Greetings Supporters,
I hope that 2023 has been off to a great start for you and your family!
January was a big month for advocacy at ACHIEVE and in the I/DD field across New York State, with providers calling on the Governor to continue to build on the successes of last year’s budget, which included a long-overdue 5.4% cost-of-living adjustment. After years of struggling to be recognized with meaningful investments into our workforce, 2022 looked to mark a change, and it’s incredibly critical that we aren’t forgotten in this year’s budget. There’s still time to add your voice to The Arc New York’s petition that calls on the Governor to further the advances of last year and include our field in her Executive Budget, including another 8.5% cost-of-living adjustment.
It was a welcome return to normalcy hosting all four of our signature fundraising events last year, and I’m happy to share that planning is underway for our first event of 2023, the 27th annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic, presented by Visions Federal Credit Union, on Saturday, April 15th at Midway Lanes in Vestal. We’re very excited to build on the momentum of last year’s events and are happy to host our many community partners in this afternoon of bowling. More information on this year’s tournament, including registering your five-man team or becoming a corporate sponsor, can be found in this month’s newsletter.
As 2023 continues to unfold, I want to thank everyone who has contributed to our Annual Appeal, which is currently at 47% of goal, and each of our new and returning Platinum Partners who have shown their dedication through their support of our four signature events this year. The support we receive through these endeavors continues to be humbling each year, and I cannot thank our community and business partners for their ongoing dedication to our agency. If you’re interested in contributing to our Annual Appeal or joining as one of the newest members of our Platinum Partner family, information can be found below.
February is shaping up to be an exciting month here at ACHIEVE, including our first-ever art contest for individuals, and some big news on the horizon that will further move the agency forward. It can never be said enough; thank you for the continued support! I hope you’ll enjoy this month’s newsletter.
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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What better way to ring in the New Year than a party at Cutler Pond?
Our On the Pond ~ At Cutler and day habilitation teams partnered together to host a New Year's party. Everyone was able to socialize with their friends and enjoy ringing in 2023 in style!
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Our On the Pond ~ At Cutler recently started a Journaling Club!
Why do they journal?
Journaling creates personal and private space for them to express feelings that may be difficult to express verbally. Journaling provides a safe place to document whatever it is that they want, free of judgment. At a recent Club meeting, they discussed why they are thankful and what they are thankful for, taking some time to reflect on their last entries and how those entries made them feel reflecting on them in the present. Journaling allows us to reserve time in our day for ourselves!
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Cutler Pond recently held a talent show, with all different types of talent on display, including singing, puppetry and interpretive dance.
Thank you to everyone who participated and put their talents on display, and an even bigger thank you to the awesome day habilitation staff who put the talent show together, encouraged individuals to participate, and made the event fun for everyone!
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On the Pond ~ At Cutler put their bowling skills to the test to get ready for our April tournament! Everyone packed up for the day and headed over to Ripic's Carousel Lanes, where they had a blast bowling and sharing laughs and memories with each other. |
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ACHIEVE's Cutler Pond day habilitation program had an art workshop for everyone to explore their artistic abilities.
It was a huge success, and everyone had a lot of fun!
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You never know where you're going to meet your best friend. For David, Amos was right in front of him the whole time!
On the Pond ~ At Cutler is where these friends met for the first time. Now they are inseparable! Before dismissal each day, Amos has to say his goodbyes to his best friend until they're reunited the next day!
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Want to know what Monday's call for?
Coffee, and lots of it!
Our Cutler Pond day habilitation recently launched Coffee Talks, which is open to everyone in the building, with coffee, snacks, and karaoke!
What a fun time, especially for a Monday!
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Since several of the River Road residents in Norwich were on vacation with their families for Christmas, they decided to hold off on their Christmas festivities until everyone was back and they could celebrate together! |
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What smells so good?
Just Chef Jimmy preparing some homemade meatballs for his housemates over at Chenango's supportive apartments!
They look delicious, Jimmy! Keep up the great work!
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Chef Jimmy wasn't the only one in the kitchen cooking; everyone at Chenango's supportive apartments have begun to team up to cook and share a variety of healthy foods with one another.
Great teamwork and support for healthy choices!
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What do you do when a snowstorm hits?
Well, if you're the folks at our Sterry Drive and Helen Street houses, you play board games, get a jump start on some Valentine's Day crafts, or get outside and build a snowman!
Looks like everyone had a great time, and everything came out great!
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James, a resident of Country Club Lane, celebrated his 73rd birthday, and had a nice party at his house with all of his friends!
Happy Birthday, James!
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Country Club Lane has been busy! From birthday parties, to movie nights, there is never a dull evening.
Together, they held a movie night, with everyone enjoying a variety of snacks and taking in all the movies they could ever need!
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In another installment of #WhyIACHIEVE, we’re very excited to highlight Melissa Massaro, Recreation Therapist/Recreation Respite Coordinator. Melissa assesses a participant’s strengths and desires, plans community-based inclusive recreation opportunities, implements programming, and evaluates the success and future needs of participants. She has been with ACHIEVE for six and a half years!
Melissa enjoys working for ACHIEVE because she believes in the agency’s Mission. The Recreation Respite Program is a shining example of putting participants first and offering the most empowering and strengths-based support!
Melissa is #ACHIEVEProud because she loves helping participants discover new leisure activities to incorporate into their everyday lives and building strong friendships with their peers participating in the program.
