Challenge Workforce Solutions 2018-2019 Annual Report

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2018–2019 ANNUAL REPORT

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One of the most rewarding aspects of the work we do here at Challenge
Workforce Solutions is to watch the people we serve find their way forward, Executive Director Joe Sammons
overcoming obstacles large and small, on their path to live a better life. It with participant Dolores C.
is not perfect—on some days, it isn’t easy—but we remind our clients that
stumbling is a part of the process, that the key is to get back up and keep on THANKS TO YOU!
going.
This was a banner year for
And that is a lesson we had to learn as an organization, too. Just a few years Challenge! On behalf of our
ago, Challenge was facing the most difficult crisis in our history. Our agency leadership team, our dedicated
stumbled with the loss of our financial health and the serious question of how staff, and—most importantly—the
we would execute our mission in a time of great change and uncertainty. remarkable participants we serve, I
want to sincerely thank: Everyone
But just like the clients we serve, our agency got back on its feet and kept who bought some of the 9,000+
on going. We had to make some tough decisions, but we emerged more Krispy Kreme doughnuts we sold—
determined. Our focus had to be on the most important thing, which was and the firefighters who helped
then—as it is now and has always been—creating pathways to employment distribute them ▲ The guests who
for people with disabilities and other barriers. attended our inspirational 50th
anniversary celebration ▲ Jerry
We had to find a way to do this work in a financially sustainable way, so Dietz and the Just Be Cause Center
that our agency could survive and thrive regardless of the myriad of changes for making us the beneficiary of
coming from our funding sources. their wonderful yearly event—
where one of our participants
As you will see in this Annual Report, we are well on our way to recovery: helping with catering was offered a
after three years of large deficits from 2014 to 2016, and averaging losses job on the spot (now that’s mission
of $850,000 per year during that span, Challenge had a break-even year in alignment!) ▲ The folks who
2018! At the same time, we are adding valuable programs such as year-round donated to our #GivingTuesday
youth employment services, and a downtown Job Club that is easier to access fundraiser to buy new bins for our
and closer to employment opportunities and supports. shredding program ▲ Everyone
else whose contributions have been
Challenge stumbled, but we got back up and kept on going. We knew how to vital to our financial recovery and
do this because we help our participants do this every single day. They don’t the advancement of our mission.
have to do it alone, and neither did we. Our donors and funders stepped up
and helped Challenge get back on its feet and keep on going, and because –Kim Pugliese
of that support, we are able to do that every day for the 800-plus people we Director of Development
serve.

It isn’t time, yet, to declare victory or say that Challenge is “out of the
woods”—we have a long way to go, and with the changes in managed care
contracts and the loss of our work center funding looming right around the
corner, we have to remain especially vigilant.

But we are back on our feet, and moving forward. We have our amazingly
supportive community of donors, employment partners, and funders—and
especially our hardworking staff and board. Without them, we would not
have weathered some tricky moments these past few years. But our deepest
appreciation is to the people we serve, who show us every day the resilience
and perseverance of the human spirit.

Here’s to many more years of pathways and perseverance: for Challenge, for
the people we serve, and for all of us! ▲

OUR FINANCIAL HEALTH

2018 Revenues 2018 Expenses

$5,944,771 overall $6,010,248 overall

THE NEED FOR OUR SERVICES

Forecasted Demand for Employees in Tompkins County

OUR PROGRAMS

PREVOCATIONAL SERVICES help people EMPLOYMENT AND VOCATIONAL
to get ready for meaningful, long-term SERVICES help people find and thrive in
community employment.
jobs that suit their strengths.

