Challenge Workforce Solutions 2016 Annual Report

2016 Annual Report

Working Together

Artwork by Challenge Participant Adam Delli-Bovi

What’s Inside: pg. 5
Meet donors Andy & Rosemary Sciarabba pg. 12-13
Challenge steps outside its doors pg. 14-15
Challenge cleans Ithaca!

Challenge’s mission is to create pathways to employment for people with
disabilities or barriers. At Challenge, we envision a community where people

with disabilities and other barriers are a valued and integral part of our workforce.

A Message From Executive Director Joe Sammons

Challenge has been a vital community asset for nearly 50 years, ensuring that
people who face disabilities or other barriers to employment can experience the
dignity of work and fulfill their dreams. We are proud of the work we do and the
people we serve – and very excited to bring this work to you in our 2016 Annual
Report!
Our theme for this year is Working Together: creating partnerships one person
at a time, one organization at a time. The very essence of work is founded in
such partnerships – working with our program participants, community
organizations, educators, and, of course, with employers.
Last year, Challenge served over 1,200 people in more than a dozen unique
programs working together with over 150 businesses. Each program is designed
to give our participants opportunities for training and employment. It is a broad
mix of people served – 50% have a developmental or physical disability, the rest face barriers to
employment such as language, income, generational poverty, racism or temporary circumstances. Not
everyone has the access to the tools or relationships to gain employment but they all want the chance
to grow and show their skills, to live a life of passion and purpose.
In this Annual Report, we are excited to share our progress and our plans – and we are thrilled to
share the stories of the people and partners who make this work come alive every single day:
• You’ll meet Conner H, who works at the Cornell Dairy Bar: Conner’s faith, resilience, and hard
work inspires us all, and community partners like TST Boces and Cornell are an instrumental part
of the path to his success.
• There’s a story on our Commercial Cleaning team, a group of nearly two dozen dedicated employees
with and without disabilities who bring high quality, affordable janitorial services to customers like
the Sciencenter, GreenStar, Ithaca College and the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.
• And you’ll see a profile of Andy Sciarabba and his wife, Rosemary, long-time supporters and donors
of Challenge who are drawn to Challenge because of our message of empowerment and compassion.
Of course, these are just a few of the people, partners and programs at Challenge. On these pages,
you’ll see hundreds of other supporters, employers and community organizations who are an integral
part of our success, today and over the years. We are proud to recognize each one of these partners, and
grateful for their support, friendship and service.
I’m personally very grateful for the opportunity to lead this incredible organization, especially at such
a critical time in its history. We’ve had quite a run the last few years, and every day we get stronger
financially and organizationally, re-dedicating ourselves to the mission and programs that create
pathways to employment for people with disabilities and barriers in our community.
Next year is another major milestone in our agency’s history – our 50th anniversary. Founded in 1968
by Robert Sprole of Therm, Challenge’s mission and services are just as important today as they were
then, and we intend to celebrate and honor our past while committing anew to making sure our
mission is a vital part of our community for years to come.
I hope you will join us in our 50th anniversary celebration, and in our efforts to create a community of
inclusion, diversity and dignity for all. Working Together, I know we can make this vision a reality –
thank you for being a part of our family!
Warmly,

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Who We Are, What We Do

Challenge Workforce Solutions is a 501(c )(3)
non-profit organization based in Ithaca, New York,
which provides employment and vocational services
to people with disabilities and barriers.  

Challenge serves 1,200 people per year with a wide
range of physical and developmental disabilities,
mental health issues, and barriers to employment
such as language, income, generational poverty,
racism or temporary circumstances.

Based out of our South Hill Business Campus office
on Danby Road, Challenge provides assessments,
training, work experience, job development, job
placement, and coaching and supports – more than
90% of Challenge program participants are placed
in community-based settings at more than 100
employers in the region.

