Challenge Workforce Solutions Annual Report 2017-2018

50 YEARS BELIEVING!

50 YEARS ACHIEVING!

2017–2018 Annual Report

As Challenge celebrates our 50th anniversary in 2018,
we have much to look back on with great pride. Tens of
thousands of people with disabilities and barriers have
been given the chance to grow and show their skills. As the
job market and funding have changed, Challenge has kept
pace. And even as the agency has faced difficult financial
and organizational struggles, our dedicated staff and
community supporters have maintained a dedication and
commitment that would make our founder, Robert Sprole
Sr., proud.

George Washington Carver once said that “where there is
no vision, there is no hope.” Robert Sprole Sr. and his son
Bob Sprole Jr. knew our community needed a place where
everyone, regardless of disability or barrier, could have
meaningful work. This is a vision that has given so much
hope to so many people over the last 50 years, and still
does today.

But our 50th Anniversary isn’t just a chance for us to
celebrate the vision and accomplishments of Challenge’s
founders and family over the years; Bob Sprole III said at
our event that he wanted to see Challenge evolving and
meeting the needs of our community 50 years from today,
and we are well on our path to doing just that:

• After a difficult financial crisis in 2014–2016, Joe Sammons, Executive Director
Challenge took major strides toward recovery • Challenge has refocused on its core mission—
and growth in 2017—with the help of generous employment services and supports for people
community support and the hard work of our with disabilities and barriers—and providing
staff, Challenge has regained its financial footing, quality, affordable staffing-intensive services for
cut our deficits for two straight years, and is on more than 100 business partners in our region.
track for our first small surplus in 2018!

• Despite our financial and organizational
changes, we’ve never wavered in services for
the people we have served since our doors first
opened: last year, more than 1,000 people with
disabilities and barriers received employment
services and supports (94 percent in community
placements!)

We invite you to read the pages of our Annual Report, with
stories of our participants, our programs, and community
supporters like Jerry Dietz, who have given their time
and treasure to ensure that in our community, everyone
deserves a chance for meaningful and rewarding work.

ABOUT THE ARTIST And we invite you to learn more about Challenge and our
programs and services on our website, aboutchallenge.
Jeffrey R. (b. 1963) is this year’s cover artist. org, or visit us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, he came to challengeworkforcesolutions.
Ithaca and Challenge three years ago. He began We are grateful to you for all that you do to keep our
making art about seven years ago, primarily mission alive and well. Whether you are a donor or an
working in pen and pencil. “I just like to draw — employer, a staff person or a program participant, we know
it takes a community to ensure that everyone, regardless
everything I look at I draw!” of disability or barrier, has the chance to grow and show
their skills.
Thank you!

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Challenge Workforce Solutions is a non-profit organization Kathleen M. with Employment Specialists Harrison
based in Ithaca, New York dedicated to creating pathways Rumsey and Erinn Seward at Hilton Garden Inn
to employment for people with disabilities and other
barriers.
Robert Sprole Sr. founded Challenge in November 1968 as a
sheltered workshop with 13 participants within the walls of
his manufacturing business, Therm Inc. From these humble
beginnings, Sprole’s vision of a truly inclusive workforce has
continued to manifest: today, Challenge serves over 1,000
individuals each year, 94 percent of whom are placed in
community-based settings with more than 100 employers.
Challenge’s participants are a diverse mix—about 35
percent have a developmental or physical disability; the
rest are working to overcome a variety of other obstacles
including mental health diagnoses, generational poverty,
language barriers, substance abuse, and incarceration.
Likewise, Challenge’s programs range widely—from pre-
vocational services, which offer training and experience
in general work skills, to direct placement, which provides
job-seekers with the tools and supports to secure full-time
employment with opportunity for career advancement.
Each of these programs is highly personalized to best
support participants in forging their own paths to greater
self-sufficiency.
Challenge also advances its mission through the operation
of several in house businesses, including Digital Imaging,
Contract Production, Commercial Cleaning, and Contract
Staffing. These ventures provide over 200 training and
employment opportunities for participants while meeting
the needs of several top employers in the region.

OUR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

2017 Revenues 2017 Expenses

Overall, Challenge revenues were $5,944,771 in 2017. Overall, Challenge expenses were $6,214,426 in 2017.