▲ COMMUNITY BASED PREVOCATIONAL SERVICES ▲ YOUTH SERVICES bridge the gap between school
train participants in community settings to expand and work with job readiness training and paid supported
their work tolerance, follow directions, multitask, and work opportunities in the community.
solve problems. The curriculum focuses on the three As:
attendance, attitude, and appearance. ▲ WORK ASSESSMENTS & EXPERIENCES are on-the-
job tryouts that help individuals discover their strengths,
▲ COMMUNITY HABILITATION SERVICES are needs, and interests. Assessments involve up to four
for participants who are unlikely to transition into unpaid shifts while experiences can last up to 320 hours
independent community employment within the next few and are paid by the State.
years. The program focuses on volunteering, community
integration, and cultivating health and fitness. ▲ JOB DEVELOPMENT helps job seekers with resumes,
applications, and interviews. We also provide benefits
▲ THE EMPLOYMENT TRAINING PROGRAM (ETP) advisement to help participants understand how Social
provides customized paid internships with intensive Security and Medicaid payments may be affected by
support, with an ultimate goal of developing a long-term working.
supported employment position. Interns are paid by New
York State and supported by Challenge staff. ▲ JOB COACHING is individualized onsite support
for participants who have found long-term community
▲ PATHWAY TO EMPLOYMENT (PTE) provides a year employment. This process can include travel training
of intensive individualized vocational discovery and job between home and work.
readiness programming. Through shadowing and work
assessments, participants are exposed to at least three ▲ EXTENDED SUPPORTS are offered to participants
different vocational fields. who no longer need intensive hands-on job coaching. We
help to resolve issues that may arise and advocate for
further career advancement.

SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS help
people with legal or economic barriers to

achieve self-sufficiency.

▲ JOB CLUB is offered to TANF and SNAP recipients,
non-custodial parents, and ex-offenders. This six-week

program teaches career exploration strategies and offers

hands-on assistance with applications.

▲ INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES are offered to those
for whom a daily, classroom-based program isn’t the right

fit. We work to identify participants’ skills and fast-track

them to stable, gainful employment.

OUR BUSINESSES

▲ CHALLENGE IMAGING provides digital conversion
services to local government offices, medical facilities,
universities, and historical societies. We also provide a
family photo scanning service. In business for over 20
years, we scan over 250,000 images each week.

▲ CONTRACT STAFFING delivers hundreds of shifts per
week to cover dish rooms and dining operations at Cornell
University, Ithaca College, and Wegmans. Our large,
diverse crew is fully supervised and we handle recruiting,
payroll, and other aspects of day-to-day management.

▲ CONTRACT PRODUCTION AND SHREDDING
performs a myriad of assembly and packaging products
for local and national companies in our fully-licenced
7,000 square foot facility. We also provide a confidential
shredding service used by over 50 local businesses.

▲ ABILITY IN BLOOM provides a committed group of For more information
adults with developmental disabilities an opportunity to about our programs
cultivate work skills and self reliance by offering a summer and businesses, visit
flower subscription (CSA), bouquets on the Ithaca aboutchallenge.org
Commons, and custom arrangements for your special or call 607-272-8990.
events. You're also welcome to
drop by our offices at
We value our hundreds of community the South Hill Business
partners and are very proud to be a Campus (950 Danby

MEMBER AGENCY of: Rd. Ste. 179)!

OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS

Without our numerous donors and community partners, Challenge could not fulfill its purpose of creating
pathways to employment for people with disabilities and other barriers. Thank you all!

GRANTS

TRIAD Foundation, Inc. Community Foundation United Way of Tompkins County United Way of Schuyler County
Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County

MAJOR GIFTS

John & Elaine Alexander Jerry & Margaret Dietz The Lane Family Fund Andy & Rosemary Sciarabba
Todd Cowen Michael Kirkwood

PATHWAY SOCIETY

We want to give special recognition to these donors who are giving or have pledged to give $1,000 or more
each year to ensure that our mission is sustainable. We are deeply grateful!

Tim Ciaschi Mary Beth Norton Andy & Rosemary Sciarabba Gene & Jeanne Yarussi
Dale Flynn Steven & Sheri Rath Roger & Carole Sibley Tim & Kelley Yeomans
Gloria Kulhawy Diana Riesman & Frederick Cowett Bob & Shari Sprole
Glenda Long Peter & Paulette Salmon Robert Strominger & Karen Miller
Robert Neigh Steve & Kristin Savage Penelope Wickham & Tom Kather

