NADSP Training: Supporting our Frontline Supervisors!
2022 Community Partners Breakfast Honorees Announced
Community Connections
Thank You for Making Cornhole for a Cause a Success!
Community Spotlight
Abilities First Annual Picnic Celebrations
Music Can Be Everyone’s Voice
Join Abilities First's 60th Anniversary Giving Society
Volunteer Opportunities
Career Opportunities
Support Abilities First, Inc.
Support In Flight, Inc.
APHV Leadership
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NADSP Training: Supporting our Frontline Supervisors! |
We are proud to be one of the organizations in a collaboration of provider agencies offering the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Frontline Supervisor Training Curriculum.
With representation from Abilities First, ARC of the Greater Hudson Valley, Cardinal Hayes, Devereux, and New Horizons, Frontline Supervisors are provided the opportunity to work and train with other professionals to learn—or expand upon—tools and skills needed for on-the-job success!
Frontline Supervisors (FLS) manage the direct services provided to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their role is essential to Abilities First’s vision—which includes elevating the caregiver role to a professional capacity through support—so this training curriculum is a great tool to help our FLSs expand their horizons!
The first group session (after a COVID-19 hiatus of the program) was held September 7. This session brought together participants from various agencies for a productive problem solving session. Participants were able to collaborate with folks outside their agency, which helped them gain a new perspective and renew the philosophy that we all work for a bigger cause!
The FLS curriculum has 85 AF graduates from previous classes, and this class is the seventh group of participants from Abilities First. Let’s give them a big congratulations!
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2022 Community Partners Breakfast Honorees Announced
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We proudly recognize the many contributions of our volunteer leadership, dedicated staff members, community partners, donors, and other unsung heroes who remind us every day of the meaning of dignity, generosity, and kindness. This year at our Community Partners Breakfast, we recognize the following distinguished honorees: |
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Celebrate with us on November 29 at the Abilities First Community Partners Breakfast!
We will be honoring these individuals and celebrating 60 years of service to the Hudson Valley community for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
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-- COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS -- |
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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. |
ACM Lifting Lives Award
Abilities First is proud to announce it was awarded an $8,500 grant from the Academy of Country Music’s charitable division, ACM Lifting Lives.
ACM Lifting Lives relies on the generosity of fans and the Nashville country music community to provide funding to organizations that share the same mission, and strive to continue IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC™.
The grant will be used to purchase percussion, rhythm, and adaptive musical instruments for Certified Music Therapist Noah Pomerselig’s innovative program at Abilities First School at LaGrange (Firemens Way).
Noah’s program helps students achieve non-musical goals through the use of intentionally designed music experiences, which include drumming, singing, songwriting, therapeutic improvisation, and musical storytelling. Working in tandem with other therapeutic interventions—such as physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy—students work on physical, emotional, and behavioral control, modulating voice, amplitude, and graded motion. They learn to focus, attend to tasks, work together, and take turns. The grant will support more adaptive instruments that will give students an inclusive experience while participating with their peers.
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In Flight Collaborates with Operation Unite NY & Friends of Clermont to Beautify IRAs
In Flight, Inc. and Operation Unite NY’s Youth in Action students worked together over several days to beautify In Flight’s Joslen IRA as part of Operation Unite NY’s Community Engagement Program.
Initiative coordinators include Operation Unite NY Executive Director Elena Mosley, Leslie Reed of Friends of Clermont, and Joslen IRA Manager Alex Dupiton.
Elena’s son, Tristen, is a resident at Joslen, and is always excited to help with the project. His housemates even join in on occasion.
This is the second year in a row that In Flight, Inc., Operation Unite NY’s Youth in Action, and Friends of Clermont teamed up. Last year, the group enjoyed a gardening workshop, where they all learned how to make beautiful flower pots.
The goal of the program is to increase participation in upcoming projects, giving In Flight participants the opportunity to learn about gardening and forestry.
