Greetings Supporter,
Green is popping up across the agency, which can only mean that March is here!
February continued to be a big month for advocacy in the IDD field across the state, as nonprofit provider agencies increased their call for the 2024 New York State budget to see the cost-of-living adjustment increased to 8.5% from the 2.5% that was included in the Governor’s budget. After a decade of struggling to have our field recognized, particularly the needs of our invaluable Direct Support Professionals, this funding is a critical piece towards agencies being able to recruit and retain these incredible staff. I’d like to thank our staff and self-advocates who joined hundreds in Albany to rally for these funds, and our state legislators who took the time to meet with us and learn more about the impact this funding can have on the lives of those we support. There’s still time to add your voice by signing The Arc New York’s one-click petition calling on the State to build on the investments made in last year’s budget.
I’m beyond excited to share that in February, after nearly a year of planning, our Board of Directors approved ACHIEVE to move ahead with a transformational project in Norwich, converting our shuttered manufacturing facility, CWS Packaging, into a new, state-of-the-art day habilitation site and community hub. This project will relocate ACHIEVE into the heart of downtown Norwich, providing greater opportunities for meaningful community integration, collaboration and participation for over 100 individuals, furthering our Mission of enhancing their lives, with construction slated to be complete in Fall 2023. We’ll be breaking ground on the project any day now, and I invite you to attend a formal groundbreaking ribbon cutting on Friday, March 10th at 1:00 if you’re in the area.
March marks Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and I hope that you’ll join us as we highlight this year’s theme, Beyond the Conversation, and the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities. We support so many wonderful and genuinely gifted people across ACHIEVE, and it is our pleasure to recognize them throughout the month of March.
I’m happy to report that planning is underway for our 27th annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic bowling tournament on Saturday, April 15th at Midway Lanes in Vestal. I personally invite you to register your five-person team and join us for this fun afternoon of bowling, raffles and more!
March also sees the launch of our annual Membership campaign. For $1, you and your family can become ACHIEVE Members for 2023 and help us have the loudest voice possible when it comes to advocating for those we support in our programs.
More information on the Pin Crushing Classic and our 2023 Membership campaign can be found below. I hope you’ll consider joining us in support of both campaigns.
As always, thank you for continued support of ACHIEVE and those whose lives we touch every day across our community.
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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The Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic
Returns to Midway Lanes
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ACHIEVE is Thrilled to bring you our 27th annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic!
ACHIEVE's 27th Annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic
Presented by Visions Federal Credit Union
Midway Lanes - Jensen Road, Vestal, New York
Saturday, April 15th - 12:00PM to 3:30PM
Registration includes 3 games of bowling, prizes, raffle drawings,
pizza & soda, and the opportunity to be the
27th annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic Champion!
Register your 5-person team today!
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The success of our events depends on the generosity of our local community and business partners. Corporate Sponsorship is one determining factor of the outcome of any event, and in turn has numerous benefits for you and your organization, including:
- Aligning your company and name to the crucial cause of improving the lives of over 2,200 individuals with developmental disabilities
- Boosting your name and reputation in the community
- Fostering key relationships with emerging community leaders
If you'd like to be a sponsor, please click the link below!
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March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month |
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Each March, we join organizations across the country to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still face connecting to the communities in which they live.
This year's #DDAM2023 theme by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities is Beyond the Conversation, and we hope you'll follow us on social media as we highlight and celebrate the wonderful people we support across our organization throughout the month!
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Ana has been working at ACHIVE since June of 2022, working with the individuals on a variety of different activities in the community. Ana is happy to see the individuals enjoying and thriving in the programming that they are participating in. She feels her job is important because she realizes the importance of helping others, and she can personally help the individuals learn different aspects of life. Ana loves taking the individuals she supports to the local YMCA, and is an amazing worker; she is up for any challenge the day has to offer, and the individuals love working with her. She has been a great asset to the Community Habilitation Team in Chenango, and we are very #ACHIEVEproud of all the great work you do, Ana! |
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Performance Improvement Team |
The Staff Appreciation Committee, alongside members of the leadership team, recognized the Performance Improvement department for all the hard work and dedication they show to the agency!
Working behind the scenes on tasks like billing issues and internal investigations, as well as providing new employees with delicious goodies during orientation, they can be counted on to help out at any given moment quickly and thoroughly.
From the Staff Appreciation Committee and all the staff throughout the agency, thank you to the Performance Improvement team!
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Danielle Kenyon - Residential Financial Coordinator |
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Thank you, Broome Community College! |
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It was exciting to bring a group of our Employment Services program participants to SUNY Broome Community College to learn more about how continuing education through their courses can build job skills in new areas of interest for long term employment success!
Thank you so much for hosting us!
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Afternoon Fun at Midway Lanes! |
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Thank you, Endicott Sertoma, for generously hosting several of our houses alongside local Boy Scouts and students from the Union-Endicott Key Club for an afternoon of fun bowling at Midway Lanes!
It's always wonderful when we have opportunities to further community integration and collaboration with other service groups!
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Inaugural "Exhibition of ACHIEVEment"
Art Gallery
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Thank you to everyone who attended our first “Exhibition of ACHIEVEment” art gallery at our Vestal Parkway East offices!
The night was a huge success, and we’re thrilled to share that eleven of the twelve pieces of art created and sold by individuals as an entrepreneurial opportunity for further recognition of their talents were purchased!
You can help us pick this year's $750
1st Prize winner by voting at the link below!
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Special Guest Visits Chenango Day Habilitation |
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Thank you to New York State Senator Peter Oberacker for visiting our Chenango Day Habilitation location, meeting with staff, members of our leadership team and individuals, and learning about everything we’ve got going on around our agency and our budget priorities for 2023! We look forward to all the opportunities to partner with you and your office in the future! |
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Recreation Respite in the News |
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We appreciate WIVT WBGH NewsChannel 34 taking the time to stop by our Recreation Respite program on Random Act of Kindness Day to learn more about all the great ways they give back to the community and assist those in need!