Challenge also operates four businesses in the Social Enterprise model, advancing its
mission while meeting the needs of its customers in the private marketplace. These
businesses include Digital Imaging, Contract Production, Commercial Cleaning and
Contract Staffing.

Our Finances

Revenue Expenses

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Board of Directors

From Left to Right: Todd Baker, Matthew Valaik, David Filiberto, Jacob Yale (Secretary),
Kellie Page, Sheila McEnery, Beth Mielbrecht (Chair), Kelley Yeomans (Treasurer),
Steve Savage (Vice Chair). Not Pictured: Derek Burrows.

Senior
Management

Team

Front Row (L to R):
Martine Gold, Director of
Employment & Vocational
Supports; Ethan Mancil, Director
of Finance & Operations.
4 Back Row (L to R):
Roy Murdough, Director of Social
Enterprises; Melissa Chiusano,
Director of Human Resources &
Compliance; Joe Sammons,
Executive Director; Kim Pugliese,
Director of Development &

Marketing.
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Donor Profile: Meet Andy & Rosemary Sciarabba

In 2018, Challenge will celebrate its 50th
anniversary, and according to long-time
supporter and donor Andy Sciarabba, the
organization’s future looks bright.

Sciarabba and his wife, Rosemary, have lived
in Ithaca since 1974. The couple has been
married 52 years, but met before that when
they attended elementary school together in
Rochester.

After moving to Ithaca, Andy and his
business partner, Kenneth Walker, founded
Sciarabba Walker with the vision of
establishing a professional CPA firm dedicated to client service, technical expertise, and a business
model that allowed them to meet the needs of the community. Andy, a graduate of St. John Fisher
College, was a driving force in helping the firm grow into one of the most respected businesses not only
in Ithaca, but in all of upstate New York.

His first interaction with Challenge came shortly after starting the firm, as Challenge was dealing with
tax problems and other financial woes. Sciarabba says he’s always known Challenge’s value to the
community.

“Challenge empowers people,” Sciarabba says. “You give them an opportunity to gain self-confidence
and self-esteem and be a part of the community. That’s a great thing.”

Rosemary Sciarabba echoes her husband’s sentiments about Challenge, saying she sees the hard work,
as well as the affection, from individuals working at businesses throughout Tompkins County.

The couple has given generously in the form of monetary donations to Challenge during its toughest
times, including during the agency’s financial woes in recent years. They’ve also supported Challenge
and its move from downtown Ithaca to the South Hill Business Campus in 2010. The business campus
was purchased by Andy Sciarabba and a team of investors in 2005. Sciarabba also played an important
role in a Community Leaders Group formed in response to a financial crisis at Challenge that ran from
2014 to 2016.

Sciarabba says he’s a strong believer in work ethic, and says To make a secure donation
the empowering work Challenge does to give people a sense of to Challenge, please visit
self-worth is vital to the community.
our website,
“It’s a great mission,” he says. “We need to keep it going.” challengeworkforcesolutions.org,

Sciarabba retired from his firm nearly a decade ago, and and click on the
currently lives with his wife in Lansing. The couple has three “DONATE” tab
children, as well as five grandchildren, and is preparing to at the top of the page.
welcome their first great-grandchild in February.
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Working Together

Challenge partners with over 100 employers to create pathways to
employment for individuals with disabilities and other barriers.

Challenge would like to recognize the following businesses and organizations
for partnering with Challenge, as well as for their financial support.

TOMPKINS
COUNTY

PUBLIC
LIBRARY

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Our Generou

Challenge would not be the organization it is today without the support
of a community that truly understands our 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 achieve their goals. Challenge could not do this important

work without the support of the following generous donors,
organizations and local businesses.

