Inspire`s Rainbow Of Colors Shines At Orange County Park The

Summer 2008
Opportunities, Resources, Inspiration.
Debbie Major sings along with Inspire’s 2008 graduating class.
Inspire’s Rainbow
Of Colors Shines At
Orange County Park
On June 20th, Inspire held its 2008 Graduation and Moving
Up Ceremony at Thomas Bull Memorial Park. Each class
was represented with a colorful hand-made banner that
hung under the pavilion where the ceremony took place.
Inspire Vice Chairman of the Board, Tom Fay, welcomed
the excited preschoolers from Inspire Kids and the Golden
Apple Preschool, their families, teachers, and Inspire staff
members. Inspire’s Vice President of Education, Edna
Cintron, proudly announced the names of the graduates
from each class. Each student was wearing a brightly
colored shirt to represent his or her own class. A slideshow
displayed many of the great moments the children shared
at school, and Inspire Kids Music Teacher Debbie Major
and the children sang their favorite songs. Ending the
ceremony was a walk down the path of stars leading them
on their way to Kindergarten. Congratulations graduates!
After finishing the race in Port Jervis, NY
the Super Kids car is on to Akron, Ohio.
The Race Is On
The Port Jervis PBA Soap Box Derby was held on June
6 and new to the derby this year was the Super Kids
Division, which allows kids with disabilities the chance
to get the thrill of racing. This annual derby is the second
largest of its kind in the world and Inspire sponsored a
Super Kids car this year. Like the other divisions, the
Super Kids race will follow the other divisions and send
their own champion on to Akron, Ohio to take part in
the All American Soap Box Derby “Super Kids Classic.”
In The News...
President’s Report:
Inspire Board of Directors
Helen Richards, Chairman
Tom Fay, Vice-Chairman
Mary Ellen Rogulski, Treasurer
Suzanne Schindler, Secretary
Mary Lee Berry, Immediate Past Chairman
Donna Benson
Alan Bernstein, MD
Mary Ann Bloom
Paul Broadie II
Nancy K. Burlew
Katharine Fitzgerald
Dennis Greenwald
Renee Greenwald
Glen L. Heller, Esq.
Stephen Napolitano
Donna E. Roe
Doug Sanders
John J. Sergi
Anne Striphas
Allen Zick
Honorary Board Member
Joan Kaplan
Emeritus
Doris K. Weinberger
President & CEO
Marcel Martino
Medical Director
Lucy H. Swift, M.D.
Management Staff
Edna Cintron, Assistant Vice-President, Education
Ed Foddrill, Vice-President, Facilities
Rita Frey, Vice-President, Organizational Support
Jeanne Herbert, Vice-President, Programs
Laura Moran, Vice-President, Finance
Inspire Foundation
William J. Devitt, Chairman
William C. Myers, Vice-Chairman
Marcel Martino, Secretary
Tim Dempsey, Treasurer
Anthony Ingrassia
Barbara Scherr
John Sears
Success is written and edited by Mindy Circelli in
the Community Relations Department at Inspire.
If you are receiving more than one copy of the
Newsletter, if your address is changing, or if you
have information that would be of interest to the
readers of Success call (845) 294-7300 ext. 235 or
write to: Community Relations, Inspire, 2 Fletcher
Street, Goshen, NY 10924. You may also send us an
email at [email protected].
For more information about Inspire and its services,
please visit www.inspirecp.org.
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As we entered the summer months, we celebrated the
graduation of the children from Inspire Kids along with
the children moving up to the next grade. This year, we
incorporated the children from our Newburgh site in the
graduation/moving up ceremony bringing the number of
children participating to 170!
Marcel Martino
The Coordinated In-Home Support Program is a new program in which Inspire
is participating with five other agencies in Orange County. We, along with the
other agencies, are providing Residential Habilitation and Home Respite to
many new neighbors between the ages of 4-18. Currently, we are serving 19 of
the 85 recipients of these services.