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For this #WhyIACHIEVE, it is our pleasure to feature Tanyelle Newman, Recruiting Coordinator, who has been with ACHIEVE for more than two years! Tanyelle manages applications and facilitates the hiring of new staff, along with other human resources duties.
For Tanyelle, the most enjoyable aspect about working for ACHIEVE is seeing the vision and the heart ACHIEVE has for the individuals we support. Tanyelle loves supporting the staff so they can best focus on and perform their job supporting the individuals! “Many of our best staff have come from a current staff member referring their family or friends, so please keep those referrals coming!"
Tanyelle, ACHIEVE is truly thankful for hard work you continuously provide, you certainly make us #ACHIEVEProud to have you as a member of our organization!
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Great Job, Maintenance Team! |
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In January, our Staff Appreciation Committee recognized the Maintenance department for all their dedication and hard work to not only our programs, but to the individuals we all support, by dropping off some homemade cookies!
Thank you for all you do, Maintenance team!
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Genetic Testing's Impact on One Family |
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Thank you, Spectrum News, for helping us share Ellen Feldman, a longtime Board Member and supporter's, story of her journey utilizing free genetic testing to get an accurate diagnosis for her son after 40 years, and thank you, Ellen, for sharing your experience and the positive impacts that a complete diagnosis can have on other families.
You can view the full Spectrum story of Ellen's journey at this link.
There are a number of genetic testing services available, oftentimes free following a brief quiz or evaluation.
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Ambit provides free access to genetic counseling and testing to all patients who qualify. Testing is available in all 50 states and is open to all ages. Qualifications include: children age seven and under with at least one seizure; or anyone over seven with at least one seizure, one developmental delay and are on at least one seizure medication.
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Probably Genetic has developed a quiz to see if you are eligible for a free genetic test based on how “highly probable” your results are. This is available to all ages in all US states except for NY.
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Invitae’s Behind the Seizure free genetic testing program is offered to any child in the US or Canada under the age of eight years old who has had an unprovoked seizure.
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2023 Platinum Partners
Thank You for the Support!
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Thank you to these great organizations and families for joining our Platinum Partner family in 2023! Your inclusion demonstrates your commitment to help ACHIEVE further it's Mission to advocate for an enhanced quality of life for the individuals we support!
What is an ACHIEVE Platinum Partner?
ACHIEVE Platinum Partner recognition is given to any organization or family that sponsors all four of ACHIEVE's signature fundraising events, at any level, or a Presenting Sponsor for any single event. Your support will be prominently featured at all ACHIEVE events, newsletter, website and social media platforms and includes tickets to our events.
Join Our Platinum Partner Family
Platinum Partner packages start as low as $1,000 for all four of our 2023 events. We offer flexible payment plans, and tickets to our events are included.
For more information about ACHIEVE's events and or to learn more about becoming a Platinum Partner, please contact Raffe Morehead, Director of Community Engagement at rmorehead@achieveny.org or (607) 231-5225.
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Recreation Respite visited Chenango Valley State Park to take in the annual Pond Fest hockey tournament. Despite the cold weather, everyone had a great time! |
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Community Habilitation Milkshakes |
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Our Chenango Community Habilitation team celebrated National Milk Day by making some delicious milkshakes to enjoy with each other!
What a great way to celebrate a national celebration with friends!
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The Recreation Respite Road Trippers are back at it again this month, travelling all over Broome County and enjoying all the fun and exciting opportunities our community has to offer; from hockey games, to seeing the Festival of Lights, to just relaxing and having a game night with each other while baking cookies!
As always, another busy month for the Recreation Respite team!
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27th Annual Pin Crushing Classic! |
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We are so excited to announce that the 27th Annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic is coming to Midway Lanes and Fun Zone on
Saturday, April 15th, 2023.
Co-chaired by Assemblymen Joe Angelino and Chris Friend, with a very special guest emcee, our good friend Cliff Crouch.
We hope to see you there!
Date: Saturday, April 15th, 2023
Where: Midway Lanes, Jensen Road, Vestal
Time: 12:00 Registration
12:30 Bowling Starts
3:00 Award and Drawings
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2023 ACHIEVE Event Schedule
Save the Date!
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Advocacy Alert!
Sign the Petition!
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Exhibition of ACHIEVEment
Art Contest
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As you may have heard, ACHIEVE is hosting its first annual Exhibition of ACHIEVEment art gallery in February, and we need your help!
Later this month, we'll be taking votes to see which piece of individuals' art is going to to come in First, Second, or Third Place, with a First Place prize of $750!
In total, there are 25 submissions that will be featured, so be sure to stay tuned and to vote for your favorite when the time comes!
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Your Legacy, Our Future
Planned Gifts to ACHIEVE
The ACHIEVE Foundation seeks to support ACHIEVE’s mission to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The growth of the Foundation is determined by planned gifts from our community and family members. These gifts are the cornerstone of our Foundation and allow us to continue to offer a wide range of programs and services.
Every year, more donors are discovering the benefits of supporting ACHIEVE through their estate plans. These planned gifts are the cornerstones to the ACHIEVE Foundation and support the programs and services of our organization.
Charitable Bequest through Last Will or other Estate Plan
Individual Retirement Account
Stock and Securities
Real Estate
To learn more about Planned Giving, or to make a donation, please contact Preston Evans, Vice President Development and Donor Relations, at (607) 352-3280 or pevans@achieveny.org
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