Our congratulations to Dr. Holly Brown, the new executive director of the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing at St. John Fisher University. She succeeds Dr. Dianne Cooney Miner, founding director of the Institute, who has moved into the role of senior advisor.

Brown joined the Institute in 2019 as associate director and serves as associate professor in the Wegmans School of Nursing. She also maintains a part-time clinical practice as the senior psychiatric nurse practitioner at Hillside. 

The Institute was established in 2018 with a gift of $5.8 million from Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation to transform the quality of care and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities regionally, nationally, and internationally by training nursing professionals in field-specific skills and knowledge. Read more

The Golisano Foundation and WXXI were honored to receive Starbridge's "Community Champion Award" in recognition of the work done by Move to Include™ to promote inclusion in all aspects of our communities. Move to Include™ is a multimedia initiative founded in 2014 by WXXI and the Golisano Foundation. Through WXXI's power of public media, the initiative ensures that a diverse set of voices is heard on the air, online, and in digital and community spaces. The Foundation has provided more than $2.1 million in funding to date for Move to Include™. WXXI President and CEO Norm Silverstein and Erica Dayton accepted the award at Starbridge's Cause for Celebration Event on October 18th. Learn more about Move to Include™ programming.

Photo: Special Olympics Chairman Dr. Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics athlete Billy Seide with the Pardes Humanitarian Prize, Golisnao Foundation Executive Director Erica Dayton, and Special Olympics New York CEO Stacey Hengsterman.

Special Olympics has been awarded the prestigious Pardes Humanitarian Prize by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation for its profound impact on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities worldwide through year-round sports training and athletic programs. Tim Shriver expressed his gratitude and highlighted the shared dedication of Special Olympics and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation in promoting inclusivity and acknowledged the invaluable partnership with the Golisano Foundation in advancing Special Olympics global health initiatives. Read more

Foundation Executive Director Erica Dayton was featured in this month's (585) Magazine Article, A rising tide: Local women work to elevate the Rochester community. The story focuses on a new generation of leadership at four of Rochester's foundations.  Read story

Finger Lakes SPCA receives $10,000 grant for medical supplies

GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester awarded grant from Golisano Foundation for new Career and Communications program - Rochester Business Journal

Avow Awarded $2,600 Grant From Golisano Foundation Bailey And Friends -- Avow Hospice - MENA

Photo: From David's Refuge, which provides respite, resources, and support to parents and guardians of children with special needs or life-threatening medical conditions where they will be refreshed, restored and renewed in their role as caregivers.

Grants were awarded in October 2023 to the following organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.

Gliding Stars

$20,000 to support adaptive ice skating for 150+ developmentally and intellectually disabled young adults in both Western New York and Rochester, New York programs.

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

$16,500 to support the Care and Wellness Program bringing accessible, therapeutic, and impactful musical experiences from RPO musicians directly to those living with IDD.

Rochester Hearing and Speech Center

$20,000 to provide monthly therapeutic EI Play Date Group Sessions to children and families on the Monroe County EI waitlist. Services provided play-based observation and parent training in collaboration with Nazareth College and Monroe County Early Intervention Services Program.

David's Refuge

$18,000 to support overnight respite, education, resources, connection, and support for parents and guardians of children with IDD in Syracuse and Rochester, NY.

See Grants for more information

Grants were awarded in October 2023 by Bailey and Friends to the following organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.

Finger Lakes SPCA

$10,000 to purchase essential surgical equipment including an adjustable Exam Table, mobile Anesthesia Unit, Surgical Light, and Microchip Readers to increase an animal’s quality of life and decrease companion animal overpopulation.

ROC The Dogs Rescue, Inc.

$8,000 to be used towards medical care which will cover spaying / neutering, vaccinations, surgeries, dental care, and medications for dogs that were rescued and rehabilitated in preparation for adoption.

Full Hearts Cat Rescue

$6,000 to be used towards basic and emergency veterinary care required for kitten and cat rehabilitation in preparation for adoption, as well as for the purchase of food for kittens and cats in foster care.

Brindle Posse Rescue

$5,400 to be used towards the medical and emergency veterinary care associated with taking care of senior dogs and dogs entering hospice while living out their lives comfortably with foster care volunteers.

For more grant information, see Bailey's Champs.