In Flight, Inc. and Unite NY will join forces again later this year in support of Operation Unite’s annual gift drive for adults with disabilities.
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Thank You for Making Cornhole for a Cause a Success! |
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With roughly 80 cornhole players participating in three tournaments and numerous spectators who enjoyed live music, raffles, and contests, In Flight’s Cornhole for a Cause, presented by MVP Health Care, was a huge success!
We achieved our goal of raising funds to support our programs and spread awareness of our mission, which is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach for their hopes and dreams, while supporting a meaningful quality of life.
The event would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, volunteers, and the generosity of our donors.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS! |
Pro Tournament
1st Place - Dave M. & R. Dymond
2nd Place - Drew S. & Tim S.
Social Tournament
1st Place - Kenny R. & Chris P.
2nd Place - Karin G. & John C.
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Mixer Tournament
1st Place - Jamell H. & Ty H.
2nd Place - Dustin P. & Kenny R.
Airmail Contest Winner
Kenny R.
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-- COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT -- |
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Myers Corners Preschool Speech Room Naming Dedication |
[Pictured: Louise Lynch, Madi's mom; Joshua Mackey, FAFNY Board President; Lexi Barruso, Madi's sister]
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The Foundation for Abilities First is grateful to Mackey, Butts & Whalen, LLP for generously sponsoring the Speech Room at the Abilities First Preschool at Myers Corners.
The Dutchess County law firm dedicated the room in memory of Madison “Madi” Lynch Dingee, who had the rare gift of always knowing what to say to brighten someone’s day.
Abilities First Site Naming Opportunities offer visibility and awareness in support of the mission of Abilities First. If you are interested in a Naming Opportunity, please contact JoAnn Parker by emailing joannparker@abilitiesfirstny.org.
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Second Chance Band (& friends!) |
The Second Chance Band welcomed a couple of In Flight’s team members to the stage when it headlined at the In Flight Cornhole for a Cause tournament on August 27!
In Flight’s Maurice shared his vocal skills, while Ibn provided percussion with a tambourine. They both did such a wonderful job, the band invited them on stage to perform multiple times!
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Abilities First Annual Picnic Celebrations |
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Abilities First Day Hab and Residential Services programs celebrated the return of both annual picnic celebrations with music, dancing, food, and fun! Program participants, families, and staff were treated to sunshine-filled days with music and chatter to be heard all over. Abilities First would like to share a very special thank you to Billie Adsmond, Kathy Heller, and the many Abilities First staff members who volunteered their time for another great year of picnic celebrations! |
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Music Can Be Everyone’s Voice
Abilities First Red Hook High School students delight with art, song, and music!
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Students of the Abilities First Integrated School at Red Hook High School remind us through song and music that we all need to stop and appreciate what truly matters: our families, our friends, a warm bed, and full bellies.
Students in Karin Gambaro’s class worked with Certified Music Therapist Noah Pomerselig on a song that came from their hearts and creative minds. For two months, Noah, staff, and students worked on therapeutic goals using music to foster creativity and self-expression.
“Music therapy is a meaningful way for students to explore their voice,” Noah said. “And for our non-verbal kids, to have a voice through a piano, guitar, or drum is incredibly important.”
The song, Food on the Table, was presented to staff, families, and students at this year’s Abilities First Red Hook High School art, poetry, and music show. Each verse of the song represented something for which the students were grateful.
Bravo, students! And who knows… we could have some future pop stars among us!
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-- VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES -- |
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-- CAREER OPPORTUNITIES -- |
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Support the mission of Abilities First, Inc.
For additional information about gifts, sponsorships, events, volunteering, or hosting a fundraiser, contact Teresa Walsh at teresawalsh@abilitiesfirstny.org or 845-485-9803 ext. 1223.
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Support the mission of In Flight, Inc.
To make a donation to advance In Flight’s mission to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach for their hopes and dreams and support a meaningful quality of life, visit:
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