Fall 2026 Spirit Newsletter Home > Fall 2026 Spirit Newsletter A A A Read on your phone Read on your desktop A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT | EXPRESSIVE BEGINNINGS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION A HOME FOR NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE | STATE VISIT AFFIRMS MISSION AND STRENGTH HERITAGE HAPPENINGS | JOY AND INCLUSION THROUGH DANCE | CARE THAT CONNECTS AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS | FUNDRAISING REPORT | DONOR SPOTLIGHT VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT | HONORARIUMS AND MEMORIALS AND GIVING CIRCLES | CORPORATE PARTNERS A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear friends, Change is a constant in our work. The needs of the people we support, expectations, resources and the world around us change. Because of that, Heritage Christian Services must continue to prayerfully and thoughtfully adapt, learn and grow. As we evolve, our mission remains the same: to reflect Christ’s inclusive love by honoring the dignity and worth of every person. That mission guides every decision we make as we support people to live connected and meaningful lives. This work is both joyful and demanding. We celebrate milestones, achievements and moments of belonging, and face loss, challenges, uncertainty and difficult realities. Through all of it, we remain committed to listening, learning and continuously improving the quality of the services and support entrusted to our care. Over the past year, we have continued to invest in people through training and professional development. We’ve expanded opportunities for people to age in place within their homes and communities. We’ve strengthened self-advocacy efforts so that people have a stronger voice in decisions that affect their lives. These are not simply initiatives. They are tangible expressions of our commitment to dignity, inclusion and opportunity. Our faith calls us to be diligent stewards of this mission. We may not know what lies ahead, but we move forward with confidence, trusting that God will provide the wisdom, courage and resources needed for the work before us. Thank you for walking alongside us. Your support, partnership and belief in this mission and those who serve it make a difference every day. With gratitude, Marisa Geitner President & C.E.O Back to top Expressive Beginnings Anniversary Celebrations Carnival games and anniversary cake helped families and staff members celebrate 15 years of service at Expressive Beginnings Child Care in Henrietta. The annual end of summer event took place in August with a carnival theme and fundraiser for Golisano Children’s Hospital. Expressive Beginnings Henrietta has been blessed to serve 1,082 children over the past 15 years. Expressive Beginnings Child Care in Greece celebrated its 10th anniversary in June. The center hosted an ice cream social for children and their families to mark the occasion, featuring an art piece honoring 10 years of growth and change. Since its opening in 2016, Greece Expressive Beginnings has supported 872 children. “The staff takes great pride in providing exceptional care,” said Expressive Beginnings Child Care Senior Director Becky Meagher, who oversees all three Expressive Beginnings locations in Henrietta, Greece and Webster. “These milestone anniversaries reflect the quality of our programs and the wonderful relationships we share with our children and their families.” Click here to watch the video. Back to top A Home for Now and for the Future Over the past five years, Heritage Christian Services has built or renovated 14 homes designed to support aging in place. The initiative ensures that the people we serve can remain in their home as their needs change. Building on the momentum of the successful $10.1 million Homes with Heart initiative, we were blessed to break ground earlier this summer on two new homes, both made possible with support from the Golisano Foundation: one on Scribner Road in Penfield and the other on North Greece Road in Greece. While these new homes will not allow us to serve additional people, they affirm our commitment to the long-term stability and safety for those we currently serve. Beth Rood is one of the people who will move into the home on Scribner Road when construction is complete. Her mother, Ann Tallman, has a sense of peace knowing that her daughter will be happy in her new home. “It gives me great comfort in knowing that when I’m no longer here, Beth will have a place where she’s comfortable, knows the layout and will be safe,” Tallman said. “In the past, we’ve asked her if she wanted to move anywhere, and she says, ‘No, these are my people. I want to be with them.’ It’s so rewarding and comforting to know that they’ll be together.” Watch the video, click here. Walk in with a purpose and walk out with a career! Discover the possibilities of a rewarding career at Heritage Christian Services during our weekly or monthly walk-in hiring events. Interested candidates can stop by for assistance completing an online application and meet with a recruiter to explore current job opportunities, all in one convenient visit. Learn more at Jobs.HeritageChristianServices.org/events. Back to top State Visit Affirms Mission and Strength Heritage Christian Services welcomed reviewers from the New York State Department of Quality Improvement for a multi-day agency review this summer. Reviewers noted strong outcomes in incident management, quality improvement, safety and maintenance practices, effective nursing oversight, meaningful safeguards around personal allowance, strong board level governance and leadership oversight and clear evidence