2022 Summer Newsletter
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Affiliation With The Arc Erie County The Arc Erie Buddy Walk A Hiring Sign That Felt Like Fate Fund Recipient Wishes To Lose Weight, Gain Confidence Providing Consistent Support Is Critical Achieva In Pictures Two Children’s Books With Local Ties Highlight Inclusion
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Achieva Employee Honored For Outstanding Job Performance Grow Your Business With Achieva! Mural Showcases VaultArt Talent Achieva.info Redesigned Save The Date Geographic Reach Board of Trustees
Anna Joyner of the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank, Cheryl Eckert, and Liz Brown pose with donations. Thanks to the initiative of Cheryl and Liz, over 4,000 items were collected during their diaper drive.
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Dear Friends, It is a pleasure to reflect upon the past six months with gratitude and pride. We’re extremely grateful for renewed opportunities on behalf of the people we support. With the pandemic more and more in the rearview mirror, there are chances for the simple pleasures we all formerly took for granted. A coffee with friends, a sporting event, or a simple trip to the mall have provided a reprieve from the winter months and the challenges of recent times. Chances for growth and selfimprovement have been witnessed through exercise, employment opportunities, and creative self expression.
Events that had shifted to virtual settings were, once again, offered in person. Achieva’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Pittsburgh Promenade, welcomed 230 guests and raised more than $152,000 in support of Achieva’s advocacy. The Achieva Family of Organizations welcomed The Arc Erie County (PA) with assurance of continued advocacy and family support in northwestern Pennsylvania. In the coming months, we anticipate more gatherings celebrating Achieva’s mission such as the 24th Annual Million Dollar Golf Outing, The Arc Erie County’s Buddy Walk, and the Awards of Excellence.
Stephen H. Suroviec President & CEO We’re thankful to our employees and trustees for their dedication to serve others while following Achieva’s mission, vision, and core values. And, we’re privileged to provide continued opportunities to the people we support and their families.
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Affiliation With The Arc Erie County
®
Erie County Pennsylvania
A Member of the Achieva Family of Organizations
Katherine Reim, Executive Director
Wendi Wojtecki, Disability Advocate
In January, Achieva enthusiastically announced the affiliation of The Arc Erie County (PA) with The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, a member of the Achieva Family of Organizations. Achieva’s 70-year history and The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh’s long-standing reputation as a trusted advocate offer assurance to members and supporters of The Arc Erie County that advocacy will remain a core service. Two key employees are tasked with sustaining and building upon The Arc Erie County’s 70year mission of advocacy and support. Erie resident Katherine Reim serves as Executive Director. Wendi Wojtecki is a disability advocate.
Reim is no stranger to Achieva or the Erie area. She has lived in Erie for 31 years and has worked in the disability field since 1994. She has been an Erie-based Regional Trust Liaison for the Achieva Family Trust for five years, a role she will continue alongside the position of Executive Director. Wendi Wojtecki is a parent of a child with a disability who has vast experience with family support and a history of educational advocacy. She is knowledgeable on special education inclusion, home and community-based services (HCBS), employment supports, transitioning from school to adult life, and government benefits.
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Join The Arc Erie County at Erie’s home of family fun! On September 24th, 2022, gather your friends and family for the 2022 Arc Erie County (PA) Buddy Walk. Guests can come early for breakfast and stay after the walk to enjoy all that the Erie Sports Center has to offer. Enjoy rounds of go-karts and mini-golf, or try your skill in the batting cages.
Visit buddywalk.thearcoferie.org for more information.
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Marlene Sanchez (left), pictured with her manager Tracy, is enjoying her new role as a Bath & Body Works Associate.
Marlene’s visual resume captures her personality in addition to her skills Learn more about CompetitiveIntegrated Employment and the “Discovery” process.
