September 2021 Newsletter |
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Greetings Supporters,
I can’t believe it’s September and time to start thinking about the final days of Summer.
As I’m sure you’re aware, our community is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 due to the Delta variant, and numbers are going up at an alarming rate. In light of this, I want to reiterate our continued commitment to the health and safety of all of our staff and the individuals in our care. We remain vigilant in monitoring all guidance from the Department of Health and Office for People With Developmental Disabilities on best practices, and have proactively implemented several measures centered around sanitation and staffing.
Again, I’d ask that if you’re eligible and haven’t already done so, please consider doing your part to help slow the spread by learning more and getting vaccinated as soon as possible.
Like all provider agencies, we continue to try and find creative solutions to workforce recruitment, as we struggle to remain competitive with for-profit businesses that are better positioned to raise their wages to address their own staffing needs. If you or someone you know is looking for a job, please consider starting your rewarding new career at ACHIEVE. You can learn more about our open positions in the newsletter below.
With these ongoing workforce issues, August saw us launch our advocacy efforts centered around the Better Care, Better Jobs Act, meeting with representatives from Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s offices to express our support of the $400 billion in home and community-based service funding. This bill’s funding in full is critically important to provider agencies, and would create the needed financial supports to raise staff wages and address the workforce recruitment and retention issues that threaten organizations across the country.
The resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo has also created new advocacy opportunities with the inauguration of Governor Kathy Hochul and the possibility of finding new support in a new administration. We will be working with The Arc New York and other agencies to take full advantage and continue advancing the needs of our organization.
As a reminder, we’re extremely excited for the return of Savor the Summer on Thursday, September 16th at our beautiful Cutler Pond location. Safety is the utmost priority in planning, so tickets will be limited out of consideration for community health, but the full details can be found below for one of our area’s biggest fundraisers and an elegant evening of local wineries, breweries and restaurants.
I hope you’ll enjoy this month’s newsletter, and as always, thank you for your continued support!
Best regards,
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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We are so excited to be bring back Savor the Summer!
Presented by M&T bank, the event is sure to be a very special evening, getting together with friends, overlooking the beautiful vistas of Cutler Pond, while sampling the region's finest, restaurants, breweries and craft beer.
Tickets are limited in the interest of community health. Get yours today!
ACHIEVE’s Agency & Foundation Boards of Directors
invite you to join them as we savor the last days
of summer, while sampling the region’s finest
restaurants, wines and craft beer.
Thursday September 16, 2021, 6 to 9 pm
125 Cutler Pond Road, Binghamton
$75 non-members - $70 members
To purchase tickets, please click here to visit our event page
https://givebutter.com/ACHIEVE-Savor-Summer
For more information, please contact
Shari Caudell, Director of Community Engagement
scaudell@achieveny.org or 607-231-5217
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Required to Attend
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Savor the Summer Grand Prizes!
Get your chance to win these great prizes for $10
You do not have to be present at Savor the Summer to win
Visit our event page:
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Since she started in 2013, Nora has proven how hardworking and dedicated she is during her time employed at McDonald's. She started as a Lobby Attendant, and through her work was promoted to Grill Cook, where she thrives working in the kitchen, while enjoying a steady schedule and regular pay raises. McDonald's loves her passion and commitment to her work!
Nora's journey shows how ACHIEVE strives to bring the best out of the individuals we support, and how our services can assist with successful and meaningful employment!
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James, a recipient of Community-Based Prevocational Services, stopped by the Village of Endicott offices and helped Mayor Linda Jackson plant some flowers to bring some color to the community!
"It is a pleasure to work with James. He is such a delightful and happy person to be around. This garden that we were working on is the main site for everyone coming to the Village customer service to pay bills, etc. I will be adding mulch to showcase the plants we planted. Next year, when the seeds we planted come up, will be even more colorful. James may decide to go into landscaping someday! I really appreciate volunteers helping us in the Village. With COVID taking a toll on our economy, it provides a way for us to get more accomplished. Thank you again for your cooperation." - Linda Jackson, Endicott Village Mayor
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Looking for a career with flexibility? Our part time, community-based positions offer flexible scheduling, with day, night and weekend shifts of 6-29 hours per week.
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THE SINGBOTS
A Story and Artwork by Georgetta West
Mary Weatherspoon is a rocket scientist working on a rocket robot that sings. Mary is an expert with computers and works at NASA.
NASA like Mary’s invention, in which asked her to make 10 rocket robots that sing.
NASA said, “Let’s test the sing bots out and launch them.”
Not thinking Mary left the wrench inside one of the singbots. NASA launched the singbots off. Suddenly one of the singbots fell apart and blew up.
