Meeting Life’s Challenges

SharingJourneyTHE

WINTER 2013

Harold Horace, CEO Fred Erlich and Gary Weitzman, owner of ArtForms Galleryat the 2012 Culinary Cornucopia. TheArtForms Achievement Award is presentedannually to a person receiving LivingResources services who has demonstratedoutstanding personal growth.

LIVING RESOURCES ABI PROGRAM REACHES OUT TORETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS WITH BRAIN INJURIESBrain Injuries have been referred to as the signature wound

of the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Often, braininjuries go hand-in-hand with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), making diagnosis and treatment more complex andchallenging. Though each person’s story is unique, the commonthread that unites many wounded service members is oftentheir struggle to access appropriate services. This was the casefor Harold Horace.

Growing up, Harold had always dreamed of going to college,but as one of seven kids, there wasn’t enough money in thefamily budget for higher education, so he opted to join theArmy. By the time he left military service, he had gained manyassets: a sense of discipline and duty, the ability to lead, andvaluable job skills. Unfortunately, however, Harold had gainedsomething else: undiagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,common in many combat veterans.

WHAT’S YOUR M.O.S.? MILITARY CULTURAL COMPETENCY

TRAINING

What is an M.O.S.?

If someone is in the military, should theyalways be referred to as a soldier?

Why do many younger ex-military peopledislike the term, “veterans”?*

These questions and many others wereanswered in a comprehensive one-dayMilitary Cultural Competency Training,presented by trainers from the Home AgainVeterans and Families Initiative. Thecurriculum was developed to help serviceproviders throughout the country meet theneeds of returning service members andtheir families.

The training, designed to offerindividuals without a military backgroundfamiliarity with the culture and issuesassociated with military service, is part ofLiving Resources commitment servingthose who have served our country.

This invaluable training session was paidfor through a generous grant from theJames and Rhea Clark Review Foundation.

*Answers

M.O.S. stands for Military OccupationalSpecialty, or the specific job skill that one

was trained for in the course of theirmilitary service.

The term “soldier” should be used onlyfor someone serving in the Army. In the

Navy, the term is Seaman; in the Air Force,Airman, and in the Marines, they should be

referred to as Marine.

Many people who have completed theirmilitary service in recent years feel that

“veterans” is an old-fashioned term,referring to people of their parents’

generation or older. Younger people tend to prefer “returning service members,”

“ex-military,” or want to continue to be called “Airman” or “Soldier,” etc.

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LOOKING AHEAD TO 2013…ELIMINATING BARRIERS TOSERVICES AND PROGRAMS

We will all confront barriersthroughout our lives that are difficultto overcome, especially if faced alone.For individuals with intellectualdisabilities, autism spectrumdisorders, acquired brain injuries, orjust getting older, these barriers canseverely restrict choice andindependence.

Our Brain Injury Program hasbegun to make a significant impact withservices to veterans. It’s an exciting newchapter, defining how we can helpveterans reintegrate into the community and into ourlives. We are at the beginning of this new service. For25 years, we have served individuals with brain injury;everyday, we help more than 140 survivors. We areseeking support from the community through fundingto implement outreach services to all people with braininjuries, including veterans.

Recently wepurchased 790 MadisonAvenue, Albany. This 8-person, 4-unit homewill serve studentseither attending orgraduating from theCollege ExperienceProgram, a partnershipwith the College of Saint Rose. Theresidence eliminates physicalbarriers for students who are notfully ambulatory, and will broadenservices and open enrollment to a larger audience inneed. We are opening classes for tuition-basedstudents. A vast majority of young adults withdisabilities want to become independent, prepared foremployment, and have a lifetime of friends andachievements.

A contract to build a smart house for $650,000 wassigned by Living Resources with the NYS Dormitory

Authority, using funds granted by theNYS Legislature. This house isprogressive and unique as few suchhouses exist in the USA. The house, forsix residents, uses universal designprinciples for individuals who have hadtheir independence severely limited. A wide range of technology,equipment and spatial designconsiderations will allow occupants to better interact with the homeenvironment.

