Dear Supporter,
Warm weather will be on us any day now, which can only mean that Spring is just around the corner!
February was an exciting month for disability advocates, with optimism continuing to build around New York State’s critical investment in IDD workforce development. I’d like to thank our state legislators, Senator Fred Akshar, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Assemblyman Joe Angelino and Assemblyman Chris Friend, for taking the time to meet with staff and individuals as part of this year’s Legislative and Advocacy Forum, and for voicing their support for this year’s budget priorities that address longstanding underfunding for provider agencies including the 5.4% cost of living adjustment and retention bonuses included in the Governor’s budget proposal. We appreciate your years of support on these measures and are so relieved to finally see them realized.
Another exciting development in our field took place on February 14th, when Governor Hochul signed long overdue legislation creating the Office of the Chief Disability Officer, a role focused on developing strategies that reduce barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities. Again, I’d like to take a moment to personally thank Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, who was one of the co-sponsors of this historic legislation.
March marks Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and I hope that you’ll join us as we highlight this year’s theme, #WorldsImagined, and the change, support, hope and skills that are a daily part of the lives of individuals across our community. We support so many talented and genuinely gifted people at ACHIEVE, and it is our pleasure to highlight a few of them throughout the month of March in our newsletter and on social media.
I’m happy to report that planning is underway for our first live event in over two and a half years, our 26th annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic bowling tournament, on Saturday, March 26th at Midway Lanes in Vestal. I personally invite you to register your five-man 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 2021 and help us have the loudest voice possible when it comes to advocating for those in our care.
More information on the Pin Crushing Classic and our 2022 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.
Best regards,
Amy
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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 Return to In-Person Events,
and You're Invited to Join Us!
ACHIEVE's 26th Annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic
Presented by Visions Federal Credit Union
Midway Lanes - Jensen Road, Vestal, New York
Saturday March 26th - 12:00PM to 3:30PM
We are so excited for the return of in-person events in 2022, and are kicking the year off with the Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic bowling tournament.
Registration includes 3 games of bowling, prizes, raffle drawings,
pizza & soda, and the opportunity to be the 26th annual
Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic Champion!
Register your 5-man team today!
In consideration of the safety of staff, individuals and community members,
all bowlers and guests are asked to be prepared to show
proof of vaccination upon arrival.
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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 #DDAwareness2022 theme by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities is World's Imagined, with each week having a different focus: Worlds Imagined, Change Imagined, Support Imagined, Skills Imagined, and Hope Imagined.
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Worlds Imagined
Imagine a world where
people of all abilities have equal opportunities
for inclusion in their communities.
#WorldsImagined
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Change Imagined
Imagine changing peoples' perception so that people of all abilities are empowered to make their own decisions and life choices.
#ChangeImagined
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Support Imagined
Imagine providing the supports needed to people with developmental disabilities
in order for them to flourish,
thrive and live their best lives.
#SupportImagined
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Skills Imagined
Imagine the opportunity to
learn skills that foster feelings
of pride and accomplishment,
and ACHIEVE greater
levels of independence.
#SkillsImagined
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Hope Imagined
Dreams we all share
Happiness
Opportunities
Prosperity
Empowerment
#HopeImagined
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Be sure and check in with us all month long on Facebook as we celebrate the accomplishments across our organization and highlight this year's theme, #WorldsImagined! |
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We're excited to feature ACHIEVE's Director of Performance Improvement & Corporate Compliance, Julye Bush, a 34 year veteran with the agency!
Julye started as a Direct Support Professional, and she appreciates the opportunities for growth afforded by the organization since she started, including fostering her sense of purpose and meaning.
Julye's life goal has always been to enrich the lives of others and make a difference, and ACHIEVE gives her the chance to make a difference every day in some way. Simply put, she loves the people who are supported by ACHIEVE!
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We're #ACHIEVEProud to highlight Day Habilitation Support Specialist Shannon Westbrook!
With 20 years experience at ACHIEVE, Shannon's favorite part of her day is all the awesome people that she gets to work with, seeing them smile when they accomplish their goals and learn new skills.
The individuals she supports have taught Shannon so much in her time here; most importantly not to worry about the little things, but to laugh and enjoy life as it comes at you!
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Congrats to the following employee for receiving a promotion in the month of January!
Tracy Eichler, Employment Services Professional
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Discover the Rewards of Your New Career in Direct Support |
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During 2021, staff from ACHIEVE participated in a state-wide Learning Institute sponsored by the New York Alliance. As a result of their participation in the Learning Institute, the staff who attended created the Meaningful Change Group. The goal of the Meaningful Change group is to provide outreach and education about a number of important aspects of Person-Centered Planning.
The first project was an effort to get to know the people we served better. This was accomplished by having two of the group members, Rachel Gardner and Shawnta Smith, both Day Habilitation Specialists, working with staff in the Day Habilitation program to create dream/vision boards. The purpose of the boards was to have a creative outlet for staff to get to know more about one another; things that are important to them, activities they like to do and some goals and dreams they have. The staff involved in the first round had a month to create a personal board with limited guidelines.
The staff in the second round had 15 minutes to create a board that was geared towards their professional dreams and vision. Creating dream and vision boards with staff was successful and the next phase of the project was to support people served in creating their own dream boards. Staff provided people with supplies for creativity and support to complete their boards. What a wonderful project! It also allowed staff to learn more about the people they support and what is important to them.
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Andrea and Joanne spent time together exercising their creativity, socializing and creating beautiful art together. |
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Theresa Melnyk, Program Manager, got to spend the day at Main Street, and was visited by one very special resident, Bobby. Whenever Bobby knows she's there, he always visits with her, which makes her day! |
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Chapin Street Attends Black Bears Game |
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Some of our Residents at Wilson Hill got together to
make squirrel feeders to help them get through the cold winter!
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They enjoyed making them, and their furry friends appreciated the helping hands!
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These guys were not going to let the bad weather get them down! |
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So they turned home into Wilson Hill Lanes, and they had a great time bowling! |
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Dana and his Community Habilitation provider celebrated his birthday together at Red Lobster, complete with birthday cake and a candle! |
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Did you know that February 4th is National Thank Your Mail Carrier Day? Everyone at Courtly Circle did, and they made some colorful cards to thank their carrier, and left them as a special treat!
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Valentines Day at ACHIEVE |
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Your membership and inclusion in the agency helps 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 today.
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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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Thanks to the generosity from our community, ACHIEVE has
reached 67.8% of this year's Annual Appeal goal of $72,500!
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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ACHIEVE's 2022 Platinum Partners! |
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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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