Unity House

We'd like to extend a very special thank you to Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) and Dan and Sara of 325 Productions for coordinating a visit to Ithaca Day Hab earlier these week to film some of our DSPs in action. We can't wait to share more soon on two of our exceptional day hab staff members: Conor and William! They are both self-motivated and see credentialing as an opportunity to achieve excellence in their roles. Ten Unity House staff members are currently enrolled in NADSP microcredentialing through TC3 this semester. The three-tiered program empowers direct support professionals. It teaches social services history, best practices in caregiving, and provides tools to foster autonomy for the people they support. Upon completion, Unity House staff receive a pay boost and additional stipends.

Apply now: unityhouse.org/joinourteam Our DSPs are the backbone of our mission. Unity House's dedicated staff are part of a vital statewide caregiving community that's over 110,000 strong. DSPs don't just assist with daily needs; they also serve as role models, teachers, mentors, and friends for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our highly-trained, dedicated staff help with everyday tasks such as meal preparation, development of motor skills, personal hygiene, transportation, and mobility. At Unity House, we work hard to maintain safe, comfortable home environments at our group residences. For many of the people we support, Unity House is their permanent home. Each person we support unique needs and goals. That's why our staff members provide compassionate, personalized care and build strong, trusting relationships with the more than 700 people we serve every year. Empowering lives. Securing futures. It's what we do. If you'd like to be part of this empowerment, you can apply now at unityhouse.org/joinourteam

We hope you'll join us for our next estate planning seminar on October 21 at Cayuga Community College. Unity House's Planned Giving Advisory Council (PGAC) is here to help. You care about your family, your friends and your community. With an estate plan, you can make sure your care continues long after you’ve passed. The members of Unity House’s volunteer Planned Giving Advisory Council can help. An estate plan gives you peace of mind. It protects what’s important to you. It means your loved ones don’t have to guess at what you would have wanted. And with expert help, your plan can reduce taxes so you can provide even more for the people and charities you care about most. Learn more about PGAC here: https://lnkd.in/gGcJUjx8 Learn more about our planned giving program here, including information on will bequests, QCDs, and more. https://lnkd.in/g_uM-CkC

Unity House honored some of its longest-serving employees this week with gifts and words of gratitude. At gatherings in Auburn and Ithaca, Unity House CEO Liz Smith and COO Darlene Podolak joined supervisors from every part of the organization in thanking employees who completed five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service with the organization. Each employee who hit a milestone received a gift, which included electronic devices, camping gear, tools, clothing and accessories. As each name was announced, their supervisor and co-workers shared details about what makes the honoree an important part of the team. “This organization does not rise and fall on just a single person,” Liz told the employees gathered Unity House’s Wright Avenue office in Auburn. “What makes this organization move forward in fulfilling its mission is everybody. It’s each of you and the individual role you play. I’m very grateful for all you do.” Read the full list of award recipients here: https://lnkd.in/e5qGArcc

When Donna Stowe came to town recently from Virginia, she was on a mission. A generous donor and the mother of an Ithaca Unity House resident, Donna has long been a passionate “get out the vote” advocate. Along with Chief Advancement Officer Chris Iven and Director of Marketing & Development Kelly Buck, Donna visited day hab programs in both Ithaca and Auburn to register our program participants to vote. Fourteen signed up in Ithaca, and 19 completed forms in Auburn. Unity House staff will take many to the polls on November 5; others registered for early mail-in ballots. “It’s important to vote because we will choose the president of our country," Auburn resident Arthur said. Day Hab Program Manager Ryan VanDoren agreed. Ryan will vote for the first time this year. “This is how our voices are heard," he said.

Please RSVP to [email protected] if attending. When: Monday, October 21 Noon to 1:30 p.m. Location: Cayuga Community College Business and Industry Center, 197 Franklin Street, Auburn, NY 13021 HYBRID event: In-person and virtual attendance through Zoom available View our Facebook event page: https://lnkd.in/eUThzaGd Unity House's Planned Giving Advisory Council (PGAC) members are such a tremendous resource that we feel compelled to share their expertise with the entire community. Our three Q&A panelists (Tim Carr, Nancy Massicci, and Nathan Kopp), will be present to help you take concrete steps toward making your estate plan during this free (yes, free!) estate planning and legacy giving seminar. This talk is for you if: -You’re thinking about drafting or revising your will. -You're looking for other ways to protect your assets, provide for your family and strengthen your community. With a planned gift, you incur no costs today, yet you ensure that those you care about will get the support they need for generations to come.

Today is the day! Forty Unity House employees will participate in our annual staff appreciation event, Unity Games. Ten teams will participate in 8 recreational and cerebral teambuilding challenges, donning their best-decorated shirts for a chance to be crowned 1st-place Olympians. Thank you also to this year's 20 volunteers and committee members. This year's teams are: Ctrl, Alt, Defeat Unity Warriors The Billables Green Machine Grace House Gold Medals Recovery Renegades Weekday Warriors The Goal Diggers Up, Down, Left, Wright Gold Medal Girls This year's Olympians are from the following sites/programs/departments: Auburn Day Hab Clinical Services Department East St. Apartments (Skaneateles) Finance Department GRACE House (Auburn) Green St. IRA (Ithaca) Human Resources Ithaca Day Hab Oak Drive IRA (Union Springs) PROSperity Program Self-Direction Sheffield IRA (Ithaca) Tompkins PWDD Residential Best of luck, everyone!

It's never easy to speak up or reach out and ask for help. If you are struggling, know that you are not alone. Free and confidential resources such as 988 are available when you need them most. Learn more at https://988lifeline.org/ #SuicidePrevention #988 #NationalSuicidePreventionDay

As we continue to celebrate our DSPs, please feel free to share your stories of appreciation and success using the hashtag #UnityHouseDSPs. We might just repost them to our social media feeds! Thank you to our Direct Support Professionals for all you do. 💕

Happy National Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week! We are grateful to our DSPs for their hard work and dedication in empowering people with disabilities and helping them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. You are the heart of our organization. This week, we celebrate you! #UnityHouseDSPs #MoreThanWork