Systems utilizing passivemonitoring will successfully track andidentify potential health concerns.This house and others like it providehigh-quality care and lifetime

placement in a cost-effective manner. There is nodoubt that keeping people in their homes is a less-costly alternative to nursing home care. Our overallgoal is to provide enhanced health, safety and security.This project, due to its innovative nature, will requireadditional private dollars to provide the technologythat will foster independence.

2013 promises tobe an exciting year aswe move forward toworking to eliminatebarriers and bringthese programs tofruition. Pleaseconsider a gift toLiving Resources.

Together, with your generoussupport, we can help peoplewith disabilities live full,productive and independent

lives. To make a donation please use the enclosedenvelope or contact Bonnie Unser, Director ofDevelopment at (518) 218-0000 extension 5328, or visitour website at www.livingresources.org to contributeonline. Thank you, your support is greatly appreciated.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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Fredrick W. ErlichChief Executive Officer

An architect's rendering shows the design of LivingResources Smart House. Ground breaking willoccur this spring, and the residence will becomehome to six medically fragile individuals in the fall.

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“Meeting life’s challenges is whatdefines Living Resources;championing this vision requirescontinuous perseverance andprofessionalism. Through thecollaborative teamwork of CEO Fred Erlich, his staff and boardmembers, we’re committed toproviding a continuum of first-classservices to individuals withdisabilities, who are members of ourcommunity. These efforts preparethem in meeting life’s challenges.”

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— Richard A. Fuerst, Esq.Owner/Attorney at Higgins,Roberts & Suprunowicz, P.C.President of Living Resources’ Foundation Board

LIVING RESOURCES ABI PROGRAM REACHES OUTTO RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS WITH BRAIN INJURIES

The next several years were full of ups and downs.He began to receive help from the VA, but he was soonrecalled to service, a common practice in which themilitary “reactivates” former personnel to takeadvantage of their skills. This resulted in a majorsetback; he returned to civilian life feeling distant anddetached.

Then, in December of 2006, as Harold walked alongthe side of a road on his way to work, he was hit by adriver who sped away from the scene without stopping.Harold was thrown 22 feet, leaving him unconsciouswith 2 broken legs, multiple lacerations, a crackedelbow, broken vertebrae and a brain injury.

When he awoke, he had no memory of the accident.In fact, he didn’t even know his own name. Hisrecovery, both physical and mental, has been long andcomplicated.

Harold received services from the VA, but found thatthey were unable to offer all of the things that heneeded to pull his life together. It was nearly five yearsafter his injury that a friend told him about Living

Resources Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) program, andhe called for information the same day.

“I wish that I’d found this group a long time ago,”said Harold. “They’ve helped me to progress more inthe past year than I had in the five years before.”

But the relationship hasn’t been a one-way street.Harold has become an invaluable resource andconnection for the Living Resources ABI program intheir outreach to other service members whose liveshave been turned upside-down by brain injuries andPTSD.

Through Military Cultural Competency Training (seesidebar, page 1) Living Resources employees – not justABI staff, but throughout the agency - have beenlearning about how to interact with military personneland their families, and how to better meet their needs.Though this venture is in its early stages, LivingResources is committed to providing much-neededprograms and services to men and women who haveserved our country.

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Newly elected Foundation Board OfficersRobert Lazar, Vice President (left) andRichard Fuerst, President (right) standbeside Board Member and family memberDorothy Stevens.

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LIVING RESOURCES — Friends and Family

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Pasta Pane, one of the 10 restaurants featured at this year’s event, set up a “GivingTree” at their salon, with guests invited to choose a leaf on which to write somethingthat they felt thankful for. For each leaf collected, Pasta Pane donated a dollar toLiving Resources, and by the end of the evening, the “leaves” brought in $500!