DONATIONS OVER $250

Barry Adams Francis Fetsko Nancy Moore Kevin Talty
Wegmans Dale Flynn David Mumm Teri and Chris Tarshus
Roger Beck Diane Gayeski Robert Neigh Tompkins County Area Development
Malcolm Brand Connie Ged Norathco Foundation Tompkins Insurance Agencies, Inc.
Derek Burrows Carl Ginet Kellie Page Tompkins Trust Company
Jim Byrnes Richard Krizek Kishan Perera Triphammer Liquor Inc.
Cayuga Medical Center Lillian Lee Barbara Power Matt Valaik
City Club of Ithaca William Lesser John and Sue Sammis John Vineyard
Robert Cockram E.L. Lohmann Sciarabba Walker & Co. Charles Walcott
Cornell Dining South Hill Business Campus Security Mutual Insurance Jennifer Whittaker
Cornelis Drost Peter Marks Robert Silsbee Anonymous
Susan Eldred Beth Mielbrecht Jean Smith
Empowerment by Design Karen Molleson Robert Sprole II

DONATIONS $51–250

Alternatives Impact Tim Colbert John Fuchs Teresa Jordan
Robert Andolina Alice Colby-Hall June Gee Daniel Karig
Daniel Aneshansley Royal Colle Kent Goetz Peter Katzenstein
Ellen Avril Collegetown Bagels Robert Gosse Brent Katzmann
Beverly Baker Comedy FLOPs Raymond Gozzi Rosalind Kenworthy
Tim Bangs Constance Cowen Bradley Grainger Harry Kesten
Kenneth Birman Charlene Creswell Donald Greenberg Heinz Koch
Virginia Bizzell Mary Ellen Cummings David Grubb Christopher Kusznir
Ronald & Linda Bors Robert Delaney David Guaspari David Lee
Bridgette Brady Dermatology Associates of Ithaca David Hammer Mary MacAusland
William Buckley Briggs Sylvia Dickinson Thomas Hartshorne Dana Magnuson
Gregar Brous Phyllis Anne DiPaola Herbert Hartwig Lodewijk Magre
Mr. & Mrs. Burgess III Frank DiSalvo Judith Healey Nancy Malina
Joseph Bylebyl Hank Dullea Elizabeth Heath Joyce McAllister
Sandra Cacciotti Ronald Ehrenberg Harold & Claire Hodes / Berian Ruth Ann McCaa
Patricia Carden Richard Ehrlich Roald Hoffmann Peter McClelland
Daniel Carney Mark Eisner David Holmberg Sheila McEnery
Cayuga Landscape Co Howard Feinstein Debra Howell Mary McIlvennie
Daniel Chapman Nathaniel Ferriss Sami Husseini Daniel McPheeters
Melissa Chiusano Nancy Fonda Ithaca Paid Fire Fighters Association Mental Health Association
Ronnie Coffman David Fontanella Edgar James Johnson
in Tompkins County

N. David Mermin Daniel Quail Stephen Snyder Jerome Van Buren
Joseph Metz Debra Regnier Donna Stowe Allan VanDeMark
Alice Moore John Reppy Robert Strichartz Thomas Volman
Matthew Morgan Wendy Robertson Jan Suwinski Margaret Walbridge
Margaret Morris Daniel Robinson Nancy Swayze Brian & Tam Warren
Vincent Mulcahy Eric Robinson Charles Neil Taylor J. Dix Wayman
Abraham Mulugetta Norman Rollins Nancy Tillinghast Edward Weissman
Roy Murdough James Rothenberg Michael Timmons Maurice White
David & Lisa Nase David Ruppert William Tomek Fred Widding
Jerome Nosanchuk Stephen Sass Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit Lori Wilhide
Joseph Notarpole Kathleen Schlather Tompkins County Paula Winner
Linda O'Leary Beatrice Schwoerer Chamber of Commerce Madison Wright
John A. Oliver Alain Seznec Tompkins County Public Library Andrew Yale
Roy Park Kate Shanks-Booth Frank Towner Jacob Yale
Monroe Payne Jerald Shing Edward Robert Turgeon Amy Yale-Loehr
Paula Peter Michael Shuler Curtis Ufford Joel Zumoff
L. Frederick Pohl Pamela Silber James Brown
Frank Prudence Richard Slade Norman Uphoff

