Special Edition Newsletter summer 2020

Going Places: Nor is ready for her future

Annual Report Inside! 2020: Walking on Sunshine is going VIRTUAL! A YEAR JOIN US SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2020 Have no fear, the sun will still shine on Mary Cariola Center’s 12th UNLIKE Annual Walking on Sunshine! Out of an abundance of caution for the health of our residents, students, staff, family and friends, we have ANY OTHER proactively made the decision to hold a virtual Walking on Sunshine! The Walking on Sunshine Planning Committee is excited to bring you ate June and early July are traditionally set aside for graduation a unique event that will deliver celebrations all across the country. It’s a time for parties calling the fun-loving community spirit Table of Lto attention the accomplishments of America’s youth and for of the Walk right to your own parents to take pride in the hard work it took their children to meet neighborhood! Stay tuned for Contents important educational goals. It’s time for students to show gratitude further details on how you can to parents and educators for helping them get through the trials support our biggest annual ...... WALKING ON SUNSHINE 3 and tribulations of school, be it kindergarten, grammar school, high fundraiser later this summer. school or college. Team Jencik at 2019 Walking on Sunshine Denisha Walker, Faheem and Davonta Blue STORY OF NOR...... 4-5 represent Team Rushwood 2020 is unlike any other year in recent history. The country has had to SUPER HEREOS WORK HERE ..6 face two very different crises; one biological that has taken the lives ...... of well over 100,000 people and the other a crisis that has burdened MARY CARIOLA RADIO 7 enforcement have magnified the root of the wonderful students have been inspiring. While the United States and citizens of color for hundreds of years. HUMAN RESOURCES ...... 7 problem; specifically, the inequality of people of every parent must feel a sense of accomplishment COVID-19 came upon our shores; some say as early as November color, a plight they have been facing for too many when their children graduate, imagine the pride and ANNUAL REPORT ...... 8-11 or December of last year. This global pandemic took our country years to count. It’s a plight on our country that gratitude parents of students with special needs mostly by surprise and separated our society not only through social needs to be discussed, one conversation at a time, must feel. A simple cap and gown with an uplifting TECHNOLOGY ...... 12 distancing but labeling us as “essential or non-essential.” The virus one election at a time with a joint understanding ceremony may have been unimaginable for them— CREATING SAFE AND INCLUSIVE took away jobs, family members and any sense for normality for of each other’s perspective and a commitment to and even with social distancing, our innovative and creative staff is going to make it happen. Look for every single one of us. We’ve now become accustomed to wearing change. ENVIRONMENTS...... 13 updates on the “new normal” ceremony they are masks, washing our hands multiple times a day and using hand No, this time of year certainly isn’t what we are planning...... sanitizer what seems like every five minutes. CARIOLA CARES 15 used to. But in the middle of such unsettling In the coming weeks we will be highlighting our CARIOLA MOMENTS...... 15 We’ve watched the racial and cultural divide magnified through the times, we need to take a moment to acknowledge graduates on social media and our website. We will eyes of virus testing, unemployment and economic status. And yet the work of Mary Cariola students, their families salute their accomplishments and, even remotely, we GRATEFUL FOR GRANTS...... 16 as costly as the pandemic has been on human life and continues to and our educators. This year 25 students of the will celebrate their success. Please join the entire staff be, it has been overshadowed, by the death of a black man literally Mary Cariola Center School were scheduled FUNDRAISING FACTS...... 16 of Mary Cariola Center in congratulating the students on a street in Minneapolis. The death of George Floyd at the hands to graduate. In many cases, years of hard work and their families. Even in the darkest of days, we of a rogue police officer has set off protests in almost every city in meeting milestones each day, our students find sunshine in those we serve. America. Primarily peaceful protests have turned violent but not reached the pinnacle of their school life. Please stay healthy and safe. at the hands of the protestors; rather, those who have their mind Supported by their families and certainly by their

set on destruction, hurt, revenge and unrest. Clashes with law teachers, social workers and clinicians, these  / 3  / 2 “I am so proud of Nor. She is a great friend and always thinks of others. She has become a confident, hard-working young lady. She is no longer afraid to ask questions and has become a great advocate for herself. She has accomplished so much!”

