|
Carrie Farley, founding member of the Armed Forces Club at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) in Troy, provided NYSID with an update on the Armed Forces Study Room. NYSID partnered with The Altamont Program, Inc. to open the room on November 15 as part of a day devoted to honoring veterans on the HVCC campus. |
|
|
|
Named in memory of Carrie’s son, Staff Sergeant Derek Farley, who was killed in action in Afghanistan, the room provides a place of peace and intellectual enrichment for veterans, members of the armed forces and their families. "To use the room, a student obtains a key at the front desk of the library. Typically, a student returns the key when leaving, but if there are other veterans using the room at the time, they keep the room open for others. The key for the Armed Forces Study Room was issued 31 times in November and 14 times in December, for a grand total of 45 times. Keep in mind that the fall semester ended December 14 and the spring semester just started January 22; I’ve created a sign-in sheet to place in the room to hopefully get more accurate data in the future. "On January 3, I met with Amy Molloy from the Heroes at Home Program through Rensselaer County. She was impressed with our room and would like to offer our VA work study students and any other veterans Basic Mentor Training (BMT). We will ask participants to complete a volunteer application before taking the training; the application will provide us with basic demographic information and a better idea of who the participants are, but they will not be asked to commit to anything until they have completed the BMT. The BMT will consist primarily of three components: discussion about problems/concerns that veterans, service members and/or their families may encounter, particularly mental health issues; active listening skills and role-playing; and available community resources. "There will be some discussion about the Peer Mentor Program, including process and procedures, such as intake and confidentiality; however, after the BMT, we will conduct interviews with participants to determine their level of interest in continuing on to serve as peer mentors. At that time, there will be a more involved discussion about the program. Additional trainings will be offered, such as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, a two-day intensive, best practices training program. "On January 7, I attended a meeting with Dr. Drew Matonak, HVCC president; Linda Weiss, Albany Stratton VA Medical Center director; and Peter Potter, Albany Stratton VA Medical Center director of public affairs. I gave them a tour of the Armed Forces Study Room and explained our ideas and dreams for the future. They were very impressed and look forward to working with us by advertising the room on their website as a benefit for the veterans going to school here. "Finally, I’ve made curtains to decorate the room, to give it a little touch of home!" Be sure to visit NYSID’s "Our Veterans" link at http://www.nysid.org/Veterans.cfm for information on NYSID’s Battle Buddy Centers, quarterly Veterans’ Summits and Veterans Contact Directory. |
NYSID News Blog
January 31, 2013
HVCC’s Armed Forces Study Room Serves Those Who Served
New Year, New Opportunities
From Ron Romano, President & CEO
With the start of a New Year, I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2013.
Together with our 165 member agencies and business partners, NYSID provides opportunities for meaningful livelihoods for individuals with disabilities, thus enabling thousands of New Yorkers to pursue fulfilling work and lives.
As NYSID’s Annual Report shows, our member agencies and private sector business partners created record Preferred Source employment for individuals with disabilities in 2012. Nearly 7,000 New Yorkers with disabilities from 54 New York counties were employed on NYSID contracts during the past year, earning more than $51.8 million and working 3.9 million hours.
When individuals with disabilities have greater choices for job opportunities, all of New York benefits.
These jobs help improve our state’s economy and strengthen communities in every part of the state by employing skilled people with disabilities in production facilities and community-based jobs which make connections to better lives.
On behalf of NYSID’s Board of Directors, management and staff, thank you for helping create jobs for New Yorkers with disabilities. We look forward to growing our relationships with our stakeholders in 2013.
January 3, 2013
‘Tis the Season of Lending a Hand
In keeping with our tradition of helping those in need at the holidays, NYSID employees adopted a family impacted by Hurricane Sandy. We learned about the Ward family in Broad Channel (Queens County) through a connection with a NYSID corporate partner. Kerry and Ron Ward have two daughters, Rachel and Chloe, and a dog named Cara.
Throughout the holiday season, NYSID employees purchased items on the Wards’ "wish list" and made cash donations toward holiday purchases. The items were delivered on December 19 — and the family was so grateful for NYSID’s generosity and kindness, as you can see in this video!
Here’s the Ward family’s story, in the words of Kerry…
"Rob is a member of the NYPD and a veteran of the military. I used to work for Chase bank but now stay home with the children. Rob and I have been married for eight years and have two daughters: Rachel,7, and Chloe, 5. We moved to Broad Channel on the day Rachel was born, and we quickly fell in love with the small community, which is a wonderful place for children to grow up. Our girls go to a very small public school around the corner from our house, and they are involved in many local activities like girl scouts, dance school, karate, baseball and soccer. We also have a 13-year-old dog named Cara.
