ARISE 2005 Annual Report - Celebrating Independence for All
OUR MISSION
To work with people of all abilities to create a fair and just community in which everyone can fully participate.
OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES
ARISE advocates to make positive changes in the community and offers a wide range of programs and services to support people with disabilities in living independently, including:
- Accessibility & Technology Resource Center
- Advocacy Groups
- ARISE & Fish
- ARISE & Ski
- Benefits Advocacy
- Child Abuse Prevention Services
- Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance
- Counseling for People Who Are HIV+
- Crisis Pregnancy Counseling
- Day Camps for Adults & Children
- Day Habilitation Services
- Domestic Violence Counseling
- Education Advocacy
- Health Care Advocacy
- High School Transition Services
- Home Accessibility – Ramps
- Homeless Services
- Horseback Riding: Adaptive & Therapeutic
- Housing Advocacy
- Housing Search Assistance
- Independent Living Skills Training
- Individual, Family & Group Therapy
- Individual & Systems Advocacy
- Information & Referral Services
- Medicaid Service Coordination
- Medical Equipment Loan Closet
- Peer Counseling
- Peer Mentoring Employment Program
- Residential Habilitation Services
- School-Based Mental Health Program
- Self-Determination Plan Assistance
- Subsidies for Rent & Utilities
- Supported Employment Program
- Support Groups
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2005-2006
Dan Mohr, President
Don Scholl, Vice President
Dale Fanning, Treasurer
Agnes McCray, Secretary
Tania Anderson
James Bertram
Matt Dadey
Carol Gentry
Michael Klaehn
David Klim
Mitch Mitchell
Keith Mulcahey
Ernie Wheeler
Tom McKeown, Executive Director
Sue Rogers, Executive Assistant
A MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS
“My other chair is a horse”: a bumper sticker suggestion from one of our staff. It’s probably obvious that the staff person works at our horse farm.
The phrase attempts to capture an experience of delight, when one transfers from one form of support to another. As with any analogy, the reference has limitations. It attempts to convey that one experiences more independence in the transition. ARISE is about independence, about moments of significant transition; 2005 was a year of just such change and growth.
Any story of 2005, to be very complete, would need to reference the challenges of the year. In the spring, we found ourselves faced with prospective cash flow challenges. We made adjustments to respond to these challenges; some of which were difficult but necessary. The result was a stronger organization in both a fiscal and programmatic sense. During this challenging time, we received excellent advice and support, and turned the challenge into an opportunity.
We celebrated during 2005. We joined colleagues throughout the nation to recognize the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We participated in proclamations of the values and benefits of the ADA in Onondaga and Oswego counties. We “flew high” with our “Independence for All” fundraiser that awarded two airline tickets to the West Coast. We published a fine 5th anniversary edition of UNIQUE, our arts magazine by and for people with disabilities.
We benefited from continued support of government and charitable organizations. We inaugurated an advisory committee of community leaders and advocates in Oswego County. We assumed responsibility for an eight-county region on behalf of those who have brain injuries. We received awards for development in 2006 of intensive family support connected with our mental health services, and also for the development of a fully accessible web site.
As is true of every year since our beginning in 1979, ARISE in 2005 remained true to its mission: we are an organization of people with disabilities, from Board governance to all levels of staff support. We have advocated; we have provided support; we have achieved growing local and regional strength. We faced the challenges associated with growth and emerged stronger. We saw opportunities to transfer from longstanding supports, clearly evident during moments of challenge, and “took the reins” to control our destiny.
Dan Mohr -
President, Board of Directors
Tom McKeown - Executive Director
YEAR IN REVIEW
ARISE celebrates 15th anniversary of the ADA.
July 26, 2005 marked the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), federal legislation that guarantees the right of people with disabilities to vote, live in the community, go to work, and access public facilities and transportation. To mark this occasion, ARISE and other agencies hosted several exciting events: an ADA March to proclaim July as Disability Awareness Month in Syracuse/Onondaga County, an ADA Day Proclamation in Oswego County, Disability Awareness Night at Alliance Bank Stadium, and an ADA Art Show.
“Independence For All” Raffle reaches for the sky and soars.
ARISE sponsored an “Independence for All” fundraiser in June and July as part of our celebration of the 15th anniversary of the ADA. What a success! We surpassed our goal, raising $5,500 from ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations (see Event Sponsors section of this report). Judy Silverman of Manlius took home the raffle’s grand prize and used the two airline tickets to travel to San Franciso with her daughter in September.
The United Way helps ARISE provide critically-needed services.
In spring 2005, the United Way of Central New York awarded ARISE generous grants totaling more than $180,000 a year to help support our Outpatient Mental Health Clinic and Child Abuse Prevention Services as well as our Independent Living Skills Program. Also in 2005, the United Way of Greater Oswego County provided funding to support our Oswego Housing Advocacy and Assistance Program.