– Amber Bulman, Special Education Teacher THE STORY OF Nor

t’s been four years, but 20-year-old Nor remembers her first day at a variety of fun, educational, and meal is chicken nuggets and green beans. She had that success stories like Nor’s continue to happen at Mary Cariola Center like it was yesterday. She was anxious. She had interactive school activities. even earned an independent student pass, which Mary Cariola. This will require the implementation never attended school, and didn’t know anyone. Her vocabulary gave her more opportunities to navigate around of extensive staff training, daily health screenings, I And today… only four years consisted of ‘Yes’ and ‘No,’ she only ate ketchup sandwiches, and she school using her planning and communication skills. modified transportation and classroom plans, and later… had delays with her intellectual and physical development. And right now, the only thing Nor is anxious about the purchase of new equipment and supplies. Nor is energetic and sociable. is finding out when her next chapter will begin. Nor From day one, our educational and clinical teams assessed Nor’s needs Your support is needed now more than ever. She’s made many friends and graduates from Mary Cariola this summer and will and created a plan to help transform her life. Simply return the enclosed envelope or give online loves to greet them and talk attend a local adult Day Habilitation Program. quickly and securely at www.marycariola.org. Nor began receiving physical therapy and was outfitted with leg about a variety of topics! She Nor is just one of 480 students and residents orthotics and arm splints. She began developing leg strength by using performed in the annual talent benefiting from the highly skilled team at Mary an assistive technology stander in the classroom. Speech Therapists show by playing basketball with Photos: Nor poses at 2019 Prom with Music Therapist Jason Willey- Cariola. And thanks to your support, the lives of our worked with Nor on language and communication skills. Social her vice principal, and she has Bustos; working on goals with Physical Therapist Maggie Collins; students and residents will continue to be changed. shooting hoops with Vice Principal Earl Farber and swimming with Workers helped Nor and her parents navigate medical consultations, enjoyed community field trips – Special Education Teacher Amber Bulman which allowed Nor to have vision, dental and medical appointments especially the time she swam in a As a result of COVID-19, we are preparing new ways right at school. Teachers and staff encouraged Nor and engaged her in pool for the first time. Her favorite to teach our students and care for our residents, so

