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A Newsletter for Families
and our Community
Our Journey Together | April 2025
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Spotlight on Success:
Agency Announcements!
| | See You at the Walk for Autism on May 3rd! | | |
Come out and celebrate autism acceptance by joining us at the Kelberman 2025 Walk for Autism! You do not need to be registered to come walk or enjoy our Inclusion Fair!
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Walk any time from 9:00am-Noon
at SUNY Poly in Utica!
Thank You to Lead Sponsor
| | Register Now for May & June Recreation Opportunities | | |
Spring has Sprung at Kelberman! Check out our upcoming inclusive recreation opportunities for the entire community! Sessions include:
Jam Connections, Drum It Out, Bowling, Creative
Arts, Karaoke, Fitness, Movie Night and more!
Visit the Kelberman community calendar for dates, times and
to register. Spots are limited so register today!
| | Kelberman Fans Cheered on the Utica Comets! | | Kelberman and the Utica Comets had an amazing day on April 18th celebrating hockey, awareness and advocacy! We are thankful for the opportunity for families, friends and community supporters to cheer on the Utica Comets, who have been wonderful partners to Kelberman, helping us to promote advocacy and making this a memorable day for all involved. | | Sensory-Friendly Jumping Event at Get Air | | Thanks to the generosity of the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, friends and families of Kelberman recently had the opportunity to participate in a special jumping event at Get Air in New Hartford. The event offered a fun and inclusive experience in a sensory-friendly environment, allowing participants to enjoy the excitement of a trampoline park with fewer crowds and accommodations. It was a day filled with physical activity, fun, and social connection - creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of belonging. A heartfelt thank you to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism and to Get Air in New Hartford for organizing this wonderful event for Kelberman. | | | Sensory-Friendly Easter Bunny Experience | | |
The sensory-friendly Easter Bunny event with Kelberman at the Oneida Public Library was a wonderful experience for families. It provided a warm, inclusive space where children with sensory needs could enjoy the magic of meeting the Easter Bunny in a calm, supportive environment. Families appreciated the thoughtful accommodations and the opportunity to create joyful holiday memories together.
| | Odyssey Inclusive Program Final Performance | | Kelberman students recently wrapped up their final performance of Odyssey Inclusive, showcasing months of creativity, collaboration and growth. As part of the international Odyssey of the Mind program, Odyssey Inclusive offers students of all abilities a chance to strengthen their visual and performing arts skills, social interaction, academics and problem-solving abilities in a fun and supportive environment. The final performance highlighted not only the students’ hard work and imagination but also the power of inclusive education to build confidence and lasting skills. | | Registration is Still Open for Kamp Connections! | | |
Registration is STILL OPEN for Kamp Connections this summer.
Make sure to register today to secure your spot!
| | Want to WORK AT CAMP this summer? Here is your chance! | | Welcome to the Kelberman Team | | We truly value our staff and volunteers at Kelberman, as they contribute to the impactful work we do with children, adults and families each day. We are pleased to welcome the following new team members! | | |
Jordan Allison
Mary Brege
Hannah Costello
Mary Fleck
Sonia Jackson
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Hannah Neidhart
Vivian Osullivan
Emily Otis
Avianna Russell
Kayla Suppa
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Program Spotlights
News and updates from Kelberman programs
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We are so excited to welcome the season of blooming flowers and warmer days! This month, our preschoolers enjoyed fun Easter-themed activities like egg hunts, crafts, and stories that celebrated the joy of springtime. The classroom was full of giggles, creativity and colorful artwork. As we look ahead, we are excited for more outdoor play, nature walks and exploring all the wonders that spring has to offer! | | |
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In October 2024, Josh enrolled in Kelberman Services for Supported Employment as a direct hire working in the dish room at Oneida Health Hospital, where he had previously completed his BOCES internship during high school. His primary responsibilities included clearing dishes of trash, washing and drying dishes and maintaining the cleanliness of the dish room. Josh has continued to grow and flourish in his role, both independently and with the support of his job coach, Gio.
Throughout the course of his employment, Josh has shown significant improvement in his communication and work skills. He consistently maintains his independence while working his regularly scheduled shifts. Recently, a new intern joined the same BOCES internship program that Josh completed, and Josh has stepped into a leadership role helping to guide and teach the intern the essential work skills needed for success.
Josh has built a strong rapport with his coworkers and has made remarkable progress toward achieving his goals. Erica, the Operations Manager at Oneida Health Hospital, shared that "Josh is an absolute pleasure to have on my team here at Oneida Health Hospital." She has witnessed his growth since the very first day he entered the dish room as a BOCES intern. She is thrilled that he became a direct hire in her department, allowing her to continue working with him.
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Spotlight on Staff: Going Above and Beyond!
Cause-Driven Leader
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The Cause Driven Leader for April is Talia Masse, Special Education Teacher at Kelberman. Talia has been a part of the Kelberman team for two years. In her role, Talia works with the children in the Promise Program, supporting them in their development. Days consist of individualized work sessions and activities that serve to promote creativity, self-expression, focused motor movements and more!
Talia was nominated for this honor by her co-worker Dakota Wayne, Teacher Aide at Promise Preschool. Dakota says that "Talia's unwavering dedication, passion and impact on the lives of her students make her truly deserving of this recognition. Each day, she brings warmth, energy and positivity into the classroom. Her natural connection with the children is something special to witness - she meets each child where they are, always offering encouragement, structure and love. Her presence sets the tone for a nurturing, joyful, and engaging learning environment where every child feels safe and supported. What sets her apart is her deep commitment to the growth and well-being of her students. She doesn't just teach, she inspires. She works tirelessly to create meaningful, individualized learning experiences that help each child grow socially, emotionally, and academically. It’s clear that she wants nothing but the best for her students and she goes above and beyond to ensure they have the tools, confidence and support they need to succeed. Working alongside her is a joy. She brings consistency, creativity, and collaboration to our team."
Talia commented that "Kelberman has proven to be the place where I believe I can best support and advocate for those with autism and their families. I know this support and advocacy goes beyond the Promise Program, which showcases how dedicated Kelberman is to the population. My job is incredibly important to me because I strive to be a support for my students and their family. Although each individual with autism is unique and their family experiences differ, I have the personal experience of a brother with autism. I have seen the challenges he faces and have seen who in his life are a support to him. I want to be a part of that support for the families at Kelberman. I believe the work we all do at Kelberman serves as a resource for these individuals and their families to live their best lives. I would not be able to do the work that I do without my team. I have learned greatly from fellow teachers and have an amazing, reliable support staff who do great work for these kids. I consider myself very lucky to be working with such great people for such a great population."
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New York needs to invest in people with disabilities!
Right now, families and community members across New York State have a critical opportunity to speak up for people with disabilities and the provider agencies that support them, like Kelberman. As the state budget is being finalized, it’s more important than ever to urge lawmakers in Albany to prioritize increased funding for disability services.
Please visit the CP State website below for quick and easy ways for YOU to reach out to our legislatures at the state and federal level to advocate for Kelberman! They have all of the work done - simply input your name and address to find your legislatures, edit their pre-written advocacy asks and hit submit! You can send one each day to make your voices heard!
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