DONATIONS $10–50

Mary Adesso Robert Fay Collin Kane Sidney Resnick
Robert Anderson David Feldshuh Jane Kaplan David Ritchie
Sharon Anderson Joanne Florino Jim Kazda Ward Romer
Randall Bach Joanne Fortune Thomas Keane James Scarpulla
Erikas Bagdonavicius John Friedeborn Carl Kilgore Carol Scheele
Diana Baker Denise Gelberg Marilyn E Kinner Danny Scott
Johanna Baker Robert Goclon Barbara Knuth Gary Sforzo
David Bassanelli Michael Goldberg Ben Kuo Daphne Sola
Marilyn Baurle Ruben Gonzalez Thomas Kurz Michael Stamm
Lisa Berian Lindsay Goodloe Donald Lein Mary Streeter
Richard Biviano Sol Gruner Antoinette Levatich Maria Stycos
Robert Bland Hazel Hall Simon Levin Sandra Swayze
Donna Boardman Thomas W Halton June Locke Thomas Szebenyi
Boyce Thompson Institute Margaret Hampson Jack Lowe Cassie Taber
Wayles Browne Karrie Harper Sherman Fred Madden Carol Teelin
Bruce Calnek Joan Hass Christopher Martelli Alan Thomas
Terrence Campbell Richard Hautala Joseph Martin Jeremy Thomas
Marvin Carlson Imo Joyce Herrick James McConkey Destyn Trapani
Patricia Casler Diane Hillmann J. Kevin McMahon Orlando Turco
Tony Chiesa Roger Hinderliter Carolyn McPherson David Tyler
Michael Collins Thomas Hirasuna Joseph Meeks Arne van Leuken
Bert Cooley Kenneth Hodges Carmon Molino Janet Wagner
Edward Cope Steve Hoffman David Morey Kuo-King Wang
Bradley Corbitt Sarah Hogben Angelica Morgan James Webster
Janet Cotraccia Joan Holden Joyce Morgenroth Ross Welch
David Delchamps Ithaca College Dining Services H. Michael Newman Kenneth White
Susan Detzer IthacaSports.com Deborah O'Connor Benjamin Widom
Barbara DeWall James Jenkins Stanley O'Connor Savannah & Evan D. Williams
Ruediger Dieckmann Sarah Johnson Patricia Oliver Christina Wu
Severin Drix John Johnson Edward Ormondroyd M. Raquib Zaman
Family Reading Partnership James Johnston Aimee Payne
Charles Fay Audrey Kahin Michael Redlin

UNITED WAY DONORS

Thanks to everyone in our community who supported Challenge's mission by designating us on their United Way
of Tompkins County campaign pledge card. We are proud to be a United Way Member Agency!

David Anderson Karli Buday Yvonne Lomax Kimberly Pugliese
Elizabeth Anderson Melissa Chiusano Beth Mielbrecht James Severino
Katherine Anderson Diane Craig Ronald Mielbrecht Raheam Simpson
& Max Pensky Christine Davie Josh Miner Neil Snyder
Maria Ball Tamara Everett Micah Miner Mary Stanion
Michael Barry Julia Fry Sally Newhauser Matt Valaik
David Bassanelli Martine Gold Sophaul Oeun Nicole Waterman
Vickie Black Jacquelyn Kohman Sheryl Ponton Anonymous (10)

DONATE TODAY!

Do you share our vision of a community where people with disabilities and other barriers are a valued and integral

part of the workforce? Go to aboutchallenge.org > Donate for a secure and instant way to support our vital work.
Or, if you prefer another form of payment (cash, check, or even cryptocurrency!), call Kimberly Pugliese, Director of

Development & Marketing, at 607-272-8990 ext. 177, or email her at [email protected].

SUCCESS STORIES: MICHELLE P.

Michelle P. is proof that tenacity combined with a buoyant residents in selecting items from the steamtables, taking
spirit can lead to great things. the time to get to know each of them personally. Not only
are these one-on-one interactions essential in ensuring
Michelle came to Challenge's Job Club last June as a single that residents’ individualized nutritional plans are being
mother who was receiving no support from her former followed down to every detail, but they’re also helpful in
partner and having a hard time finding employment that assessing their overall well-being; it’s not infrequent that
met her childcare needs. Despite the obstacles she faced, Dietary Aides find themselves on the front line of care,
she arrived cheerful and ready to get to work: “She was alerting clinicians or family members to potential health
always the first one here every morning,” recalls Marilyn and safety concerns. Then, after meal service has ended,
Rodriguez, who facilitated Job Club’s intensive program Michelle thoroughly cleans the dining room tables and
of career exploration and hands-on job search assistance. readies everything for the next shift.
“She had a great personality and an infectious smile.”
“This position has a lot of responsibilities,” says Karen,
Now closing in on her first full year as a Dietary Aide who oversees a food service staff of twenty that assists
at Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, a population of about a hundred elders. “You have to
Michelle’s boss, Karen Moriarty, has nearly the same thing really know time management, sanitation regulations,
to say about her: “She keeps an upbeat attitude and has and customer service. Michelle has mastered it all and I’m
a smile for everyone.” proud to have her on my team.”