"We had to evacuate our home prior to Hurricane Sandy and have not been able to live in our home since. We live in a one-level home with no attic, so all of our belongings were located on the ground floor. There was approximately two feet of water in our home and we had to throw out all of our furniture, bedding, clothes, shoes and toys — basically, anything and everything we owned. We had to rip out the kitchen, walls and floors, and the boiler will have to be replaced. At this point in time, we found a small apartment to rent about 45 minutes from our home. Thankfully, the girls’ school reopened and we have been commuting to school so that one part of their lives can remain ‘normal’. The girls have been so resilient and they are coping with it all very well. At the end of the day, we all have each other and that is what matters most. The house can be repaired and the material things can be replaced.
"The generosity that people have shown us has been incredible. People have shown up from other states to provide hot meals, others have donated clothes and shoes. This opportunity that NYSID offered to us is beyond what we could ever have imagined, and we are so grateful for your incredible kindness. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!"
In recent years, NYSID employees have sponsored other families in need, adopted children through the Parsons Center, soldiers in Iraq and participated in a giving tree through the YWCA of Northeastern NY. Whatever the cause, whoever the individuals, NYSID employees traditionally help those less fortunate during the holiday season. We’re delighted to bring comfort and joy into the lives of others during this special time of year — and we wish everyone Happy Holidays!
November 27, 2012
Battle Buddy Centers Continue to Grow
|
With the recent celebration of Veterans’ Day, it’s fitting that NYSID has participated in the opening of two new Battle Buddy Centers, at Fedcap Rehabilitation Services in New York City and the Armed Forces Study Room on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) in Troy. Battle Buddy Centers are safe havens for veterans to socialize with their fellow veterans and receive services they need. |
 |
|
NYSID partnered with Fedcap to open a Battle Buddy Center at its 19th Street location on November 19. The room serves as a free and welcoming haven for Post-9/11 veterans to gather with people who understand their situation. Managed by veteran participants, the Battle Buddy Center offers recreation, internet access and a resource library, as well as a safe place where camaraderie and support can be found and fostered. http://www.fedcap.org/content/fedcap-and-nysid-open-nyc-battle-buddy-center On November 15, NYSID partnered with The Altamont Program, Inc. to open a Battle Buddy Center at HVCC with the dedication of the Armed Forces Study Room. Named in memory of Staff Sergeant Derek Farley, the room provides a place of peace and intellectual enrichment for veterans, members of the armed forces and their families. The Armed Forces Study Room dedication was part of a day devoted to honoring veterans on the HVCC campus. https://www.hvcc.edu/news_events/newsstory.php?id=7905 Last September, NYSID partnered with The Altamont Program, Inc. to support Clear Path for Veterans. A private, non-profit organization in Chittenango, Clear Path is dedicated to helping military veterans and their families recover and reintegrate by offering a variety of support, training, vocational and recreational programs in a setting of natural beauty. NYSID recognizes that creating employment opportunities for service disabled veterans and other New Yorkers with disabilities who face barriers to employment is not only the right thing to do, but it also improves our state’s economy and strengthens our communities. |
 |
|
Be sure to visits NYSID’s “Our Veterans” link at http://www.nysid.org/Veterans.cfm for information on NYSID’s quarterly Veterans’ Summits and Battle Buddy Centers, and its Veterans Contact Directory, which lists veterans’ service provider government agencies and not-for-profit organizations available in New York State counties. As always, we thank we thank our member agencies and corporate partners for expanding veterans’ outreach, employment opportunities and education initiatives as they reconnect to the New York State workforce. We salute our veterans for their patriotism and valor. |
CUSTOMERS OF THE YEAR RECOGNIZED AT 2012 ANNUAL MEETING
|
We salute this year’s outstanding Preferred Source customers for their contributions toward job creation: STATE AGENCY CUSTOMER OF THE YEAR The State University of New York at Stony Brook system was recognized for a 25-year association with NYSID Preferred Source procurement across its three divisions, creating diverse employment opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities and over 100 jobs a year. Each campus division was present to accept awards on behalf of President Samuel L. Stanley, Jr. Pictured left to right are Dave Smith (University), Joanne Catanese (Medicine), Michael Giambalvo (Veterans Home), Carol Cava (Veterans Home), Gary Dasaro (Medicine), Anna Tedone (Medicine). |
 |
| LOCAL GOVERNMENT CUSTOMER OF THE YEAR Westchester County |
|
NYSID’s relationship with Westchester County spans over two decades, and includes contracts which have endured more than 12 years thanks to consistent member agency performance. We appreciate this steadfast support which resulted in 65 jobs this past year. Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett accepted the award from NYSID President & CEO Ron Romano. |
 |
November 19, 2012
Stephen Schrauger named a 2012 ‘NYSID Employee of the Year’ for his work at Bates Troy, Inc.
