Monthly Update Home > Monthly Update A A A Blog│ Strategic Updates │ Operational Updates │ Story to Share │ Media Attention │ Upcoming Events Looking ahead to the future with much work to accomplish Blog – By Marisa Geitner For the past 35 years, with our foundational commitment at Heritage Christian Services we have tackled each new day with a zeal to do better. With our faithful mission calling us to provide an opportunity for dignity, respect, unconditional love, and individual expression, often we finish our day reflecting on ways to do even better tomorrow. For our mission to remain timeless, it is vital that it grows and shifts with our ever-changing community. So onward to the next 35, one day at a time, one unique relationship at a time. In the upcoming years, we will support our community in reaching higher ground by persistently expecting equity in community policy and practice. An aim of equity supports people as individuals and respects them for their uniqueness. It ensures people have what they need for their success. Whether their success requires a physically accessible community, employment opportunity despite a unique intellectual or behavioral need or fair treatment regardless of gender, race or identity – we will be there supporting that need. We will push for a community that includes all by recognizing and embracing difference. Embracing difference provides for greater dignity, respect, love and expression- a mission that knows no boundaries. What a blessing to be part of this important community work. Onward with the blessing of humility and the richness of grace! Strategic Updates Premier Employer – Our employee engagement results have been released to our workforce. We’re satisfied with the positive trends in key areas. Our staff is reporting an increase in feeling recognized for the work they do. This aligns with increases in the number of recognitions given, and also the number of people who are writing recognitions on our High Five platform. Employees also expressed an interest in wellness and financial planning. We will add growth to these objectives through: (1) the introduction of a Success Coach recently hired and joining us in August; (2) the expansion of our employee assistance program through NexGen EAP; and (3) the continuation of our HealthyYOU workforce health and wellness programming. Advancing Supported Employment – Project SEARCHâ at Jewish Senior Life graduated their first class of nine interns. The programs gives students an opportunity to spend one year building skills in preparation for employment. So far, three of the students have been offered positions at Jewish Senior Life. Three more are being interviewed and considered for positions. The program and partnership has proven to be fruitful, and a new way to get young adults connected early with supported employment. Project SEARCHâ is already filling spots for next year’s class. (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance) continues to be at serious risk. The Department of Health is aiming for a flat rate to cap on administrative billing and this change would eliminate 500 providers and affect 100,000 people receiving support. We have contacted and encouraged service users to advise Governor Cuomo to stop the Department of Health from attempting this radical change. Back to top Operational Updates Our lease at Mendon Ponds Nature Center soon finishes. We’re grateful to have been able to have a day program there the past 15 years. We are identifying a new site location that is strategically located to the many community and volunteer commitments that this group is active in. Transition is expected this October. Boots & Barrels was another success for the therapeutic riding program at Heritage Christian Stables. More than 250 guests attended the sold-out fundraiser, raising upwards of $85,000. It was a beautiful day at the Golf Classic, which is projected to raise $170,000. 142 golfers were part of the nearly sold out event. New this year was a raffle contest for a trip to Italy, which boosted revenue by several thousands of dollars. We thank former NFL Buffalo Bill Steve Tasker for leading our dinner program again. We celebrated our 35th anniversary with a celebratory worship service at the Pieters Life Center. Nathaniel Ferguson, a minister and former employee, encouraged a crowd of more than 200 friends and family members to continue to “bring out the best in others.” It was a great day. Back to top Story to Share When Linda and Barb would go on walks, they would see Little Free Libraries posted around the area and wanted to provide one at their home. After looking into it, they discovered that it would cost about $300 to have one installed on the premises. Mark, a maintenance assistant, has some woodworking experience and offered to build one for them, free of charge. He spent his lunch breaks working on the Little Library, and after several weeks they were able to set it up The women were so excited to have the library to fill up with books finally. They were motivated to go outdoors every day to see if there were any new books in their Little Library. A next-door neighbor donated books, which gave the women an opportunity to get meet their neighbors in person, and thank them for their kindness. Back to top Media Attention 13WHAM made our 35th anniversary its Bright Spot The Rochester Business Journal covered 35 years in the community and our Employment Alliance News 8 Now highlighted Boots & Barrels The Ken-Ton Bee newspaper announces DeMart promotion Back to top Upcoming Events July 18 – Leadership Circle and Legacy Society Luncheon (invitation to members) Sept. 7 – Save the date: Heritage Hero 5K + Stroll + Roll Follow Rochester reporter and Buffalo native, Antoinette DelBel as she shares her experiences in our 5K Hero Training program. Back to top