DONOR PROFILE: JERRY DIETZ

Business student, restaurateur, real estate developer—
Jerry Dietz has played many roles during his 47 years in
Ithaca, but what he has become best known for is his
deep engagement with the community as a volunteer and
philanthropist.

Jerry has chaired the Taste of the Nation gala since 1994
and cofounded the AIDS Ride for Life in 1999. Together,
these popular annual events have raised over four million
dollars for local hunger relief and healthcare services. He
has also spearheaded successful capital campaigns for his
alma mater, Ithaca College, and has supported the area’s
vibrant performing arts scene as a patron of the Kitchen
Theatre, Hangar Theatre, and Running to Places. His first
business venture, Ragmann’s Restaurant, and his current
company, CSP Management, have served as corporate
sponsors for countless other charitable organizations and
events throughout the region.

Jerry’s most recent—and most ambitious—philanthropic
initiative is the Just Be Cause Center (JBCC), an incubator
space for local non-profits and the host of a rollicking
party with gourmet food, libations, and dance music which
benefits a different area service agency each year.

Jerry established the JBCC in honor of his wife Judy, who Judy was not just the impetus for this new facility; Jerry
passed away from ovarian cancer in 2012. Judy was one of credits her with shaping his entire outlook on community
the most dedicated and energetic participants in the civic service. “My sense of volunteerism was honed in very
life of the community, serving on numerous boards and large measure through my many years with Judy. We met
volunteering for numerous causes near and dear to her in college and already she had been active in charitable
heart. Chief among these was the Friendship Donations work—in high school, she had organized a clothing drive
Network (FDN), which rescues perishable food from local for the patients at the Willowbrook institution on Staten
supermarkets and distributes it to food pantries. Island. All through our marriage, she organized, she lent a
Today, the JBCC’s non-profit family includes FDN, Running hand, she made connections—and because of that, I really
to Places, Woods Earth Living Classroom, Ithaca Public learned the importance of giving back.”
Education Initiative, Ithaca Children’s Garden, and Judy’s spirit is also the unmistakable force behind the Just
Coalition for Healthy School Food. In addition to ample Be Cause Party. She was one of the hardest workers in our
office space, the 5,000 square-foot center features a community, but she also knew how to cut loose and have
conference room, two multipurpose activity rooms, and a good time. In particular, she took great pleasure in good
a commercial kitchen. The JBCC’s mission-driven tenants food and dancing. The original “Just Because” party was a
benefit not only from these practical amenities but from lighthearted soirée that she and Jerry planned during one
the opportunities for collaboration that arise from their of their many long drives to and from the Memorial Sloan-
close proximity. Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. After her passing,
Jerry resolved to make the party an annual affair, but
THANK YOU TO OUR 2017 – 2018 BOARD! thought to further honor her legacy by inserting a judicious
space into the name and making it a fundraising event.

Steve Savage (Chair) This year Jerry has chosen to honor Challenge Workforce
Kelley Yeomans (Vice Chair) Solutions, which is now in its fiftieth year of creating
pathways to employment for people with disabilities and
Kellie Page (Treasurer) other barriers (see the event flyer in this report!)
Jacob Yale (Secretary) “My first awareness of Challenge—like many people’s—
was the big pink building downtown,” Jerry says. “But I
Todd Baker didn’t have a very definite sense of what was going on in
Derek Burrows there. It wasn’t until fairly recently that I got the chance to
Tony Eisenhut hear some of the success stories and gain a more complete
Sheila McEnery understanding of all the remarkable things that Challenge
Beth Mielbrecht is doing in our community. It’s helping people to find a
voice—people who have gone unnoticed—and helping
Teri Tarshus them to lead fulfilling, productive lives. And as for the
Matthew Valaik party, it’s going to be a real celebration—we’re celebrating
a great thing that started fifty years ago and is still going
strong. Plus, what’s fundraising without the fun?”

PARTICIPANT PROFILE: ANGELO G.

A native of the Bronx, Angelo G. dropped out of high school
and developed drug and alcohol addictions that led him to
Rikers Island. In 2001, his brother convinced him to come
to Ithaca, but he “came up here with the same mentality
that [he] had in the City.” His addictions worsened, his rap
sheet lengthened, and finally in 2014 he lost custody of his
daughters.