High-school transition grant awarded to ARISE Oswego.
The NYS Department of Education awarded ARISE a four-year, $300,000 grant to provide transition services to students with disabilities at Paul V. Moore and Mexico High Schools. This program, which began July 1, 2005, offers services such as independent living skills training, employment and higher education assistance, networking with community services, and educational advocacy.
ARISE Political Candidates Forum highlights disability issues.
This Forum, held on October 6, brought important issues affecting people with disabilities to an open debate with City of Syracuse mayoral candidates. Dan Cummings from News Channel 9 moderated the discussion, in which the candidates were asked to commit to improvements that would enhance the quality of life for area residents of all abilities.
Syracuse University and ARISE team up for polling place access.
On Election Day 2005, ARISE advocates and Syracuse University (SU) students conducted a survey to identify access problems in polling sites throughout Onondaga County. Surveyors looked at 82 polling sites and found that many still have access barriers to voters with disabilities. ARISE and SU are working with the Onondaga County Board of Elections to ensure that all polling sites are accessible, as required by the Help America Vote Act.
World record swimmer promotes accessible recreation.
ARISE Oswego joined YMCAs to create “Y-Knot,” a group dedicated to increasing recreational opportunities for people with disabilities in Oswego County. Multiple world-record holding marathon swimmer Vicki Keith was a driving force behind this effort. On August 15, Vicki raised funds for Y-Knot by swimming 47 miles along the shore of Lake Ontario in 63 hours, breaking the world record for distance in butterfly stroke.
Snow Foundation grant increases outreach in Pulaski.
In June, ARISE received a $10,000 grant from the John Ben Snow Foundation to develop best practices for successful rural outreach. Since that time, ARISE has been actively hosting presentations in schools, visiting community fairs, conducting workshops, sharing informational flyers with other organizations, and publicizing our activities in the media.
CDPAP program continues to experience steady growth.
ARISE’s Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) continued to expand in 2005. At the end of the year, nearly 50 people in Syracuse and 90 in Oswego were participating in the program. CDPAP offers eligible individuals who are receiving Medicaid-funded home care services the opportunity to hire, train, supervise, and, if needed, terminate their own Personal Care Assistant.
The 04-05 ARISE & Ski season a success.
This year’s season at Toggenburg Ski Center marked the advancement of ARISE & Ski to a new level! Sixty-three skiers participated in the program with the help of our dedicated volunteers. We improved our training and developed a partnership with the Toggenburg Ski School. In addition, we sent adaptive equipment, along with several skiers from our programs, to Lake Placid for the Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged.
New wrap-around mental health services available to families.
In November, the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York awarded ARISE a $150,000, 2½-year grant to provide counseling and support services to children and families at Dr. King and Dr. Weeks Elementary Schools. This innovative project combines intensive case management and community-based clinical services with the goal of improving the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of children ages 4-13.
Artists, families celebrate the 5th anniversary of UNIQUE.
More than 100 people celebrated the unveiling of 2005 UNIQUE at ARISE Syracuse on October 27. Contributing artists presented their works and ARISE & Sing—a musical group of singers of all abilities—performed. The event marked UNIQUE’s 5th anniversary as well as the magazine’s first full-color issue. On November 19, UNIQUE artists and their families gathered at the river’s end bookstore in Oswego to share their creative works.
Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) expands in 2005.
ARISE added a Medicaid Service Coordinator in Madison County to meet the increasing demand for services by people with developmental disabilities and their families. ARISE’s MSC program, which also continues to be very active in Onondaga and Oswego Counties, helps individuals access community resources that best match their personal choices and goals. At the end of 2005, more than 300 people were participating in our MSC program.
CONTRIBUTORS
ARISE is grateful to the many individuals, companies, charitable organizations, and government agencies that provided financial and in-kind support in 2005. These contributions have helped ARISE move closer to the goal of creating a community in which people of all abilities can fully participate. Thank you!
