The fun came in waves as Mary Cariola celebrated the 2022 Under the Sea Prom at every campus location this year. Students age 15+ attended the daytime prom over three days earlier this month. Having the event at each location eliminated transportation coordination and allowed more time for fun on the dance floor. Glitz and glamour prevailed as students put on their dancing shoes and enjoyed a magical time with classmates and staff. Many thanks, once again, to the Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester for providing dresses and “bling” for the event and to Amanda Jane Photography for taking formal portraits of our prom goers! | | | IT CONNECTS CARIOLA COMMUNITY | | Information Technology is not just another department in an organization. It is essential, like electricity, or the nervous system in your body. Technology brings people together especially at Mary Cariola Center. The IT Department’s work has always been critical to the success of the Agency. Combining the needs of the residences, the demands of the school and Agency administration would be a difficult job for anyone. Add in a pandemic that is still present today and the challenges could be insurmountable—but not at Cariola. | | | | Providing iPads for families without technology tools, weak internet access and managing the demands of a remote workforce and a remote school are not the simplest of tasks. Imagine doing this during a campus move and remodel. More complex IT projects include configuring Clear Touch interactive devices and iPads for both classroom and home, preparing the East Henrietta and East Avenue campuses with new internet service and network upgrades, implementing a new Management software solution to improve support services and monitor inventory/updates, managing Elmwood and East Henrietta campus security and video surveillance systems, assessing and enhancing computer equipment at all six residential homes, planning for a unified phone and video conferencing solution, and performing ongoing software upgrades. What makes this more impressive is that all projects are completed by a team of four, led by IT Director Bridget Borsa. “The Mary Cariola Center IT team is happy to support our residents, students, staff, and families as they navigate the ever-evolving digital world,” said Bridget. “Our simple goal is to ensure that through the use of technology, everyone has a safe and secure space to live and learn.” Thanks to this dedicated team and the support of our partner, PC Results, the Cariola community remains connected. | |  | | | | | | | | Last September Mary Cariola Center embarked on a structured Agency-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiative. We engaged a consultant, Tangible Development, to guide the project and as a first step asked then to complete an objective assessment of our organization. | | | | During this phase they reviewed written policies, completed a climate assessment, conducted focus groups, and supported learning and training defined as “capacity building.” We engaged a diverse group of staff to be our “DEI Champions”, and we are currently sharing the findings of the assessment and reviewing the recommendations made by Tangible Development. | | | | | Mary Cariola is committed to supporting and valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, as well as the diversity of the people, organizations, and communities we serve. We aspire to be an organization that is intentionally diverse, inclusive, and equitable. This is a good first step, and Agency leadership has committed to implementing several of the recommendations as part of our Agency strategic plan for the coming fiscal year. Agency Leaders and the Board of Directors will finalize and approve the strategic plan and look forward to the development of specific initiatives and goals toward becoming a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all. | | | |  | | | | | | LONGTIME STAFF MEMBERS RETIRING | | | Mary Cariola Center wishes happy retirement to three longtime staffers who will close out their Cariola career at the end of the school year. Joan Smith, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, began her career in 1981. Certified Occupational Therapist Nancy Grah joined the Agency in 1989, and Teacher Aide II Cathy Danner has been a fixture in Cariola classrooms since 1999. That adds up to an impressive 97 years of transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities. Joan, Nancy and Cathy’s dedication and knowledge have impacted hundreds of students. We thank you for your commitment and wish you all the best in the years to come. | |  |  | | | | | | DONOR SPOTLIGHT: SUNRISE CIRCLE MEMBERS | |  | | The Sunrise Circle is Mary Cariola’s leadership annual giving society, and members play an important role in our success. Their support provides us with consistent revenue through three-year gift commitments, which allows us to plan strategically for the future. This has been especially important these past two years in the uncertain environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our members’ generous support provides the stability that we need to dream bigger and craft a vision for the next step for the Agency and all those we serve. Thank you to every one of our members for believing in our mission and our Agency! Sunrise Circle Members: | | | | | Bill & Cindy Ansbrow Michael & Cathy Armbruster Bill & Linda Bachman Allyson Bailey & Mike Stachura Laurie & Jerry Baker Whitney & Brian Baniewicz Mary & Billy Bowe Anna-Lynn Brink Scott & Betsy Collins Sam Jr. & Marlene Dattilo James & Jennifer DeVoe Erin & Derrick DiCesare Rich & Heather Finley James & Janet Flanagan Drs. Charles & Anne Francis Malinda Gaskamp & Robert Miller Bob & Chris Hall Jason & Lisa Hall Aaron & Nikki Hilger Barry & Brittany Jencik Hal & Amy Johnson Michael & Amy King Doug & Kate Lyon Will & Sharon Mack Linda & Ed Miller Hon. Michael & Joyce Mohun | | | Kelly O’Donnell & Roger Keymel Michael & Jan Osborn Dane & Mary Overfield Jo Ellen & Tom Pinkham Ron & Daniele Rostan Cheryl A. Schmidt Gary & Kathy Schwingel Jean Scott Paul Scott Christine & Tim Sheffer Renu & R.P. Singh Diane & Joe Syta Joe & Amy Tobin Rae & Bob Vogel Linda & Dan Wawro Mick & Gretchen Wood Karen Zandi & Jim Zimmer CORPORATE PARTNERS Comprehensive Dermatology of Rochester Harris Beach PLLC, Attorneys at Law Lawley Andolina Verdi Insurance LeChase Construction Services Rochester Clinical Research | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |  | | 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 | | | | | |