Scan the code or visit achieva.info/employment/ community-employment
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A Hiring Sign That Felt Like Fate Marlene Sanchez moved to Pittsburgh from Mexico City when she was five years old. She feels affection for Mexicaninspired events and activities reminiscent of her birthplace. She cherishes large family gatherings to celebrate life events and continue family traditions. As a bilingual communicator, she is deliberate in maintaining her Spanish speaking skills and relishes opportunities to do so. So, after a long search for a competitive-integrated job, the recruitment sign within the Mall at Robinson Bath and Body Works felt a bit like fate. Not only did the sign appeal to English job seekers, but it also read, “Contradando Ahora” or Now Hiring. Marlene didn’t
hesitate to inquire about the position and eagerly applied. She was soon hired and was pleased to use her Spanish to help a customer on her first day of work. Marlene experienced the “Discovery” process with Achieva Employment Supports. Discovery enables youth and adults with disabilities to find a job that is a good fit with an employer who values and needs the talents they have to offer. With the help of John Kuhn, Achieva’s Lead Employment Specialist, Marlene is becoming acclimated to her new role. “She gets very nervous but she’s so capable. She’s capable of a lot more than she lets on,” said John. “A lot of things are just a matter of her feeling
comfortable.” The “Discovery” process revealed Marlene’s finest qualities. She has a positive attitude and infectious personality that would be an asset to any employer. Everyone who works or interacts with Marlene describes her as intelligent, socially oriented, and fun to be around. Marlene is learning to be assertive and insightful when it comes to her customer’s needs; helping others comes naturally to her. She shares what the specials are, provides demo cards of new scents, and ultimately provides a friendly experience to shoppers whether in her native tongue, English, or perhaps, even a little “Pittsburghese.”
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Fund Recipient Wishes To Lose Weight, Gain Confidence
Jamie Lewis-Ojeda benefits from a personalized exercise program thanks to the Cecil and David Rosenthal Memorial Fund.
Achieva’s Cecil and David Rosenthal Memorial Fund (the Fund), which provides grants to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), has provided one fortunate Greensburg resident with the gift of health and hope. Thanks to the Fund, 22-year-old Jamie Lewis-Ojeda received a personal training package from GYMGUYZ for in-home, onsite, and virtual training. Mr. Lewis-Ojeda was less active throughout the pandemic, and he missed opportunities for social engagement. A diabetes diagnosis and weight gain affected his self-esteem and lowered his desire to follow a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to the financial assistance offered via the Fund, Jamie received an assessment of current fitness capabilities and a personalized exercise
9 program from GYMGUYZ Pittsburgh. GYMGUYZ is a national franchise that provides in-home and online personal training services. GYMGUYZ certified personal trainers work with clients of any fitness level. GYMGUYZ Pittsburgh’s adaptive program, led by Dr. Dave Lorenzi, considers pre-existing conditions when customizing a plan and conveniently brings equipment to clients. The program would have been unaffordable to Jamie without the assistance of the Fund. Jamie’s goal is to lose weight and gain confidence to return to the activities he once enjoyed. The Fund was created following the tragedy at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Two men supported by Achieva, Cecil and David Rosenthal, were among the victims. In the brothers’ memory, Achieva received
generous donations from all over the world, prompting the Achieva Board of Trustees to create “The Cecil and David Rosenthal Memorial Fund.” The Fund supports community engagement activities pursued by people with IDD. Grants from the Fund provide opportunities for technology, travel, educational expenses, equipment, and more. Ongoing fundraising efforts by Achieva help maintain and grow the Fund, preserving the legacy of Cecil and David. Achieva encourages applicants to apply for the funds through its online application. Fund resources may be used to help people with IDD participate in society and engage in their community. Previously announced awards included everything from a trip to Hershey Park to dozens of iPads.
Since the Fund’s inception, nearly 100 people have received grants totalling almost $20,000. Achieva eagerly anticipates further distributions in memory of Cecil and David. An applicant’s vision for a life of personal significance is the key to imagining how the funds can be used.