that our mission and values are visible throughout the agency. They also identified areas for continued attention regarding initial training requirements, annual trainings and performance evaluations while noting these are areas the organization is already addressing. This visit represented how our partnership with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities can continue to grow in an era of change. It was powerful to hear from a regulatory partner in a way that reinforces the strength of our agency and opportunities to learn, improve and move forward together. Back to top HERITAGE HAPPENINGS Partnership in Action Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer visited several western New York programs, providing an opportunity to highlight the people, relationships and quality that define our agency. The commissioner had the opportunity to speak with team members taking part in leadership development and see the transformation at the home on Townline Road in Pendelton, a Homes with Heart program she toured before the renovations began. The visit also served as an opportunity for discussion, brainstorming and connection in addressing present and future needs. Employee Resource Groups Set the Tone for 2026 Employee resource groups provide staff members with a supportive space to build community, grow professionally and share their experiences. Now in its second year, the Empower HERitage group, focused on the experiences of African American women, continues to bring together both returning members and new participants. Meanwhile, Heritage Christian Services’ newest employee resource group, M.I.L.L.Y.—centered on the experiences of millennial staff members—recently kicked off by inviting leaders to share advice and insights for the group. Discovering Potential with UpNext Offered through the Employment Alliance of Heritage Christian Services, UpNext supports people as they explore their interests, learn new skills and discover opportunities in the workplace. Program days include public transportation training, curriculum-based learning focused on developing work and life skills and volunteer experiences with organizations to build employment skills. “We can really take the time to understand people for who they are and the gifts that they have,” said Jessica Bellerdine, coordinator of pre-vocational services. The program is always looking to connect with local businesses and nonprofits that can provide opportunities for interns to explore different careers, strengthen essential skills and build connections. To discuss potential partnerships, visit HeritageChristianServices.org/ EmploymentAlliance. Joy at Buffalo Bills Training Camp A group of excited Bills fans attended training camp at St. John Fisher University for a day filled with sunshine and unforgettable memories. Our core values of joy and inclusion were on full display as friends connected, shared experiences and celebrated their love for the game. Experiences like this reflect the heart of our mission: ensuring endless possibilities for all people. Life Center Pool is Perfect for Recovery and Conditioning The Pieters Family Life Center’s HydroWorx Pool is newly refurbished and ready to offer support to the community, whether through low-impact therapeutic exercise or highintensity athletic conditioning. The fully accessible pool provides ground-level entry and has an underwater treadmill with a cushioned, high-traction floor, making it a great option for people of all fitness levels and abilities. “The buoyancy of the water reduces joint stress while providing a comfortable environment to improve strength, balance, mobility and overall wellness,” said Andrew Little, director of the Pieters Family Life Center. To learn more, visit PietersFamilyLifeCenter.org/ aquatics. Chris Wells Marks Milestone Rochester Red Wings super fan Chris Wells attended his 1,000th consecutive home game at ESL Ballpark on Aug. 11. As part of the celebration, Chris threw out the first pitch before the Red Wings game against Charlotte. Chris, who has been employed at the Olive Garden in Victor for 16 years through the Heritage Christian Services Employment Alliance, was joined by numerous friends and family to mark the milestone, including Perinton Town Supervisor Jenn Townsend who read a Proclamation declaring Aug. 11 as Chris Wells Day in Perinton. Chris also has another impressive streak. He hasn’t missed a day of work since 2019. Chris credits his employers at the Olive Garden for adjusting his work schedule through the years to help him attend games with unusual start times. He’s looking forward to keeping the streak going into another season next spring! Reunion Week and Family Night at Rotary Sunshine Camp People look forward to Reunion Week at Rochester Rotary Sunshine Camp in Rush, a special opportunity to reconnect with friends they may not see often throughout the year. During the week, attendees enjoyed a variety of accessible activities designed to celebrate joy, friendship and inclusion. One of the highlights is Family Night when the people we support, their families and staff members come together for an evening of fun. Guests enjoy carnivalstyle concessions, family portraits, accessible games and more. Dedicated Heritage Christian Services staff volunteers help create lasting memories for all. Special thanks to the Joseph and Irene Skalny Charitable Trust and Hoselton Auto Mall for their generous support of Family Night and camp week. Honoring DSPs Each year, we celebrate National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. While our appreciation and recognition of caring professionals isn’t limited to just these seven days, the