Our Sensory Garden has moved forward with the second phase of development
and was the site where we recently hosted our Green Thumbs Luncheon. As a
work in progress, we will continue to enhance the garden throughout 2008. An
update on a few of our previous projects: EMODS is a program where we provide
coordination for people who need modification to their homes because of a
disability. The program is sponsored and funded through the local DDSO of the
State of New York. We have been involved in 13 modifications to date. Another,
more recent program, is the dispensing of Hearing Aids with primary emphasis
for Medicaid neighbors. We have dispensed nearly 100 hearing aids to date. Our
Assistive Technology Program, sponsored by Orange County Early Intervention
has grown tremendously. Through our Physical Therapy Department, we are
providing evaluations and recommendations for Assistive Tech equipment
for young children. We look forward to a number of new directions for Inspire
during the balance of this year.
I want to thank the entire staff for their continued dedication and the excellent
services they provide to the many children and adults that look to Inspire for
assistance.A special thank you to the Rehab Center,Physical Therapy,Occupational
Therapy, Speech, Audiology, and Psychology Staff who have made a special effort
during a difficult financial time which has impacted this area of Inspire.
Inspire Announces Upcoming Focus Groups
President & CEO Marcel Martino has announced that Inspire will be holding
Focus Groups in the Orange County area and is seeking participation from
anyone in the community who is interested. “The focus groups will provide a
forum for the general public, including people with disabilities, family members,
people working in the field of disabilities, medical personnel and others, to tell
Inspire how we are doing, and to offer ideas and input on how our future efforts
can best impact the disabilities community,” said Mr. Martino.
Anyone who is interested in participating is invited to phone Inspire for
information on dates and locations of the focus groups.“Participants will not be
obligated in any way; this is simply our way of putting our finger on the pulse
of what is good and what is needed, right here in Orange County,” Mr. Martino
said.“We want to hear from you,” he said. For more information please call (845)
294-7300 ext. 223.
And The
Youth
Award
Goes To...
…Allison Theresa Murphy, a former Inspire Kids
Preschool student, who recently received the
“Spirit of Success” award. According to the Orange
County Youth Bureau, this award is presented to
a young person who has experienced a physical
or medical difficulty, has demonstrated success
and is a positive role model to others. Allison
was nominated for the award by her Pine Tree
Elementary School Principal, Mary Eppolito, and her
teachers, Deborah Careccia and Kelly Braunagel.
Due to disabilities she has had since birth, Allison
receives a variety of services throughout her school
day including special education, physical therapy,
occupational therapy, vision therapy, speech and
adaptive physical education.
Allison recently graduated from 5th grade at Pine
Tree Elementary in Monroe, NY where she is just like
any other young girl her age. She enjoys having her
nails painted, playing soccer, participating in jump
rope, singing in the school chorus, attending Girl
Scouts, baking, and shopping. Allison gets around
in her wheelchair that she takes great pride in
when her Mom, Laurie Murphy, colorfully decorates
it to holiday themes throughout the year. Allison
and her Mom have transformed her wheelchair
into everything from Herbie the Love Bug to a cell
phone for Halloween. Allison also possesses a great
sense of humor that recently shined at a talent
show where she took to the stage to tell jokes at
her school.
Allison Murphy receives “Spirit of Success” award from Orange County Executive
Edward A. Diana with proud Mom Laurie Murphy by her side.
“Her positive outlook on life greatly impacts our
classroom environment,” says Pine Tree Teacher
Deborah Careccia. Allison stays inside during
recess to play board games and there is actually a
waiting list of friends to choose from that want to
stay in with her. Pine Tree Principal Mary Eppolito
says, “Some other students who have had difficulty
making friends or being nice to their peers seem to
be inspired by Allison.”Allison was recognized at the
2008 Youth Awards Luncheon held at The Brookside
Manor on June 6. Orange County Executive Edward
A. Diana presented her with the award and she has
also been acknowledged with certificates from
state legislators including Senator William J. Larkin.
She received her award with her Mom by her side
and her equally proud Dad cheered her on from
behind the video camera. When asked how she
felt about receiving this award she said, “I had a
shocked face!”