Living Resources CEO Fred Erlich andboard member Phil Fusco are joined byemployees as they cut the cake at theAugust 21st Open House to celebratefive years at the 300 Washington AvenueExtension location.

I.A.M member Bob D. presents Sara O. with the "Truly Being Inspirational" awardas her parents Ken and Kathy proudly look on at the 3rd Annual Capital DistrictBrain Injury Awareness Day, held August 22nd at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland.

Chef Michael Spain of Sperry’s Restaurant in Saratogawon the Grand Award at the 22nd Annual CulinaryCornucopia, held November 11th at the Albany Marriott.All proceeds from this elegant evening go directly to themany programs and services of Living Resources.

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LIVING RESOURCES — Friends and Family

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Living Resources held its annual State of theAgency events at the Albany Marriott and at theoffice on December 20th. “The Living ResourcesPlayers” performed a song to the tune of “The 12Days of Christmas”… instead of a partridge in apear tree, the number one item was “The Best StaffWe’ve Ever Had.”

Day Opportunities staff member Talia Colon wasone of over a dozen Living Resources employeesrecognized for ten years of exemplary service tothe agency.

Bethany and Jory display their turkey creations at the annual AfterSchool Program Thanksgiving Dinner, held November 19th. Eachyear, kids and their families from all program locations are invited toa full Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings, cooked by ASP staffand volunteers.

Living Resources Home Care Agency is proud to announce that two photos of their staff and clients appearin the 2013 “There’s No Place Like Home” calendar, printed by the Home Care Association of New YorkState, Inc. The HCANYS promotes high-quality home care and community services throughout the state.

Home health aide Lisa Koniowkastirs the pot as her client, Marie,supervises the recipe.

Betty and her caregiver share cerealand coffee every morning. “Moniqueis like family to me,” says Betty.

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KAY’S LEGACYby Fred Erlich, CEO

I would like to share my experiences over 30 years with Kay and Nancy Dixon. I have a special bond withNancy as she was an individual with Down syndrome that I interviewed at Rome State School when I was asocial worker involved in the beginning of Living Resources. I immediately developed a soft spot in my heartfor Nancy and was very happy to be able to help her to get closer with her family and return to the Capital

Region. She moved into Living Resources’ first home and I remember havingChristmas with her at that home in 1974. Once I got to know Nancy, I also

started having conversations with her family. That’s how I met her stepmother, Kay.

During the start up of Living Resources there were a fewfamilies that were our enthusiastic cheerleaders and helpers in

making the organization successful. It almost felt like onething fed the other as Kay and some other core familiesencouraged and supported us. As a new agency, we werehighly motivated to show how much people could change,grow and develop. With Kay’s encouragement, Nancy was one

of the first people we moved into the Supported LivingApartment Program. There were six people that demonstrated

the capability to be independent: they could take care of all theirbasic needs, benefit from more independent socialization activities

in the community, and make wise and safe decisions with staffoversight. I remember that Nancy was one of the people thatothers wanted to room with; she had such a sweet nature and wasfun to be around. Nancy

flourished in the apartment program.When it was no longer a benefit for Nancy to live on her own, we

supported her through the development of a small communityresidence on Corlaer Avenue in Schenectady. Once again, Kay’s wisecounsel was very helpful throughout the transition.

Over the next 10+ years we found that Nancy was having otherphysical and mental challenges. Ultimately, Nancy developedAlzheimer’s disease and we once again moved her to another housewhere she would receive a higher level of staff support and nursingintervention. After Nancy passed away, we remained close friendswith Kay. We visited with her and celebrated her success when shepublished her memoir, Red Cross Kay, in 2009. Kay continued to bevery supportive of me and the agency; we were sad to see her age andeventually pass away.

Living Resources is honored by Kay’s decision to make a major gift toour Legacy Society through a bequest in Nancy’s memory. The work ofLiving Resources is all about the individuals we help to have a complete life; we receive great joy in knowingthat the agency makes a difference. Kay’s gift affirms the importance of our mission and ensures thatindividualized services will continue into the future to benefit generations to come.

