w w w . a c h i e v e n y . o r g S u m m e r 2 0 1 6

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO OF ACHIEVEEveryone,

Summer is unfolding around us, and I am certain that everyone is enjoying the warmth and sunshine brought by the beautiful summer days.

We at ACHIEVE continue to be busy.

We continue the implementation of Person Centered Planning for all of our services. As a Council on Quality Leadership Accredited agency, it is our priority to assist the individuals we support to attain their dreams, wishes and desires to the fullest extent possible.

We have been engaged in a management services agreement with our sister chapter in Norwich, Chenango County ARC, and believe that there are great synergies between our two organizations. We will continue to pursue opportunities to partner and work together over the next several months.

Our Annual Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony was held in June, and WE SOLD OUT! It was, quite possibly, the best one ever. All who attended the event had a wonderful time, and we want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to celebrate with us!

Our organization could not continue to grow and be successfull without all of you, our staff, families, donors, volunteers and individuals we support! A very heartfelt thank you for everything you do to make ACHIEVE a premier organization. We couldn’t do it without you!

Enjoy your summer!

Warm regards, Mary Jo

Agency Board of DirectorsEllen Feldman, President

Dave Sebastianelli, 1st Vice PresidentNicki French, Secretary

Daniel Ballard, TreasurerRobert Salankiewicz, Assistant Treasurer

Dave AlamoStephen Campbell

Lisa DolphinKelly Eurillo

Colleen FriendsClark GiblinJim Hayes

Dorollo NixonCarolyn Nytch

Jim SavageKathy Sheehan

Gary ShayJohn StevensJamie Striley

Foundation Board of DirectorsJeffery Lake, Chairperson

Denis Wickham, Vice ChairpersonSandra Michael, PhD, Secretary

Ed Parsons III, Treasurer

Douglas R. JohnsonJim Hayes

John Stevens

Bob PassMarcia CranerEllen Feldman

Executive Management TeamMary Jo Thorn, Chief Executive OfficerAmy Howard, Chief Operating OfficerColleen Kania, Chief Financial Officer

David Markie, Vice President CVI and Facility OperationsLisa Whitney, Vice President Programs

SUMMER 2016 Table of Contents

2 Core Room 3 Chicks

2 In Memory of Mike Costick

2 Mark Rifenbury BU STAR Award

2 Roof Project at Cutler Pond Road

3 ACHIEVE Employees Volunteer at Our Space

3 Country Valley Industries

3 Tioga Painting

4 Brittany Hall & Tioga Day Hab Release Painted Ladies

4 Employment Opportunities

4 John Stevens Award

5 Riverside Drive Landscaping Project

5 Planned Giving

6 Dinner Dance

7 Cutler Pond Greenhouse

7 Bowling Tournament

Mary Jo Thorn Chief Executive Officer

ACHIEVE held its Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, June 3, 2016 at the McKinley at Huron Campus and would like to recognize and congratulate the newly elected board members: Stephen Campbell is a Vestal High School graduate and has a B.A. in History from Rutgers University and his Master’s in Education from Binghamton University. Stephen is a Financial Advisor at the Eurillo Campbell Group at Morgan Stanley. He currently resides in Endwell with his wife Stephanie and son Joshua.

Clark Giblin earned his Associates Degree of Applied Business from the Golf Academy of America. Clark is an Account Executive with Harding Brooks Insurance specializing in commercial business. He currently resides in Johnson City with his wife Jamie.

In addition, ACHIEVE would like to welcome Jeffrey Lake as the new Chairperson and Edgar Parsons III as the Treasurer of the ACHIEVE Foundation Board of Directors. The ACHIEVE Foundation raises money to support special projects for ACHIEVE and an endowment – which provides long-term financial resources for the organization.Jeffrey Lake is a Binghamton High School graduate and earned his B.A. from Eastern College. He is the Regional President of NBT Bank. Jeff currently resides in Binghamton with his wife Cindy and children Patrick, Jennifer and Matthew and brings financial and managerial expertise to the Foundation.

Edgar Parsons III graduated from St. Lawrence University and is currently a Relationship Manager for M&T Bank. He lives in Binghamton with his wife, Diane, and two daughters, Lauren and Kathryn. He brings more than 36 years of experience in the banking industry, as well as financial, investment, and community knowledge to the board.

