michele

They say when one door closes, another opens—and for our College Experience Program, that statement couldn’t ring truer! Last year, when the College of Saint Rose announced its closure, our hearts sank. Since 2005, it had been the nurturing home of our program, and we couldn’t imagine continuing without such a supportive partner. But little did we know, an even brighter chapter was about to unfold. Our program found a warm and enthusiastic new home at Russell Sage College, and the transition has been nothing short of incredible! Together with our students, we’re thriving like never before—and we couldn’t be happier. [...]

 Have you noticed that hot chocolate is more than just a hot beverage? As you imbibe the warm, creamy, chocolatey potion do you not feel a sense of joy and contentment? Those who live in one of our local residences certainly thought so. They recently enjoyed a hot chocolate party in which they relished their drinks while creating festive crafts and listening to Christmas Carols.  At first the carols were just there to help to mood, but slowly the magic of the season took over the room. Folks dropped their inhibitions and began to sing along. To quote Dr. Seuss’ seasonal favorite, [...]

Check out the November edition of Sharing the Journey View the November Edition of Sharing the Journey Missed previous editions? Check out our Agency News page to see all editions from this past year!

It was a sunny, chilly day in Albany, and the energy in the air was palpable. People from all walks of life flocked to the War Room in the New York State Capital building, all with one specific goal: have their voices heard by Governor Kathy Hochul. The words, “Invest in me, invest in US” echoed throughout the room, a plea to legislators to support New Yorkers with I/DD by advocating for a 7.8% Medicaid rate increase, adequate wages for human service workers, and enhanced capital funding to ensure quality care. In addition to the chants, rally attendees wore orange [...]

It’s been a while since we checked in with our community living folks, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been busy. Intrada has been bustling with activity! From participating in this year’s election, learning about preparing healthy meals, and meeting horse jockeys, it has been a fun-filled season for the individuals at Intrada! Let’s see what they’ve been up to: Michael, a big horse racing fan, looks forward to Saratoga Race Track season every year and always grabs a season pass. Recently, while picking up his favorite Dunkin treat, he had an unforgettable encounter – he met his all-time [...]

In a democracy, every voice matters. This fundamental principle should extend to all citizens, regardless of their abilities. Individuals with developmental disabilities are often overlooked or marginalized, but their right to vote is just as important as anyone else’s. We are incredibly proud of the individuals who have voted for the very first time this year. For example, 18 individuals in The College Experience Program registered and voted for the first time ever. Al, who is 75 years old exercised his right to vote for the very first time this year. Breaking Down Barriers Historically, individuals with developmental disabilities have [...]