Donations: $1,000 Or Larger

John & Elaine Alexander Marty Gold William Olbricht
Derek & Nora Burrows Greg & Bev Hartz Andy & Rosemary Sciarabba
Michael Kirkwood
Jim & Terry Byrnes Sciarabba Walker & Co.
Todd Cowen Gloria Kulhawy Jean Smith
M & T Bank
Bryan Danforth Kyu & Eileen Whang
Friends of the Tompkins Co. Public Library Ron & Beth Mielbrecht Gene & Jeanne Yarussi
Carol Neigh Tim & Kelley Yeomans
Robert Goeke

Barry Adams Donations: $500 - $999 Kevin & Helen Talty
Larry & Trudy Baum Therm, Inc.
Benefits Design Services Corp. Maguire Family of Dealerships
City Club of Ithaca Mary Beth Norton Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit
Tompkins Insurance Agencies
Cor & Jose Drost Steve Savage & Kristina Harrison Tompkins Trust Company
Harris Beach, PLLC Security Mutual Insurance Warren Real Estate
Robert Silsbee Wegmans
Ithaca College Sodexo
Advion / Joe & Patty Kiely Thomas & Donna Sokol Penelope Wickham & Tom Kather
Robert Sprole II
Joe & Kathy Lomax Kimberly Pugliese
Robert Strominger & Karen Miller David & Susan Ruppert
Todd & Cristin Baker Joe Sammons & Mary Schiavone
Roger Beck Donations: $250 - $499 Richard & Linda Slade

Joe & Nan Bylebyl Sue Hemsath Donna Stowe
Cayuga Radio Group Edward & Susan Hooks Jan & Susan Suwinski
Teresa Jordan & Richard Allmendinger
Robert Cockram Bill Tomek
Communique Design & Marketing James Kerrigan Tompkins County Public Library
Lillian Lee
Don & Sylvia Dickinson Triphammer Wine & Spirits
Drain Brain William & Susan Lesser Edward Turgeon
Connie Ged Glenda Long
Norman & Marguerite Uphoff
Carl Ginet & Sally McConnell-Ginet Peter & Beth Marks John & Carol Vineyard
Greenstar Co-op David & Dorothy Mermin Charles & Jane Walcott

Ron & Becky Harris-Warrick Nancy Moore Vector Magnetics Fund of the
Vincent Mulcahy & Cynthia Livermore Community Foundation
Lane Family Fund of the
Community Foundation Anil Nerode & Sally Sievers United Way of Schuyler County

Legacy Foundation Grants

TRIAD Foundation, Inc.