As was her habit in Job Club, Michelle starts her workday When we asked Michelle to come to our offices for an
early; by 6:30 A.M., she is busy setting up juice carts on interview, she didn’t let a broken metatarsal dissuade
both the rehab and long-term care floors for residents to her. Sporting a new foot brace along with her trademark
get refreshed and hydrated. During mealtimes, she assists grin, she praises Job Club as a transformative experience,
personally and professionally: “I didn’t really think I could
succeed, but going through the program and working
with the staff here really built up my confidence. Now, I
would say to anyone, go find something that you actually
enjoy doing, and then go for it!” ▲

HAPPY HUNDREDTH!

We want to take this opportunity to salute our
community partner Beechtree as it enters its
hundredth year of providing quality healthcare in our
community. Formerly known as the Reconstruction
Home, Beechtree was first established as a residence
for children with polio. After Jonas Salk’s miraculous
vaccine was made available in 1955, the center
shifted its focus to skilled nursing and rehabilitation
for individuals with disabilities, and eventually
evolved into a long-term care facility for our area’s
growing population of elders. Today, Beechtree
serves 120 residents and embraces the philosophy
of Person-Centered Care, where each individual
is encouraged to make choices about their daily
routine and select from a wide variety of activities
and experiences that involve family, friends, and
community. ThanksSapnridncgo2n0g1ra8tuNlaewtiosnlest!ter

STAFF PROFILE: GABE MALONE

Challenge's newest Employment Specialist, Gabe human services sector, although we countered that no
Malone, came into our midst this year with one of the two things in this town are totally unrelated and learned
most interesting and varied professional backgrounds that one of his regular clients is much-medaled Special
we’ve seen so far. Olympics athlete and former Challenge participant Joel
“El Duderoo” Armstrong.
Raised in Louisiana and California, Gabe first came
to Ithaca to get a degree in psychology from Cornell Here at Challenge, Gabe’s caseload comprises about
University. Soon after, he got a second degree in Latin sixteen participants who are receiving “extended
and Greek from the University at Buffalo and then spent supports.” These are individuals who have secured
some time working on an organic farm in Vermont before employment in the community, and with anywhere
landing a position teaching Latin to ninth-graders at from six months to thirty years under their belt, have
a classically-influenced charter school in Washington graduated from our more intensive training and job
D.C. He taught there for over a decade before switching coaching services. Gabe checks in with these participants
tracks again and returning to Ithaca to work in the day once to twice a week to help them fine-tune soft skills,
habilitation program at Unity House, which assists negotiate with supervisors, and provide whatever extra
individuals with developmental disabilities in achieving guidance and encouragement they need to continue
greater community awareness and independence. being successful and confident in their positions.

Seldom accused of indolence, Gabe continues to work While Gabe arrived at Challenge with a great deal of
at Unity House on the weekends in addition to his new familiarity with the area and its network of services for
Monday-to-Friday position at Challenge—and he also people with disabilities, he said he was surprised by the
serves as a powerlifting coach to a number of clients both extent of Challenge’s reach in the community. “I really
in the Ithaca area and online. He characterized this last had no idea how many local businesses employ people
pursuit as “totally unrelated” to his ongoing work in the from Challenge—and you wouldn’t ever know if you
were just going about your day here. That’s not only a
testament to how many people we serve, but also how
well integrated they are in their workplaces. As someone
who’s accustomed to a much more supervised, hands-on
approach, that’s been great to see.”

