Happy First Days of Fall Everyone!

Please allow me to begin this edition of our monthly e-newsletter by expressing to you how truly honored I am to serve ACHIEVE as its incoming Chief Executive Officer. As you may be aware, I have worked for this great organization for 13 years and during that time, I have developed a deep appreciation, respect and admiration for the work that happens here on a daily basis. While we manage the pressures of a transforming NYS OPWDD system, we continue to chart a new path forward – remaining visionary, innovative and most important of all, responsive to the needs of our community and the individuals we serve.

Today we open our brand new program, On the Pond ~ At Cutler – a day social program for adults at our Cutler Pond Road site. This is a GREAT day in that a dream became a reality for the 40+ individuals who desired this creative programming option. My most sincere thanks and appreciation go out to the many ACHIEVE employees who came together to develop this program – vocational staff who were the visionaries, program staff who developed the program design and model, facilities and information technology staff who worked tirelessly to keep the project on schedule! A special thanks to our funders, who embraced our vision from the very beginning – that meant everything to this project. We will hold an interactive ribbon cutting celebration on November 2 nd , so watch for updates regarding that event! 

It is my privilege, alongside ACHIEVE’s Staff Appreciation Committee, to name our agency’s first ever Employee of the Month – Faith Williams, Day Habilitation Specialist at our Norwich Day Habilitation Program. Faith was selected as ACHIEVE’s October EOTM and will receive special recognition throughout the month including a private parking spot (a big perk at some of our sites), ACHIEVE logo items and a gift basket, additional paid time off, and many other exciting perks! We are so proud of Faith for the amazing support she offers to the individuals we serve. She was nominated by several of her peers and you can read more about Faith’s accomplishments by clicking here.

Please remember that our last signature event of the year, The 2 nd Annual Binghamton Devils Golf Tournament presented by ACHIEVE, is taking place October 8 th at The Links at Hiawatha Landing. We would love to have you join us.  Click here for more information.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your care and concern over our organization.

Warm Regards,