Golisano Foundation awards major gift to Agency

Centerpoint
A Newsletter for Friends of Mary Cariola Children’s Center
Golisano Foundation
awards major gift to Agency
T
he Golisano Foundation has notified Mary
Cariola Children’s Center that it is awarding
the Agency a grant in the amount of $400,000.
This is the largest single grant the Agency has ever
received from a private foundation.
“We are ecstatic and humbled by the generosity of
The Golisano Foundation,” said Agency President
Karen Zandi. “This gift will be a linchpin to a major
upgrade in our residential program that will have a
significant positive impact on the quality of care for
our residents.” The gift is designated to support part
of Mary Cariola’s strategic plan which includes replacing the Agency’s oldest residential home located on
Browncroft Boulevard.
Summer 2016
Trustees of the Golisano Foundation visited the
Browncroft home and met residents and staff. They
were able to glean firsthand the significant impact
that this gift will have for current and future residents.
“This generous gift will promote self-sufficiency and
personal dignity . . . the fundamental ideals of The
Golisano Foundation,” Karen said. “When we purchased Browncroft, it met
the needs of our residents
and staff. The structure is
now 65 years old and the
needs of our residents have significantly changed.
Seven of our eight residents utilize wheelchairs, so additional room for maneuverability, recreational space
and furthering their independence in skills is needed.”
The Golisano Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the United States devoted exclusively to supporting programs for people
with intellectual disabilities. The foundation
was founded by B. Thomas Golisano, the
founder and Chairman of Paychex. •
Browncroft’s Habilitation Specialist
and Activities Coordinator Jim Huber
and Donovan are excited about
future plans for their home.
In this issue u
u Expanded
Medical
Suite
u Walking o
n Sunshine:
NEW locatio
n
u Cariola M
oments
u NYS Teach
ing
Certification
And much m
ore . . .
Annual Giving
Campaign nears goal
Y
Save the
Dates: 2016
30
JULY
25
SATURDAY
SEPT
SUNDAY
t
Mary Cariola Nigh
at Frontier Field
ne
Walking on Sunshi
Fundraiser
Centerpoint
Summer 2016
Editor: Joanne Fisher
Contributors and Photography:
Amanda Eggleston, Lauren Bevacqua,
Mel Carpino, Linda Henning, Fred Henry,
Kathy Howe, Jean Peyton,
Stacey Saracene and Emily Smith
Designer: Pinwheel Creative
Centerpoint is published four times
per year by the Agency Advancement
Department.
our support is needed to help Mary Cariola’s Annual Giving
campaign reach its $125,000 goal.
The direct mail campaign was launched in December with more
than 13,000 letters sent to Agency supporters. More than 650 donors
have contributed to the campaign and we are hoping that a few more
will contribute and help us raise
$20,000 to meet our 2016 goal.
Funds raised through this
campaign support various programs
that do not receive financing
through typical funding streams. Your gift will support therapies for
students, social work intervention and family support, and technology
for the classrooms and our six residential houses.
Donations to the Annual Giving Campaign can be made at
www.marycariola.org. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. •
Welcome to the Agency
Anne Francis, MD has been appointed as the Agency’s
new Medical Director. Dr. Francis is a Partner at Elmwood Pediatric Group and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at University of Rochester School of Medicine
and Dentistry.
In this advisory role, Dr. Francis will be a key consultant and provide oversight in the delivery of healthcare services throughout the Agency. Dr. Francis will
continue her work at Elmwood Pediatrics and URMC.
Mary Cariola Children’s Center is pleased to announce
the appointment of William J. Ansbrow as the
Agency’s new CFO and Director of Finance. Ansbrow
will oversee Finance Department operations and provide strategic vision for fiscal objectives and performance, business development, and operational
efficiencies.
Ansbrow most recently worked as the CFO for the
Rochester City School District and prior to that, the Director of Management and Budget for the City of Rochester.
Ansbrow replaces Irene Magee who will retire after 30 years of service
to the Agency. •
2 | Your gift helps in so many ways. Donate now at marycariola.org
Expanded Medical
Suite benefits
students and staff
A
newly expanded Medical Suite recently
opened at the Elmwood Campus. The additional 600 square feet has new amenities to
better serve staff and students, including dual entrances, private treatment areas with recovery
couches, an apothecary, and accessible doorways.