week offers an opportunity to showcase excellence, compassion and joy taking place around the agency. Managers recognized their teams in personal and meaningful ways, agency leaders took an active role in the celebration to demonstrate their visible and tangible support, and the week also included opportunities for fun and connection. These gestures are small by design, but they carry a clear message: the work of direct support professionals is seen, valued and deeply appreciated. There are nearly 1,200 direct support professionals at Heritage Christian Services and more than 100,000 supporting people statewide. Click here to watch the video. Support Children and Families in Need Families served through Heritage Christian Services’ Children’s Health Home of Upstate New York often face food insecurity, housing challenges, transportation barriers and unexpected emergencies. Your gift helps provide essentials, including holiday meals, gifts, household necessities and other critical support. Select ”CHHUNY” on the donation form to ensure your gift is directed to this initiative. You can also help make the holidays brighter by supporting the Employer Resource Network Toy and Gift Drive. Last year, generous donors helped 95 families and 240 children. Donate, bring a new unwrapped toy to Heritage Christian by Dec. 16 or click here to shop the Amazon wish list. Celebrating Milestone Anniversaries In June, we celebrated anniversaries in Rochester and Buffalo, including 30 years of compassionate care in western New York. Invitations were extended to staff members, people we serve and their families, reflecting the important role families play. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone that’s associated with Heritage Christian Services feels seen, heard and valued,” said Chuck Collard, regional vice president of WNY operations and advancement. More than 200 people were in attendance across the two events, enjoying food, music, a claw machine, accessible mini golf and the opportunity to build meaningful connections. In Buffalo, attendees also participated in a well-loved tradition: the annual basket raffle. Back to top Joy and Inclusion Through Dance Who can dance? That simple question has been answered through Heart of Dance: Anyone and everyone. Heart of Dance has featured over two decades of performances with hundreds of people joining this inclusive group to express their joy through dancing. “All of us have the love of dance,” said Shauna Gagnon, a Heritage Christian Services residence manager and a Heart of Dance choreographer and performer since 2017. “We’re all dancers at heart. We’ve built a family around it.” For its founders, Nancy Craig and Diane Sturmer, Heart of Dance truly comes from the heart and a shared moment of inspiration. More than 20 years ago, when Nancy signed the word “dance” to Diane, expressing her desire to be up on stage and perform, who could have imagined how many lives it would change? “It has been so fulfilling,” said Mary Gagne, who cried tears of joy from her seat the first time she watched her daughter Michelle perform. Now the whole Gagne family is part of the show. “We love being on stage with Shelly and she loves having her family up there.” Heart of Dance welcomes people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Christina Schmidt discovered Heart of Dance when she was an intern in 2009. “I love the creative outlet and collaborative process,” she said. Performing on stage with Nancy opened Christina’s eyes to the power of dance. “Nancy always has a big smile on her face that radiates out.” That smile has provided a welcoming warmth through the years, especially as new members join the group. The months spent rehearsing together culminate with a performance that celebrates the magic of movement and shared joy. “We’ve made lifelong friends,” said Gagne. “It has been a true privilege to be a part of this.” As new songs and choreography are embraced, the spirit remains the same. Something beautiful happens every time Heart of Dance takes the stage. “It’s amazing watching people get really excited,” said Sturmer. “Heart of Dance breaks down barriers by bringing people who love to dance together.” A simple truth that endures through all those with a heart to dance. Click here to watch the video. Back to top Care that Connects At its core, nursing is about caring for people. “It’s about caring for the entire person, not just their physical health, but also supporting them in whatever way is needed,” said Tracy Terry, a registered nurse at Heritage Christian Services. Clinical skills give nurses the ability to help people maintain optimal health, but nurses also need managerial skills to keep track of appointments, exams, medications and changing medical conditions. “We provide a very specialized type of nursing at Heritage Christian,” explained Brandi Howard, who has been a nurse with the agency for 11 years. “We’re with the people we support for their lifespan, managing and caring for their evolving medical needs.” Direct support professionals play a central role in helping nurses provide care. “They are our eyes and ears,” said Terry. “When someone experiences even a small change in their day-to-day, our staff members are often the first to notice it.” The ability for nurses to communicate clearly and efficiently, with direct support professionals and family caregivers, is essential. Laptops and smartphones provide portability for nurses to quickly access vital information to address concerns or provide direction for care from almost anywhere. “Having the information readily available definitely makes things easier,” said Thalia Dixit, who joined Heritage Christian