Deneen

What do you save your money for? If you’re Christina H, you save up for something that can give you independence. When Daryllyn Ward, assistant manager of Living Resources’ Albany Supportive Living program arrived at Christina’s apartment for her day’s shift, Christina smiled and told her, “I have to show you something really cool that I have been saving my money for.” Christina went in her bedroom and pulled out a new vacuum that she bought with the money she had been saving for months. Christina stated that her couch is heavy, and it takes two people to move it in [...]

Saratoga Day Community Opportunities Program has been making the most of the beautiful August weather at the many parks in Saratoga! Program participants Sheila, Theresa, Theresa, Lynda and Denise enjoyed a day full of swimming and fun at the Peerless Pool in Saratoga Spa State Park with Manager Kate Bugbee. Lynda posed for a photo while cooling down under the fountain. Also at Saratoga Spa State Park, staff Brianna Lindhardt assisted participants Jennifer, Theresa, and Sara in making Tie Dye art on shirts. Participants Crystal, Theresa and Jennifer participated in a STEM project by creating candy houses using Drops and Toothpicks [...]

Independence. It’s the cornerstone of our mission at Living Resources.  We encourage each of our individuals to be the hero of their own lives, so they can grow to their fullest potential. Self-Advocacy is paramount to the mission of Living Resources, and is offered as a class in our College Experience, and an ongoing group for all who are supported by Living Resources. The College Experience Self Advocacy and Empowerment Class was recently joined by Michelle Vinokurov, a 22-year-old autism advocate that is profiled in a new book titled, This is Autism (co-authored by Jessica Leichtweisz and Aidan Allman-Cooper.) Michelle told the group, “I [...]

Employment is a necessary key to accelerate down the road toward independence. Several honored guests recently shared their knowledge, tips, and strategies for success with Living Resources College Experience Employment Class. During these ZOOM educational sessions, our students were provided with insight into a variety of occupations. Tom DeByle, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for NN, Inc. Mr. DeByle shared that he has an accounting degree and has held a wide variety of jobs that have taken him throughout different parts of the United States and all over the world. While he travels extensively for his work, he considers [...]

Georgia O’Keeffe once said “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” Inspired artist Nadine Nandkissore, would certainly agree. She came to the United States from Guyana 20 years ago, when she was 18 years old, and has attended classes at Living Resources Arts Program since 2014. Her mother Mary said there were limited services for people with disabilities in Guyana at that time. The family’s move here brought Nadine a tremendous opportunity for a colorful future. Nadine loves keeping busy. Prior to the COVID [...]

Nate Gier has been making art at Living Resources for more than half of his life. Always fascinated by portraits, at the age of 12, Nate created a 2x3 foot rendition of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece “Mona Lisa.” When asked what attracted him to the "Mona Lisa" at that young age, he said, “I liked her smile.” And he still does. With the encouragement of Sergio Camacho, Assistant Director of the Art Program, Nate re-created her twice, each time starting with a bare canvas, applying his ever growing skills into newer, more detailed renditions, most recently in his preferred medium of [...]

Ashley Lawyer has been part of the Living Resources family for over seven years, receiving services from our Supportive Employment program. Her undeniable work ethic and hardworking frame of mind makes Ashley a valued employee at not one but two jobs! During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Ashley began the year working at Image Data as a document prep specialist Monday through Thursday and on Friday she worked at Hannaford Supermarket. Shortly after the Pandemic began, Ashley was furloughed from Image Data for several weeks, but rather than sit and wait for her office to reopen, she increased her hours at Hannaford temporarily, [...]