Thank You
Recent Supporters
Bonura Hospitality Grp
Stephanie & Larry Brenner
DCH Wapp. Falls Toyota
Craig DeRevere
Dutchess Beer
Extreme Cleaning
Germania Hall
Half Time Beverage
HV Renegades
JJ Portables, LLC
Michelle Hathaway
Ethel Knox
Marie Nester
North Road Auto
Red Hook Auto
Rock 93.3 FM Radio
Richard Swanson
The Band: SLICE
The Chance
Trailer King
Walden Savings Bank
Waste Management
Corporate Donations:
IBM
Private Donations:
Elizabeth Kirchhoff
Susan MacDonald
Brian Marcinkowski
Emerson & Anne Miller
Mar
cia Richter
Celeste & Bernard Rudberg
Carolyn Ross Taylor
Staff Donations:
Veronica Mott
Marie Nester
Amanda Nuccio
In Memory of
Pat Cannizzaro:
Maggie & Bob Gephard
Business Partners:
Shadows
NYS Bridge Authority
In-Kind Donations:
HV
Seed Library
Wine Event Donations:
Ron & Christina Alfonso
Brian Crowell/GlenArbor
East Coast Martial Arts
Golden Buddah Thai
Julius Jones
Law Office of Gary Levine & Susan Htoo
Mike Denick
Nail Tek & Spa
Nature's Pantry
Tanjore Indian Restaurant
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Our Orange County site has moved!
are now in the former Kings Elementary School.
NEW ADDRESS:
199 Kings Highway
Warwick, NY 10990
(845) 469-3760
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Dutchess County
call 297-3602
June 6 & 20
July 11 & 18
Respite
Orange County
call 469-3760
June 13,
July 11
Staff
2-Day Workshop
June 10,11
June 9
26th Annual International Wine Showcase
& Auction
Poughkeepsie
Sunday, Sept. 20
call 452-5772 ext. 119
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On April 22 we acknowledged our professional team of Administrative Assistants. They were treated to lunch at Cosimo's Trattoria.
Hats off & thank you to:
Dana Adolfsson
Connie Frederickson
Glen Kelly
Karen Lamonica
Barbara Maltese
Jessica O'Donovan
Joyce Schonmann
You are ALL
valued & appreciated
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Congratulations
Are in Order!
Service Anniversaries:
Marcia Foster - 5 yrs
Marc Harville - 5 yrs
Algion Seals - 5 yrs
Buddy Boland - 10 yrs
Katrivia Owens - 10 yrs
Lynn Gall -15 yrs
Nigel Whittaker - 15 yrs
Rob Cussick - 25 yrs
Donna Mae Hamilton -25 yrs
Personal
Achievement:
Shirley Lawson,
VanKirk IRA Residence Manager, on being ordained an Episcopal Deacon
Leadership Training Graduates:
Brittany Wall
Jonah Kreps
Veronica Mott
Stevie-Lee Hewitt
Tekeya Drew-Reed
Annettemarie DiMuro
Shirley Lawson
Michelle Eisener
Lailiani Martinez
Todd Morris
Chris Edwards
Shawn Thomas
Yesenia Iglesias
Leadership Training Instructors:
Rich Swanson
Tracilyn Vaticano
Michele Lawrenson
Pattiann LaVeglia
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Nurses
Appreciation Week was May 6-12.
Our team of dedicated and compassionate nurses will be treated to a relaxing lunch at Shadows for the wonderful care they provide for our Individuals.
Hats off to:
Mary Burton Kim Zarrelli Vivian Gaisie-Addae Sandra Meagher Rachel Torgersen & Lauren Creagan, all led by Pattiann LaVeglia, Director of Clinical Services & Staff Development
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For more information
about giving to Greystone Programs
or call
Michelle Hathaway
ext 119
You can also
payable to Greystone Foundation to
Poughkeepsie, NY
12601
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SAVE
THE DATE
26th Annual International Wine Showcase & Auction Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 The Grandview Poughkeepsie Reservations $150 each For info or reservations: (845) 452-5772 ext. 119 |
Stay in Touch!
Join us on
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CAR & BIKE SHOW HONORED AGENCY FOUNDER
The
2nd Annual Marc W. Kelley Memorial Car & Bike Show
, in memory
of
our agency founder, a car enthusiast,
was held May 17. Organized by Greystone employee
Craig DeRevere
, the event raised funds for programs for people with disabilities who receive services from Greystone Programs.
It was a beautiful day, with registrants from as far as New
Jersey and Connec-ticut, and spectators and friends from Florida. Mr. Kelley believed
passionately
that people with Autism could thrive if taken out of traditional "institutions" and instead offered opportunities to live as "family"
in small, comfortable group homes with inspiring, compassion- ate staff. In 1979, he opened Greystone House, in Hyde Park,
the
first
privately-run group home in NY State for people with Autism.
This gro
und-breaking initiative was the first time people with Autism could live as neighbors in a community.