Apply for a grant through the Cecil and David Rosenthal Memorial Fund
Scan the code or visit achieva.info/rosenthal
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Providing Consistent Support Is Critical
An affiiliate of
By Luciana Randall, President, Autism Connection of PA There are many parts of our mission “to be a lifeline” we could write about - some are energizing, like our project with Achieva Early Intervention, reaching out to little ones in minority communities to screen many and evaluate some, and get them set on course early. This will take off soon with help from UPMC Family Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh School of Health Sciences Social Justice Fellow Dr. Daniel Wilkenfeld, plus nine (9) Federally Qualified Community Health Centers. We could also discuss meeting critical needs when adults get
caught in the justice system due to their disabilities without any criminal intent. But let’s talk about “meat and potatoes” work (sorry, vegetarians!). The steady build of our weekly e-news, cultivated weekly by Jennifer Salamon for ten years before her recent graduation from us, is now strategically planned and produced by Director of Operations, Tammi Morton. E-news isn’t “sexy” or earthshattering, or award-winning, but a recent call from long-time supporter Dr. Marilyn Hoyson, CEO of the Watson Institute, taught a valuable lesson. Sometimes the things we work
Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates.
Scan the code or visit autismofpa.org
11 hard at routinely become part of our fabric but are actually a lifeline for others we may be unaware of. Marilyn said, “I want you to know how valuable that email is. Every week members of my grandparents’ support group (which she has been running as a volunteer since 2015) read your news. And this has become like a book club. The articles are varied, interesting, unique, and apply to their lives in many ways. This makes running the group richer and really develops the conversations at a higher level. Thank you for doing that every week!” Sometimes funders, and even we ourselves, expect to constantly create an ever-improving new “wheel” to be innovative, clever, and more elaborate in our output. But Autism Connection has been unique since 1996, thanks to founding board members and original staff. It exists “outside the box,” filling
ever-evolving needs for the simple reason we listen to what people want, and like Nike, we “just do it.” Things don’t have to be fancy to be valuable, even if society says, “make it glam, sparkly, newer, bigger, better.” Multi-year board member Jeff Poholsky, a great strategic thinker, taught us way back, “Don’t worry about getting bigger. Just work to make what you already do better.” That’s what we appreciate about our support groups who have stuck together, some for over a decade. Just being there for people consistently is critical. As professionals, we are glad to keep answering each call or email with a consistent voice, thanks to our Resource Specialist, Chrisoula Perdziola. Learning from our friends of all ages and stages in the autism community is the biggest benefit of all, and that’s not fancy - it’s just what keeps us happy to go to work every single day.
Chrisoula Perdziola, Resource Specialist
When you have questions about autism, contact help@autismofpa.org or give a call to 412.995.5000 x406 and just ask!
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Achieva in Pictures
Joshua Falk
Terah Gissendanner, Andre Wormsley
Imogen Snowdon
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Greg Aston, George Sabota
Marte Novak, Willis “Buddy” Ayers-Bentz
Geraldine Reichert
Erin Grimes, Ira Hall, Michael McCormick (Senator Casey's Disability Policy Director), and Ray Williams.
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Two Children’s Books With Local Ties Highlight Inclusion 10-Year-Old Pittsburgh Native Writes, Designs Children’s Book After a Mikayla’s Voice inclusion assembly at Hoover Elementary School, 10-year-old Holden Frye was inspired to write a children’s fiction book about the non-profit’s logo, a ladybug with one yellow spot. Dot is a “teenage ladybug with a cool and different look, and life is good… but it wasn’t always that way.” The challenges she faces are relatable to any child who has ever felt different. Holden, now age 11, returned to his elementary school to read his book titled “The SpOt” to the entire student body as
Holden Frye
Education, shared, “It is a true privilege to recognize students that exemplify the values of the Pennsylvania Department of Education of equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are so proud of Mr. Holden Frye for his accomplishments and for being a role model for all our students. Congratulations Holden!”
the highlight of a school-wide celebration of inclusion. Carole Clancy, Pennsylvania’s Director of Special Education at the PA Department of Education, attended and presented Holden with an award. In reference to the award, Dr. Sherri Smith, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Elementary and Secondary
Thanks to a donation from The Law Offices of Steidl & Steinberg, Mikayla’s Voice was able to gift a copy of Holden’s book to every kindergarten and first-grade class in Allegheny County. Achieva partnered with Mikayla’s Voice to coordinate book distribution to 43 school districts and a dozen charter schools.
