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$1000 Family Donation to Schroon River Day Program Supports Family’s Desire to Purchase Teaching Tools /Current News
$1000 Family Donation to Schroon River Day Program Supports Family’s Desire
to Purchase Teaching Tools for Community, Work & Independence Site
The family of Ernie Converse, a participant at Schroon River in Warrensburg, a Community, Work & Independence day program for individuals who are developmentally disabled, donated $1,000 at Christmastime to help purchase teaching tools and new furnishings for Converse’s classroom, CWI President Stuart I. Rosenblatt, PhD, has announced.
Converse resides with his mother and father in Lake George. “Ernie Converse’s mother, Julia Woods, is an “active advocate for quality in program services,” says Penny Barlow, who directs the Schroon River program and is working CWI staff to determine how to allocate the funds.
Woods believes that technology is an important tool for individuals who are developmentally disabled and earmarked a portion of her donation to purchases that would help update innovation in Converse’s classroom.
“Woods is dedicated to raising awareness of the potential of individuals with disabilities and how their needs can be met,” said Barlow, emphasizing the importance of contacting Day Habilitation Division Director Donna Nichols at 518.793.4700 prior to donation of any item to a CWI site so she can assess its safety and appropriateness.
“We are grateful for the generosity of Julia Woods, and her desire to help us enlighten area communities about CWI programs and services, and our efforts to continually enhance them,” Rosenblatt stated, noting that CWI maintains numerous day habilitation programs in several counties.
JOHN GRIFFIN NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 2006 FOR COMMUNITY, WORK & INDEPENDENCE’S MANUFACTURING WORKSHOP PROGRAM, NORTH COUNTRY VENTURES /Current News
John Griffin was Employee of the Year 2006 for Community, Work & Independence’s manufacturing workshop program, North Country Ventures, CWI President Stuart I. Rosenblatt has announced. Griffin has been employed in the manufacturing program for three years as an assembler.
Each year the manufacturing workshop recognizes an employee who demonstrates “positive attitude, good work ethic, and helpfulness to fellow workers,” says Rosenblatt.
Presenting the award, George Phinney, Director of Manufacturing for North Country Ventures, praised Griffen: “John exemplifies the spirit of the award. He always comes to the job ready to work, and is positive and dependable.”
MANUFACTURING DIVISION, NORTH COUNTRY VENTURES, NAMED “A TOP PERFORMER” BY NEW YORK STATE INDUSTRIES FOR THE DISABLED /Current News
North Country Ventures, the manufacturing division of Community Work & Independence, has been named among the top ten performers of 91 manufacturing sites that employ adults with developmental disabilities, and that hold contracts through New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID), CWI President/CEO Stuart I Rosenblatt, PhD, has announced.
NYSID – a not-for-profit member agency organization – meets the purchasing needs of state and local government agencies while securing employment for New Yorkers with disabilities. The three decades-old organization is a clearinghouse for a state-wide network of community rehabilitation agencies that employ skilled people with disabilities in facility-based settings and community-based jobs to fulfill more than 1,000 contracts.
CWI’s North Country Ventures has been in business for 43 years, and produces clocks, calendars, staple removers, water-based and all-purpose correction fluid, roller ball correction pens, correction tape, toilet tissue, paper towels, white board cleaner and erasers, and glue sticks, among other products, says the program’s director, George Phinney. North Country Ventures’ 75 full-and part-time employees specialize in manufacturing, assembling, packaging and collating services.
“We are proud to have achieved this honor, and even prouder of our products and the people who produce them,” said Phinney. “North Country Ventures and Community, Work & Independence have a history of exceeding expectations for all people we serve and such recognition inspires and motivates individuals with disabilities to continue to excel.”
NEW DAY PROGRAM LAUNCHED AT DOWNTOWN SITE SERVES YOUTH BOUND FOR WORK /Current News
Destinations, Community, Work & Independence’s new day program, has opened at 88 Broad Street, CWI President/CEO Stuart I. Rosenblatt, PhD has announced.
“Destinations is distinguished by its focus on youth with developmental disabilities, who are headed for employment or volunteer positions,” says Sally Hawley, Division Director for CWI’s supported employment services, including Competitive Edge, an employment agency for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Some Destinations participants have jobs or volunteer regularly. The program incorporates recreational and cultural activities, sometimes with other CWI day programs, to foster peer connections. Community integration is a focus, and includes activities like walking for exercise and fun at the Civic Center, exercising at Curves, shopping for Operation Santa Claus, cleaning at Amanda's House, delivering Meals on Wheels, volunteering in the clothing room at Salvation Army, cleaning at the YMCA, taking tours of local businesses, and participation in ceramics classes.
Additionally, participants tour job sites, hear speakers talk about opportunities they might pursue, and learn to use swipe cards to prepare for accountability. Destinations features three computers for practicing keyboarding and performing research, and exploring topics like handling money, shopping, cooking, group dining, nutrition and safe independence.
Transportation to and from Destinations is provided by CWI.