Mr. Kelley's family and friends presented the Kelley Family Favorite Award to Ray Kurasinski for his '64 Chrysler 300. The event, a fitting tribute to Mr. Kelley who passed away last year, was highlighted in an article in The Poughkeepsie Journal.
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April Was Autism Awareness Month
Greystone "Lit it Up Blue"
to "Shine a Light on Autism"
April was
Autism Awareness Month.
To celebrate, Greystone took great strides to raise awareness about this pervasive disorder that affects
tens of millions of people worldwide, including 1 in 68 children in the United States.
We kicked off our celebration on April 2,
World Autism Awareness Day
, when we partnered with the
NY State Bridge Authority
to have the Mid-Hudson Bridge illuminated in blue lights as part of
Autism Speaks'
worldwide campaign to "Light it Up Blue" and
"Shine a Light on Autism." To celebrate, we hosted a
"friend raiser"
at
Shadows on the Hudson.
Attended by 60 staff, board members, family, and business partners, the event can be seen here
in a video interview by Hudson Valley News Network.
"We couldn't be more thrilled that one of our premier local architectural icons, the Mid-Hudson Bridge, partnered with us to "Light it Up Blue," said
Michelle Hathaway
, Greystone Director of Development. There has been a
10-fold increase in the number of Autism diagnoses in the past four decades
, she said, adding that
Autism now affects 1 in 42 American boys.
By participating in "Light it Up Blue,"
Greystone and the bridge joined other iconic buildings and landmarks across the globe, including the
Empire State Building; the
Great Buddah Statue, Japan;
Niagara Falls;
Trafalgar Square, London; the
Oriental Pearl Tower, China; and the
Great Pyramid, Egypt.
Each of Greystone's 18 properties was illuminated in blue lights throughout the entire month
of April.This was the fifth year Greystone participated in "Light it Up Blue."
Also to raise awareness, Greystone:
- Sponsored two roadside billboards
- Did interviews on WAMC Radio & Hudson Valley News Network
- Participated in the Autism Walk & Expo at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds
- Tabled an event at the John G. Borden Elementary School
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Take it From the Top
A Message from Greystone CEO Skip Pryce
Throughout this issue Greystone staff can be seen as the catalyst of creative energy, developing innovative ways to provide quality services to individuals entrusted in our care. Surely, it is our staff that makes Greystone "great."
As OPWDD transforms, so will Greystone. There will be an abundance of opportunity. No longer able to rely on old ICF/IRA models, we must find new ways to provide quality services in less restrictive settings. Individuals with the necessary skills must be given opportunities to live as independently as possible and be further integrated into their community of choice. We must continually push the boundaries and venture into unfamiliar territories to benefit our individuals and their families. I count on you to remain open minded and embrace these changes with us.
Speaking of change, we are now collaborating with New Horizons Resources on a number of fronts. We will co-host a two-day workshop led by The Leadership Institute at the University of Delaware, to explore options of service delivery, broaden our horizons, analyze our strengths and weaknesses, guide us toward a strategic plan, and favorably position our organizations for opportunities in our path. We are also collaborating on staff training to bring efficiency for both agencies.
In this changing environment, we will do whatever it takes to keep Greystone a healthy organization.
Onward & Upward,
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Welcome, Congratulations & Farewell
to Programs & Foundation Board Members
Greystone proudly welcomes new Board Members
Ellen Mallet and
Susan Htoo, congratulates
Sylvia Thurber, says farewell to
Lauren Wong and acknowledges
Audrey Walker. Ellen, a realtor with Houlihan Lawrence, serves on our Foundation Board. Susan, a general practice attorney, joins the Programs Board. Each was elected during the March 11 annual board meeting. Also at that meeting, the Programs Board named Sylvia Thurber as the agency's very first Honorary Director. Sylvia, who lives in Greystone's Universal IRA, is chair of our Self Advocacy Group and has served eight years on the Programs Board. Foundation Board members Lauren Wong and Audrey Walker were recognized for their outstanding service. Both resigned from that board after completing full terms. Audrey continues to serve the agency on the Greystone Programs Board of Directors.
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Improving Lives - Independence Day!
Greystone Residents Move into Apartment
Dreams really do come true. Sometimes, in less than a year! Last May,
John
and
Joe
told Greystone staff they wanted to "have their own place." Last month, it happened! It was a moment of intense pride -- for Greystone staff AND individuals -- as they moved into our agency's first apartment.
John and Joe grinned ear to ear as they accepted keys to their own apartment.They couldn't be happier! Having acquired all the skills necessary, they moved from Greystone's Warwick IRA into Green Meadows.Their first night, they ordered pizza to celebrate. They are responsible for their own medications and household chores, paying their bills, doing their shopping, and getting themselves to work each day using public transportation. This is a fine example of how Greystone
provides the necessary training to help individuals live as independently as possible, thus enabling them to reach their full potential.
John, works full-time at
Price Chopper.
Joe, who has a collection of fish-filled aquariums, next dreams of getting a driver's license and making more money while working in a pet store. Both men
dream of one day getting married.