Corporations & Charitable Organizations
Adam Rozum Design
Adam's Welding & Tractor Repair
American Legion Auxiliary Post 268, William S. Monaghan Unit
Blasland Bouck & Lee
Bond, Schoeneck & King
Bounce Technologies
Buyea's True Value
Canastota Community Chest
CNY Community Action Program Council, Region 9 UAW
Central New York Community Foundation
Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York
P. Drescher Co., Inc.
Equine Body Balance
Loyal Order of the Moose, Syracuse Lodge 625
Ormond Entertainment
P & C Foods
Phi Sigma Sigma
John Ben Snow Foundation
National Grid
Sonitrol/Eastern Security Services
Syracuse Research Corporation
Syracuse Symphony Orchestra
Time Warner Cable
Toggenburg Mountain Winter Sports Center
United Technologies
United Way of Central New York
United Way of Greater Oswego County
Village Vet Large Animal Service
Wal-Mart
Wegmans
Welch Allyn, Employee Gifting Committee
Government Agencies
City of Syracuse Department of Community Development
Cultural Resources Council of Syracuse and Onondaga County, Inc., Senator John DeFrancisco Arts and Cultural Program and NYS Council on the Arts Decentralization Grant Program
Madison County Workforce Investment Board
New York State Department of Education, Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
New York State Department of Health
New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
New York State Office of Children and Family Services
New York State Office of Mental Health
New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Central New York Developmental Services Office
Onondaga County Community Development Department
Onondaga County Department of Mental Health
Onondaga County Department of Social Services|
United States (U.S.) Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Individuals
Sonja Andrews
Patricia Anson
Lisa Arcand-Hoy
Sara Austin-Wilson
Ann Barnett
Richard Bassett
Margaret Biddlecome
Ethan Blatt
Mark Botwinick
Randi Bregman & Theodore Gottbrecht
Sedalia Brown-Harrison
Maureen Bucktooth
Stephanie Bullitt
Sandy Burns
Richard Burtis
James Capodagli
Luisa & Jeffrey Capsello
Judith Cary
Colleen Charette
Mark Charlamb
Lena Chase
Stephen Ciricillo
Alisa Clark
Darlene Cook
Andrew Corbin
Guy Thomas Cosentino
Anne Costa
John Coughlin Jr.
Todd Cridge
Lucas Cullen
Kevin Curtis
Susan Dean
Joseph Detor
John & Barbara Duncan
Samia Dwyer
Renee Eddy
John Elwell
Diane Emm
Linda & Scott English
Jim & Mary Failing
Dale Fanning
Terri Feigelman
Colleen Ferris
Donna Ferris
Mario Fiacchi
Robyn Finsel
Cathy Fischer
Kelley & Philip Fraccola
Paul Francher
Wendy Gellert
Terese Ginocchetti
Mark & Carol Gravelding
Helen Gray
William Guyder
Dawn Hannon
Christopher Hartman
Brian Haynes
Ann Heizman
Robin Henderson
Kimberlee Hodge
Susan Hodge
Jessica Hoey
John Hogan
John Hollerbush
Cathy House
Heather House
Ching Hung Hsiao
Frazier & Joan Hunt
Kasia Jablanski
Ricardo Jaimes
Lois Janson
Kimberly Jewett
Belinda Johnson
Robert & Cheryl Kantak
Anne Kearney
Brian Keys
Timothy Killian
Mary Kilpatrick
Julie King
Chris Kinsella
David Klim
Luann Knight-Constanza
Christopher Kraus
Eric Kuersteiner
Cynthia Kwiek
Nancy Lee
Garth Liddle
Nancy Lovecchio
Garrett Luke
Rose Lumia
Tyler Luthringer
Cathleen Lynch
Jennifer MacLaury
Mrs. Leonard C. Maier, Jr.
Nicholas Mancini
Serese Marotta
Donna Marra
Lori Marra
Ross Martin
Wade & Patricia Marvin
Kevin McCarthy
Joseph & Ruth Metallo
Richard Meyer
Lynette Mokry
Greg Morgans
Brad Mullen
Colleen & Joseph Murphy
Diane Murphy
Christopher Murray
Frank Musante
Genevieve Mussi
Kimberly Nemi
Jeffrey Newbery
Alice Newgarden
Donna Newman
Paul Nower
Richard O'Meara
Robin Orphanides
Andrea Osborne
Ralph Paben
Sarah Paduana
Anthony & Christina Pagano
Joseph & Durstene Pagano
Tim Parker
David Pasinski & Geri Hall
Terra Peckskamp
Lisa Plew
Nancy Prott
Gary Puff
Dorothy Race
Robert Romagnoli
Tina Romaine
Phil Salibury
John & Kelly Saraceno
Deborah Saroff
Katherine Sartori
Donna Schmidt
Cindy Shipley
John & Marilyn Skopek
Melanie Slowik
Marie Smith
David Southard
Gordon Spooner III
Ali Stieglitz
Kyle Storie
Michael Storie
Kathleen Stribley
Joseph Swierk Jr.