With his passion for helping people to succeed in their
vocational and recreational pursuits, and his own
successes in so many vastly different fields of human
endeavor, we were very glad to welcome Gabe aboard! ▲

Gabe promoting our doughnut sale with Wonder Dog George

EMPLOYER PROFILE: JIM BROPHY

Jim Brophy of New York State Parks Recreation & Historic Given the scale of his operations—these three parks cover
Preservation is responsible for maintaining three of the over three square miles and over ten percent of the Town
region’s most treasured natural areas—and he’s also of Ithaca—one of Jim’s perennial challenges is staffing.
responsible for making them fruitful grounds for job “As a state agency, budgets are always tight, and there’s
seekers with disabilities. never a shortage of tasks. Last year, we added fourteen
new cabins at Buttermilk, and we realized that we were
Within Jim’s domain are Allan H. Treman Marine Park, going to need more help with their upkeep.”
one of the largest inland marinas in New York and a
favorite spot for dog-walkers and bird-watchers; Robert H. As luck would have it, that’s just when the staff at
Treman State Park, featuring a rugged gorge with hiking Challenge Workforce Solutions reached out to him to
trails that twist and turn past twelve sublime waterfalls; inquire about possible work opportunities for participants
and Buttermilk Falls State Park, which takes its name in its community-based prevocational program.
from the frothy cascade formed by Buttermilk Creek as it
tumbles through the Larch Meadows wetland and down “We were absolutely thrilled by the prospect of having
to Cayuga Lake. some extra hands,” says Jim. “The Challenge workers
came every Friday to prepare the cabins for the next group
Jim grew up in Northern New Jersey and learned at an of weekend campers. They were terrific, and it wasn’t
early age that he enjoyed working outdoors. After college, long before we were giving them more responsibilities—
he found his way into the New York State Parks system, exterior painting, landscaping, trail cleanup, and other
working first in the Hudson Valley and then along the projects that we never would’ve had the time to tackle.”
coast of Lake Ontario before coming to the Finger Lakes
Region in 2015. Mike W. was among the Challenge participants who got
plenty of fresh air and valuable experience at Buttermilk
“We’re a public service agency,” Jim explains, “so our last summer. “Gardening, painting, posting signs—I loved
mission is to keep these natural resources safe and working there,” he effuses. “Having an outside job is really
accessible for the hundreds of thousands of people who good. I miss it and I want to do it again this year.”
come every year to hike, swim, picnic, camp, walk their
dogs, hold their weddings, and everything else. I manage In addition to providing much-needed practical labor, Jim
and work alongside the crews that keep up with all the found that the Challenge participants helped to motivate
cleaning, construction, and repair work that has to get his own staff. “Having them show up every week excited
done through the seasons. It’s a great job—it’s something and ready to work really boosted our productivity and
new every day, it involves a lot of creative problem-solving, morale. Everyone was really impressed by that pride and
and I really appreciate the mission and the history.” purpose. It’s been an awesome partnership.”

Jim is actively looking for ways to engage more Challenge
workers—not only for short-term work experiences, but
for longer-term waged positions as well. “We’ve been in
touch with one of the guys from last summer and we’ve
encouraged him to complete some additional training
he’d need for a permanent job. We’d love to get him back
soon, and in any case, we’re seeing the long-term benefit
of getting to know capable people in the community.”

Briggs Seekins, Director of Prevocational Services at
Challenge, says that for the population he works with,
such paid training and employment opportunities aren’t
easy to come by. “The main purpose of our program is
to prepare people for competitive work, and many kinds
of community-based assessments and skill-building
opportunities can be valuable to that end. But being able
to offer some paid opportunities is important for making
the connection between work and reward tangible.” ▲

DONOR PROFILE: THE DICKINSONS

Sylvia and Don Dickinson have been consistent and regular financial gifts, he frequently contracted with
impassioned supporters of Challenge since our very first Challenge’s in-house services and provided warehouse
days in the “Pink Building” on East State Street. space to our manufacturing enterprises.