Houston, we have a problem on of the singbots fell apart and blew up. Mary forgot that she had left her wrench in one of the singbots, she felt so bad and said, “Back to the ole drawing board.”
NASA said to Mary, “Mary make 10 more singbots, do no leave your wrench in one of the singbots.”
NASA launched the singbots off, this time everything went well.
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Thank you Senator Fred Akshar and Assemblyman Joe Angelino for stopping by our Summer Program carnival and participating in all the fun activities with the children as well as keeping some of our staff cool in the dunk tank!
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ACHIEVE’s Children’s Summer Program is our oldest program, and the foundation of our agency, and we were so happy to welcome everyone back!
Conclusion of the six week program finished with our annual Talent Show! Everyone did such a great job performing, singing and dancing the Chicken Dance!
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PEACE, LOVE, AND LOTS OF HAPPINESS |
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Day Habilitation was busy beating the summer heat, making their own tie-dyed t-shirts! |
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Riverside Drive had an impromptu lunchtime dance party!
They listened to Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" and had a blast boogying down!
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Courtly Circle had a visit to the farmer's market, where they bought some fresh veggies to make borscht after learning about the Russian culture. Looks delicious! |
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Day Habilitation was busy making some ooey gooey crafts! As fall approaches, a nice bonfire with friends and family is something to look forward to with these must-have s'more treats! |
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EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION PICNIC |
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Our Staff Appreciation Luaus were held this month in Broome and Chenango to honor our amazing staff that we’re so grateful for! They're incredible and we’re so appreciative of everything they do every day! |
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Staff enjoyed delicious food, hula’ed, danced, pied staff in the face and received awards for all the outstanding work they’ve done over the last year and a half! |
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Congratulations to all our special award winners who were
nominated by their co-workers for their outstanding efforts every day!
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Ultimate Team Player
Brianna Nober
Sam Griffiths
SWAG Award
Susan Benjamin
Shawnta Smith
Innovative Thinker
Faith Williams
Loretta Kinner
Leading by Example
Catina Sutton
Heather Hilgers
Positivity Queen/King
Shawna Wright Chesebro
Aaron White
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The Wonka Award
Tammy McCarthy
Mary Storti
Difference Maker
Samanth Nober
Alex Vest
Mountain Mover
Lynelle Davis
Amantha Powell
The Coffee Pot
Heather Sabines
Candice Bond
Don't Stop ACHIEVING
Gary Dutcher
Lindley Kavanaugh
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Rock the IRA
Courtney Wakefield
Tammy Vinal
Night Owl
Gary Dutcher
Greg Brewer
Always at 110%
Brittany Quillan
Staci Traffas
Perfectly Present
Jenny Phillips
Sarah Bump
Head Cheerleader
Lisa Hoag
Jenny Phillip
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Looking for a career with flexibility?
In addition to the many full time opportunities at ACHIEVE, we also have a variety of part time, community-based positions available that offer flexible scheduling with day, night and weekend shifts of anywhere from 6-29 hours per week.
Join our team and find out what it means to be #ACHIEVEProud! Learn more about our full and part time positions below.
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Congratulations to the following employees for receiving a promotion in the month of July!
- Abigail Garcia - Assistant Residence Manager
- Erin Shelton - Program Manager
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We're excited to highlight ACHIEVE's Transportation Coordinator and biggest cheerleader, Lisa Hoag!
Lisa has been with ACHIEVE for 11 years, and finds it gratifying to know that she has a role in enhancing the lives of individuals by giving them access to their programming and community through transportation.
For Lisa, she finds satisfaction in knowing that she is directly involved in ensuring that programs run smoothly, and that she contributes to the safety and wellbeing of staff and the individuals in their care every day!
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Meet Julye Bush
30 Years with ACHIEVE!
In addition to being a rewarding career, our Direct Support Professionals are constantly learning and growing in their roles.
Julye Bush, who started her career as a DSP at ACHIEVE over 30 years ago, shared her story of thriving and excelling at ACHIEVE, and the opportunities for growth she's experienced during her time here!
Looking to start your new and rewarding career with plenty of room to grow? Learn more about our Direct Support positions at www.achieveny.org/employment
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Congratulations to our August Employee of the Month, Day Habilitation Specialist, Irvelt Mystal!
Irvelt is a fantastic staff member that truly represents ACHIEVE. His positive energy and passion is felt in everything that he does, whether that's working with individuals in his care, doing a run, or even taking the trash out. He's never without a smile on his face and kindness radiating from him.
Irvelt never hesitates to step in to help someone that is struggling or just needs a little support, and his happiness goes a long way towards calming those around him and deescalating difficult situations.
Congratulations, Irvelt!
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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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