United Way of Tompkins County

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us Supporters

Donations: $1 - $249

Mary Adesso Robert & Carol Fay David Kirkwood & Anne Thomas Scott & Janet Russell
Sharon Anderson & Susan Powell Howard & Rosalind Feinstein Heinz & Judith Koch Edward Russo & Paula Winner
Robert & Alyce Anderson David Feldshuh & Vally Kovary Galit Sacajiu
Katherine & Max Anderson Martha Frommelt Thomas & Patrice Kurz John & Sue Sammis
Daniel & Janet Aneshansley John & Martha Ferger David & Marjory Rinaldo Lee Stephen & Karen Sass
Lorraine Arnold David Fernandez & Donald & Janet Lein Mary Schano
Robert Aronson Elizabeth Lawson Antoinette Levatich Carol Scheele
Ellen Avril David Filiberto Deborah Levin Robert & Lisa Schleelein
Erik Bagdonavicius David & Alanna Fontanella June Locke Josie Schug
Natalie Baker Joanne Fortune Barbara Logan Beatrice Schwoerer
Beverly Baker John & Karen Friedeborn Yvonne Lomax Danny & Kristin Scott
David & Lenore Bandler John Fuchs Linda Loomis Rose Seely
Robert Barlow June Gee Jack & Janet Lowe Alain & Janet Seznec
Eugenia Barnaba Denise Gelberg Fred Madden Gary & Colleen Sforzo
Joyce Barney & Kim Milling Robert Goclon Lodewijk & Beatrice Magre Bonita Shelford
Marilyn Baurle Aaron Godert Ethan Mancil Jerald Shing & Duane Diviney
Anne & Bill Bella Michael & Susan Goldberg Chris Martelli Michael & Karen Shuler
Louise Bement William Goldsmith Joseph Martin Roger & Carole Sibley
Fran & Donna Benedict Ruben Gonzalez Julia Mattick Gerry & Martha Smith
Mary Benson Lindsay & Judith Goodloe Joyce McAllister Stephen Snyder
Claire Berian Raymond Gozzi & Barbara Logan Boykin & Ruth McCaa Daphne Sola
Arthur Berkey Brad & Mary Grainger Patricia McClary Cassidy Stanley
Jim Bisogni Beverly Green James McConkey Robert & Naomi Strichartz
Dick & Luann Biviano Donald & Iris Greenberg Sheila McEnery & John Fleischauer Gary & Nancy Swayze
James & Virginia Bizzell David & Sally Grubb Kevin & Elizabeth McMahon Kathleen Swayze
Carol Bloomgarden David Guaspari Jean & Daniel McPheeters Sandra Swayze
Julie Boles Bruce & Pauline Halpern Carolyn McPherson Thomas & Marian Szebenyi
Kathryn Boor Bill & Kathy Halton Joseph Meeks Neil & Marie Taylor
Antonio Bordonaro David & Tove Hammer Joe & Emily Metz Eric Taylor
Lou & Monie Bordonaro Margaret Hammond & John Oakley Jan Milanowski Carol Teelin
Ronald & Linda Bors Margaret Hampson Carmon & Marjorie Molino Rose Teeter
Wayles Browne Peter & Mary Lou Harriott Rob & Kristy Montana Chris Thomas
Allen & Ruth Bushnell Thomas Hartshorne & Kim Troy Alice Moore & Robert Smith Garry & Connie Thomas
Joe & Nan Bylebyl Herbert Hartwig David Morey Nancy Tillinghast &
Sandra Cacciotti Joan Hass Joyce Morgenroth Thomas Longin
Bruce & Mary Jeanne Calnek Carl & Susan Haynes Abraham & Yuko Mulugetta Michael & Ayako Timmons
Terrence & Sally Campbell Judith Healey Jerry & Barbara Nosanchuk Leonard & Janice Topoleski
Patricia Carden Robert & Imo Joyce Herrick Michael & Priscilla O’Connell Orlando Turco
Marvin & Patricia Carlson Diane Hillmann Deborah O’Connor & Peter LePage David & Lucia Tyler
Dan Chapman Roger & Suzanne Hinderliter Stanley O’Connor Curtis & Amanda Ufford
Tony & Roberta Chiesa Thomas Hirasuna & Jean Hunter Linda O’Leary Jerome & Mary Van Buren
Melissa & Tony Chiusano Kenneth & Kristine Hodges John & Mary Oliver Thomas Volman & Leslie Horowitz
Alice Colby-Hall Jim Hodges Edward & Joan Ormondroyd Janet Wagner &
Royal & Susana Colle Eva Hoffmann Emily Parker & Rene Carver William Sonnenstuhl
Michael & Lisa Collins Joan Holden Larry & Jackie Pataki Patricia Wagner
Gould Colman David Holmberg & Kathryn March Bob & Peggy Pierce Kuo-King Wang
Bert & Helen Cooley Sami & Catherine Husseini Frederick Pohl William & Norma Wasmuth
Edward & Caroline Cope Anthony & Janet Ingraffea Loyd Powell Dix Wayman
Brad & Nancy Corbitt David & Janet Jacoby Alison Power & Alexander Flecker WBA Research
David & Carolyn Corson Jean Jagendorf Christine Rankie James Webster
Constance Cowen Marc Keane Michael & Dawn Redlin Edward & Frances Weissman
David Delchamps James Jenkins & Katharine Kelly Joe & Carrie Regenstein Ross & Jill Welch
Ken & Regina Deschere John & Dorothy Johnson John & Judith Reppy Ken White
Susan Detzer Sarah Johnson Sidney & Minna Resnick Fred & Mary Widding
Barbara DeWall George & Audrey Kahin Virginia Rinker Benjamin & Joanne Widom
Andrew Diamond Jane Kaplan David Ritchie Linda Williams
Rudiger & Christine Dieckmann Daniel Karig & Joane Molenock David & Margaret Robertshaw Trisha Wilson
Frank & Barbara DiSalvo Peter & Mary Katzenstein Wendy Robertson & Edward & Marlene Wolf
David & Judy Dresser Thomas Keane & Paula Grant Douglas Antczak Patricia Woodworth &
Ronald & Randy Ann Ehrenberg Marc Keane Eric & Margaret Robinson Charles Tilton
Richard & Leslie Ehrlich Simon & Mara Kelly Dan Robinson Madison & Mary Wright
Mark & Paula Eisner Rosalind Kenworthy Ward Romer Raquib Zaman
Matthew Estill Robert & Evonne Kern Patricia & Theodore Ronsvalle Joel & Cathy Zumoff
Matthew Evangelista & Joan Filler Harry & Doraline Kesten James Rothenberg &
Charles Fay & Christine Sparfel Carl & Suzanne Kilgore Mariana Wolfner 9