On behalf of Living Resources, I extend heartfelt thanks to the entire Dixon family.

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LIVING RESOURCES — Friends and Family

Nancy Dixon at home in Rotterdam.(Photos provided by Nancy’s brother, Kent Dixon.)

Kay Dixon enjoys holding her great grandchild.

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GIFTS MADE IN HONOR OF: Pasquale & Angelica Colicchio from

William & Jacqueline TurebyKimberly DelSignore from

Stephanie A. BalnaitisAndy Draffen from

Jack & Barbara DraffenDana Jackson and Easter from

Elizabeth JacksonDale Miller & Bryan Kelly from

Jane R. LevineAnne Murphy & The Carriage House Arts Center from

Grayce Susan BurianRick Navickas’ birthday from

Richard A. Fuerst, Esq.Dottie Stevens’ birthday from

Richard A. Fuerst, Esq.

GIFTS MADE IN MEMORY OF:Manning Balcom from

John Alexander Balint, M.D.James DoigDick & Gail OliphantMr. & Mrs. Arthur Young

Louis J. Bonan fromDavid M. CapkaMary & Vince Capka and theBonan Family

George Butler fromPaul & Phyllis Cooney

Rory M. Carroll fromStuart AuslanderSinead BrosnanCarmel United Soccer ClubRita & Charles CarrKaren & James CarrollAlice M. CroninCharles DayMr. & Mrs. Robert DieckJohn & Mary DolanAnthony J. FerraraRobert Fischer Tony & Bridget FordeJohn & Nancy HaydenIngerman Smith, LLP

Katonah-Lewisboro DistrictSpecial Services Dept:Sue FowlerCindy GreenbergConnie HayesWallis Leeds-GrantCatherine McNultyBarbara MiloneKaty MontilliJeanne Zelem

Katonah-Lewisboro DistrictTeachers Association

Carol Ann LeeMary & Theodore Leissing, Jr.Lee H. LewLong Island University, Doctor

of Physical Therapy ProgramPriscilla LuckowSarah & Michael LynchKimberly MonzonScott PersampieriDanelle & James PlacellaMarjorie SchiffChristine & Dann SoldanMargaret & Richard TaylorChristina ToddGail & Lawrence Weiss

Nancy Cornwell fromCharles & Jeanette CornwellHoward & Faye CornwellJean S. CreightonJames Sessions

Bob Cummings fromRobert S. Cummings, Sr.

Carl S. Derwig fromBarbara K. CarboNina DriscollJohn & Susan GeorgeJim & Betty GourlayThe Lunch Group of the Class of

48 Nott Terrace High School:Bob CarmichaelBob GroffRay HomicGlenn KalerRay Whimple

Tina & Ed Massa

Katherine P. Dixon fromRichard A. Fuerst, Esq.

Betsy Hermesmann fromMr. & Mrs. Stanley Wilczopolski

Sylvia C. Kaplan fromMilton M. Kaplan

Grace “Dolly” Marrazzo fromMaggie KirwinMr. & Mrs. Louis A. Ricci

Elizabeth “Betty” Milano fromRichard A. Fuerst, Esq.

Lorraine Miller fromJohn Miller

David M. Mullins fromSandy & Gregg BoothKen & Charlene Christopher

and FamilyJosefina CochayoneSandy DalyDom & Bonnie DigirolamoRobert & Betsy Higgins Dottie Marino’s Bridge Group Dottie Marino’s Mahjogg Group Mr. & Mrs. Michael

NathansonDale B. Neubert

Rick Navickas from Richard A. Fuerst, Esq.

Kevin J. O’Brien fromPeg O’Brien-Tucker

Thomas Prater, Ph.D. fromRichard A. Fuerst, Esq.