After meeting Allison we would all agree with
her teacher, Kelly Braunagel in saying, “In life, we
are all faced with challenges and obstacles –
Allison has taken her own personal challenges
and molded them into an inspiration of hope,
success, and achievements.” Inspire wishes Allison
the best of luck as she prepares for sixth grade in
September. Her smile and enthusiasm will certainly
be brightening the lives of her fellow students and
friends at the Monroe Woodbury Middle School.
Congratulations Allison!
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Cozy Nights
Thanks To Inspire
Pajama Drive
The Pajama Drive held by Inspire from March through April
was a great success! Inspire received over 500 pajamas from
agencies, school districts and friends in the community. All
pajamas collected by Inspire were distributed to children
from various agencies and organizations across Orange
County that can use the extra assistance. There was a
tremendous outpouring of support and Inspire would
like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who helped
make this possible.
Reading Specialist Susan Onofry from A.S.K. Elementary School in Port
Jervis receives pajamas for some children at her school from Inspire’s
Executive Assistant Terri Alesandro.
Inspire preschool students enjoy the many childrens books added
to their classroom library thanks to Borders Bookstore.
Books Galore Hit The
Doors Of Inspire Kids,
Thanks To Borders
Inspire President & CEO Marcel Martino receives one of the many cartons of
books from Borders Manager, Kevin Corcoran. Inspire Board Member Renee
Greenwald, who made the connection for Inspire to be the lucky recipient,
was also on hand.
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Thanks to the collaboration of Borders Bookstore
in Middletown, New York and the community, the
preschoolers at Inspire Kids were the recipients of over
1,000 books! For every donation between $2 and $6
that a customer made, a book was purchased for the
preschoolers at Inspire Kids. These children’s books will
continue to make a difference in the Inspire classrooms
for years to come.
Joshua Takes Home
A Gold And Silver
Joshua Lee, an Inspire Client, recently won a gold medal in the softball throw and a silver
medal in the 50m race at the Special Olympics held in May at West Point. We were so
pleased he shared this information with us. Way to go Joshua!
Joshua Lee proudly wears his medal earned at the Special Olympics.
10th Annual Golf
Tournament Has
Outstanding Turnout
Beautiful weather welcomed golfers to Inspire’s 10th Annual
Foundation Golf Tournament on May 5th at the Otterkill
Golf & Country Club in Campball Hall. The tremendous
participation and support from many businesses and
friends throughout the community helped to raise over
$30,000. The proceeds will support Inspire’s programs and
services for children and adults with disabilities. Thank you
to everyone who supported the tournament.
Inspire’s Board Chair Helen Richards, Board Member Mary Lee Berry, Foundation
Member Barbara Scherr and Pat Affron came out to show their support of the Inspire
Foundation Golf Tournament.
Inspire Took The
Pepsi Challenge
From left to right, Pepsi Bottling Group employee Kelly O’Mara nominated Inspire and
presented the $5,000 check to Inspire Board Member Nancy Burlew. Elizabeth Springsteen
and Mary McEvoy from the Voice Your Passion Committee and VP Pepsi Sweeteners, Global
Procurement Shami Goswami were also on hand.
Inspire was presented with a big check for $5,000
from Pepsi after being selected to participate in the
Voice Your Passion Community Fair held in Purchase,
Valhalla and Somers in mid May. Inspire was one of six
community organizations chosen to participate in Fairs
where Pepsi employees were given the opportunity to
talk with representatives from organizations working
with people who have disabilities. These employees
voted for the organization they felt was deserving of
the $5,000 which will support a PepsiCo-sponsored
event. With more than 1,150 votes cast, Inspire was
selected the winner!
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Shining Stars
Celebration
Come shine with us on November 22, 2008 at “The Inspire
Foundation Shining Stars Celebration.” Join us for an evening of
dining and entertainment to benefit Inspire and its services for
people with disabilities. Provident Bank will be a lead sponsor to
support this event with Inspire this year. The Inspire Foundation
will be honoring Doug Hovey, Independent Living, for his outstanding service to
people with disabilities and Kathy Fitzgerald, Provident Bank, for her exemplary
community service to Orange County. This event will be co-chaired by Bill Vacca,
Provident Bank,and Donna Benson,Orange County Clerk. Businesses throughout
the county are invited to reserve a space in our journal. The event will be held at
the Middletown Elks Lodge and seating is limited, so early registration is strongly
recommended. For more information, call (845) 294-7300 ext. 233.
