Connection
 August 2019  

Supportive housing available for people with disabilities who are facing homelessness
The living room area of one of AIM's new supportive housing units for individuals with disabilities who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or inappropriately institutionalized.
The kitchen in one of AIM's new supportive housing units.
AIM now has supportive housing available in the Elmira area for individuals with disabilities who are facing homelessness.

The 15 newly remodeled apartments are located in an existing apartment complex in Southport. They are for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or inappropriately institutionalized.

Residents must be Medicaid recipients 55 and older who have a significant disability; individuals with eligibility for services through the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities; or military veterans with disabilities.

A rent subsidy is available, and AIM will have staff on site to provide educational programs and link residents to supports and services available in the community. Funding is provided by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

AIM was recently awarded a $10,000 grant by the Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation to purchase furniture and other household items for the apartments.

The apartments are located on a bus route and are near employment opportunities, a grocery store, a medical clinic and a park.

The apartments will serve a region that includes Chemung, Steuben, Schuyler, Allegany and Livingston counties.

For more information, contact AIM Housing Coordinator Joanne Carlyle at (607) 962-8225, ext. 246.
Tween Camp BRAVO offered in late August for children with disabilities
Emma, a participant in Camp BRAVO, pets a pile of kittens at the Chemung County SPCA this week. AIM will offer a new camp, Tween Camp BRAVO, in late August for youths ages 9-13. 
AIM will offer a summer day camp for children ages 9-13 who have developmental disabilities in late August.

AIM already offers day camps for youths ages 14-21 each summer, but this will be the first time we've offered the program for the younger age group.

Called Tween Camp BRAVO, the camp will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily on Monday, Aug. 26 through Friday, Aug. 30. The camp will be based at the Elmira AIM offices, 350 W. Church St., but will include many fun, educational outings in the community, such as animal and nature-themed activities.

These camps are open to youths who live at home and have eligibility for services through the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. 

Participants should be independent with personal care needs or escorted by a caregiver or self-directed staff. The camps are either free or billed to OPWDD self-directed budgets.

Funding is provided by OPWDD Family Support Services.

For more information or to register, contact Youth Program Specialist Amanda Gitchell at agitchell@aimcil.com or 962-8225, ext. 210.
Free workshop on health and 
well-being  offered in Elmira this fall  
AIM will host Living Well in the Community, a workshop on health and well-being for people with disabilities, this fall in Elmira.

The 11-week multi-media workshop will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Thursdays in the community room at Maple Avenue Apartments. It begins Sept. 5 and ends Nov. 14.

The workshop is for ages 18 and older. It is free and open to the community, and participants will receive gift cards.

Topics include goal setting, building supports, healthy reactions, staying on course, healthy communication, seeking information, eating well, physical activity, self-advocacy, and maintaining improvements.

For more information and to register, contact Ileya Heins at  iheins@aimcil.com or 962-8225, ext. 241.

The workshop is funded by a grant from RTC: Rural.
Veterans Advocate Edward Tierney honored as Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Edward Tierney, who was selected as AIM's Employee of the Month for August. 

Tierney is AIM's veterans advocate. He provides education, advocacy, information and referral to veterans with disabilities and helps them access available supports and services. 

He also coordinates AIM's peer mentoring program for veterans, which is funded by the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs.

"Ed Tierney treated me with so much dignity and respect, he is a real soldier," said an AIM consumer whom Tierney recently assisted.

Welcome new hires:

- Shawna Leonard, Community Living Specialist 
- Diane Enlow, Peer Recovery Advocate

Promotions:

- Brandy Reynolds, Director of OPWDD Services

Current job openings:

- Peer Independent Living Coordinator
- Peer Independent Living Specialist 
- Help Desk Generalist  
-  OPWDD Direct Support Professional
- OPWDD Self-Hire Staff
- Consumer-Directed Personal Care Assistants

To view job descriptions and apply, click here. 

 

AIM Independent

Living Center

271 E. First Street

Corning, NY 14830  

Phone:  (607) 962-8225

Fax: (607) 937-5125

 
Quick Links
Stay Connected