5 /   / 4 physical distancing such as mowing lawns and Super Heroes other yard work items for friends in our community. WORK HERE Creativity abounds not only for the residents’ adventures but also in ways that we have set up for Mary Cariola Radio some of the residents to reunite with their parents in creative ways other than across FaceTime, Skype Show on WYSL Stations or other cyber venues. We have been able to Did you know that Mary Cariola Center has its schedule some picnics, hikes and park visits with own radio show? The Mary Cariola Center Radio those that are able to wear masks and practice Show airs on the third Thursday of every month on The NEW NORMAL social distancing. So they get to see their parents in s we move into July, we are heading into the WYSL Radio Stations. The show is repeated on the flesh!! We have also had visits through windows in Human Resources weeks #16-19 of the COVID 19 pandemic. I’m Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and the podcast for story time and in the backyard to sit in the sun sure there are folks that will say that the time is available anytime. On March 14, 2020 the Cariola Community, like A and chat...but six feet away!! These visits have been has flown by and many others that are experiencing most things in society, changed dramatically. wonderful for both the residents and their families. The show, hosted by WYSL’s JC DeLass brings “Ground Hog Day” #84, as I write this. Almost overnight what we considered to be normal Some are not there yet, but we will continue to listeners into the walls of our school and the doors of our residences by discussing with Cariola practices were no longer the same; teaching Our residential family has remained healthy during do our best to be creative, while still maintaining students, caring for residents, working with each the past 84 days. Our Residence Managers, Residence everyone’s health and safety. staff about important other and practically every aspect of the Human Coordinators, RNs, Clinical staff and DSPs have Resources world. diligently followed and completed all of the health Our residential families have been incredibly issues facing the and safety protocols that we put in place on Day supportive by sending special dinners, cookies and agency. Four In-person interviews were forced to be done 1. They have not strayed. Their diligence has kept other treats to the houses to brighten everyone’s shows have electronically, discussions on benefits and payroll our residents healthy. The staff have also done an day. They recently created a list of the Top 65 aired so far with became Zoom meetings and keeping up with all excellent job with teaching our residents about the reasons why the staff are so important to them. In topics ranging the new employment regulations ordered by the virus, reinforcing good hand hygiene, practicing and addition, several community members, our Agency from the inner Governor became a daily, almost a minute-by- building up the time the residents wear their masks staff (retirees too!), donors and Agency friends have workings of our minute exercise. The Mary Cariola HR Department and teaching them how to clean their own rooms. reached out to provide meals, treats, and words of school, the work did not miss a beat. Under the guidance of Director, encouragement. This has gone a long way to keep that is done by Amy Fagan the team began conducting business A “new normal” is one of the catch phrases. I’m us going. Agency Leadership provided a special Direct Support in what is now considered the new normal. Team not convinced that this will ever seem normal to catered Sunday dinner, a parade at each house with Professionals members reached out to those who applied anyone. For our residents, they are coping until their lawn signs and special Super Hero t-shirts, candy and the for positions and provided them important remembered normal routine can be established and baked goods to honor our frontline staff. The importance of background information on Mary Cariola and again. While the novelty of being on an extended amount of support grows each week. donations to the ultimately conducted interviews. vacation has worn off for most, the bright spot is agency. Once our amazing staff. Whether it is week #1 or week #11, I’m incredibly proud of our staff. I’m thankful to the COVID crisis Those who had been hired pre-pandemic our staff has shown up with their masks donned, our Agency for hit, topics changed as the crisis changed; the show participated in a modified orientation process that prepared with new experiences to excite our being inherently featured highlights on our communication efforts, was conducted by our Learning & Organizational residents. After the school work, Zoom sessions and/ supportive. I’m the remote training of our staff and the challenges Development Team. or modified vocational activities are completed, grateful to live families face with remote learning. Throughout this crisis, like so many other the adventures begin. Hiking every trail they can in a community departments in the Agency, work continued find; seeing every waterfall within a 100-mile radius; The show has been very successful with the that when times and continues today using adapted methods of picking a favorite drive thru or restaurant with listenership increasing each month. You can listen get challenging communication and by working remotely in order curbside pick-up; searching for new playgrounds, the third Thursday of the month at 6:30pm over the we step up for to continue to do the business of Mary Cariola enjoying picnics in parks all over our area. While airwaves on 1040AM, 92.1FM, 95.5FM and streaming each other. Center. most of the community opportunities that our adult on WYSL1040.com. The podcasts also are posted on their website. residents participate in during their work day are Photo above: Mary Cariola’s Human Resources team on hold, our staff has found new ones to practice Anna-Lynn Brink Front Row: Amy Fagan, Raquel Lowry, Michael Van Munster CommunityAnna-Lynn Brink Services Back Row: Wayne Wiggs, Cindy McClurg, Tonya Brock  / 7  / 6 Community Services Director Mary Cariola Center Lighting and 2018-2019 by the Numbers Leading the Way. Board of Directors

