E-News, The CTC Connection: June/July 2021

June/July 2021

Our Vision: Fulfilling the potential of all people with special needs.

The CTC Connection

AN E-NEWSLETTER OF CTC ACADEMY

Our Mission: Enhancing the lives of children and young adults with special needs, and their families, by providing an enriched educational, therapeutic and supportive environment.

UPDATE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear CTC Academy Families, Students and Staff,

It is my pleasure to have joined CTC Academy on June 1^st as Executive Director. I was truly honored to accept this opportunity and the past month has proven that the CTC mission is indeed a great fit.

Over the last thirty years, I have devoted my career to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families and the employees and caregivers who support them. I began my career at the ARC of Ulster providing both residential and community support to individuals with I/DD. I furthered my work following my passion, at Catholic Charities Disabilities Services, where I dedicated nineteen years advancing from: residential director, associate executive director and executive director. Most recently, I held the role of chief operating officer at Care Design NY, a care coordination organization for children and adults with I/DD. In addition to my professional experience, I served as a parent member for the Committee of Preschool Special Education (CPSE) and, for many years, I served on the Committee on Special Education (CSE).

Building upon CTC Academy’s great legacy, I am thrilled to be working alongside our board members, the competent and professional team already in place, students, families and community partners to pursue our goals developed to fulfill the potential of all people with special needs. I also greatly appreciate that I have had the chance to work closely with Mary Bosco, Director - previously the Interim Executive Director - over the past month during the transition.

I look forward to working with you - students, families, employees, volunteers, partners and neighbors - in the days ahead. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have questions, comments or if you would like to say hello at aogden@ctcacademy.org. Enjoy the beautiful summer days and for those coming back in July for our Extended School Year (ESY) Program – looking forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Anne Ogden

Executive Director

MESSAGE FROM MARY BOSCO, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Students, Families, Board of Directors, and Staff,

On the heels of a successful school year - albeit different from the norm(!) - and a successful 27th Annual Gala - online for the first time(!) - I would like to take a moment to celebrate the entire CTC Family.

My time here as your Interim Executive Director, and prior to that a CTC Board Member and a volunteer, has been a memorable and honored journey. Thank you for entrusting me with this opportunity to lead and support such a wonderful and respected organization. Working alongside all of you has been both energizing and truly rewarding. Together, we have faced a number of unprecedented situations but your expertise, commitment, and support have always played a part in every decision.

As I leave you in the very capable hands of your new, permanent Executive Director, Anne Ogden, know that I will always retain a part of CTC in my heart. Thank you all again for your support, trust, and most of all the very special memories of this great CTC Family.

With sincere gratitude,

Mary Bosco

MESSAGE FROM CTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

On behalf of the CTC Board of Directors I want to thank the CTC students, families, staff and supporters for their resilience during a most challenging time. The board met and worked consistently throughout the pandemic to talk through and decide issues that had never been presented before.

It was uncharted territory but I’m so proud to say that since September, together as a team – staff, board, volunteers and donors - together, we were able to offer in-person school and therapies to students as frequently and as safely as possible.

Thank you to Mary Bosco, Interim Executive Director who seamlessly stepped in and led the organization and a warm welcome to Anne Ogden, Incoming Executive Director of The CTC Academy who has hit the ground running! I wish you all a safe and wonderful summer!

Sincerely,

Jon Mach

President, CTC Board of Directors

THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT

The CTC Academy Staff and Family Picnic will be taking place this year on Saturday, September 11^th, from 12:00-3:00pm. The Oakland Elks has graciously offered to sponsor this event at their facility and will be providing all the food and entertainment including a live band, balloon artist, snow cones and more! If interested in attending, please RSVP directly to your school social worker: Kimberly Martiak (Oakland campus) or Delmarie Alvarez (Fair Lawn campus).

Click HERE for more information!

Thank you to all who participated in CTC Academy's 27th Annual Online Gala - Resilient.

With approximately 350 attendees joining us online (including some fun family watch parties) we were able to raise over $280,000 to support our students, families and our mission.