In 1963, at the age of twenty, Mrs. Dickinson—then Miss Mr. Dickinson retired in 2001, selling the Dean of Ithaca
Cuyle—went to work at Dean of Ithaca, the moving and site to local developer (and beloved Challenge supporter)
storage company that had been headquartered at the Mack Travis, who shared and actualized his vision for a
foot of State Street hill since the turn of the century. In major multi-use project now known as Gateway Plaza.
1974, the newly-founded Challenge moved in right across The couple remained deeply rooted in the community,
the street, and Miss Cuyle began to take an interest in the and remained interested and engaged in Challenge's
many participants she saw coming and going each day: mission. Their record of generous donations continued
into a fifth decade––and, just as importantly, so did their
"I remember one young man who would show up with personal interactions with the participants they had
his lunch pail every morning and cross the street with gotten to know over those years. Mrs. Dickinson recalls
a staff member. One day, I saw him at the crosswalk with special fondness the shopping trips to Tops that she
alone. At first I was a bit concerned, but then I watched and her husband would take in the years before his death
him carefully look both ways, jump way back when a car last April at the age of 97:
passed, and finally cross when the coast was clear. As
days went on, I noticed he would jump back from cars a "We would often stop and talk with a Challenge worker
little less and walk with a little more confidence. That’s named Rollin, who was always so kind and attentive.
when my heart was really touched by what Challenge was When Don got to be ill and couldn’t walk the aisles, he’d
doing—instilling confidence in people." still want to ride to the store with me and sit in the car.
The first day this happened, Rollin came up to me and
By this time, Dean of Ithaca had been purchased by an wanted to know, ‘Where’s your husband?’ I explained he
enterprising young Ithaca native, Don Dickinson. After wasn’t feeling very well and I pointed to the car. Rollin
serving in World War II, Mr. Dickinson returned home to went right out and started chatting with him. From then
work in his family’s paint and wallpaper business across on, every week, Rollin would ask, ‘Is he out there?’ and go
from the old Strand Theatre. Some years later, desiring a out to the parking lot to visit. And now, Rollin and I still
change of trade, he bought the Dean of Ithaca warehouse, talk all the time!"
and in 1977, he and Miss Cuyle were married. Like his new
bride, Mr. Dickinson was an early and active champion Says Kim Pugliese, Challenge’s Director of Development,
of Challenge’s ambitious mission. In addition to making "It’s supporters like the Dickinsons that really personify
my mission for Challenge. I strive to create connections
between our supporters, employers, and participants,
and the Dickinsons have helped me to do that. The fact
that they have told our success stories from firsthand
experience is truly powerful, and we are so grateful!" ▲

The Dickinsons' friend Rollin in the Tops parking lot

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Job Developer Carlene Fields consults with job seekers at our
fourth annual Reverse Job Fair at the Hilton Garden Inn

The Challenge contingent at the Polar Lauren H. at the Gr
Plunge to benefit Special Olympics NY getting ready for Ab

Accomplished artist Adam D. at the opening of A Moment of Jimmy S. and other participants on the dance floor at the Just
Recognition, our inaugural staff and participant art exhibition Be Cause event, which raised a record-breaking $16,725

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roundswell Center, Ithaca firefighters helping us unload
bility in Bloom's CSA and sort 9,000 Krispy Kreme doughnuts

Taco Max (and human companion) at the release party for our
2019 #BAGELPUPS benefit calendar at CTB Aurora

Noted local disability activist Larry Roberts signing the Kenneth McLaurin, Jr. educates our youth workers about
150-year timeline at the first-ever Community Carnival financial management during their weekly class at TCPL

A NEW HOME FOR JOB CLUB!

For most of our history, Challenge’s home was in the Challenge is one of three new community partners that
heart of downtown Ithaca—between 1974 and 2010, Tompkins Cortland has welcomed to Tioga Place—the
we occupied the “Pink Building” at the foot of State New York State Small Business Development Center has
Street Hill, the nexus of our business and human services opened a satellite office just down the hall where aspiring
communities and the gateway to the academic domain. entrepreneurs can receive free technical assistance, while
For the last decade, we have been happily headquartered TST BOCES will be utilizing classroom space on the sixth
at the South Hill Business Campus but have been keeping floor to offer ESL classes with an emphasis on workplace
an eye out for opportunities to reconnect with our vibrant communication. Meanwhile, Tompkins Cortland has plans
urban core. to use this facility as a pilot site for their Make It Work
initiative, which enables busy adults to complete their
On July 29, 2019, Challenge cut a ribbon on a new space education in the fields of human services or accounting.
right on the Ithaca Commons. It will serve as the primary
lab for our Job Club program, which assists TANF and Deb Mohlenhoff, Tompkins Cortland’s Director of
SNAP recipients with career exploration and readiness, as Community Outreach & Engagement, says that this
well as a central meeting point for all of our often far-flung collection of occupants did not come together by
employment specialists, participants, and community happenstance: “We were looking for partners that aligned
partners. The space is located on the elevator-serviced with each other and with the goals of our college, and we
fifth floor of Tompkins Cortland Community College’s are really excited to have assembled this great group of
Ithaca Extension Center at Tioga Place, directly across programs that are all focused on workforce development.
from the Seneca Street bus station. This location, which There will definitely be symbiosis here, and it will be a
also earns high marks for walkability and bikeability from great resource for our students.”
Walk Score, will allow us to better reach and collaborate
with job seekers who rely on public or active transit, as Likewise, Trisha Wilson, our Director of Employment
well as many of our key partner agencies and employers. & Youth Services, feels that Challenge’s proximity to
Tompkins Cortland and our other new neighbors will be an
advantage to our participants: “We will have direct access
to Tompkins Cortland and TST BOCES in order to assist
our job seekers in furthering their education and training,
and it will really facilitate our partnerships with agencies
like Workforce New York, the Alcohol & Drug Council, and
OAR, which are integral to our mission.”