Sunrise Circle members are the energy behind Chair: Pat Larrabee everything we do, and their dedicated support—like Vice-Chair: Mike Stachura the rising sun—fuels our growth so we can help our Treasurer: Jason R. Hall children blossom. Assistant Treasurer: Gary Schwingel On-site clinics 2018 – 2019 Secretary: Mary Bowe The Sunrise Circle is the annual leadership giving Families Served 5 society for Mary Cariola. Comprised of loyal 500+ donors who make a three-year Members: gift commitment of at least Mike Armbruster Frank Magnera $1,000 per year, it represents the Laurie Baker Jeffrey McCormack foundation of our annual giving Classrooms John Barr Linda Miller program and is critical to our Richard Finley Donald Nims 60 ability to plan for and support programming and Anne Francis, MD, FAAP Jack Odenbach operations at our schools and residences. Tom Hammond Mary Overfield Susan Hetherington, Ph.D. Jo Ellen Pinkham Residences As a member of the Sunrise Circle, your unrestricted Aaron Hilger Renu Singh gift commitment has a direct impact on the Barry Jencik, CPA Yantee Slobert School Districts 6 individuals and families that we serve, oftentimes Mike King Joseph Tobin helping them reach milestones that were not Christine Lane John Treahy 48 thought possible. William Mack Michael (Mick) Wood

Membership Levels Residents Friend: $1,000 – $2,499 per year 44 Teacher: $2,500 – $4,999 per year Mentor: $5,000 – $9,999 per year Founder: $10,000 – $14,999 per year Visionary: $15,000+ per year Respite Rooms

Please join us! For more information about Counties Served 3 becoming a member of the Sunrise Circle, 11 please contact the Advancement Office at 585.271.0761, ext. 1610 or by sending an email to [email protected]. 9 /   / 8 Photo: Vice Principal Charles Robinson shares a laugh with Shamell at the annual Bake-Off competition. $2,500 - $4,999 cont. Wade and Lisa Norwood Joe and Diane Syta S Novem Group Bob and Rae Vogel 2018-19 HONOR ROLL The Guido and Ellen Palma Foundation Wegmans † Paychex Charitable Foundation Gustave A. & Geraldine S. Werner Foundation Riedman Foundation Rudolph & Rose Wollner Charitable Trust Vic and Eileen Salerno Mick and Gretchen Wood S R.P. and Renu Singh Karen Zandi and Jim Zimmer

Chris and Debi Russell Smola Consulting Estate of Hon. Robert Wagner* Estate of Nancy Wiederhold*

$10,000 - $24,999 Channel 8 – WROC-TV † Monroe Capital, Inc. Comprehensive Dermatology of Rochester, PLLC Oppenheimer Funds G&C Food Distributors Palmer Family of Companies / Palmer Food Services The Rodney B. Janes Memorial Fund Mike and Phyllis Pappert Key Bank Rochester Clinical Research David Klos Family Memorial Fund (RACF) Joe and Amy Tobin S The Bob & Barbara McCord Private Foundation

$5,000 - $9,999 Anonymous Gregg Layer Mike and Cathy Armbruster S Will and Sharon Mack The Davenport-Hatch Foundation, Inc. QCI Asset Management, Inc. Gregory Franklin and Jean McCreary Paul C. Scott Malinda Gaskamp and Robert Miller S Mark and Marcia Siewert Family Fund (RACF) Tom Hammond The Summit Federal Credit Union Louis P. and Betty A.* Iacona Fund (RACF) Upstate Systems, Inc. Last Man Standing Club / Andy McDermott Wan Jou Family Foundation Lawley Andolina Verdi, LLC Dean C. Zutes Charitable Trust

$2,500 - $4,999 Ames-Amzalak Memorial Trust Kyle and Amy Garnish The Anderson-DuBose Company Greg and Debbie George Jerry and Laurie Baker S Walter Gilges Brian and Whitney Baniewicz S Steve Hoover Buckingham Properties LLC Mike and Amy King S CenturyLink Christine Klos and Don White Barbara Chambers-Ekpo † LeChase Construction Services, Inc. Cobblestone Capital Advisors, LLC Doug and Kate Lyon S Scott and Betsy Collins S Ed and Linda Miller S Jim and Jennifer DeVoe S Marc and Jeannine Misiurewicz S Flower City Glass Co. Mike and Joyce Mohun S 10Charles /  and Anne Francis S Steve and Charleen Nash  / 11 Information Technology Team Powers through Pandemic Creating Safe and Inclusive Environments