James Henry Riccardi fromHermes & Linda AmesBBL Charitable FoundationMr. & Mrs. Herbert EllisGeorgette HathawayMr. & Mrs. William KehnMargaret & Edmund MaloneyMr. & Mrs. James E. PollockAnn P. RiccardiSusan & Douglas StevensCarol B. Swyer

Marian Sevinsky fromRichard A. Fuerst, Esq.GE Energy

A listing of all donations received by Living Resources is published yearly in our Annual Report, available on-line at www.LivingResources.org.

To view, click “Publication Archive” under Quick Links.7

HONORARY AND MEMORIAL GIFTS TO LIVING RESOURCESJanuary 22, 2012 through January 25, 2013

The following donors have chosen to pay tribute to a loved one through a gift to Living Resources. Thank you,family members and friends, for your vote of confidence in our services and for honoring our work with yourgenerous contributions. Only with your help can we continue to meet the challenges facing individuals withdevelopmental disabilities and brain injuries.

Richard O. Siver fromMr & Mrs. Mark CulottiHeidi DePiero’s 4th Grade

Class at Pinewood Elementary

Pat & Ellen HunsingerLois & David McDonaldBeverly & William MorrisonMaryann & Brock OsbornLes & Carol RelyeaJames V. SharkeyPenny Smith-BogertLucinda Strasenburgh

James Stouch fromMr. & Mrs. Stanley Wilczopolski

Thomas Unser fromTimothy & Bonnie UnserJohn & Sarah Unser

William Welz, Jr. fromSonia Squazzin

H. Eugene Wray fromFrances Livesay & Guy RichCheryl Perry-Leyden

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300 Washington Avenue ExtensionAlbany, NY 12203-7303

Meeting Life’s Challenges

NONPROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage

PAIDAlbany, NY

Permit No. 950

BOARD OF DIRECTORSOfficersJohn S. Delaney, PresidentBonita Sanchez, Vice PresidentRichard T. Cody, TreasurerVladia C. Boniewski, Secretary

Board MembersWilliam DaviesSara EricksonGary FosterJudy FruitermanDr. Philip FuscoChristopher GreaganNeil L. LevineThomas McEvoyKristin McVeigh-ParenteGayla RiccardiElizabeth SquiresJohn SullivanRobert Wakeman

Sharing the Journey is published three times yearly by the Development and Public Affairs Departments of Living Resources. Color printing courtesy of Benchemark Printing, Inc.

FOUNDATION DIRECTORSOfficersRichard A. Fuerst, Esq., PresidentRobert W. Lazar, Vice PresidentPeter J. Cornell, TreasurerDrue Sanders, Secretary

Board MembersRaymond A. Bleser, Jr.Vladia C. BoniewskiJill Braverman-Panza, M.D.Darren DonohueMaggie Kirwin, Ed.D.Stephen J. ObermayerRobert H. OrmerodCarolyn Peterson-VaccaroJohn J. PuigMichael A. QuarantaDaniel RoundAlta SchallehnGreg ScottCatherine J. StevensDorothy S. StevensPaul C. ValenteChristopher D. Ward

HONORARY BOARDBishop Howard J. HubbardMayor Gerald D. JenningsKaren B. JohnsonDale L. Miller, CMC, WGMC, AACSandra V. NardociRabbi Scott Shpeen

DID YOU KNOW? YOU CAN FOLLOW LIVING RESOURCES ON FACEBOOK!

Just log onto the Living Resources website at www.LivingResources.org and click on

the Facebook Icon.

GE Matching GiftsGE Employees, retirees, survivingspouses and Directors can havetheir gifts matched dollar-for-dollar.Visit www.gefoundation.com or call 800-305-0669for more information.

State EmployeesLiving Resources participates in theState Employees Federated Appeal.Our code number5000202covers all counties in theCapital Region.

Welcome New Board MembersCorporation Board Foundation BoardGary Foster Vladia C. BoniewskiNeil L. Levine Darren DonohueThomas McEvoy Stephen J. ObermayerGayla Riccardi Greg Scott

Paul C. Valente

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