This was his turning point. Angelo started attending twelve-
step meetings, found a supportive church community, and
came to Challenge.

Angelo met with Geno Tournour, DSS Programs Manager, Angelo is clearly on the path to self-sufficiency. For three
and attended Job Club, a six-week program of intensive years, he has been gainfully employed, clean and sober,
career exploration, job readiness training, and hands-on job and living with his fiancée and their daughters. And now,
search assistance. Says Geno, “With an extensive criminal with an invitation from Family Treatment Court Judge
background—all directly related to his addiction—and no John C. Rowley, he’s come full circle, serving as a mentor to
high school diploma, Angelo’s barriers to employment were young people struggling with addiction.
substantial.” “I used to think that I was living,” Angelo says. “But now I
Despite these obstacles, Angelo landed a maintenance job really am living. And now I know it’s not all about me.”
at Texas Roadhouse and very soon thereafter was recruited
by a manager at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. He has been
working on the line for two years and was recently asked to
apply for a management position. “Five Guys is all about
teamwork,” says Angelo. “Everyone helps everyone.”
While Geno and Angelo continue to stay in close contact,

STAFF PROFILE: RYAN NOTARPOLE

communicate needs to employers, track their progress, and
celebrate important milestones along their career path.

Ryan is a “Cuse boy”—a native of the Syracuse metropolitan
area north of Ithaca. He attended Keuka College, studying
Unified Education, Special Education, and Childhood
Education, and upon graduation worked as a residential
rehabilitation specialist at ARC. He then moved to North
Carolina to work one-on-one with a deafblind child with
severe behavioral issues, using tactile sign language to
communicate. Six years ago, he returned to the Finger
Lakes region and landed his current position at Challenge.

Says Ryan, “This has been the most rewarding job I’ve
had—this is where I see myself helping the most. I can
see the impact firsthand—I’ve witnessed tremendous
growth. So many people with these kinds of barriers don’t
get the opportunity to find work in the community, gain
independence, put a down payment on a house—these
are huge achievements.”

“It’s a cliché to say ‘I learn more from them than they Ryan’s deep commitment to his participants and to the
do from me,’ but in this case it’s absolutely true, because mission of Challenge does not go unnoticed. He was
I’ve never had to face the obstacles that they’ve had to presented with the Employee of the Year award at this
overcome.” year’s Annual Awards Event.

As an Employment Specialist at Challenge Workforce Although his job keeps him very busy, Ryan has made
Solutions, Ryan Notarpole manages a full caseload time for several interesting creative pursuits. Right now,
of individuals with disabilities and other barriers he is writing and illustrating a children’s book entitled
to employment, providing them with support and Aunt Gone, about a woman who escapes her humdrum
encouragement throughout the entire process of finding life to discover a secluded cabin and an ability to speak to
and keeping jobs in the community. He helps participants woodland creatures. He can also be seen gigging around
to identify their strengths and problem areas, set goals, town as lead singer of Bob Roberts Calamity.





OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS

Challenge would not be the organization it is today without the support
of a community that truly understands its mission: creating pathways to
employment for individuals with disabilities and other barriers. Each day,
Challenge works hard to serve the people in our communities and help
them to achieve their goals. Challenge could not do this important work

without the support of the following donors, sponsors, and grantees.

GRANTS

Community Foundation of Tomp. Co. Legacy Foundation United Way of United Way of
Friends of the Tomp. Co. Public Library TRIAD Foundation Schuyler County Tompkins County

DONATIONS $1,000 +

Andy & Rosemary Sciarabba Glenda Long KyuJung & Eileen Whang Sciarabba Walker
Benefit Design Services Corp. Gloria Kulhawy Mack & Carol Travis Todd Cowen
Beth & Ron Mielbrecht Jean Smith Trust Michael Kirkwood Trust Wegmans
Carol Neigh Jerry Dietz / CSP Management Norma Jayne Trust William Olbricht
Derek & Nora Burrows John & Elaine Alexander Penelope & Tom Wickham
Eugene & Jean Yarussi Kelley & Tim Yeomans Robert Sprole II

