Greetings supporters!
Summer is finally here, and with it comes time outdoors with family and friends, fun in the community and the fireworks of Fourth of July.
I’d like to take a moment and thank everyone who joined us on June 10th for our 67th annual Membership Meeting, Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony. After three years apart, this highly successful evening was a long overdue opportunity to thank and acknowledge our outstanding staff members, participants and community members for their dedication and support of the work of this organization, while giving everyone the chance to break out their dancing shoes. Pictures from the event can be found in this newsletter.
With our 2022 Dinner Dance concluded, planning turns to our largest event of the year, our 12th annual Savor the Summer, presented by M&T Bank. After cancelling this event last year due to a community COVID surge, excitement is building for the return to our Cutler Pond Road site on Thursday, August 25th from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. I invite you to join us for this highly anticipated evening of local wine, craft beer and gourmet fare. To learn more and purchase tickets, please click here or find more information below.
Once again, we’re in the final weeks of our 2022 Membership Campaign, running through August. For $1, you and your family can become Members of ACHIEVE and demonstrate your support for our organization and the individuals we serve. I personally ask you to consider becoming a Member and recruiting others to join as well. Joining our 2022 Membership Campaign is easy and information can be found in this month’s newsletter.
Thank you once again to everyone who joined us at this year’s Dinner Dance, and thank you to our community for your continued support. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
Best regards,
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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On June 10th, ACHIEVE held it's first in-person Dinner Dance and Awards Banquet since 2019, and it was a HUGE success! More than 350 individuals, including agency employees, individuals served, and their families, corporate sponsors, and local dignitaries attended this event.
Presented by Mirabito Cares and the ACHIEVE Foundation Board of Directors, this special event celebrates the accomplishments of individuals supported by ACHIEVE, our incredible staff, and community supporters. Everyone got to sit down and enjoy a terrific awards ceremony and an ACHIEVE Dance party afterwards hosted by DJ Johnny Only!
Ad Elements, ACHIEVE's Video Sponsor, once again produced the beautiful Award Videos seen throughout the evening. These incredible videos can be watched here. Photos from the event can be found on our Facebook page.
Thanks again to Mirabito Cares, the ACHIEVE Foundation Board of Directors, Ad Elements, The McKinley, and all of our corporate sponsors and community supporters for making the evening a success!
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2022-2023 ACHIEVE Board of Directors
Our Dinner Dance and Awards Banquet kicked off with our 67th annual Membership Meeting, and saw the election of our slate of officers to our Board of Directors, Nominating Committee and Board Members re-elected to a three year term.
Congratulations to Mr. Dave Chambers, Mr. Dennis Mirabito, Ms. Ellen Feldman, Dr. Gail Rattinger, and Mr. John Stevens for being re-elected to a three year term! Thank you for your continued leadership and support!
2022-2023 Slate of Officers
President: Dave Chambers, Chief Financial Officer, Delta Engineers
Vice President: Lisa Dolphin, Senior Managing Engineer, Shumaker Engineering
Secretary: Nicki French, Retired, United Way
Treasurer: Barbara Schindler, President/COO, Golden Artist Colors
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ACHIEVE Board of Directors President Dave Chambers |
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Nominees for the 67th Annual Dinner Dance |
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Congratulations again to our award winners at the 67th annual Dinner Dance!
We would like to also highlight our 2022 awards nominees for their tremendous hard work and compassion towards everyone they come into contact with! It's ACHIEVE's pleasure to congratulate the following individuals and groups:
- Riverside IRA - Team of the Year
- ACHIEVE's IT Department - Team of the Year
- Weis Markets - Employer of the Year
- Madeline Parker - Employment Services Participant of the Year
- Danielle Kolanda - Family Support Services Participant of the Year
- Ben Schoener - Residential Program Participant of the Year
- Debra Preston - Star Performer
- Celeste Barbara - Star Performer
- Greg Brewer - Star Performer
- Audrey Baker - Star Performer
- Natiera Wilson - Star Performer
- Tanezia Harris - Star Performer
- Carlena Hoover - Star Performer
- Lori Bailey - Star Performer
- Mary Dunlap - Star Performer
- Tara Packer - Star Performer
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Become a Member of ACHIEVE for just $1! |
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Our members give us a voice.
