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Hello Friends:

I hope you are enjoying spring, with its warmer weather and buzz of activities available in our communities.

The vision of Starbridge is that every person will lead a fulfilling life in their community. Every person should be able to direct their own future and have the community support they need to realize their dreams. Most people would agree with us, but the next question we all ask is: how do we make this happen?

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The New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (NYS DDPC) is inviting the public to review their five-year State Plan and provide comments. They gathered data from “over 1,000 diverse New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members, staff, service providers, and others”, according to the DDPC’s news release.

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By the fall of 2014, Don Schofield was struggling to meet his basic needs: “I was living couch to couch.” He had been unemployed for five years, largely because of untreated mental health disorders, and he was unable to maintain relationships with his five children and his grandchildren. As he said, “They got tired of taking care of me.”

A counselor referred Don to Starbridge’s LASR (Learning to Achieve Self Reliance) program. Shlynn Hodkinson, a Starbridge service navigator, credits Don for his hard work. Shlynn said, “He was willing to do anything but needed support to know what to do.”

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Developmental Disabilities Awareness month promotes understanding of developmental disabilities and inclusion of people who have developmental disabilities. Increased awareness leads to greater access to education, health care, employment, and community living opportunities for everyone.

During the month of March, Starbridge encourages you to check out the following resources –

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Starbridge is proud to be part of the campaign to “Spread the Word to End the Word”. Nationwide, activists are working to eliminate the use of the “r words” (retard or retarded) from common usages that are insulting, exclusionary, and disrespectful to people who have intellectual disabilities. The campaign encourages all of us to use language that promotes respect for all people.

On Wednesday, March 2, 2016, many Rochester organizations will host events and pledge drives to build awareness of this campaign. Here are ways you can participate:

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Dear Friends:

If you have ever planned a long road-trip, you know it is not enough just to know who wants to go with you. You have to decide on your destination, when you will start, what you would like to do along the way, how you will pay for the trip, and how you will all get along during the journey.

In planning for where Starbridge is headed, we have undertaken a deliberate process to map out a strategy for the next three years. Our intent is to lead the way in serving the diverse, evolving and life-long needs of people who have disabilities.

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Our first Celebration of Champions as Starbridge was a success!

The event was hosted at Locust Hill Country Club on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Nearly 300 guests enjoyed good company, great music from Mambo Kings, our ever-popular wine pull, and a silent auction. Ginny Ryan of 13 WHAM-TV served as emcee, and did a remarkable job of presenting the heartwarming stories of our Community Awards recipients. Senator Rich Funke was on hand to congratulate the recipients, too.

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Colin Steve RBJ awardsOn October 27, the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Rochester Business Journal hosted the annual Greater Rochester Awards, recognizing nonprofit staff members, executives, volunteers, and programs for their contributions to the community. Starbridge Board Chair Stephen G. Schwarz was honored for in the Board Leadership category for demonstrating effective leadership, fundraising, strategic planning, community collaboration and problem solving.

Congratulations, Steve, and thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for Starbridge and the people we serve!

 

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Dear Friends:

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope this holiday finds you well. As we approach the end of 2015, we at Starbridge have so many reasons to be thankful.

We are thankful to have the opportunity to continue partnering with individuals and families. Whether people are looking for ways to succeed in school or employment, to engage in their communities, or to direct the mix of supports and services that work best for them, we are glad to be a resource and a strong partner.

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Starbridge is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015 Community Awards. 

CommunityAwards2015

Their stories are below. Please join us at our Celebration of Champions, on Saturday, November 14, to meet and congratulate these remarkable individuals!