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Young Ballerina Shows The World What She Can Accomplish People have a way of making assumptions about the things one can or cannot do, especially when disability is involved. Ava Allenberg has never accepted those societal limitations. Ava uses a wheelchair for mobility. It could have been easy to assume that she would never dance. Yet, rather than accepting a seat in the audience during her sister’s ballet class, Ava moved about the dance floor under the instruction of Sam Skobel, a teacher at Cynthia’s School of Dance. Lauren Price, Ava’s mother, states, “Ava continuously shows the world how unstoppable she is. Since day one of her life… ‘Never’ hasn’t been in
her vocabulary. Ava makes us proud by showing the world what she can accomplish.” A new book, written by Dr. Cindy Zurchin, owner of Cynthia’s School of Dance, may help dismiss the stigmas placed upon people with disabilities. Ballerina on Wheels – Amazing Ava’s First Dance Recital was released on Amazon on April 18, 2022.
couldn’t think of a better way to support Ava and spread the message of inclusion than by hosting an event in her honor,” said Amy Dolan Strano, President of Achieva Family Trust.
The Achieva Family Trust, which provides support for Ava and her family, hosted a book signing event on June 8, 2022. Emcee Kelly Frey introduced Ava, who read the story to attendees and signed copies of the newly released book. “Ava’s story exemplifies Achieva’s vision for all people with disabilities to live a life of personal significance. We
Ava Allenberg
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Achieva Employee Honored For Outstanding Job Performance Alonzo Russell was honored among 32 dedicated awardees for demonstrating capability, dependability, and employability at the 2022 UniqueSource® Achievement Awards. Awardees were recognized at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center during an evening of food, music, and laughs on May 9, 2022. Mr. Russell is an employee of Achieva’s Cleaning and Janitorial (C&J) service, which partners with UniqueSource® to advance and grow employment for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Alonzo is employed as a Lead Custodian and is
recognized as a team player who finds value in supporting others to succeed. “Alonzo works diligently on contracts and has shown leadership qualities with his fellow peers,” said Cleaning & Janitorial Manager Josh Rizzo, who nominated Alonzo for the award. Rizzo recognized Alonzo for his 5+ years of outstanding job performance through his contracted work at PennDot. UniqueSource® Products and Services, established in 1956, pursues business opportunities, primarily in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on behalf of
their member network of affirmative employers, like Achieva. Together through employment, they help people with disabilities on their personal journeys to prove their abilities and to realize their goals of fulfillment and economic independence.
Alonzo Russell and comedian Ryan Niemiller at the UniqueSource® Achievement Awards
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Grow Your Business With Achieva! Achieva’s Facilities Department has occasional contract opportunities for businesses of all sizes in southwestern Pennsylvania. In addition to over 50 community homes throughout Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties, Achieva operates offices in Pittsburgh and Greensburg.
Achieva is seeking partners to fulfill the following services: • Deep cleaning • Electrical • General contracting • Flooring • Furniture moving
Add your business to our vendor list.
• HVAC maintenance and installation • Landscaping • Painting • Plumbing • Roofing
Scan the code or visit achieva.info/contractor to be added to our database.
• Snow removal • Window and gutter cleaning • Other
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Mural Showcases VaultArt Talent VaultArt Studio staff and artists recently partnered with Maxo Vanka Murals, Hemispheric Conversations: Urban Art Project (HCUAP, pronounced “hiccup”), and Max Emiliano Gonzales to create an on-site mural as part of the Gift to America 2.0 exhibit. The completion of the mural coincided with the fiveyear celebration of VaultArt’s presence on Penn Avenue. The mural showcases all 19 artists currently working at VaultArt Studio.
Visit VaultArt Studio at 5100 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, or online at vaultartstudio.org VaultArt Studio is a project of Achieva.
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Visit our redesigned website at achieva.info to learn about our diverse services, access resources, and find out how you can make an impact with Achieva. The new site exceeds standards with WCAG AA level accessibility and translation capabilities for the region’s most commonly used languages.