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The more members we have, the bigger our voice.
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By becoming a member, you show that you support ACHIEVE and our mission.
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There are no emails, no mailings - just proof of your support.
Please help us reach our goal of 1,500 members this year by signing up and please consider sharing your ACHIEVE story and recruiting others to join as members as well.
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If you contributed to our 2022 Annual Appeal, as a thank you,
your membership has already been renewed, but please consider signing up
your friends and family; the more members we have,
the stronger our voice!
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Hard Work and Birthdays at IHOP! |
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Shari has been working at IHOP through the ACHIEVE Supported Employment Training Program since September of 2021. She has proven that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. She has continued to thrive while working there and is learning new aspects of her job every week.
Shari’s tasks include bussing and cleaning tables, cleaning the window sills, stocking the To-Go packs and the sugar boats, filling syrup, rolling silverware and sanitizing menus for the customers.
Shari has become such a loved member of staff, that IHOP had to celebrate Shari’s birthday with her by throwing her a mini-surprise party. Shari had let all of her managers know that her birthday was coming, and her team wanted to surprise her. They made sure to get her a cake and had all the staff sing "Happy Birthday" to her. Shari was very surprised and happy that her team took the time out of their busy day to help her celebrate her birthday.
Shari continues to do well at her job and receives fantastic reviews from her managers every week. IHOP is just one of the many examples of great local businesses that are wonderful with supporting individuals and letting them pursue their happiness through meaningful employment.
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Looking to hire your next Shari? Contact Laura Thompson,
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Happy Birthday, Brittoni! |
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Brittoni had a bee themed birthday party with all of her friends at Chenango Day Habilitation!
All Brittoni's friends joined her in celebrating with an AWESOME birthday party!!
Happy birthday, Brittoni!
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Congratulation on your promotion!
Raffe Morehead - Director of Community Engagement
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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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In this installment of #WhyIACHIEVE, it's our pleasure to feature Anthony Malinovsky, an Employment Training Specialist who has been with ACHIEVE for two years!
To Anthony, the most enjoyable part about working for ACHIEVE is being there to make a difference in individuals' lives and help wherever he can.
Anthony strives to understand the needs and interests of the individuals he supports, and finds it rewarding when they've discovered their capabilities through exposure to different occupations that fulfill their needs.
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ACHIEVE With Us! Discover the Rewards |
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Go, Dana, go!
Congratulations to Dana for being chosen as Synergy Endwell's Champ of the Month!
Although he's only been with Synergy for a few months, he hit the ground running. Every session he is excited for whatever comes his way, and is always looking for another challenge to help train for Special Olympics.
Inspirational work, Dana! Keep it up!
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Howard and Rowdy the Rumble Pony! |
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Howard met a friend over at the Rumble Ponies baseball game!
Rowdy the Pony and Howard enjoyed taking a picture and catching America's past time together. No better way to end the day then catching a Rumble Ponies game and enjoying it with great company!
As always, thank you Rowdy and the Rumble Ponies organization for everything you do!
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ACHIEVE Awarded $94,724 in Grants
From NYSARC Trust Services
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ACHIEVE was incredibly fortunate to be the recipients of a combined $94,724 from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services to support our James M. Hayes Guardianship program and Recreation programs.
NYSARC Trust Services administers supplemental needs trusts (SNT) and pooled trusts that can make dramatic improvements to the lives of people with disabilities by enabling individuals to maintain eligibility for Medicaid and other means-tested government benefit programs. For 2022, NYSARC Trust Services is proud to fulfill its commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by awarding a total of $3,189,968 in grants to The Arc New York Chapters statewide.
