Abilities First Awarded $400,000 NYS Grant for Statewide Website
Time to Bid: Abilities First Live Auction
Justin & His Heart of Gold
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
In Flight Program Updates: Fourth of July Fun
Community Connections: Abilities First
Community Connections:
In Flight
2022 Abilities First Golf & Tennis Classic: Cocktail Reception Tickets Available
In Flight's Cornhole for a Cause
Abilities First Community Partners Breakfast: Save the Date
Join our 60th Anniversary Giving Society!
Residential Services: Looking for a New Residence?
We're Hiring!
Follow Us on Social Media
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Abilities First Awarded $400,000 NYS Grant for Statewide Website |
Abilities First has been awarded $400,000 from the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council for a two-year project to develop an online resource for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
Project Life Map will design, build, and market a web app to help families chart their course through a lifetime of decisions and transitions, from preschool and school to the workforce and beyond. Abilities First CEO Jeffery Fox and Abilities Partnership of the Hudson Valley (APHV) CEO Matt Bateman will co-chair a diverse Advisory Council of experts from across the state to inform the project, prioritize the needs of the IDD community statewide, and help connect people to the resources available to them.
“Abilities First is delighted to have been awarded this grant and to lead the charge to develop an online resource for families across New York State,” said Abilities First Chief Advancement Officer Melissa McCoy. “We look forward to partnering with other stakeholders to ensure the website meets the needs of those we are all here to support.”
Abilities First provides a range of educational, vocational, residential, and habilitation services for people with IDD at every age, making the organization uniquely qualified to take on this exciting and innovative project.
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TIME TO BID: ABILITIES FIRST LIVE AUCTION |
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Please take a moment to read how YOU can participate through a PROXY BID for the amazing items offered at a LIVE auction on Monday, August 1 at the Abilities First Golf & Tennis Classic, presented by DVM Industries. That’s right, you don’t even have to be present to participate!
PROXY BIDS ACCEPTED NOW THROUGH JULY 25.
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WHAT YOU CAN BID ON:
#1. Marriott's Fairway Villas, Galloway, NJ
$1,500 Value
Friday, September 2, 2022 to Monday, September 5, 2022
Starting Bid: $750 | Bid Increments: $50
#2. Ocean City, Maryland
$1,400 Value
Week of stay will be negotiated with the owner.
(Expiration date 12/31/2023)
Starting Bid: $700 | Bid Increments: $50
#3. St. James’s Clubs & Villas
Accommodations only, airfare not included.
$1,200 Value
Starting Bid: $500 | Bid Increments: $50
#4. Premier Hudson Valley Golf-A-Round
$640 Value
Starting Bid: $320 | Bid Increments: $50
#5. 2022 Women’s US Open Final Event
Game is September 10, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
$4,500 Value
Starting Bid: $2,500 | Bid Increments: $100
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HOW YOU CAN BID:
STEP 1: Review the auction items.
STEP 2: Email FAFNYannounce@abilitiesfirstny.org with your name, email, phone number, the name and # of the item on which you are bidding, and your MAXIMUM bid value (highest $) you would like placed on that item.
STEP 3: You will get a confirmation that your proxy bid order was received, and then you will be assigned a bidder on your behalf.
STEP 4: The day of the event, your bidder will start at the lowest value and increase in value if you are outbid, until you’ve reached your maximum bid value.
STEP 5: If you are the successful bidder, you will be notified after the event to arrange payment and delivery of the item.
July 25 is the last day to submit a proxy bid so DON'T WAIT - good luck and happy bidding!
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To read full descriptions, values, starting bids, and bid increments for the live auction prizes, please visit our website HERE.
If you have any questions about the live auction and the proxy bidding process, contact Teresa Walsh by emailing teresawalsh@abilitiesfirstny.org or calling 845-485-9803 ext. 9394.
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Justin & His Heart of Gold |
In Flight, Inc.'s Justin, and his Community Habilitation Counselor, Mickie, are avid cat lovers. They went to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society and Justin was particularly fond of Dee Dee and Kara. Kara is pictured with Justin above. It’s obvious that the feeling was mutual! Justin said he would love to adopt both Dee Dee and Kara, particularly to have a friend for his own rescue, Linda.
Justin has such a big heart!
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Take Me Out to the Ball Game |
Foundation Board member Chris Gilbert of Central Hudson took time to secure and present baseball tickets for the Hudson Valley Renegades to Abilities First community member Diego. Diego not only attended a recent game, but he also threw the first pitch!
