 | | | | MARY CARIOLA COLLABORATES WITH URMC FOR NIH COVID STUDY | | | | | | | Students and staff at Mary Cariola Center can be regularly tested for COVID-19 as part of a research study led by the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The two-year, $4 million project, funded by the NIH, will support a collaborative effort between URMC and the Mary Cariola Center School to learn how COVID-19 spreads in the vulnerable population the Agency serves. Staff and students are welcome to participate. The objective is to keep schools open as the COVID pandemic continues to impact schools across the nation. | | | | | A press conference last month announced this study with all of Rochester’s major media outlets in attendance. News coverage was wide ranging on both television and radio, and a New York Times article on the study is anticipated in the next several weeks. | |  | | | | WALKING ON SUNSHINE SUCCESS | |  | The sun was shining brightly on September 19 as over 1,000 walkers and volunteers came together to support Mary Cariola Center and enjoy a fun morning in Veterans Memorial Park in Penfield. There was a special energy in the air this year as we gathered in person for our 13th annual event. The traditional Walk festivities were back in action – children’s activities, raffle, live entertainment, good food and a stroll through the beautiful park. A big thank you to our walkers, donors, volunteers and corporate sponsors. Thanks to your support, we were able to crush our goal and raise over $160,000 to support the Agency! Click HERE to check out our event photo gallery, and see all the fun we had! | |  |  | | | | AGENCY HONORS STAFF AT ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONIES | | They work in a variety of programs and disciplines throughout Mary Cariola Center, and all received high praise from colleagues and supervisors. They are exceptional and dedicated employees. All of them are 2021 Award winners because …She created a safe and healthy environment for Mary Cariola Center School. …His heart is full of everything good in this world. …He is unfailingly cheerful and optimistic. …She was instrumental in developing our vaccine plan and schedule. …He is calm, directive and very supportive to staff and students. …She greets all guests and staff with kindness, respect and an open heart. …He is someone who works incredibly hard for the good and advancement of our Agency. With pride and gratitude, we announce the seven employees honored during our annual Mary Cariola Center staff award announcements. Read all about them HERE. | |  | | | | DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION PROGRAM LAUNCHED THROUGHOUT AGENCY | | | Mary Cariola Center has partnered with Tangible Development (an organization specializing in designing solutions to inspire change) to help guide and facilitate the Agency’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) journey to a more intentionally diverse and inclusive organization for staff. Tangible is currently working with leadership to raise everyone’s baseline knowledge and develop a vision and plan for diverse teams and inclusive strategies. | | | | | Currently the Agency is in the assessment and listening phase as surveys and listening sessions take place throughout the organization. This important phase allows staff the opportunity to share and listen to experiences from multiple perspectives. The results of the listening sessions and survey will determine a variety of methods to accomplish the following goals: -
evaluate the organization's current DEI state; -
design and implement a sustainable strategic diversity plan with goals, strategies, and metrics to measure progress; -
develop a learning and development work plan for employees to support the sustainability of Mary Cariola’s established strategic diversity goals. The DEI effort will be an ongoing project made possible by a grant from the William & Sheila Konar Foundation. | | | | SPOTLIGHT ON: COMMUNITY FRIENDS | | | Like most other not-for-profit organizations, Mary Cariola relies heavily on monetary donations to help cover costs related to special initiatives, programs, and equipment. However, another way to support our students, residents, and staff is through in-kind gifts, which typically include the donation of time, services, or items. Some of our biggest in-kind donors are businesses that we utilize for needs ranging from IT support to Marketing and Communications. These valuable community friends often donate or discount their products, services and time - all of which help our bottom line. We would like to recognize a few of them here and thank them for their continued support and friendship. Thank you friends! | |  | | EAST AVENUE CAMPUS WELCOMES STUDENTS | |  | | The first day of school on our new East Avenue campus brought plenty of smiles and sunshine, even though it was pouring rain. Students, families and staff enjoyed entering the “new to us” building for what promises to be a great year! Currently, staff and students occupy five classrooms in one wing of the school while the other wing is under renovation and construction. Work includes asbestos removal, new flooring, installation of safety glass and bathroom modifications. | | | | | Following Phase 1 completion, everyone will then move into the finished wing while the current occupied space begins renovations. Renovations are scheduled for completion in June 2022. The East Avenue campus offers the same programs and services as our other campus locations including medical suites, music therapy, physical and occupational therapy rooms, adapted physical education and much more. The St. Thomas More community has welcomed Mary Cariola to their campus, and we are so appreciative of their friendship and support. | | | | | MARY IN A MINUTE - MEET LAURA WINK | | | | | Our Mary in a Minute series is about people making an impact on the Mary Cariola Community. From leading classrooms to leading Mary Cariola through the COVID maze of data and reporting, Laura Wink keeps learning and looking to the future. Meet Laura. | | | | | | | MAKE A GIFT TO MARY CARIOLA Make a gift today and make a real difference. Your support helps us provide the best possible services and care for our students, residents and their families. | | | | | | | | | |  | | 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 | | | | | | | | | |
