NCP DONATES TO FAMILIES IN NEED

Once again this holiday season, NCP raised money and donated Price Chopper gift cards to families in need throughout the Capital Region. 83 families were helped through our efforts.  NCP staff worked together to organize fundraising and donatations.   

Thank you everyone and let's raise even more in 2012!

Happy New Year from the entire NCP family!

Glens Falls Celebrates World AIDS Day

Several NCP Glens Falls staff members are regular volunteers at a yearly Can d lelight Vigil an d Memorial Program that is held on World AIDS Day. NCP Manager Carollee Sipowicz is the Chair for this event. Each year, at the gazebo in Crand all Park, the Mayor of Glens Falls declares the city as an official sponsor. Candles are lit and the crowd walks to The Charles R. Wood Theater. The speaker this year received a standing ovation after telling her story about being born HIV+, and how she has spent her young life battling illness, medication issues, and the continuing stigma of her affliction. Several performers entertained with their musical expertise including our own Pat Ball who sang both a solo and a duet. A local quilt was borrowed from the Names Project and displayed during the event.

Light refreshments were served during a social gathering that followed the performance. Servers, all NCP Glens Falls staff, included Nicole Mylott, Jenny Cooper, Shannon Rossi, Ashley Usher, Amy Cutler, and Kathie D'Agostino. Attendees from NCP also included Wes MacKay and Nancy Luther from the Colvin office.

Photos
Pat Ball singing solo
Carollee giving opening address;
The local quilt
Group picture

NCP Continues Computer Classes at Glen Falls Crandall Library

NCP Awarded Grant from First Niagra Bank "Mentoring Matters" Program

NCP is proud to accept a $5,000 grant from First Niagra Bank to establish a Mentoring program for Young Adults.  NCP will be able to develop and incorporate a formal mentoring component into our existing Youth Services Expansion Grant programs.  Young adults will be matched with employees from   participanting community employers.  Through this connection with caring adult role models student participants will be able to seek advice, obtain support and receive  exposure to an environment that promotes positive behaviors and attitudes.  The mentoring component will be a valuable tool towards reinforcement of vocational skills training, positive social development, and healthy community connections as the students we work with progress through high school and then move on to college and careers.

NCP receives donation from Albany based financial firm BST

NCP Staff are "Fans in the Stands"
Several members of the Glens Falls staff volunteered their time on Saturday 10/22 to support the Special Olympics games. The staff were "Fans in the Stands" for those special individuals who participated in the sport of their choice. Many team members traveled to the game site from a distance and were quite appreciative of the enthusiastic cheering provided by NCP. The staff had a chance to meet up with " The Capital District Players ", the softball team coached by Susan Handerhan who showed off their impressive athletic abilities!

William B. Joslin Award Winner
Sean Sullivan, Coordinator of Off Site Contracts with NYSID, presented the eighth annual William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award to Mr. George Bates. George has done an exceptional job working for the NYS Education Dept, in their Duplicating Unit, since 2003. This is a NYSID contract overseen by Northeast Career Planning. George was named along with 53 other outstanding performers throughout New York State and although he did not win first place, this is a huge accomplishment for him. The Joslin Awards Program has exceeded expectations over time, thanks to the 367 people with disabilities who have been named Outstanding Performers since the program began in 2004. NYSID representative Sarah Ericson, Duplicating Superintendent Tom Vojnar, NCP Employment Specialist Kylieta Williams and Supervisor David Edelstein all joined George and his co-workers to celebrate this achievement.

Northeast Career Planning Awarded NISH Grant for Steam Cleaning System
NCP has been awarded financial support through NISH for the start-up of a "Clean by Steam" business for potential commercial, state, or local government contracts. This environmentally friendly steam cleaning system will be used to clean cars, boats, campers, shopping carts, etc. For more information on the technology and uses of the steam jet please go to: www.steamjetinc.com. For more information on this program contact Christine Oughton at coughton@northeastcareer.org.

Glens Falls Office Holds Open House
NCP recently relocated it's Glens Falls office to larger quarters at 16 Pearl Street, Suite 208, Glens Falls. Due to the addition of several new contracts, the former location was no longer able to support the office's growth. Programs offered in the Glens Falls office include those with ACCES-VR (formerly VESID), Warren and Washington County Job Readiness Skills and Placement programs, and a joint venture with The Crandall Library which provides computer training to the public.

For more information on services in Glens Falls, contact Carollee Sipowicz at 812-0280.

SABIC Community Day Makeover
Thank you SABIC for sprucing up our Menands site at 339 Broadway.

Join Team NCP in the 23rd Annual Freihofers Community Walk!

HVCC Basic Air Sealing & Insulation Training Center Grand Opening at NCP

NCP and HVCC hosting Problem Gambling Recovery Program

The Norton Center is holding an Open House

NCP Offering Free Computer Classes at Crandall Library in Glens Falls

NDEAM Awards Employer recognition
Every year NCP recognizes consumers and employers for their commitment to employing individuals with disabilities at the local and regional level, as well as within the agency. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize the winners of those awards and thank those of you who wrote the nominations.
To view pictures from these awards please click here .

This years' winners include:
NDEAM Awards Employer recognition
Staples nominated by Lori Anselment
WCW nominated by Dan Rogers
Camelot nominated by Chris Oughton
Focused Technologies nominated by Grace Deasy
Unity House nominated by Lindsey Pirozzi

Regional Award Winner for OPWDD “Works for Me”
Focused Technologies nominated by Chris Oughton
View video

New York State Industries for the Disabled Joslin Award
Winner: Pam Jones, New York State Museum contract cleaner (recipient of $250.00).
Nominated By Chris Oughton and Sean Sullivan

The Grapevine newsletter published by Greene County Council for the Disabled
Fall Issue of The Grapevine newsletter published by Greene County Council for the Disabled. See article about NCP on page 3! Thank You to Jen Searing, for spearheading this article and for working so hard in promoting our efforts in this area!

A legacy is passed on..

Executive Director Richard Bennett featured in Times Union
NCP's Executive Director, Rich Bennett, was featured in the Albany Times Union Words and Ideas column, highlighting his impressions on corporate leadership.

Bennett referenced lessons and ideas featured in Jack Welch's autobiography, Jack: Straight from the Gut. Bennett also touched on his rapport with former Executive Director, William Norton, as a pivotal influence on his leadership strategies.

Northeast Career Planning participates in Community Walk

School to Work Student wins Community Award

Success story...
After many years working in the food service industry, Sylvia Brookshire found her niche as a bus attendant with Durham Bus Services.
On June 29, supported employment counselor Kathleen O'Connor organized a "graduation" party as Sylvia has demonstrated increased independence in maintaining her employment successfully.
She is a natural at work and well liked by her co-workers and supervisors. Sylvia treats the children with sensitivity and respect. During future orientations for new Durham staff, Sylvia will speak about her experiences.

NCP Employee Wins NYS APSE Best Practice Award
NCP is thrilled to announce that Supported Employment Rehabilitation Services Coordinator, Kathleen O'Connor, has been awarded the 2010 New York State APSE Best Practice Award.
The award recognizes an agency, individual employee or family member that exhibits strong commitment and creativity to best practices in employment of individuals with disabilities in the area of individualized planning and job supports, creative use of natural supports, job development or marketing, strengthening of bonds between employer and employee, innovative funding arrangements, successful adaptations of supported employment to address "new and different" disability issues and/or innovative advocacy strategies.

Please join us in congratulating Kathleen for her achievement!