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In Memory of MIKE COSTICK

Caitlin Ropp, Kristin Phillips and Core Rooms 3 and 8 Hatched Chicks!Caitlin and Kristin worked with Apalachin Farmer Paul Reed to coordinate caring for and hatching chicks from eggs with Core Rooms 3 and 8 at ACHIEVE’s Cutler Pond Facility.  Paul and his sister graciously donated 3 dozen eggs to the core rooms on March 18th.  Everyone anxiously watched the incubator and on Wednesday April 6th following an all-day hatching process the first 4 Chicks appeared from their eggs.  13 more chicks hatched the next day bring the total to 17 chicks! The 17 newly hatched chicks loved all of the attention from everyone at ACHIEVE wanting to be held, pet and stay warm snuggling in their nests in the Core Room 3/8 office area.  Once the chicks had finished hatching and grew bigger they went back to Paul Reed’s Chicken farm in Apalachin.

Mark Rifenbury receives Binghamton University’s Human Resources’ STAR AwardMark Rifenbury received Binghamton University’s Human Resources’ STAR Award for excellent service to the University community. The STAR Award (Service Tradition Award Recognition) recognizes, affirms and supports examples of outstanding quality service by any faculty or staff member within the university community. Mark was nominated by the French Department Faculty and students who meet every Tuesday night in the College in the Woods Dining Hall. Mark’s work was recognized for his attention to

detail in setting up their club meeting space. At the STAR Award ceremony, faculty, students and the Sodexo management gathered to announce Mark’s award and show their appreciation for his hard work.

Joseph “Mike” Costick devoted 12 years of his life to ACHIEVE, touching the lives of both program participants and staff.  Mike provided the “good morning” greeting to many individuals as an ACHIEVE bus driver, welcoming all — and on many days being the first to person to arrive at Cutler Pond. 

Mike also worked part-time as a Direct Support Professional in the Day Habilitation Program where he always shared his great smile and wonderful stories.  Mike will be remembered well by all and he will be deeply missed by the ACHIEVE family he developed over the years.

Mike is survived by Carol, his loving wife of 38 years, and his three sons —Joe, Tim, and Keith.  Mike is also survived by his grandchildren—Noah, Mckayla, Lucas, Adrianna, Lia, Miranda Alexandra & Ghustycee.

Forever and always in our hearts!!!! We will miss you and your sense of humor MIKE!!!

Jennifer Webster holds one of the newly hatched chicks

Roof Project at Cutler Pond RoadACHIEVE’s facility at Cutler Pond Road has a new roof! Heavy rains and many hard winters had taken a toll on the roof that led to some leaks developing inside the building. Contractors replaced over 31,000 square feet over the course of May and into June. The cost of the project was $277,500 to ensure all programs take place in a safe environment.

This project was made possible through grants from George A. and Margaret Mee Foundation, The Dr. G. Clifford and Florence B. Decker Foundation and the ACHIEVE Foundation. These charitable organizations have been crucial to the success of many of ACHIEVE’s projects and we are very grateful for their generous support.

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ACHIEVE Employees Volunteer at Our Space ProjectOn Saturday, May 7th, twelve ACHIEVE employees and friends volunteered their time to help build a playground for people of all abilities. “Team ACHIEVE” represented a small part of over 500 volunteers who worked to build the playground at Recreation Park in Binghamton. Volunteers cut boards and put up railings for this fully inclusive, 4 acre playground. Lunches for everyone were donated by various restaurants throughout the community build process.

The playground is the only one of its kind in our region and opened up to the public on June 7th.

Amantha Powell and Julye Bush working hard to help build Our Space at Rec Park

Country Valley Industries welcomes Palmer Street Press as a new client. Palmer Street Press is a small paper goods and stationary shop owned by Gillian Rhodes and operated out of her home in Endicott, New York.

Gillian is a graphic designer who worked for larger card companies but found her niche market by creating high quality, beautiful cards with her own specialty designs. Her line can be found at www.palmerstreetpress.com.

Palmer Street Press is looking to CVI for one stop service. We are working with Gillian to package and provide direct shipping services to her customers.

Cindy Dillemuth and Cathie Messersmith packaging cards for Palmer Street Press

Tioga Painting

Thank you to Catholic Charities Teen Transitional Living Program for volunteering their time to help paint Day Habilitation and

the Lobby at the ACHIEVE Tioga facility.

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Employment Opportunities at

ACHIEVE

If you are interested in a career

with ACHIEVE, call us at 607-723-8361 or go to our

website to learn more and to complete an application.

www.achieveny.org

ACHIEVE is a committed

equal opportunity employer.

Are you ready for new challenges and new opportunities?

Are you compassionate, caring, and motivated?

Are you interested in making a difference in our community?

Would you like to work for a company that can offer you opportunities for growth and advancement?

Then consider joining our team at ACHIEVE!