Medical equipment has also been upgraded.
The improved space showcases the high level of
nursing services provided at Mary Cariola on a daily
basis.
Anne Pawlowski, Mary Cariola Children’s Center
Lead Nurse emphasizes, “My staff’s skill level hasn’t
changed, but the physical transformation of the space
has created a calmer environment where the nursing
staff is able to further their student-centered approach to care. It makes a huge difference.”
The suite allows staff to encourage student independence while providing increased privacy and
dignity in all medical situations.
The suite features two treatment rooms to provide care for students with significant health concerns. Essential equipment is located in each room
allowing for efficiency, dignity and privacy. One of
the two treatment rooms has unofficially become a
respiratory room where students receive both scheduled and emergent breathing treatment. Each student’s respiratory medication, nebulizer units,
oxygen concentrator and suction machine are housed
in this space.
Elmwood’s medical suite averages about 40 student
visits a day, which includes illness and injury visits
and students who receive daily medications in the office. In addition, there are 70-80 students who require daily ordered services involving feeding tubes
and nebulizer treatments. Many of these students can
receive 2-5 services daily. By all accounts the Elmwood nursing staff can have contact with well over a
third of our students on any given day.
Future plans include expansion of the medical suite
on the East Henrietta campus. •
Donors Making a
Difference
The Apothecary in the new Medical Suite was
financed through a gift from The Klos Family
Foundation. The Foundation was created to
remember David Klos, the
first owner of Southside
Apothecary.
“Dave always believed
in providing quality care
that was specialized to his
customers’ needs,” explained his wife Christine
Klos. “When I was offered the opportunity to
dedicate an area of the Medical Suite, the medication room seemed the perfect tribute. It is
wonderful to see the children of Mary Cariola
being treated in a Medical Suite that can take
care of their individualized needs.” •
Above right: Nurses Megan Zimmer and Maria
Vayo check student medications in the new
apothecary. Right: Nurse Maggie Mannellino and
Princess share a laugh during a weight check.
Support our Back-to-School supply drive. Click “How can I help?” on our website. | 3
The 38th annual Sons of Fools Open to benefit
Mary Cariola was held Memorial Day weekend
at Greystone Golf Club.
We love giving tours! Physical Therapist Brooke
McAdam (right) gave mom Patty Redding and
grandfather Phil Saunders an up-close and
personal look at our school!
Cariola Moments
Over 80 volunteers converged on the Mary Cariola Campus and residences during
the United Way Day of Caring. Teams from Anderson-DuBose, Erie Insurance,
Excellus BC/BS, Paychex and Xerox worked on clean-up projects and a staff
cookout.
NYS Assembly Majority Leader Joe
Morelle toured the Agency and met
students and staff.
Destiny
received
a second
place
ribbon at
a Special Olympics bowling
competition at Roseland Bowl.
Congratulations, Destiny!
Left: Teacher Debbie
Knickerbocker and Elijah
thank musician Johnny
Bauer for entertaining at
the Elmwood Campus.
4 | Volunteers are always needed. For information, visit marycariola.org
The 2016 Prom was Out of This World. Thanks to the Fairy
Godmothers of Greater Rochester, Mirror Show
Management, Wegmans and the Cariola Prom Committee
for making it a stellar evening!
School Superintendent Christine Sheffer congratulates
Employee of the Year, Teacher Aide Tom Sullivan, at the
67th Annual Dinner.
Joe wants you to save the
date for Mary Cariola
Night at Frontier Field,
Saturday, July 30.
See website for event
information.
Thanks to Mary Cariola Board Chair Mark
Armbruster and the Rochester Rotary Team for
painting the first floor of our East Henrietta
Middle School building.
Don’t miss any Cariola news. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. | 5
Go to the head of the class:
Remembering
Friends
Francesca (“Frankie”) was a sweet
girl who was doted on by our staff.
Frankie had a calm
and gentle nature yet
also had sass and
spunk. She was a
“fashion plate,” never
without her nails done
or a coordinating pair of sunglasses.
She loved lights, bright color and
sound. Frankie is our little angel who
will never be forgotten!