Our Recreation Respite team are always looking for new participants of all ages to join them on their fun and exciting outings and opportunities to get out in their community!
Learn more about our Recreation program at our website!
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Congratulations on Your Retirement, Jimmy! |
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After over 15 years working at Chat-A-Wyle in Apalachin, Jimmy, an individual receiving Employment Services, recently retired. Jimmy was always treated like family by the restaurant, and was so dedicated that he never even called in sick! He took pride in his work and didn't want to leave them without help, and the owners didn't want to lose their connection to ACHIEVE, so he worked with our Supported Employment team to help select and train his replacement, retiring earlier than expected!
Best wishes, Jimmy!
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Binghamton Black Bears Hockey |
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Community Habilitation provider, Brittany, took Robert to a Binghamton Black Bears hockey game, where he got to meet his favorite player, Tyler Gjurich, from the Black Bears. What an amazing experience! |
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On the Pond ~ At Cutler participants volunteer at Speak Animal Hospital/Cat Sanctuary every Wednesday to help socialize their furry friends before they go to their "fur-ever" homes. On a recent trip, everyone's favorite was a kitten named Jan, who cuddled and then kept everyone laughing while she ran around the room playing. |
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We wanted to take an opportunity to spotlight James and his participation in Special Olympics.
James and his Medical Liaison, Mary, have been attending Special Olympics since the spring of last year, where he's been participating in bocce ball, bowling, and where he recently took up basketball.
In February, Mary had the pleasure to accompany James to his basketball tournament, where he came in a proud 1st place on his team! As you can see, his smile says it all!
Mary says, "It is a pleasure to enjoy some fun time with James in a different capacity, and we are looking forward to continuing our adventure in the volleyball and chair yoga season."
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On the Pond ~ At Cutler Pond Visits Jablon Studios |
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On the Pond ~ At Cutler had a dazzling time making glass mosaic sun catchers! Emily at Jablon Studios is a blast to work with, and the individuals love being creative. They had an entire wall of mosaic tile pieces to choose from, and Emily encouraged as much creativity as possible! Jablon is by far a favorite spot for outings! |
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Fun Times for Core Room 4 |
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Folks over at our Broome Day Habilitation Core Room 4 took a trip to the Discovery Center. Everyone enjoyed their time taking in all the activities and learning opportunities the museum has to offer!
After a fun trip to the Discovery Center, a stop at TGI Friday's to get a delicious lunch was the next stop on their trip. With full bellies, and happy faces, it was another successful outing!
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ACHIEVE Meets the Harlem Globetrotters |
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Everybody always has a blast when the Harlem Globetrotters come to town. Sterry Drive IRA took a trip to check out the game, and were even lucky enough to meet some of the players! |
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Teaching Houses at Binghamton University |
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Max and his Community Habilitation Provider, Julie, took a chance to learn about Spring. Max and Julie went to the Teaching Houses at Binghamton University where Max got to learn more about the trees on display. Maybe with Max's help, this will bring us some warmer weather! |
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Individuals from our Broome Day Habilitation went to the movies to see "The Amazing Maurice". Everyone had soda, popcorn and enjoyed the movie. It looks like everyone had a great time! |
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In the cold of winter, everyone is still staying busy in Chenango. Individuals in Community Habilitation have been working on and learning their money denominations, with Richie working on shapes and crafts. Stay warm everyone! Spring is right around the corner! |
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Thank you, Dancing with D founder Dhyani, for joining us at Cutler Pond day habilitation and leading everyone in a hip hop dance class! Everyone had a lot of fun, and it was a great chance for some exercise while developing another community partnership!
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ACHIEVE Brought it Back to the 50's |
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On the Pond ~ At Cutler Pond time traveled back to the 1950's with their very own Sock Hop! Everyone enjoyed a taste of the 50's with a delicious burger with fries, and a soda pop. To end the day, everyone got together to watch "Grease"! What a timeless event for everyone to enjoy! |
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Valentines Day at ACHIEVE |
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Who says you need to wait until the 14th to celebrate Valentine's Day?
The staff at Cutler Pond Day Habilitation put together an early Valentine's Day brunch, with a delicious selection of breakfast favorites for everyone to enjoy!
Great job, Day Habilitation team!
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Advocating for the Future! |
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There's still time to sign The Arc New York's one-click petition calling on
New York State to continue investing in IDD providers in this year's budget!
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We’re proud to send a contingent of staff and self-advocates to join hundreds of advocates from across New York State in Governor Kathy Hochul’s War Room, calling for a long overdue 8.5% cost-of-living adjustment to be included in this year’s budget!
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Your membership and inclusion in the agency help support the individuals we serve by creating more opportunities for personal growth and achievements.
Your membership helps give them a voice! Membership provides our agency more power to advocate legislatively at the state and national levels.
As an agency, we continue to face economic challenges, and larger membership numbers gives us a stronger voice.
Please consider becoming a Member for $1 today.
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Thanks to the generosity from our community, ACHIEVE has
reached 49.3% of this year's Annual Appeal goal of $79,250!
Thank you to everyone who has donated!
But we still need your support. In order to keep that momentum going and continue providing exceptional services to those we serve, we rely on generous gifts from supporters, like you, who want to make a difference in thousands of lives.
Your Gift Matters.
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Your Legacy, Our Future
Planned Gifts to ACHIEVE
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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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ACHIEVE's 2023 Platinum Partners! |
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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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Don't forget to follow us to stay up-to-date with all that ACHIEVE is doing! |
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