DONATIONS $500–999

Anil & Sally Nerode Danita Fish Melissa Chiusano Thomas Ruane
Anton Burkett Bud & Helen Lohmann Patty Poist Steve & Kristina
Barry Adams Greg & Bev Hartz Peter & Beth Marks Savage
Brian Murphy Harris Beach, PLLC Peter & Paulette Salmon Teresa Jordan & Rick
CFCU Community Credit Union Ithaca College/Sodexo Robert Silsbee Allmendinger
Charles & Jane Walcott Jim & Terry Byrnes Robert III & Shari Sprole TompkinsInsurance
City Club of Ithaca Joseph & Patty Kiely Robert & Karen Strominger Tompkins Trust
Cornelius & Jose Drost Kevin & Helen Talty Roger & Carole Sibley William Tomek

DONATIONS $250–499

Abraham & Yoko Mulugetta Dermatology Associates of Ithaca Joseph & Nan Bylebyl Stephen Sass
Alice Colby-Hall Donald & Sylvia Dickinson Kellie Page Stephen Snyder
Anthony & Janet Ingraffea Edward Robert Turgeon Kim Pugliese Susan Currie
Antonio Bordonaro Harry & Mary Ellsworth Lillian Lee Thomas & Donna
Ashley Greenlee Harry Kesten Lodewijk & Beatrice Magre Sokol
Barbara & Peter Power Helen & Michael Prouty Madison & Mary Wright Tim & Mary Colbert
Carl & Sally Ginet Herbert Hartwig Margaret Walbridge Todd & Cristin Baker
Chet Osadchey J. Dix Wayman Marty Gold Triphammer Wines
Communique Design & Marketing James Kerrigan Matt & Michele Valaik Vincent & Cynthia
Connie Ged Jan & Susan Suwinski N. David & Dorothy Mermin Mulcahy
Constance Cowen Jeannette Frank Paula Peter William & Susan
David & Lenore Bandler John Fuchs Richard & Linda Slade Lesser
David & Carolyn Corson John & Beverly Rudd Robert Cockram
David & Susan Ruppert John & Carol Vineyard Simon N. & Mara Kelly

Consider a gift to Challenge today!

