State Fair
Submitted By: Amanda Dingman
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Why do we enjoy coming to work everyday? It is because we get to make memories with our individuals - like at the New York State Fair! Everyone was able to play fair games, enjoy fair food, and just have a great time together with friends.
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Sundae Funday
Submitted By: Theresa Melnyk
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The Main Street House went apple picking and then made some homemade apply pie. And what better way to enjoy your Sunday than by having an Apple Pie Sunday Sundae Funday? They are excited to learn how to make apple crisp, applesauce, and apple butter next!
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Yankees Surprise
Submitted By: Tori Studer
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ACHIEVE Board Member John Stevens has cultivated a friendship with Ed, an individual we serve. After learning of Ed's love for the Yankees, John stopped by Day Hab to surprise Ed with a one-of-a-kind photograph of some of the players!
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Blues on the Bridge
Submitted By: Carly Crispino
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Folks from the Chapin House took a trip to enjoy Binghamton's Blues on the Bridge! Not only did they get to enjoy some snacks, but they were able to get their groove on with some Blues Music!
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Mini Golf
Submitted By: Guy Newman
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The fellas from our Clarkson house spent a beautiful fall day playing mini golf! They had quite a few sweet shots, too!
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Party Night
Submitted By: Melissa Blakeslee
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September's Party Night theme was "Half-Way to St. Patrick's Day"! All attendees dressed in green and jigged the night away!
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Fear Factor
Submitted By: Melissa Blakeslee
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Recreation Respite held a Fear Factor Night on Friday the 13th. Participants played a superstition themed team trivia and had a Fear Factor competition! It was quite the spooky night!
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Buddy Walk
Submitted By: Melissa Blakeslee
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Recreation Respite represented ACHIEVE at the 21st Annual Buddy Walk at Highland Park earlier in September!
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Johnny Appleseed Day
Submitted By: Caitlin Ropp
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Team Tioga celebrated Johnny Appleseed Day by picking apples and sharing stories about Johnny! They enjoyed learning about the legend, his life, and why he wears a pot on his head!
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Pumpkin Farm
Submitted By: Karla Decker
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One of the best ways to enjoy the beginning of fall is by going to a pumpkin farm! Residents from the Helen House had a great time at Iron Kettle Pumpkin Farm!
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Loving Fall
Submitted By: Caitlin Ropp
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Tioga learned all about fall! We visited Stoughton Farms located in Newark Valley, and also Indian Creek Farm located in Ithaca. We enjoyed picking apples, drinking the cider and of course, eating the freshly made donuts!
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Chenango State Park
Submitted By: Melissa Blakeslee
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Recreation Respite said goodbye to summer with a day at Chenango Valley State Park. Participants went for a hike and enjoyed cookies and other treats over a campfire they built themselves!
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Ending the Golf Season
Submitted By: Sue Benjamin
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As the summer comes to an end, the individuals at Chenango Day Habilitation enjoyed a day of mini golfing at Oneonta Sports Park. A great time was had by all, while laughing and enjoying the weather. We may have not played all 18 holes, but the smiles on everyone's faces and the laughter that was heard throughout the course was amazing.
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Bills vs Patriots Game
Submitted By: Tori Studer
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When individuals being served in our Guardianship Program speak about their dreams, Guy does whatever he can to make them come true! Allen is a huge Bills and Patriots fan, so he and Guy took a trip to Buffalo to see the Patriots beat the Bills 16-10! Allen had a wonderful time engaging with the other fans and enjoying some delicious hot wings!
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October 2019
Belle Burchill
Day Habilitation Aide
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On behalf of the Executive Management Team and the Staff Appreciation Committee, we are honored to award Belle Burchill, Day Habilitation Aide in Chenango, with ACHIEVE's October Employee of the Month!
To learn more about Belle and why she was selected as employee of the month, visit our website by
clicking here!
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Promotions
Submitted By: Jamie Striley
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Congratulations to the following employees for receiving a promotion in August!
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- Scott Milk - Production Team Leader
- Brian Marris - Production Team Leader
- Kimber Hancock - Production Team Leader
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Wings for All® is Coming to BGM Airport
ACHIEVE is happy to announce that Wings for All will be landing at the Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) on October 26
th
at 9:30 AM!
Wings for All® is an airport rehearsal program designed specifically for individuals with Autism or other intellectual disabilities. Families are given the opportunity to practice all steps involved in air travel including: entering the airport, obtaining a boarding card, going through TSA security, and boarding a real plane (that does not take off). A small reception will be held for all participants with light snacks and refreshments after deboarding the plane.
This event is free to families, but pre-registration is required as space is limited. Once the plane is filled, registrants will be placed on a first-come, first-served wait list.
Wings for All is a national program of The Arc of the US. For more information, check out the Wings program website at
thearc.org/wings
or contact Preston Evans at pevans@achieveny.org.
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ACHIEVE's 2019 Apparel Sale is coming soon! Keep your eye out for more information on our website and Facebook pages!
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Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, an Instagram to stay up-to-date with all that ACHIEVE is doing!
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