Stephen has worked at Bates Troy, Inc. – a three-generation commercial laundry business in Binghamton – through a partnership with ACHIEVE and Country Valley Industries. Individuals with disabilities in Broome and Tioga counties have had the opportunity to work on NYSID Preferred Source laundry contracts at the Country Valley production center and at the Bates Troy facility since 2003.
Stephen is employed in the Bates Troy facility, a highly diverse workforce where he is considered part of the team.He is proud of being able to work at many different stations and of having been employed there for 10 years. Stephen received his award during Bates Troy’s recognition as NYSID’s 2012 ‘Corporate Partner of the Year’ at our Annual Meeting on September 10.
October 26, 2012
NYSID Salutes Our Veterans
As Veterans Day approaches on November 11, we encourage our member agencies to share with us their news or events regarding this important holiday. NYSID supports job creation efforts for service veterans through our member agencies and assists other veterans’ support programs, promoting quality of life for veterans as they reconnect to the New York State workforce.
This month, NYSID will participate in the opening of two new Battle Buddy Centers, at Fedcap Rehabilitation Services in New York City and Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Battle Buddy Centers are safe havens for veterans to socialize with their fellow veterans and receive services they need. In addition, NYSID continues to support the Battle Buddy Center at Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango, in partnership with The Altamont Program, Inc.
As always, we thank you for expanding veterans’ outreach, employment and business initiatives, and we salute our veterans for their patriotism and valor this Veterans Day.
Curt Thompson of Goodwill Industries named a 2012 ‘NYSID Employee of the Year’
During Goodwill’s recognition as ‘Member Agency of the Year’ at our Annual Meeting on September 10, Curt was honored for personifying the success of the GoodTemps office temporary program.
Curt is employed on a NYSID Preferred Source contract through GoodTemps, a division of Goodwill Industries of Greater NY/Northern NJ in Queens. He works at the NYC Board of Education, providing customer service in the agency’s call center for its citywide school lunch program. Curt fields numerous phone calls from parents in all five city boroughs, assisting them with proper access to the program. In his own words, Curt “makes a difference every day.”
October 19, 2012
Changing Lives, One Job at a Time!
|
Ron stated, “Ana’s award signifies her as an ‘ambassador’ of NYSID Preferred Source opportunities, the ninth New Yorker with disabilities honored since 2004. We are proud to join Fedcap and the LIRR in support of Ana during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” During this important month of recognizing workers with disabilities, Ana’s event is just one of many instances where Joslin Outstanding Performers have been in the spotlight for jobs well done http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/arc-hosts-workforce-recognition-luncheon/34319. We look forward to showcasing other instances where New Yorkers with disabilities achieving employment dreams are making headlines as National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month [NDEAM] continues in its final weeks. For now, congratulations, Ana – and more NDEAM news to come!
|
Ron Romano attended Fedcap’s recognition event held in honor of Ana Cortorreal on October 16, the recipient of our annual people-centered William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award. The event took place at Ana’s workplace, the Long Island Rail Road at Pennsylvania Station, and included LIRR executives, ACCES-VR representatives and numerous well-wishers.
October 10, 2012
Ana Cortorreal Receives 2012 William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award
Ana Cortorreal of Fedcap Rehabilitation Services in Manhattan was presented with the 2012 William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award, NYSID’s most prestigious people-centered award, at our Annual Meeting on September 10, 2012. She was chosen for this distinction out of 59 individuals who were named ‘Outstanding Performers’ by many of our member agencies through this annual recognition program.
Ana exemplifies excellence in employment through dedication to a job well done in an extremely challenging work environment for the Long Island Rail Road in Penn Plaza.
Newsletter
Annual Reports
Forms
Member Manual
Event Calendar
Training & Info Program (TIP)