It’s fun to
work with
Conner, and to
watch him start
on his own path.
-Becky Troy
Employment
Specialist

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Rising to the Challenge: Meet Conner H.

At Challenge, some of our favorite success
stories are the ones we get to tell again and
again.

In 2016, Conner H. was recognized for his
success during Challenge’s Annual Awards
Dinner at Ithaca College, where he had one
of the most powerful quotes of the night.

“If you ever encounter a hardship in life, I
encourage you to never give up,” Conner said
at the podium that evening.

Less than a year after he was recognized, Conner receives an Exceptional Achievement Award
Conner is taking the next step in his life. during Challenge’s 2016 Awards Event at Ithaca College.

He’s been working with staff at Challenge since his last year at TST BOCES, and has

worked at the Cornell Dairy Bar for three years.

And now, Conner is a full-time employee there.

“It’s fun,” Conner says. “My co-workers and I talk about a lot of things. They always give
me support.”

Currently, Conner, who turned 21 this year, is working with Employment Specialist
Becky Troy, but also credits current staff members Ryan Notarpole and Pete Wolfanger
for helping him to be successful.

Becky says it’s fun to see Conner have success, and is happy Conner was able to achieve
the goal of full-time employment, which was something that happened quicker than
everyone expected.

“They give lots of guidance,” Conner says about staff at Challenge. “They always give me
plenty of support.”

Conner’s latest accomplishment? After saving up money for months, he moved into his
very own apartment in Ithaca at the end of July.

Read more success stories at our website,
ChallengeWorkforceSolutions.org!

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Challenge In The Community

The Challenge family at the 2017 Ithaca Festival Parade! Challenge has
participated in the
Challenge continues to expand its efforts to engage the following events in
community, as the organization’s development team has the past calendar year:
taken crucial steps to increase fundraising and public
relations efforts. • Downtown Ithaca Chili
Cook-Off
Challenge started 2017 with its 2nd Annual Krispy Kreme
Doughnut Fundraiser, raising nearly $4,000 from donors • IPEI Adult Spelling Bee
and doughnut buyers throughout Ithaca and Tompkins • Cancer Resource Center’s
County. Money raised during the doughnut sale was used
to help fund Challenge’s Annual Recognition Luncheon in “One Funny Ithaca Story”
June! Challenge also received media coverage about the • Law Enforcement Torch
sale from WENY-TV, WHCU Radio, and The Lansing Star
Online. Run for Special Olympics
• Community Match Up @
Following a successful commercial radio campaign with
the Cayuga Radio Group in 2016, Challenge has continued Greenstar
to tell its story in the media. Executive Director Joe • CUMEP Summer Concert
Sammons was featured in a segment titled “People You
Should Know,” which aired in December 2016 on WHCU @ Southside Community
Radio. In late 2016, Challenge was featured in a non-profit Center
spotlight piece written by Tompkins Weekly, and • World of Skills Job Fair
Challenge’s Ability In Bloom program was featured in June • Ithaca Festival Parade
in the same publication. • 2017 Women Swimmin’ for
Hospicare

