Celebrating 60 Years of Service
Unplanned Journey: First of many a Success!
Community Connections
Staff Spotlight: In Flight, Inc.
Community Spotlight
Celebrate with us: AF's Community Partners Breakfast
Career Opportunities
Support Abilities First, Inc.
Support In Flight, Inc.
APHV Leadership
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Celebrating 60 Years of Service |
In 1962, Abilities First opened its doors under the name "Rehabilitation Programs." Rehabilitation Programs, Inc., which offered a school and outpatient clinic, was established as the result of a merger between the Dutchess County Cerebral Palsy Association and the Dutchess County Association for Mentally Handicapped Children. Today, we proudly celebrate 60 years of service with more than 600 dedicated employees serving over 1,400 individuals with disabilities and their families throughout seven counties in the Hudson Valley region. Our anniversary is a reminder that we cannot do this alone and we are grateful to many.
"After 60 years of hard work, love, laughter, and accomplishments, we are more committed to our mission than ever before. Together, we have built a cherished and thriving resource for our community. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make Abilities First what it is today!" - Jeffery Fox, Ph.D. President & CEO
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Unplanned Journey: First of many a success! |
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Abilities First is pleased to announce that its first session of Unplanned Journey on Wednesday, October 12, was a grand success.
Principal Camille D’Amico of Abilities First Preschool at Executive Drive and Beth Poague of NYSED OSE Early Childhood Face Center-Mid Hudson led the event, where they covered topics such as settling into the new school year with your student, understanding special education services, wraparound services, and much more.
Unplanned Journey, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, is a virtual education series designed to help parents and caregivers navigate the everyday challenges of having a preschool-aged child with disabilities. Each event in this series will be conducted by a panel featuring professionals from Abilities First and special guests, and will address a specific theme or topic.
For more information on October’s recorded meeting, to sign up for future sessions, or if you have a topic that you would like covered, please email unplannedjourney@abilitiesfirstny.org.
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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. |
Abilities First was one of the beneficiary organizations at the 2022 Howard Hanna “Chip in for Charity” Golf Tournament. Matthew Bateman of In Flight, Inc. and Jeffery Fox of Abilities First joined over 50 golfers for a day on the course during one of the last warm days of the season.
The second annual event raised over $12,000 for Abilities First and Clear Path for Veterans! Abilities First shares its sincerest thank you to the Howard Hanna New Windsor office and Thomas Lawrenson for throwing a wonderful event!
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Alessandra Payne of Salvage & Shine is generously supporting In Flight, Inc. by donating $50 from each sale of these Double Wrap Padlock & Key Chain Necklaces directly to In Flight, Inc. in support of its mission.
This wearable art was inspired by the individuals supported by In Flight, Inc. and the work In Flight does to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, reach for hopes and dreams, and support a meaningful quality of life.
These beautiful necklaces come in a wooden heart box and make the perfect holiday gift for you, a friend, or a loved one! Learn more and buy yours today.
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Congratulations Jill Rodriquez on your CFRE Designation! |
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In Flight, Inc. would like to congratulate its very own Jill Rodriquez for receiving her Certified Fund Raising Executive designation!
Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International. Those standards include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement. Recipients have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive, and have agreed to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights.
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-- COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT -- |
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Blue Autism Awareness Halloween Bag & Walden Savings Bank |
Parents and families of people with autism and other developmental disabilities have joined together to create the Blue Pumpkin initiative. On Halloween, the color blue serves as a subtle, dignified way of alerting people that a child or young adult may not be able to make eye contact, tolerate wearing a mask, or speak; however, those people still deserve to be included in the fun of Halloween.
At Abilities First, our mission is to make a difference, which is why this Halloween, the Foundation for Abilities First NY has joined together with Walden Savings Bank for the Blue Pumpkin initiative. We want to promote a Halloween that is inclusive and accepting; we want to make a difference in the Halloween experience of people with autism and other disabilities supported by Abilities First. Thank you, Walden Savings Bank, for working with us and helping us to make a difference!
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Fire Prevention with the New Hackensack Fire Department |
In honor of Fire Prevention Month, students of the Abilities First Preschool at Myers Corners were visited by the New Hackensack Fire Company! The students learned what firefighters do to help keep people safe and what they should do during an emergency. The firefighters were kind enough to bring some trucks and gear with them, which the kids enjoyed immensely. Thank you, New Hackensack Fire Company of Wappingers Falls!
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In Flight, Inc. Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month |
[Pictured: Kaitlin (left), Daniel (right)] |
Currently, only 1 in 3 people with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) is employed. At In Flight, we are trying to change those numbers by providing people with IDD various tools necessary to accomplish their goal of gaining more independence through employment with our In Flight Success Academy for Independent Living or I-SAIL program.
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, we are highlighting some of our In Flight individuals who are employed in your communities!
Kaitlin has worked at McDonald’s since her final year of high school in 2017! She started at the McDonald’s in Hudson through a school-to-work program, and recently transferred to a new location. Kaitlin works six days a week and runs the fryers, where she is responsible for the fries and hash browns. She occasionally keeps the front end stocked and collects the garbage as well.
Ryan and Justin, two of our individuals, work at the NGC Cinema in Kingston. Justin helps train new hires, adjusts the sound and picture to fit the next showing, collects tickets, cleans, and helps in any other way possible. Justin secured this job through his friendly and outgoing personality, his connections to those working at NGC, and with a little help from our Supportive Employment program.
Daniel, a resident at our Livingston IRA and a member of our SEMP program, works at the ShopRite in Hudson as a cashier four days a week. He started in August 2021 and excels at fundraising and getting customers to complete the customer service surveys. He is very social and gets many compliments from customers.
If your business or company is interested in supporting people like Kaitlin, Ryan, Justin, and Daniel achieve their hopes and dreams of stable employment, please email lschaub@inflightinc.org.
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Tuesday, November 29
8:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.
Abilities First is celebrating 60 years of service to the Hudson Valley community for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Our morning together is a reminder that we cannot do this alone and we are grateful to many. Thank you for your continued support!
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-- CAREER OPPORTUNITIES -- |
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IN FLIGHT, INC. IS HIRING!
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ABILITIES FIRST IS HIRING!
Abilities First’s next walk-in hiring event is Saturday, November 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 70 Overocker Road in Paoughkeepsie.
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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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