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Save The Date Monday, September 19, 2022 Achieva’s 24th Annual Million Dollar Golf Outing Valley Brook Country Club
Saturday, September 24, 2022 The Arc Erie County PA Buddy Walk Erie Sports Center
Monday, December 5, 2022 Achieva’s Awards of Excellence Sheraton Station Square Hotel
Visit achieva.info/events for current information and event details.
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ERIE
Achieva Support Community Supported Living Early Intervention Employment Supports Home and Community Supports
Geographic Reach
The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh The Arc Erie County Advocacy
Achieva Family Trust
& Family Supports
Autism Connection of Pennsylvania (Statewide)
OHIO
LVANIA PENNSY WESTINIA VIRG
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Board of Trustees* July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024 Achieva
Officers Mary Lou Gegick, Chair Jeremy Shapira, Chair Elect Jillian F. Zacks, Esq., Vice Chair Chaz R. Kellem, Immediate Past Chair Trustees Tom Balzer Dr. Nina Butler Steve Crane Michael L. Dever, Esq. LeeAnn Fulena, Esq. Gary Grysiak John Haynes Holly Hoff Stephan P. Hubbard, CLU, ChFC Thomas M. Lee Lisa A. Martinelli, Ph.D., JD, MA Ted Meyer Jennifer Modell, Esq. Mary D. Richter, CPA Josh Scott David Tilstone Rob Unkovic
*Trustees as of July 1, 2022
Achieva Resource Officers Mary Lou Gegick, Chair Jeremy Shapira, Chair Elect Jillian F. Zacks, Esq., Vice Chair Chaz R. Kellem, Immediate Past Chair
Achieva Support Officers Josh Scott, Chair Jerry Goodrick, Chair Elect Joanne Christopher, Vice Chair Thomas M. Lee, Immediate Past Chair Trustees Meghan Gannon Anderson Nancy Hill Antoinette Luchini, Esq. John S. Lynch Joseph G. Piccini, CPM Edward W. Price Gary Scalise David Tilstone Tess Wilson
Achieva Family Trust
Officers LeeAnn A. Fulena, Esq., Chair Kimberly Jackson, Chair Elect Jeffrey Hantz, Esq., Vice Chair Holly Hoff, Immediate Past Chair Trustees Rebecca Tyers Brown James Calhoun Mike Dudkowski Greg Fajt, Esq. Beth Fulena David Graf Stephan P. Hubbard, CLU, ChFC Elizabeth Hughes, Esq. Jennifer C. Johnson, Esq. Joseph Lantz Kelly Lovato Leslie Malloy Robert McDowell Mike Pearce Robert Karl Schweitzer, Esq. Stephen B. Spolar, Esq. James C. Woll
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The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh
The Arc Erie County
Officers Ted Meyer, Chair Tina Calabro, Chair Elect Elizabeth Humphrey, Vice Chair Dr. Nina Butler, Immediate Past Chair Trustees Todd Hollis, Esq. Melanie Hoover Carly Koza, Esq. Michael G. Meyer Michale Milch, J.D. Hanifa Nakiryowa, MA, MID Nancy Potter, Esq. Rhonda Schember Lisa G. Silverman, Esq. Jillian F. Zacks, Esq.
Apply To Join An Achieva Board
Officers Rhonda Schember, Chair Melanie Hoover, Chair Elect Shawn Miller, Vice Chair N/A, Immediate Past Chair Trustees Imari Anderson Dr. Sean Carroll Karen Potocki Kayla Quick Kim Serafin Paul Vallimont Jerry Wegley, Esq.
Autism Connection of PA Officers Steve Crane, Chair Jennifer Modell, Esq., Chair Elect Beth Rom, Vice Chair The Honorable William F. Ward, Immediate Past Chair Trustees Janice Bollman Dr. Xenia Borue Karen Markle David McMaster, Esq. Ian Michel, Esq. The Honorable Tiffany Sizemore Joseph Smith Michelle Walker
Volunteering as a Trustee for the Achieva Family of Organizations provides an opportunity to make a difference while helping to fulfill Achieva’s mission and vision. Submit an interest form at achieva.info/trustee-interest-form
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