On the fundraising side, Challenge has continued to establish and grow relationships with key
donors, while also re-establishing its development efforts with the installation of a new donor
database to more accurately show donor engagement activity. Those efforts continue, with
assistance from the Development Committee of Challenge’s Board of Directors, with the goal of
establishing consistent ways to engage donors and volunteers, and receive feedback about the
organization.

Challenge has also increased its efforts online, creating a new website in February of 2017 that
includes details about programs, facts about Challenge, success stories, and more.

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Challenge In The Community

Challenge partnered with Kilpatrick’s Publick House during the Challenge staff at the CUMEP Summer Concert
Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off in February. at Southside Community Center in Ithaca,
July 2017.

The Danby Road Shredders team from Challenge took part in the Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick holds a
IPEI Adult Spelling Bee at Ithaca High School. The fundraiser box of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts from
supports education initiatives in the Ithaca City School District.
Challenge’s fundraiser in February.

Challenge volunteers helped distribute bags for swimmers at Marching in the Ithaca Festival Parade!
this year’s Women Swimmin’ to benefit Hospicare.
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“We are proud to
support Challenge
as they serve our

community.”
-Mike Napierski,
Facilities Manager,

Sciencenter

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The Clean Team: Challenge’s Commercial Cleaning

When the doors close at the popular Sciencenter in Ithaca, that’s when Challenge gets to work.
6 nights a week, a team from Challenge’s Commercial Cleaning crew enters the popular hands-on
museum on Route 13 in Ithaca and makes sure it is clean and ready for visitors the next day.
“Throughout our partnership with Challenge, their staff has been attentive to our needs and has
provided quality service,” said Mike Napierski, Facilities Manager at the Sciencenter. “We have a
unique, high traffic space and Challenge has always been flexible and cooperative in order to keep the
Sciencenter clean and welcoming for our guests.”
Commercial Cleaning is one of four Social Enterprises run by Challenge. Social Enterprises are
staffing-intensive services contracted out to businesses in the community, which provide employment
opportunities for the individuals Challenge serves, while also generating important revenue for the
organization.
Challenge’s Commercial Cleaning operation has continued to expand over the past 12 months,
thanks, in part, to the work of former General Manager Roy Murdough, who recently took on the role
of Director of Social Enterprises for the entire organization.
“We’ve been able to develop relationships with over 30 commercial cleaning customers in Tompkins
County,” Murdough said. “Because of that success, we’ve been able to continue to fulfill Challenge’s
mission of creating pathways to employment for the people we serve.”
Murdough will be working closely with Christopher Teitelbaum, Challenge’s new General Manager of
Commercial Cleaning, to ensure the long-term success of the busy and important social enterprise.
One of the newest relationships is with the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce. Two nights a
week, the chamber, located on East Shore Drive, gets a thorough cleaning from the Challenge team.
Other customers include Franziska Racker Centers, GreenStar, eCornell, and True, Walsh & Sokoni
LLP.

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950 Danby Suite 179 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Ithaca, NY 14850 US POSTAGE

www.ChallengeWorkforceSolutions.org PA I D
607-272-8990
ITHACA, NY 14850
PERMIT NO. 34

2018 will mark Challenge’s 50th year in Ithaca, and our
work has never been more vital to the community. Please
consider a gift to Challenge to help us continue to create pathways
to employment for individuals with disabilities and barriers.

Make your donation online at challengeworkforcesolutions.org
by clicking on the “DONATE” tab at the top of the page.