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In Flight Program Updates |
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In Flight, Inc.'s Catskill Day Habilitation program had a pre-party to celebrate the Fourth of July! |
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In Flight, Inc.'s Riozzi, Heather, and Edith residential programs went over to the Glasco house for a fun Fourth of July party! |
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: ABILITIES FIRST
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Abilities First and the Foundation for Abilities First NY (FAFNY) are proud to partner with regional resources to support our families and programs, and we are most appreciative for their support in return. |
Dutchess County Government awarded a $10,000 grant to Abilities First from its Learn, Play, Create initiative for iPads for the Firemens Way school.
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Thank you to the Beacon Elks Lodge for its generous support of the mission of Abilities First. The Elks Lodge has been a long-time supporter of AF, and we are most grateful that its members continue to keep our individuals in their thoughts and plans.
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(Pictured L-R: Darby Fabrizio, Past Rotary President; Melissa McCoy, AF-CAO; Bela Alves, Rotary President) |
On July 7, Abilities First Chief Advancement Officer Melissa McCoy made a presentation to the Wappingers Falls Rotary Club, sharing the mission of Abilities First and its role in the region. The Rotary Club made a gracious presentation of a $500 gift toward the mission. Thank you for continuing to include Abilities First in your community support. Making the presentation was Past Rotary President Darby Fabrizio.
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The Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation awarded Abilities First a $3,000 grant in support of the creation of an adult sensory room at an Abilities First Day Hab program. The room will be shared by two of our neighborhood centers serving adults with multiple disabilities. This mental health initiative aims to facilitate healing in response to the difficulties individuals are experiencing after years of disruption by COVID-19. Our utmost thanks to USCF for its continued friendship and support of Abilities First.
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(Pictured L-R: FKC&S Partner Robert R. Sappe, AF-CAO Melissa McCoy) |
FKC&S donated two tickets to the 2022 Women's US Open Tennis Final ($4,500 value) to the live auction taking place August 1 during the 2022 Abilities First Golf & Tennis Classic, presented by DVM Industries.
Thank you, FKC&S LLP!
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS:
IN FLIGHT
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Red Hook Hannaford chose In Flight to be part of their Hannaford Helps Reusable Bags program in March. As part of the program, $1 was donated to In Flight each time a shopper purchased a $2.50 Community Bag (unless otherwise directed by the Giving Tag).
As the chosen beneficiary from the sale of its Community Bags, Red Hook Hannaford helped us raise $317 from the 317 bags sold that month!
This fundraiser happened to line up perfectly with Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month – a time where we celebrate community integration between those with and without disabilities to form strong connections and thus a stronger, more diverse community.
Thank you, Red Hook Hannaford, and thank you to all of those who bought the Hannaford Helps reusable bags.
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Thank you to Bank of Greene County for its generous gift of $1,000 for In Flight, Inc.'s Day Habilitation Transformation project to build a deck off our Ghent Day Habilitation program!
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Thank you to the businesses below for signing on as sponsors and vendors of In Flight, Inc.'s Cornhole for a Cause event, taking place on August 27 at Dutchman's Landing in Catskill, N.Y.
(See events section for details):
Cornhole for a Cause Sponsor
Cornhole for a Cause Sponsor
Mixer Sponsor
Cornhole for a Cause Vendor
Mermaid Cove Treasures
Cornhole for a Cause Vendor
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RESCHEDULE NOTICE:
Due to circumstances beyond control, In Flight's Cornhole for a Cause has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 27, at the same time and same location.
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Thank you for your support!
We are most appreciative to DVM Industries for its leadership and support as the Title Sponsor of this year's Abilities First Golf & Tennis Classic. And thank you to all of our other sponsors who have already made this a sold-out golf and tennis event. For more information on other ways to participate and support this fundraiser, contact Teresa Walsh by emailing teresawalsh@abilitiesfirstny.org or calling 845.485.9803 ext. 9394.
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Are you the Boss of the Toss?
The day features three tournaments:
Competitive (Pro) | $50 per team
Social (Recreational) | $50 per team
Mixer (Partner with one of the folks of In Flight, Inc.) | $15 per person
This event is open to the community and spectators enjoy FREE ADMISSION!
Spectators can also enjoy a small food truck, vendors, raffles, an Airmail contest, and more.
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Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are still available!
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Want to help? We are looking for volunteers!
518-267-3070 ext. 147.
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The Abilities First Community Partners Breakfast & 60th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION is on Giving Tuesday this year!
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Join our 60th Anniversary Giving Society! |
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Looking for a New Residence? |
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Look no further! The Mews at Hopewell Junction is a great opportunity for income-based housing. Live as independently as possible with these beautiful, affordable apartments. |
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JOIN OUR TEAM!
We’re hiring to fill a variety of positions, including Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Teacher Aides, Teaching Assistants & MORE!
Find out how YOU can begin a NEW career at Abilities First by simply texting the word “APPLY” to
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For the latest in pictures, agency information, and happenings, follow us on social media! |
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Support the Foundation for Abilities First NY |
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