This year, ACHIEVE received $64,724 to provide guardianship services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who would not otherwise have a legal guardian or advocate. Supported by Chapter staff and community volunteers, the James M. Hayes Guardianship Program currently provides guardianship supports and services, and is proud and ready to assist as a Standby or Alternate Standby guardian.
NYSARC Trust Services also awarded ACHIEVE $30,000 to support new recreational opportunities and enrich the lives of our participating individuals. In the past, these funds have been used to help fund our Summer and Recreation Respite Programs, and we’re incredibly grateful to NYSARC Trust Services for the consideration and support.
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Gearing Up For Summer Program! |
Summer Program is about to kick off at ACHIEVE!
Counselors are at Cutler Pond this week for training and preparation, gearing up to welcome students back next week, and we couldn't be more excited!
Keep an eye out on Facebook for more about Summer Program in the coming weeks!
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What has Len so excited you ask?
Why, just the tasty and delicious chocolate strawberries our On the Pond team made!
Every week our On the Pond Program has a Cooking Club, and each week they try out a different recipe!
They look delicious! Great work everyone!
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Kelly loves spending time in her community with her Community Habilitation provider, Tammie, and loves animals, so imagine how excited she was to volunteer some of her time at the Ross Park Zoo! Great job, Kelly!
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Georgetta Participates in The Arc Otsego's VOICE! Art Gallery! |
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Why's Georgetta smiling? Because she was invited again this year to participate in The Arc Otsego's 18th annual VOICE! art gallery on July 14th, and her diamond art pieces "The Tree of Life" and "Rose of America" will be on display at the Martin-Mullen Gallery at SUNY Oneonta!
The artwork is beautiful, Georgetta! Congratulations!
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What's that smell, you ask?
That's just our On the Pond Cooking Club whipping up some delicious food! Every week our the club thinks of some new, great recipes to cook and try out for themselves!
Awesome work, everyone!
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Our amazing team over at Cutler Pond Day Habilitation spent the day at Chenango Valley State Park for an afternoon trip outdoors to enjoy the sun, have some fun, and explore the great views our local community has to offer! |
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Helping Our Furry Friends |
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It's always great to help out our furry friends!
Chenango Day Habilitation had fun packing dog and cat food to help out with their local Helping Hands project!
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Thank You Gifts for Friends |
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Andrea and her Community Habilitation provider, Audrey, made thank you gifts for her friends Carol and Joanne, who jumped in to help her while she was recovering from surgery!
What awesome friends! Thank you, Carol and Joanne!
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Our Recreation Respite team has been really busy, especially with the new tie-dye shirts they made themselves!
Great work guys!
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Owego Strawberry Festival! |
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Our Recreation Respite Team and others enjoyed the local fun that was happening in our community!
Owego welcomed back their annual Strawberry Festival, and of course we had to pop by to enjoy the local cuisine, take some great pictures, and of course, eat some strawberries!
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With summer comes outdoor activities! Recreation Respite spent the day at Chuckster's playing mini golf, hitting baseballs, and the super daring tried the Bungee Trampoline!
It's safe to say we definitely put the FUN in Chuckster's Fun Park!
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HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4th OF JULY! |
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After three years apart, we’re excited to welcome everyone to join us for our biggest event of the year, our 12th annual Savor the Summer tasting event!
Presented by M&T Bank, this elegant evening on beautiful Cutler Pond features the area’s best wineries, breweries and restaurants, and will be held on Thursday, August 25th from 6 PM to 9:00 PM. We hope you’ll join us for another fun evening celebrating the closing days of summer!
For more information or to purchase tickets, click here!
Is your restaurant, winery or brewery interested in being featured at this year’s Savor the Summer? Contact ACHIEVE’s Director of Community Engagement, Raffe Morehead at [email protected] for more information.
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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 [email protected]
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Thank you 2022 Platinum Partners & Sponsors! |
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