SAVE THE DATE
Doug Hovey, Independent Living,
and Kathy Fitzgerald, Provident
Bank, will be honored at “The
Inspire Foundation Shining Stars
Celebration” for their outstanding
work to the community.
Inspire DVD
Making Its Debut
This fall, Inspire will be introducing its promotional DVD. This informational DVD will be used as a key
tool for speaking engagements to begin in September. These engagements will provide outreach to
the community to educate and increase awareness of Inspire’s services for people with disabilities
and their families. Target audiences for the DVD will be civic groups/service organizations, senior
citizens clubs, veterans administration, teachers, nursing association, medical society (physicians),
service coordinators/case workers, business leaders, realtors, ministerial association members,
and all interested community groups. Inspire hopes to make aware to the community the services
they can access locally and conveniently. If you have a group that is interested in an informational
presentation, please let us know so we can set a date with you. For more information please call
(845) 294-7300 ext. 233. Look for the Inspire DVD at a speaking engagement near you!
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Inspire’s Saturday
Respite Program
Continues To Grow
Inspire Kids
Golden Apple
Preschool Accepting
Enrollment For Fall
Golden Apple Preschool is now accepting enrollment.
The preschool is an integrated program in which
typically developing preschoolers from the community
and children with special needs learn in the classroom
together. There are half-day programs available for
the school year. Inspire offers speech, occupational
therapy and physical therapy if needed. Golden Apple
has a ratio of four children to one teacher and offers
a language-based program. Flexible scheduling is
available for two, three, or five days and children do
not have to be toilet trained to attend. Any interested
parent may call to arrange a visit to this wonderful
preschool enrichment program. Please direct your call
to (845) 294-8806 ext. 248.
Children at Saturday Respite enjoy a fun filled afternoon at Inspire’s playground.
Saturday Respite is a program for children with
developmental disabilities from ages 3 – 12. The children
are scheduled into two groups ages, 3 – 7 and 8 – 12,
which meet on alternating Saturdays from 12 noon until
5 p.m. Children enjoy social interaction, free play, and
other activities. Siblings are welcome to participate as
well. The program is designed with the whole family in
mind because it provides a safe environment in which
children can have fun and gives parents the opportunity
to attend to errands, other siblings, or to simply take the
time to relax. For more information on this program you
can call (845) 294-7300 ext. 239.
The Coordinated In-Home
Support Program Is Up
And Running
Inspire is now a provider of Coordinated In-Home
Supports, a specialized service designed for children
with autism in Orange County. This is a collaborative
effort with five other agencies, with oversight provided
by the Orange County Department of Mental Health
Development Disabilities Division. Inspire is working with
19 individuals between the ages of 4 and 18 throughout
Orange County who are enrolled in the program. For
more information, call (845) 294-7300 ext. 230.
Get Acquainted
With Inspire
Jeanne Herbert, Inspire V.P. of Programs, at right, gives a guided tour to guests
of Inspire’s facilities.
Get to know Inspire by taking a tour of our facilities during
one of our “Get Acquainted” tours. Held on the third
Tuesday of every month (except August and December)
at 9 a.m., these guided tours take you through Inspire’s
Outpatient Diagnostic and Treatment Center, as well as
the Inspire Kids Preschool. Learn first-hand how Inspire’s
services make a difference for children and adults with
disabilities. For more information or to sign up for a tour,
please call the Community Relations Dept. at (845) 2947300 ext. 235.
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NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 8604
NEWBURGH, NY
2 Fletcher Street • Goshen, New York 10924
An affiliate of Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State
www.inspirecp.org
Return Service Requested
Assistive Technology
Audiology Services
Dentistry
Environmental Modifications
Neuropsychology
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Residential Habilitation
Respite & Recreation
Service Coordination
Social Work Support
Speech & Language Pathology
Therapeutic Pool
Inspire Kids Early Intervention
Inspire Kids Preschool