ABOUTCHALLENGE.ORG > DONATE

DONATIONS $1–249

Aaron Godert Diane Hillmann Joyce Morgenroth Penny Givin
Alain Seznec Donald Greenberg Judith Healey Peter Harriott
Alan Thomas Donna Stowe Julia Mattick Peter Katzenstein
Alice Moore Ed Hooks Julia Wang Peter McClelland
Alicia Kenaley Edward Cope June Gee Randall Bach
Alison Power Edward Ormondroyd June Locke Randy Wayne
Allen Bushnell Edward Weissman Kathleen Jacklin Raymond Gozzi
Amazon Smile Edythe Conway Kelsey Stafford Richard Biviano
Andrew Diamond Elizabeth Hudson Ken Deschere Richard Ehrlich
Andrew Yale Ellen Avril Kenneth Birman Richard Krizek
Anonymous Eric Robinson Kenneth Hodges Roald Hoffmann
Antoinette Levatich Eric Taylor Kenneth White Robbert VanRenesse
Arthur Berkey Ethan Mancil Kent Goetz Robert Anderson
Audrey Kahin Frank DiSalvo Kevin Most Robert Barlow
Barbara DeWall Frank Prudence Kristen Wells Robert Case
Barbara Knuth Frank Towner Kuo-King Wang Robert Delaney
Beatrice Schwoerer Fred Madden Kurt Kannus Robert Fay
Benjamin Widom Fred Widding L. Frederick Pohl Robert Goclon
Beverly Baker Garry Thomas Larry Pataki Robert Manvell
Beverly Green Gary Cremeens Leonard Topoleski Robert Neigh
Beverly LaForse Gary Sforzo Lily Rhoades Robert Riter
Bonita Shelford Gerald Smith Linda Joan Mancil Robert Strichartz
Bradley Corbitt Gordon Stacey Linda Nowak Rochelle Barry
Bradley & Mary Grainger Gould Colman Linda O’Leary Roger Beck
Bruce Calnek H. Michael Newman Linda Williams Roger Hinderliter
Carl E. Haynes Harold Hodes Lindsay Goodloe Ronald & Linda Bors
Carl Kilgore Heather Hughes Lisa Swayze Ronald Ehrenberg
Carmon Molino Heinz Koch Lorraine Arnold Ronald Harris-Warrick
Carol Scheele Helen Daniel Louise Bement Ronnie Coffman
Carol Teelin Howard Feinstein M & T Bank Rose Seely
Carolyn Austin Imo Joyce Herrick M. Raquib Zaman Rose Teeter
Carolyn McPherson J. Kevin McMahon Marcia Page Ross Welch
Charles Fay Jack Lowe Margaret Hammond Roy Murdough
Charles Neil Taylor Jacob Yale Margaret Hampson Royal Colle
Christine Rankie James Bisogni Margaret Robinson Ruben Gonzalez
Christopher Martelli James De Castro Margaret Shaw Ruediger Dieckmann
Claire Berian James Jenkins Maria Stycos Ruth Ann McCaa
Collegetown Bagels James Johnston Marilyn Baurle Sarah Johnson
Cristine Donovan James McConkey Marilyn Mazza Sarah Rich
Curtis Ufford James Rothenberg Mark Eisner Scott Russell
Daniel Aneshansley James Webster Martha Ferger Seph Murtagh
Daniel Brown Jan Milanowski Marvin Carlson Severin Drix
Daniel Karig Jane Kaplan Mary Adesso Sheila McEnery
Daniel & Jean McPheeters Janet Wagner Mary Benson Sidney Resnick
Daniel Quail Janice Lawrence Mary Chaskey Sol Gruner
Daniel Robinson Jaroslav Vanek Mary Gray Stanley O’Connor
Daniel Schreher Jason David Mary Schano Sue Hemsath
Danny Scott Jean Jagendorf Mary Streeter Susan Sullivan
Danya Snavely Jerald Shing Matthew Estill Suzanne Kern Wilkins
Daphne Sola Jerome Nosanchuk Matthew Evangelista Terrence Campbell
David Bassanelli Jerome Van Buren Maurice White Thomas Akins
David Delchamps Jim Baker Michael Collins Thomas Hartshorne
David Feldshuh Joan Hass Michael Redlin Thomas Hirasuna
David Fernandez Joan Holden Michael Rogers Thomas Kurz
David Filiberto Joanne Fortune Michael Shuler Thomas Szebenyi
David Fontanella Joanne Herneisey Michael Thonney Thomas Volman
David Grubb Joe Regenstein Michael Timmons Thomas W Halton
David Guaspari Joel Zumoff Murray Cohen Tim Salm
David Hammer John A. Oliver Nancy Swayze TCAT
David Holmberg John and Sue Sammis Nancy Tillinghast Tony Chiesa
David Jacoby John Coulombe Norman Rollins Vally Kovary
David Kirkwood John Dean Norman Uphoff Virginia Bizzell
David Lee John Friedeborn Orlando Turco Ward Romer
David Morey John Reppy Patricia Carden Wayles Browne
David Robertshaw Joseph Martin Patricia Casler Wendy Robertson
David Tyler Joseph Meeks Patricia McClary William Fry
Deborah Levin Joseph Metz Patricia Woodworth William Russell
Deborah O’Connor Joyce Barney Patrick Foote
Denise Gelberg Joyce McAllister Paula Winner

CREATING PATHWAYS WIT

Challenge partners with over 100 employers to create pathways t
Challenge would like to recognize the following businesses and organizait

TH COMMUNITY PARTNERS

to employment for individuals with disabilities and other barriers.
tions for their partnership as well as their sponsorship of our Annual Event.

CHALLENGE IN THE COMMUNITY

Ithaca Festival Parade—a damp but otherwise fun day for staff, board members, participants, and spectators alike!
Volunteering at Empty Bowls to benefit Loaves & Fishes

Beyond the Box Networking & Job Fair at The Space With community partners at our annual Reverse Job Fair

Summer Youth at the Tompkins County Public Library
Works For Me award ceremony with honoree Danya S. Apple Fest—where we asked, “What is your dream job?”

At Triphammer Mall for our ever-popular Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraiser—which raised a record $11,000 this year!