or Mary Cariola’s hard working Information Technology Team, the irst, thank you for your and accurate information. have also created a framework Covid-19 Pandemic has presented numerous opportunities and support and understanding for collaborative work with F F Additionally, George Floyd’s challenges but the department still describes the last few months as as we continue to respond to the implementation of an wrongful death and other ‘business as usual’. the unexpected Coronavirus interactional supervision model. injustices are a matter of serious pandemic. I am very proud Yet I know there is more to be “Some days are harder and busier than others, but we’ve always concern for me. As a person, worked with a strategy of pulling together, communicating and of the way our parents and done. I am asking all of you the school superintendent and working towards the same goal,” said IT Director Bridget Borsa. employees have handled the to join with me in taking an a member of the leadership demands we are faced with to important first step. Speak The shift of providing traditional “in person” IT support to a staff team at the Mary Cariola protect everyone’s health and up when you experience or working remotely has been interesting and not without some Center, I am dedicated to challenges. With nearly 900 devices to manage, Help Desk tickets continue to educate our students witness an act that appears promoting inclusion, equity, and requests for assistance continue to come in requiring the team during the most unusual of to be intolerance or bias in and justice. George Floyd’s to follow up, troubleshoot, educate and often, make circumstances. There continues action. Silence speaks loudly death reflects deeply ingrained, service calls. It’s the volume of business as usual to be concerns and questions and infers acceptance. In a long-standing divisions in our activities, along with projects that pop up, that make related to schools reopening situation that feels unacceptable, the work of our IT team that much more impressive. society that cannot continue. I in September 2020 and as I I am committed to starting a am committed to and live by Recent grants from The United Way and the Golisano write this, we are still awaiting conversation. Maybe it is as our Mary Cariola values: trust, Foundation allowed the Agency to purchase guidance from New York State simple as, “What did you mean integrity, respect, and quality- 70 laptops and 90 iPads that required set up, Department of Education. by your comment?” Then I will connectivity, distribution and instruction by the three focused. These values create As we wait, school leaders listen and try to respond calmly. I person full-time IT team with assistance, as needed, a workplace where equality are working diligently on hope you will join me. Together from our IT Support vendor. Additional technology and diversity are priorities. We our reopening plans for Fall. Our we can work consciously to tools are being prepared for our six residential homes can, and should be, known as to allow FaceTime visits with families. plan is to reopen with many create environments that are the organization that actively changes including enhanced truly inclusive for all. With the need for Remote access to our network promotes equity and sets IT Specialist Tom Peterson and Help Desk Technician Dylan cleaning protocols, rearranged becoming more critical, they are planning for an increase in the Loucks keep staff, students and residents connected! the example for others in the classrooms, new protective number of Virtual Private Network users. The first step is an upgrade Rochester community. to the infrastructure and capacity to handle the increased need while equipment, new procedures for simultaneously ensuring the access is secure. The final and most keep the team on track and movement in the building and Over the past several years, important step will be to work with users to train them on how to use focused on the day’s events. use of space, and new guidelines our Agency has taken the technology safely. for visitors to our schools. Sadly, important steps to foster “When anything is needed, my we also need to be prepared in opportunities for employees. A new contract with the Agency’s print vendor at the end of June will team is eager to jump right in,” occur and updated devices will arrive. Planning and researching for Bridget said. “We are small but case there is a second COVID-19 For instance, we started a the replacement of Mary Cariola’s secure email encryption platform outbreak in our community Grow Our Own employee mighty and we are all on the Christine Sheffer and rolling out a new Intranet using Sharepoint are also some of the same page. We like our jobs and that would result in mandated education program that allows Superintendent of Schools projects on the horizon over the next few months. we continue to move forward closings. You are encouraged to opportunity for advancement each day with a “Let’s make this The team is rarely together during this time physically as they stagger visit our webpage and follow us to all regardless of ability to happen” attitude. in office schedules to comply with the Agency’s pandemic safety on social media for up-to-date pay for higher education. We guidelines. Zoom meetings and email and phone communication 13 /   / 12 Our State Road residential team moved to the head of the class for their work in engaging Alyssa and her housemates with creative lesson plans about the ocean.