as a nurse earlier this year. “It helped me get a better understanding of my role, the people we support and the kind of care they need.” Tiffany Basamon, director of nursing, says the key is using technology to standardize protocols so everyone, from nurses to direct support staff, records information the same way. “When information is easily accessible, the people we support can receive better care,” she said. That’s the true benefit of technology. “My primary job is to care for people,” said Howard. “Technology supports me, but it will never change how I care for people. That will always be about the love in my heart for the people we serve.” Back to top Awards & Recognitions Rochester Area Community Foundation Named 2026 Community Partner Heritage Christian Services is proud to recognize the Rochester Area Community Foundation as the recipient of our 2026 HCS Community Partner Award. The award celebrates partners whose generosity, advocacy and collaboration help create greater possibilities for the people we support. RACF has provided more than $240,000 in grant support for Heritage Christian and its programs, including Springdale Farm and Eleversity. This recognition, however, reflects more than financial investment. Over many years, RACF has helped advance key initiatives, connected Heritage Christian with community partners and served as a strong advocate for nonprofits across our region. We are grateful for RACF’s long-standing partnership and for the ways it advances meaningful opportunities for people and families throughout the Rochester area. Its visionary leadership, community-centered philanthropy and unwavering commitment to improving lives make RACF a deserving recipient. Liz Guzman Honored at SANYS Regional Conference At this year’s Self-Advocacy Association of New York State’s Regional Conference, Liz Guzman was recognized as the Western Region Self-Advocate of the Year in the Buffalo and Finger Lakes regions. This award honors Liz for her consistent self-advocacy, persistence in overcoming challenges and advocacy for her friends and community. Liz is also an active member of the ROCStars self-advocacy group. Marisa Geitner Gives Keynote at Inclusive Leadership Event Last year, Heritage Christian Services received the Greater Rochester Chamber Inclusive Leadership Award. This year, President & C.E.O. Marisa Geitner delivered the keynote, challenging organizations to remove barriers, elevate voices and foster belonging. McConnell Forty Under 40 Chris McConnell, vice president of education, employment and Finger Lakes day services, was recognized by the Rochester Business Journal as a Forty Under 40 honoree for exceptional career achievement and a strong commitment to community. In addition to his role with HCS, McConnell is also a volunteer with the Penfield Volunteer Fire Department. Voelker on Power 200 List Congratulations to Heritage Christian Services Board of Directors member Cindy Voelker who was named to the Buffalo Business First Power 200 Women list for 2026. Voelker, who ranked 49th on the list, is President & C.E.O. of Spectrum Health and Human Services was recognized for her impact on the care industry in Buffalo. HCS Named to Top 100 Heritage Christian Services has once again been recognized among the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s Top 100 fastest-growing organizations, reflecting continued creativity and impact. HCS Named Outstanding Community Leader The agency has been recognized in honor of exceptional service and longstanding community partnerships. Back to top FUNDRAISING REPORT Celebrating Generosity Today and a Legacy for Tomorrow Heritage Christian Services celebrated the impact of the support we receive from our devoted Leadership, Legacy and Lifetime Giving Circle members with luncheons in Buffalo and Rochester. We are grateful to welcome 131 new Leadership and eight new Legacy Circle members and honor their commitment to ensure the mission of Heritage Christian carries on now and for years to come. At the events, we introduced the new Lifetime Giving Circle, recognizing generous supporters who have given $100,000 or more to Heritage Christian over their lifetime. We are grateful to honor 69 members whose transformational support continues to advance our mission every day. Together, We Made It Possible! Our inaugural Heritage Christian Services Day of Giving was a huge success! The community rallied together to raise over $300,000 in 24 hours. Nearly 300 donors chose to support our mission and make a difference in the lives of children, older adults and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are grateful for our agency and foundation board members, their friends and family and our anonymous donor who generously gave towards our matching gifts. Click here to watch the video. Golf Classic Raises Nearly $190K The 36th annual Heritage Christian Services Golf Classic, presented by Lawley, brought 144 golfers together at Monroe Golf Club in Pittsford on Aug. 3 for a sold-out day of golf and generosity. Thanks to the support of sponsors, golfers, volunteers and friends, the event raised nearly $190,000 to help ensure vital resources remain available to people supported by Heritage Christian Services. We are grateful to everyone who made this year’s Golf Classic such a meaningful success. Save the Date Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony – Dec. 2 Gala Holiday Pops Concert with the RPO – Dec. 17 Planning with a Purpose Seminar – April 21, 2027 Sheep Shearing Festival at Springdale Farm – April 24, 2027 Heart of Dance – TBD May, 2027 Golf Classic at Monroe Golf Club – Aug. 2, 2027 Back to top DONOR SPOTLIGHT Beautiful