A CELEBRATION OF GRATITUDE

The Challenge Dancers, led by Development Director Kim Pugliese, perform a routine to Megan Trainor’s I Love Me

On Tuesday, May 8, Challenge Workforce Solutions held Finally, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to
its Annual Awards Event at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, Jimmy S. Jimmy awardee grew up in the Willowbook state
New York. Over 300 attendees gathered to celebrate the institution, which was famously the subject of an exposé
agency’s fiftieth anniversary, fête the achievements of its done by Geraldo Rivera entitled The Last Great Disgrace.
outstanding participants, and pay tribute to its founder, He came to Challenge in 1974 and worked in several of its
Robert Sprole Sr. in-house businesses—including mail sorting, landscaping,
and bottle recycling—before being hired as a custodian in
Robert Sprole II and Robert Sprole III were in attendance 1982. Since then, he has been an integral and universally
to accept Challenge’s Founder’s Award, as well as a beloved part of the Challenge community as well as the
special citation from the State Assembly praising the local Special Olympics circuit. The award presentation
family’s vision. Michael K., one of Challenge’s inaugural concluded with a heartfelt message from Jimmy’s niece,
participants, announced his retirement on the day of who recently discovered him through Ancestry.com. Before
the event and was given a Lifetime Participation Award that serendipitous online encounter, Jimmy had had no
in recognition of his half-century of dedication to the contact with any family member in over 60 years. A joyous
agency. The Community Partner of the Year award went reunion of Jimmy with his long-lost sister and niece took
to Ithaca College/Sodexo, whose dining halls have been a place at Challenge last year, and they have since formed
major source of jobs for Challenge’s contract workers for a loving bond.
over thirty years.
A cocktail hour with local wine and beer and gourmet hors
Challenge participants Angelo G., Kathleen M., and d’oeuvres provided by Agava and Edible Arrangements
Matthew O. were each given Achievement Awards for their preceded the awards program, which was studded with
successes in overcoming significant obstacles to secure musical performances by several college a cappella groups
long-term, meaningful employment in the community. as well as talent within Challenge’s own ranks.
Employment Specialist Ryan Notarpole was named
Employee of the Year for his exceptional contributions
to Challenge’s “advocacy, education, on-the-job training,
youth engagement, and community outreach.”

Kristen D. serves appetizers during the cocktail hour Jimmy S. and Employment Specialist Joe Wikoff

UPCOMING EVENTS: PLEASE JOIN US!

GAINING SKILLS, MAKING CONNECTIONS

Employment Specialist Brendan Shaw, Jacob M., Ric Porter, Christina K., and Steven V. at Finger Lakes ReUse

“I like going around to different job sites,” said our community setting.”
participant Rachel W. when we interviewed her on video To that end, Seekins and his team make it a priority to
last year. “It’s not just sitting in a room—who wants to provide participants with an abundance of opportunities
do that? It’s boring. What I like about Challenge is being for job shadowing, training, assessments, and paid work
around other people!” trials at a wide variety of businesses and organizations
Challenge opened its doors on November 4, 1968 as a across the region.
supervised workshop for individuals with developmental To see Prevocational Services in action, just stop by the
disabilities who, up until that time, had very few Finger Lakes ReUse Center in Ithaca’s Triphammer Mall
opportunities to experience the dignity of work. The on any Wednesday morning, where you’ll find a team of
sheltered employment model to which Challenge adhered participants learning the essentials of a large donation and
in its early decades was an important innovation in the retail operation—sorting, pricing, shelving, and whatever
decades-long movement towards deinstitutionalization, else needs to get done that day. With a mission to
which began in earnest after President Kennedy signed the “enhance community, economy, and environment through
Community Health Act in 1963. reuse,” the Center is also a place where job aspirants can
But as Challenge and other counterpart agencies across get acquainted with a plethora of consumer goods, from
the nation entered their fourth and fifth decades, there furniture to building materials to home electronics.
was a mounting recognition that another innovation was Housewares Specialist Ric Porter has been working closely
needed. Sheltered employment afforded many previously with the rotating Challenge crews for about two years and
isolated people the chance to interact with peers and is enthusiastic about the partnership—not only because it’s
acquire new skills, but an accumulating body of evidence an excellent skill-building opportunity for the participants
suggested that people with disabilities and other barriers but because they make meaningful contributions. “The
showed considerably more social and skill growth in diverse, people that Challenge brings up are really fantastic to work
integrated work settings. The sheltered employment model with,” he says. “And I can really use the help!” It turns out
thus began to give way to supported employment—where
participants are linked with jobs in the community and
given personalized training and assistance as needed.