“We’re a safe place for socialization,” Hawley observes. “Destinations provides a peer group that often extends beyond program hours, something that is difficult to replicate after leaving high school.”
“Presently, there are eight young people, 18-21 years of age, at Destinations, with room for more,” Rosenblatt notes.
“We are proud to be able to help younger people with challenges spread their wings,” Rosenblatt says, adding, “Destinations is one aspect in a continuum of regional services for the developmentally disabled designed to help individuals achieve their potential and maximize their independence.”
NORTH COUNTRY ASSEMBLYWOMAN TERESA SAYWARD MEETS WITH COMMUNITY, WORK & INDEPENDENCE GROUP IN ALBANY /Current News
Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, who recently awarded a $7,500 member item grant to Community, Work & Independence for staff development, met with a group representing CWI last week to discuss the impact of Governor Spitzer’s new budget, as well as other issues related to the care of the developmentally disabled.
Representing CWI were President/CEO Stuart I. Rosenblatt, PhD; Michele Lavin, direct-care assistant at Empire Club, a day program for the developmentally disabled; Board Member and parent of an individual with developmental disabilities, Della Shiell; CWI Vice President Deb Rowell; Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward; and CWI Empire Club participant and self-advocate Sean Hagen.
Community, Work & Independence, Inc. (CWI) is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for and enhancing the quality of life, independence and community inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities; physical, psychological, social or economic disadvantages; and traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities or other special needs.
CWI offers day, employment, residential, home care, family support, transportation, transition, counseling, and clinical services; service coordination; volunteer opportunities; and experiences that promote choice, self-reliance, dignity, meaningful activity and individual achievement.
Established in 1963 and headquartered in Glens Falls, NY, CWI serves approximately 1,200 individuals each month in Warren, Washington, and northern Saratoga counties.
North Country Ventures Manufacturing Division of Community, Work & Independence Honors Bill Keays /Current News
North Country Ventures, the manufacturing division of Community, Work & Independence, honored Hudson Falls resident Bill Keays at his recent retirement after 29 years on the job. Director of Manufacturing for NCV, George Phinney, presented Keayes with a certificate and gold pin in recognition of his “dedication to hard work and who, over the years, has made it possible for North Country Ventures to meet its manufacturing goals.” Keays, originally from Hudson Falls, now will attend a CWI day program to enrich his retirement.
CWI’s North Country Ventures has been in business for 43 years, and processes clocks, calendars, staple removers, water-based and all-purpose correction fluid, roller ball correction pens, correction tape, toilet tissue, paper towels, white board cleaner and erasers, and glue sticks, among other products. North Country Ventures’ 75 full-and part-time employees specialize in manufacturing, assembling, packaging and collating services.
Pathways in Hudson Falls -- Community, Work & IndependenceDay Program for Young Adults – Honored by Kingsbury Firehouse /Current News
The Kingsbury Firehouse in Hudson Falls recently honored participants at Pathways with a recognition plaque, according to Community, Work & Independence President/CEO Stuart I. Rosenblatt, PhD. Pathways is a CWI day program that prepares young adults with developmental disabilities for work or volunteer opportunities.
According to Pathways manager April Boucher, “We have a very nice relationship with our neighbors at the firehouse. Pathways volunteers are involved in tasks there every Thursday, helping the firefighters by cleaning the facility from top to bottom, raking leaves in the spring and fall, baking holiday cookies, and decorating for holidays.”
“The Kingsbury Firehouse experience exemplifies how Community, Work & Independence interacts with the community,” said Boucher. “Individuals we serve have the opportunity to contribute to an important organization, and the organization, it turn, appreciates their efforts and let’s them know it. It’s a win-win.”
Firehouse staff often offers Pathways participants beverages and meals -- but a plaque to recognize consumers’ work and dedication was a surprise.
“This is a great example of one community organization helping another,” Boucher said.
YOUNG ADULTS’ TRIP TO SARATOGA SPRINGS DESIGNED FOR FUN AND SKILL-BUILDING IN TEMPLE KITCHEN July 2007
Destinations, a Hudson Falls-based group for young adults with developmental disabilities, traveled recently to Temple Sinai on Broadway in Saratoga Springs for a baking lesson in the Temple’s kitchen with Rabbi Jonathan Rubenstein. Additionally, the Rabbi talked to the gathering about the significance of baking bread, which is both useful and charitable, and has foundations in practical and spiritual practices.
Destinations is a day habilitation program offered by Community, Work & Independence, a private agency serving individuals with challenges in Warren, Washington and Saratoga County. Participants in Destinations are invited to return every Friday in July and August to work with Rubenstein, who will lead a similar activity at Destinations’s home base the morning of July 19.
Rabbi Rubenstein is co-rabbi of Temple Sinai with his wife, Rabbi Linda Motzkin. Together, they launched Bread and Torah, a project designed to bring diverse opportunities for learning to the community, including baking and scribal skills. Rubenstein’s Temple kitchen produces Slice of Heaven Breads and other foods weekly, relying on a volunteer crew to bake and distribute the goods.
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