in Any Season: A Family’s Legacy Carries on For Cynthia “Cindy” and David Hawke, “beautiful in any season” was more than an expression. It was a lesson they wanted their son, Daniel, to carry through life. After Cindy’s passing recently, David honored that spirit by making a qualified charitable distribution from her individual retirement account to support the Heritage Christian Services Day of Giving. As longtime Leadership and Legacy Circle members, David and Cindy made a commitment that David feels strongly about continuing – both as a tribute to Cindy and a reflection of the trust their family has built with Heritage Christian over many years. “Heritage Christian Services strives for excellence as an agency. This is reflected in their care for the people they support and their staff members. I believe supporting Heritage Christian financially helps secure a bright and meaningful future for many people like my son, Daniel, who benefit from their services every day,” said Hawke. To learn more about supporting Heritage Christian Services, visit HeritageChristianServices.org/GivingCircles. Back to top VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Wegmans Volunteers Bring Care, Community to HCS Sites For the past two years, Wegmans has partnered with Heritage Christian Services through its company-led Day of Caring employee volunteer initiative, thoughtfully bringing together more than 100 employees from across the company and matching their skills to projects across several locations, including Springdale Farm, Balcony Point and Heritage Christian Stables. Across these sites, Wegmans volunteers helped move forward long-standing facility and outdoor improvement needs that would have otherwise required significant staff time and resources to complete. Their support strengthened the appearance, safety and accessibility of these spaces, created a more welcoming experience for the people and families who visit and provided meaningful labor savings that allowed Heritage Christian to preserve resources for programs, services and the people we support. We are honored that Wegmans chose us as a beneficiary of this meaningful employee volunteer effort and are grateful for their longstanding commitment to our mission! Back to top GIFTS OF SUPPORT Many thanks to the Rochester Area Community Foundation for supporting the important animal care and agricultural education taking place at Springdale Farm. We are humbled by the generosity shown by the following contributors who have provided support for enabling people to stay in their homes with safety, comfort and dignity. Camp Smile generously supported our respite programs, which offer families time away to rest and recover. Eleversity, the HCS education and training division serving businesses around the state, thanks the following organizations for helping promote career development and equity through our ColoRISE Lunch and Learn series and Empowered to Lead program. The Employment Alliance offers heartfelt thanks to: The Walter Hubbell Employment Services Fund and the Rochester Red Wings, whose support across 13 years has contributed an incredible $425,000 for the Employment Alliance. The Waldron Rise Foundation for their generous support in helping people with disabilities stay employed. Back to top MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS AND GIVING CIRCLE LISTINGS Often, people will make a donation in memory of a loved one who has passed away. The agency sends the bereaved family a note of sympathy and informs them of the gift, without disclosing the amount. People also mark joyous occasions – like birthdays, anniversaries and weddings – by donating in honor of a friend or family member. Giving Circles at Heritage Christian Services recognize donors whose generosity helps strengthen our mission today and sustain it for the future. Through annual leadership giving, planned giving and lifetime generosity, members help create meaningful opportunities for children, older adults, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and families, and the dedicated staff members who support them Questions? Email [email protected]. Back to top View memorials & honorariums and Giving Circle listings New Recurring Gifts Matched Dollar for Dollar A recurring gift is more than a convenient way to give; it’s a steady promise of support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are working toward greater independence, meaningful relationships and lives filled with purpose. When you sign up to give monthly, your generosity supports Heritage Christian Services to show up every day with the resources people need to live with greater choice, connection and belonging. Thanks to an anonymous donor, every new recurring gift made this fall will be matched, up to $20,000. Make your recurring gift today at HeritageChristianServices.org/donate by selecting the “Recurring Gift” option on the giving form. CORPORATE GIVING WITH A PURPOSE Corporate partners fuel life-changing programs and support communities where everyone belongs. Your support can strengthen essential programs for children, older adults and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the caring professionals who walk alongside them. As a corporate partner, your company will be recognized year-round, not only at our signature events, but across the programs and communities your generosity empowers. You will also become a member of our Leadership Circle. Together, we can build inclusive communities where every person is valued and has opportunities to thrive. Join our corporate partners program and make a lasting difference. HeritageChristianServices.org/CorporatePartners Back to top