We were saddened to hear of the loss
of longtime Agency supporter, parent
and Board Member
Harry Aceto. In
addition to his work
with the Board during
the 1960s, Harry was
always willing to
tackle special Agency projects. His
family was actively involved with the
Agency, holding paper drives and assisting with holiday parties. •
Staffers pass
State Certification Exam
T
he next steps in a career path can be uncertain. At Mary
Cariola, that path has now become easier to follow.
Rachel Torres, Denisha Walker and Denina Williams are
proof. These former Teacher Aides have recently completed requirements to become the first Teaching Assistants within the Agency. This
New York State Certification allows them to provide instruction to
students under general supervision of a certified teacher. The Teacher
Assistants will provide greater opportunities in the classroom while
the program supports Teacher Aides as they seek career advancement.
“Mary Cariola will always have a need for strong teacher aides,”
explained School Superintendent Christine Sheffer. “The addition of
teaching assistants into our classrooms allows us more flexibility in
the delivery of instruction. Together our teachers, teacher aides, and
teaching assistants will provide high quality instructional programs
specifically designed for individual students.”
The Agency paid for the training classes which involved local educators, online workshops, course work such as Dignity for All Students,
as well as the costs of the New York State Teacher Certification Exam.
The Agency is in the process of reviewing applications for the next
cohort group of Teaching Assistants. •
Above, left to right: Denisha Walker, Denina Williams and
Rachel Torres are the first in the Agency to pass the New York
State Teaching Certification Exam.
6 | Our team is growing. Apply online at marycariola.org
Walking on
Sunshine moves
to Penfield
M
ary Cariola’s largest fundraising event,
Walking on Sunshine, is moving to a new
location!
Join us Sunday, September 25, 2016 at Veteran’s
Memorial Park, 3100 Atlantic Avenue. The decision to
move to a Penfield Town Park was based on cost
savings and ensuring ample space for the
SEPT
event that continues to grow.
“We’ll eliminate security costs associated
with shutting down a city street and we
SUNDAY
won’t have to worry about parking
concerns,” explained Lauren Bevacqua, Special Events
Coordinator. “Veteran’s Memorial Park gives us more
space and therefore more opportunities for event
activities. I’m excited for this new chapter of
Walking on Sunshine.”
More than 1,200 people attended last year’s event
which raised $145,000. The walk will feature family
activities, entertainment, healthy snacks, a celebration lunch, silent auction and raffle. Register your
team or donate now at www.crowdrise.com/
walkingonsunshine2016. Contact Lauren at lbevacqua@
marycariola.org or 585-271-2897 ext. 1299 for
information on corporate sponsorships or auction
donations. •
25
Wear it, snap it, send it
Take a photo wearing your Walking on Sunshine
shirt as you enjoy the summer sun. Tell us a
little about the backdrop and send it to
[email protected]. We’ll shine the spotlight on you AND our Walking
on Sunshine event on our
Facebook page. •
Walk participant
Elizabeth soaks up the
sun at Lake Champlain
in Burlington, VT.
The 2016 Walking on Sunshine Committee Chairs are
gearing up for the biggest
walk event yet!
Direct Connect
enhances Agency
communication
T
he safety and security of our students, staff
and facilities is paramount to the success of
our work. We have recently implemented an
enhanced communication system, replacing the former Walkie Talkie system.
The new Sonim XP STRIKE cell
phone with DIRECT CONNECT
capabilities operates as a Walkie
Talkie but also uses cell phone
connection. Thanks to a larger
and more consistent signal to
connect, the system allows us
to better manage any situation
that occurs in and out of the building and in between
campuses. The Agency currently has 81 units in use
that will improve response time and allow staff to remain in constant connection.
“The Direct Connect phones provide us the ability
to communicate when needed, to be more mobile with
our programming and to maintain safety in all Mary
Cariola locations,” said Vice Principal Earl Farber. •
Above: Crisis Intervention Specialist Owen
Wilkinson communicating on the Direct
Connect system.
Walk with us! Register at Crowdrise.com/walkingonsunshine2016 | 7
Mary Cariola Children’s Center
1000 Elmwood Ave., Suite 100
Rochester, NY 14620-3093
(585) 271-0761
www.marycariola.org
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