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Teaching & Training:
Learning to be Leaders
Thirteen staff m
embers participated in an agency-wide
Leadership Training Series
in March and April. The seminar, held on four consecutive Tuesdays, was designed to inspire
staff and groom quality leaders. The series included sessions on Behavioral Interviewing Tech-niques;Communication & Team Building; Conflict Resolution & Mediation; Leadership & Motivation; and Coaching & Mentoring.
See Kudos Column, left.
Individuals Learn Skills for Job Placement
A
s part of our com
mitment to empower individuals with skills to acquire jobs at fair wages in the community, we now offer a new program called
Pathway to E
mployment.
An extension of our Project FAME
day hab "without walls," Pathway to Employment is a job coaching, training and placement service in D
utchess County that includes vocational
skill building, job readiness programs, volunteer activities, resume development, independent skill building
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Trena & Jillian at Dutchess Outreach
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and interpersonal interviews and assessments.
There is special emphasis on improving employment outcomes for youth transitioning from high school. Greystone believes that people with intellectual disabilities can be productive, contributing members of our working society. Our Pathway to Employment program will empower participants with job training and skills to overcome misconceptions, ignorance, and prejudice regarding the ability of people with disabilities to perform jobs. Integrating individuals in the community and finding them competitive employment will give them greater opportunities to develop ongoing meaningful relationships, increase their independence and improve their self confidence. Pictured above, Trena and Jillian sort and fold children's clothes at Dutchess Outreach.
In Orange County, similar vocational skills are learned at our
Club ATLAS program for people who have aged out of school. Pictured below,
Matt and Tiffany
master prerequisite skills for supportive employment.
Both programs focus on community inclusion.
For information about Pathway to Employment, in Dutchess County, call Gina Zullo, Job Developer, at (845) 297-3602 ext 110; For information about Club ATLAS, in Orange County, call Theresa Gaide at (845) 469-3760.
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Tiffany learns skills for job placement
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Matt learns skills for job placement |
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Community Integration - The Price is Right!
Some people have a "dollar and a dream."
Others prefer to win the "Showcase Showdown."
On April 7, Greystone individuals Keith (front in pic,above left), Michael (rear in pic, above left) and Joe (not pictured) went to The Price Is Right Live, at t
he Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, a traveling version of the popular TV game show.
Though they didn't win any vacations or cars -- or even make it up onto the stage -- they had a fabulous time, fully integrated in the community, sharing the same dreams as everyone else.
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MUSIC THERAPY
Club Aspire kids at
Greystone Orange County
participate in a music and movement class that is called "
Zylophone
." The weekly program brings joy and creativity through music, acting, and dance. It fosters creativity, socialization, and self regulation and reduced stress for children on the Autism Spectrum.
Similar music programs are offered to Greystone adults, too, through singalongs, voice lessons and drumming classes offered by
The Institute of Music and Health,
Pete Crotty, and
The Guitar Gal.
All music lessons are part of the Greystone's
Expressive Arts &Therapy Program, and are among the many services funded with proceeds from our
annual wine event
, Also included in Expressive Arts & Therapy is wheelchair yoga, Zumba, and arts and crafts.The
26th Annual International Wine Showcase & Auction will be held this year on
Sunday, September 20
at
The Grandview on the Hudson
in Poughkeepsie.
For reservations, call Michelle Hathaway at (845) 452-5772 ext. 119.
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Farewell Friends
It was with heavy hearts that Greystone staff and board said goodbye
to two loving friends. Board Member Patricia -- "Pat" -- Cannizzaro pa
ssed away February 13. An avid supporter of our annual wine event, Pat was firmly committed to assisting peo
ple with developmental disabilities. She was a member of our Foundation Board and a former member and President of the Greystone
Programs Board. A tree will be planted in her honor this spring.
Brunilda Gonzalez, who lived at our
Orchard View IRA in Milton, passed away February 18, with loving Greystone staff by her side. Our beloved "Bruni," was remembered during a graveside service April 30 at Wappingers Falls Cemetery.
Both Pat and Brunilda will be dearly missed.
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You Shop.
Amazon Gives.
Greystone Gets!
When you shop online at Amazon, a portion of your purchase can come benefit Greystone, through the AmazonSmile program!
Start each shopping session at
http://smile.amazon.com.
Amazon will then donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases back to
Greystone.
AmazonSmile
is a simple, automatic way for you to support us every time you shop, at no cost to you, and at the same low prices.
How do I select Greystone as my charitable organization?
On your first visit to
AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you must select a charitable organization. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make will result in a donation.
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One Man Finds His Passion --
In a Greystone Kitchen!
For Lou, a resident at Harmony Hill IRA, things are really cooking. Literally!
Thanks to his residence manager, Brittany Wall, Lou has found his passion -- learning to prepare healthy meals in his home kitchen, and serving them to his fellow housemates.
The cooking lessons began in March. Lou was so excited about this new initiative that he used his personal spending money to buy a professional chef's jacket which he will have embroidered with his name. These new cooking classes are a fine example of how Greystone's forward thinking staff are integrating essential life
skills into our Individuals' lives, enriching their days and finding new ways for them to succeed and be productive.
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