At the end of March, when it became apparent that Sending heartfelt wishes from Teacher Assistant the Coronavirus crisis was not going to be quickly Stacy Bean and Teacher Aide II Liz Yohe. resolved, Mary Cariola Center began an outreach

program called “Cariola Cares.” The program’s Kreag Road residents Marius and objective was and remains twofold; allow families Stephanie enjoy a day trip to Letchworth State Park with Direct and staff to ask important questions via the Cariola Support Professional Jeff Fisher. Cares email address and to have community members, staff and families show their support of Cariola Leslie Plucknette surprised the Mary Cariola in picture form. Agency with this colorful donation of children’s masks. A Cariola Cares logo was created and is used on all Moments important communications to staff and families. The Agency leadership team distributed Cariola Cares “Superhero” signs to all six of the residential houses and school. Staff have been regularly sending in photos making a heart with their hands Monroe County Public Health Commissioner in support of our residents and students. Those Dr. Michael Mendoza shows his support. photos are posted daily on Mary Cariola social media pages. Additionally, community leaders have shared their photos with us. Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter, Monroe County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza, State Senators Joe Robach and Rich Funke along with U.S. Congressman Joe Morelle have all participated in Cariola Cares. East River Road residents Chrissy, Moezella If you’d like to show your support, you can send in and Matthew enjoy a recent outing at Powder Mills Park. Dana Bennett presents treats to Special a photo of yourself making a heart with your hands Education Teacher Tara Sacko during Teacher and we’ll add it to our posts. If you have questions Appreciation Day. regarding Mary Cariola during this pandemic, please email [email protected] IT Director Bridget Borsa salutes the Super Heroes at our Rushwood residence. Principal Rachael Griffin delivers graduation gown, sign and treats to Mary Cariola graduate Hamza.  / 15  / 14 Grateful for Grants Mary Cariola Center is grateful to be the recipient of several grants to help offset costs associated with remotely supporting our students, residents, and families. Our increased reliance on technology has created a need for additional ways to educate and communicate with our students. Fundraising The Golisano Foundation recently approved a grant to purchase 75 laptops for educational and clinical staff to conduct virtual classroom FACTS and clinical lessons. The United Way Community Crisis Fund awarded The COVID-19 pandemic has a grant to help fund the purchase of iPads for Cariola students. altered Mary Cariola’s 2020 In addition, the United Way Crisis Fund approved a grant to hire fundraising strategy. Events interpreters and American Sign Language translators for 26 of our that generate Agency awareness students whose parents are non-English speaking or deaf. Having as well as raise important funds interpreters and translators allows the students to receive services will look different and the with therapists and educational instructors with parental support. impact could be significant: the Caring for a Cause Golf Classic Cariola staff members have been filled with gratitude for receiving anticipates fewer sponsors; a these devices that allow them to connect with our students and virtual Walking on Sunshine families through frequent check-ins with social workers, remote may not draw the level of therapy sessions, and school coursework. participation we’re used to; and our fall donor event is still We remain indebted to our generous donors and community uncertain. And due to economic members for their support in helping us provide essential support concerns we delayed the mailing and services to our students, residents, and families. of our Spring Appeal and added Nor’s Story to this issue of Centerpoint. Agency operations will be greatly impacted by COVID-19 and your support is needed now, more than ever. Please consider returning the enclosed envelope or make a secure donation online at www. marycariola.org. Thank you.

CONTACT Agency Advancement at (585) 271-2897 ext. 1662 with any changes to your name/address, or to update your mailing preferences. Feng Yang along with the Paasawe family were excited to receive Agency issued iPads to enhance distance learning. 585.271.0761 | marycariola.org

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