We provide excellent full-time employee benefits, including:

• Health / Dental / Vision Insurance• 401(k) Plan• Employer-paid Life Insurance• Paid Time Off Package• Tuition Assistance

ACHIEVE offers a variety of direct support and

professional positions. On-site programming, residential, and community work settings are available. If you enjoy working

with people and helping your community, we

want to talk with you about great career

opportunities.

Tioga Day Hab raised and released Painted Lady Butterflies!  Brittany ordered 35 Caterpillars from www.NatureGifts.com.  The caterpillars were delivered to Tioga via mail where everyone had a cup that housed their caterpillar.  Once the caterpillars formed their Chrysalis they were moved into a hanging mesh cage located in the office window.  The Chrysalis took approximately 7 days to begin hatching, and they had 15 Butterflies.  Everyone in Tioga loved taking a few minutes each day to check on their Butterflies and participated in the Butterfly release outside Tioga Day Hab.

Betty Butler Holds her Butterfly

to ACHIEVE Foundation and Board of Directors member John Stevens on being awarded the 2016 Board Development Award at the Bizevents Nonprofit Awards Ceremony on March 31, 2016 in Syracuse.

John Stevens accepts award at 8th annual Nonprofit Awards on March 31, 2016

Congratulations

Brittany Hall and Tioga Day Hab Release Painted Ladies!

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Planned Giving Every year, more donors are discovering the benefits of supporting the ACHIEVE Foundation through their estate plans. These planned gifts are the cornerstones of our foundation and support the programs and services of ACHIEVE.

Ways to make a gift to the ACHIEVE Foundation:• Bequest • IRA • Stock and Securities • Real EstateFor more information regarding Planned Giving at ACHIEVE, please contact:

Bob Brazill, Development Officer(607) 231-5262 • bbrazill@achieveny.org125 Cutler Pond Road • Binghamton, NY 13905

Riverside Drive Landscaping Project

Thank you ACHIEVE Board Member Dave Alamo and the Binghamton Breakfast Rotary Club for volunteering

to landscape ACHIEVE’s Riverside Drive residence.

Joe Gould attends Bernie Sanders Rally at the Arena

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2016 Award Winners2016 Program Participants of the Year Hammond Lou, Kim Titus, Daniel Hine, Shalease Foster, Monica Schuhle, Brenda LaBarron

2016 Special Recognition Award John Spisak

2016 ACHIEVE Star Performers Louise Schabloski, Edward Valentin, Suzanne Rugar

2016 Employee Team of the year Sunset Drive IRA : Loretta Kinner, Hilary Huttleston, Jordan Colon, Jean Curry, Becky Wolcott, Holly Klimuszka, Megan Stanard, Robin Price

2016 Community Service Award Shirley Jackson

2016 Company of the Year Frito Lay

2016 Supported Work Employer of the Year Cracker Barrel

Presenting Sponsor: Excellus BCBS

Red Carpet Sponsor: Brown & Brown Empire State

Photo Booth Sponsor: Tioga Downs

Award Sponsor: The Medicine Shoppe

Social Hour Sponsors: Jill & Carter King, NYSID, Chemung Canal Trust, American Food & Vending

Table Sponsors: BOCES, John Stevens & Anne Catalano, Assemblyman Clifford Crouch, Rockwell Collins, Wickham Family, Dibble Family, Vibrant Creative, Eurillo Campbell Group at Morgan Stanley, Lachman & Gorton, Feldman Family, Tioga State Bank, Bates Troy, Artic Bear Plumbing & Heating, KW Fitness, Linder Bible Study Group, Daniel K. Ballard

Hammond Lou Day Habilitation

Participant of the Year

Sunset Drive IRA Employee Team of the Year

Cracker Barrel Supported Work Employer of the Year

Frito Lay Company of the Year

John Spisak Special Recognition

Award

Shirley Jackson Community Service

Award

Edward Valentine ACHIEVE Star Performer Community Habilitation

Sue Rugar ACHIEVE Star Performer Day Habilitation Trainer

Louise Schabloski ACHIEVE Star Performer

Human Resources Generalist/

Representative

Monica Schuhle Family Support Services

Program Participant of the Year

Brenda Labarron Medicaid Service

Coordination Program Participant of the Year

Kim Titus CVI Employment Center Participant of the Year

Shalease Foster Residential Services

Programr Participant of the Year

Daniel Hine Supported Employment

Program Participant of the Year

Thank Youto everyone that attended ACHIEVE’s 62nd Annual Dinner Dance presented by Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.  