Today, 94 percent of Challenge’s participants are holding
down jobs outside the agency’s walls—at over 100 area
employers like Cornell University, Ithaca College, Wegmans,
Tompkins County Public Library, and the Hilton Garden
Inn. But what about the remaining six percent—those
individuals who are not yet ready to make the leap into
competitive employment?

Briggs Seekins is in his third year of managing Challenge’s Jeffrey R. at Tompkins Cortland Community College
Prevocational Services—the successor program to
Challenge’s original vocational rehabilitation initiative—
and it is clear that he is as ardent a proponent of workplace
integration as anyone at the agency. As Seekins explains,
“The sheltered workshop model created an artificial
environment. If we want to have a truly diverse community
that values all people for what they can contribute, there is
no substitute for training and activities that take place in a

West Hill providing a full continuum of care from short-
term rehabilitation to skilled nursing and memory care.

Director of Recreation John Eilers-Lloyd says that this has
been a “truly great relationship” for everyone involved. “The
Challenge participants are a real asset to the residents—
they’re an extra set of hands to bring them outside on
nice days or to help out with crafts or exercise time. Plus,
we operate a facility corner store where participants can
get customer service experience—passing mail, making
change, filling an order. And I also can’t speak highly
enough of the Challenge support staff that come here. They
direct their participants and interact with our residents very
responsibly and professionally.”

To work at Challenge is to delight in serendipitous turns,
and it just so happened that during our interview with
Eilers-Lloyd, our screens lit up with good news: Rachel
W.—the participant who we filmed last year talking about
her experiences at various community job sites including
Cayuga Nursing—had just landed a permanent job
working with elders at Longview.

“That’s wonderful!” Eilers-Lloyd exclaimed. “Rachel was
definitely a resident favorite here—so outgoing and willing
to take on any task. There are so many opportunities to
try out different roles and responsibilities, and you hope
that you hit on something that works and that you can
continue to foster. And in Rachel’s case, she definitely hit
on something!”

Mark P. and Employment Specialist Sally Neuhauser with Says Rachel, “I’m very excited! I really like seniors. At Cayuga
Cayuga Nursing Residents Melvin and Kathryn Nursing, I learned how to socialize with the residents, have
a big smile, and help them out. And that’s just what I’ll be
that Porter himself is a Challenge success story—he first doing!”
came to the ReUse Center nine years ago through the DSS
Work Experience Program. “They saw what I could do and
they asked me to stay on. I’ve been here ever since and I
love it!”

Challenge’s own social enterprise businesses also
give prevocational participants the chance to work
alongside permanent employees in a number of different
environments. Challenge Commercial Cleaning was
established 15 years ago to meet the Ithaca area’s need
for a reliable, flexible contract cleaning service. In addition
to offering competitive wages to a full-time crew of 25, it
offers valuable hands-on training and experience to those
who are still working toward their goal of independent
employment.

Supervisor Jacqui Kohman, who in a previous role worked Rachel W. prepares for her first day at Longview
closely with prevocational participants in Contract
Production, has been tasked with managing Commercial FOR MORE INFO:
Cleaning’s newly signed contract with Tompkins Cortland Briggs Seekins
Community College. “It’s a big job,” she remarks. “During
the school year, we’re responsible for cleaning the common [email protected]
areas of seven dormitory buildings, and during the summer, 607-272-8990 ext. 145
we do room turnover. So, it’s great to have the help of the
participants—they take out trash, clean baseboards, do
touch-up work, and pretty much everything else the regular
crew does. In fact, right now, I’m pushing for one of our
really outstanding participants to join the crew full-time.”
Challenge introduces prevocational participants to a broad
range of tasks and environments in order to assess their
individual aptitudes and interests. In addition to retail and
custodial work, the ‘caring professions’ are a fruitful field.
For the past three years, Challenge participants have been
providing one-on-one assistance and companionship to the
residents at Cayuga Nursing, a 160-bed facility on Ithaca’s





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Learn More!
ABOUTCHALLENGE.ORG > WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION
Challenge is committed to creating pathways to employment

for people with disabilities or other barriers.
OUR VISION

At Challenge, we envision a community with disabilities and barriers
are a valued and integral part of our workforce.