Gary Ferguson, who has served as Executive Director of the
Downtown Ithaca Alliance for the last twenty years, sees
the big picture—our downtown presence as a catalyst
for the city’s economic future: “Everyone deserves access
to employment, and Challenge’s Job Club is an excellent
resource for people of all abilities and interests to discover
job opportunities and obtain the skills needed for success.
By locating the program downtown, it maximizes its
reach, which is important not only for job seekers but for
our hundreds of merchants and business owners who will
depend on a dedicated, trained workforce.” ▲

JOB CLUB ON THE AIR!

To hear Jacob, "The Voice of Challenge," and Job
Club Coordinator (and experienced voice actress!)
Bethany Duke talk about everything that our Job
Club can offer, just visit: tiny.cc/jobclub

Bethany Duke (C) and Marilyn Rodriguez leading a class

CHALLENGE'S INAUGURAL NDEAM SUMMIT

HOSTED IN COLLABORATION WITH CORNELL'S YANG TAN INSTITUTE

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Challenge and Mayor Svante Myrick have jointly announced Ithaca's first-ever National
Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Poster Contest! The U.S.
Department of Labor has hosted NDEAM every October since 1945 as a way to educate
about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of
America’s workers with disabilities. This year, the theme is THE RIGHT TALENT, RIGHT
NOW, and we want to harness Ithaca’s amazing artistic talent to create a poster that
reflects this message. The winning poster, to be chosen by a panel of Challenge participants
and local art aficionados, will be used to promote Challenge’s NDEAM Summit, and will
also be prominently displayed in giant form at City Hall. Best of all: the winner gets a
$250 Downtown Ithaca gift card! Everyone in the greater Ithaca community is welcome
to submit a design, and youth and adults with disabilities are especially encouraged to
participate. There are no limits as to medium, style, or dimensions—just make sure it
expresses the theme! The deadline is September 1; send your design in digital form to
[email protected], or physically drop it off at Challenge’s SHBC headquarters!

SAVE THE DATE: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15

FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE – INCLUDES BREAKFAST BUFFET

950 Danby Rd. Ste. 179
Ithaca, NY 14850

���� c�m���i�� Board of Directors
a���m� ��� �i���es� Steve Savage
Chair
� �n���i�u�� Kelley Yeomans
����r�i�� a� ���� Vice Chair
a� ��� c��m�� Kellie Page
��m�� ��e� �ha� Treasurer
��n� u� to�e����. Matt Valaik
Secretary
–p���� ���r�� Todd Baker
Tony Eisenhut
The cover photo was taken at the 2018 Ithaca Festival Parade and features (L-R): supported Joe Mareane
employment participant Danya S., HR Recruiter Marilyn Rodriguez, Job Developer Carlene Fields, Sheila McEnery
Contract Staffing employee and supported employment participant Phil N., Board of Directors John Sammis
member Sheila McEnery, Business Analyst Dan Chapman, supported employment participant and Teri Tarshus

Finance Clerk Pat F., and Executive Director Joe Sammons. Jennifer Tavares

Leadership Team
Joe Sammons

Executive Director
Ebru Arslan

Director of Finance
& Operations

Melissa Chiusano
Director of HR
& Compliance
Kim Pugliese
Director of
Development &
Marketing
Briggs Seekins
Director of

Prevocational Services
Trisha Wilson
Director of

Employment & Youth
Services

Larry Workman
Director of Contract

Staffing