More than 380 guests attended this year’s Annual Dinner Dance, which was held on Friday, June 3, 2016 at The McKinley at Huron Campus in Endicott.  The evening’s festivities were highlighted when ACHIEVE

CEO Mary Jo Thorn, Senator Fred Akshar and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo presented all of ACHIEVE’s annual awards to individuals, staff members, local businesses

and community members.  It was a great evening spent honoring all of ACHIEVE’s award winners, dancing and celebrating

with our friends, family and community.  

You can see all the pictures from the evening on ACHIEVE’s Flickr site:  www.flickr.com/photos/achieveny

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Cutler Pond GreenhousePlease meet Jesse Morgan. Jesse joins us from AmeriCorps and is looking to extend his knowledge and gain additional field experience in sustainable agriculture, specifically urban farming, forest farming and growing perennial crops. Jesse will oversee our Day Habilitation Greenhouse located at the Cutler Pond facility until the end of August. Jesse comes with a wealth of knowledge and creative ideas! It is not uncommon to see our program participants outside helping Jesse plant seeds and watering the flowers.

Jesse is working towards his Associates degree in Sustainable Crop Production a then looking to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences. His experience includes but is not limited to: greenhouse infrastructure, perennial food plants for temperate zones and temperate forest gardening, soil sampling, knowledge of pests and IPM strategies (weeds, insects and fungal pathogens), experience with hydroponic tomatoes and lettuce, calculating plant density and row spacing, experience in vegetable, fruit and gourmet mushroom cultivation, caring for tropical plants and nursery stock, floral design, and landscaping.

Jesse will also be joining the Day Habilitation program participants and staff at the Farmers Market on Wednesdays 9:30am-12:00pm, located in front of the Vestal library. They will be selling plants, produce, and flowers grown in the greenhouse, and dog treats and crafts, made by Day Habilitation program participants.

We hope to see you there!

Jesse Morgan working in the ACHIEVE Greenhouse

Thank Youto everyone that came out for ACHIEVE’s 21st Annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Classic presented by Visions Federal Credit Union. More than 240 guests attended this year’s bowling tournament, which was held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Midway Lanes in Vestal.  Bowlers were joined by Baxter the Bearcat and various Star Wars characters as Bob Warner welcomed guests to the event featuring great bowling, and raffle drawings including a 50” TV and Grill donated by Warner’s Gas Service.  It was a great afternoon and helped to not only raise money, but to raise agency visibility and make people more aware of the work we do.

to everyone that attended ACHIEVE’s 62nd Annual Dinner Dance presented by Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.   More than 380 guests attended this year’s Annual Dinner Dance, which was held on Friday, June 3, 2016 at

The McKinley at Huron Campus in Endicott.  The evening’s festivities were highlighted when ACHIEVE CEO Mary Jo Thorn, Senator Fred Akshar and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo presented

all of ACHIEVE’s annual awards to individuals, staff members, local businesses and community members.  It was a great evening spent honoring all

of ACHIEVE’s award winners, dancing and celebrating with our friends, family and community.  

Matt Feldman and members of the Garrison Excelsior, 501st Legion at the 21st Annual Bob Warner Pin Crushing Bowling Tournament

Presenting Sponsor: Vision Federal Credit UnionBay Sponsors: Brown & Brown Empire State, M&T Bank, NYSEG, Owego Hartford RailwayPizza Sponsor: Nirchi’sTeam Sponsor: Vestal Police Benevolent AssociationBanner Sponsors: Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, Hank’s Clothing for Men & Women, ICS, Bruans & Gramuglia, Donson Transportation, ENILane Sponsors: BOCES, Delta Engineers, WICZ Fox 40, Ahwaga Floors, Artic Bear Plumbing & Heating, Scott Smith & Son, Regional Clinical Research, Logowise, Tioga Hardwoods, Douglas Watson DDS, Tioga State Bank, McFarland Johnson, Brian Mathers, Southern Tier Veterans Support Group, Tioga State Investment Services, Hinman, Howard & Kattel, John Stevens & Anne Catalano, Matthews Auto Group, Gary & Deb Howard, Healthware Rental, National Pipe & Plastic, Murray’s Auto Service, Southern Tier Medi Van, Maximum Security, Miller Auto Team, J&R Upholstery, Feduke Ford, Donna Roo Real Estate

Thursday, September 1, 20166:00PM – 8:30PM

Savorthe

7th annual

Summer

Get Your Tickets Now

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit us at

www.achieveny.org

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBINGHAMTON, NYPERMIT NO. 198

A Big THANK YOU to ALL of Our Corporate Sponsors

125 Cutler Pond RoadBinghamton, New York 13905www.achieveny.org