Joseph Tarbell
Margaret Thompson
David Tiedemann
Benjamin Tillotson
Joe Treglia
Patricia Tulowiecki
Frank Tyrrell
Maria Ucchino
Wendy Van Der Bogart
Linda Vanderhoof
Nancy W. Verity
Andrew Visconti
Alvar VonSneidern
Jim Walker
Melissa Walls
Larry Welt
Howard West
Kendra Wilson
Catherine Wilson
Virginia Wing
Lori Wolf
John & Nilde Wozniczka
Grace Zabel
Donald & Rosemarie Zellers
EVENT SPONSORS
ARISE would like to express our thanks to the many sponsors and supporters of our events in 2005. Your generosity has helped people with disabilities in our communities to realize their potential and live full and independent lives of their choosing.
Independence For All Raffle
Gold Level Sponsor
Adam’s Apple Services, Inc.
Alliance Bank
Bonadio Management Advisory Services
Byrne Dairy
Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc.
IKON Office Solutions
Northland Communications/Gaffney Communications
Rich & Gardner Construction Company
Syracuse Community Health Center
Silver Level Sponsor
Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
Century Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
Bronze Level Sponsor
Able Medical Transportation, Inc.
MVP Health Care
Raffle Donations
Arby’s Roast Beef, Carousel Center, Haun Welding Supply, Hoyt’s Cinemas, Outback Steakhouse, Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, Skippy’s, Syracuse Stage, Sue Rogers, and Linda Louise.
Fall Festival
Arrowhead Golf Course, Beacon Federal Credit Union, Bumblebread, Cantech Automotive, Jennifer Carr, Cazenovia Equipment, Cazenovia Jewelry, Chick's Hair Salon, Cintas, Downtown Cycles, Esengard's, Four Seasons, Fred's Motor Sports, David & Candy Gibb, Gold's Gym, Jack’s Turf Goods, Kirby's American Restaurant, The Last Detail, LTA Aviation, Lund's Ski Shop, Marsteller's Family Car Care, Matthew's Salon, Katrin Norman, Our Farm, Rapunzel's Hair Salon, Rock Aeres Vet Hospital, Sun Cherry, Susan Sullivan Design, Ten Pin Restaurant, Tucker Rocky Distributing, Bruce Van Dee, and Windswept Hill Farm.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT ARISE
Your contribution to ARISE is more than just a donation: with it, you are joining a partnership working together to ensure that people with disabilities have equal rights and live as independently as possible. There are many ways you can support ARISE: contribute your time as a volunteer, offer cash or in-kind gifts, and support our events and activities.
For information on volunteer opportunities, please call our Human Resources Director at (315) 472-3171. You can mail donations to “ARISE” at the following address: ARISE, 635 James Street, Syracuse New York 13203. We also welcome contributions on our secure web site: www.ariseinc.org.
Thank you!
AN OUTSTANDING YEAR OF SERVICE
ARISE thanks the hundreds of individual volunteers and volunteer groups who generously offered their time and talents to ARISE programs in Onondaga, Oswego, and Madison Counties during 2005 to make our community better for everyone.
Whether they are offering horseback riding instruction, advocating for important disability-rights legislation, or working in our Mental Health Clinic as part of an internship program, individual volunteers help ARISE accomplish all that we do!
FINANCIAL REPORT
FISCAL YEAR 2005 (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION¹
ASSETS
Current assets: 1,012,000
Property: 2,285,000
TOTAL ASSETS: 3,297,000
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities: 909,000
Long-term debt: 1,099,000
Net assets: 1,289,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS: 3,297,000
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
SUPPORT AND REVENUE
Grant revenues: 1,759,000
Program revenues: 4,664,000
United Way of Central New York: 159,000
Donations: 43,000
Other income: 80,000
TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE: 6,705,000
EXPENSES
Support services: 2,274,000
Oswego operations: 1,665,000
Mental health services: 1,357,000
Employment services: 456,000
Integrated recreation services: 316,000
Advocacy services: 269,000
Technology services: 174,000
Unallocated general and administrative services: 116,000
TOTAL EXPENSES: 6,627,000
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS: 78,000
Note1: Figures in chart are rounded to the nearest thousand.
ARISE Main Office and Onondaga County Office
635 James Street
Syracuse, New York 13203
Phone: (315) 472-3171
TTY: (315) 479-6363
Oswego County Office
253 East Tenth Street
Oswego, New York 13126
Phone: (315) 342-4088
TTY: (315) 342-8696
Pulaski Office
2 Broad Street
Pulaski, New York13142
Phone: (315) 298-5726
Madison County Office
134 Vanderbilt Avenue
Oneida, New York 13421
Phone: (315) 363-2400
ARISE at the Farm
1972 New Boston Road
Chittenango, NY 13037
Phone: (315) 687-6727
Report Offered in Alternative Formats
Portions of any ARISE publication designed for distribution can be made available in a variety of formats—including Braille, large print, or audiotape—upon request. For publications in an alternative format, please contact our Information and Referral Specialist at (315) 472-3171.