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When you or a family member is in need of support, care, or encouragement where do you turn? If you are like most, you look to a trusted friend or family member. For over 1000 individuals and families across New York State, Springbrook is that trusted friend – a partner who supports their unique needs for as long as they may need us to be part of their life. We are here to provide the tools, expertise, knowledge, support, and encouragement to ensure each person and family we serve can reach their full potential. And we do this with your support.
The caliber and scope of the opportunities offered at Springbrook are dependent on the generosity of a broad network of family, friends, corporations, and foundations. Your gift to Springbrook allows us to say “Yes, you can” when everyone else says, “No, you can’t.” Every gift adds up to support innovative programs, hands-on experiences, updates or additions to homes and facilities, educational opportunities for staff, the list goes on and on. Your gift matters. Your gift can change lives.
Why I give – Patrick Prior
“I give to Springbrook for my brother, Michael. My wife Anne and I try to visit Michael about 5 or 6 times-a-year. Anne and I enjoy spending time at the house. The staff and house managers have a genuine passion for the work and for providing quality care for the residents.
I have consistently made a monetary donation to Springbrook for over a decade. I also have a bequest to Springbrook written into my will. This support is important because I think most families do not realize that there is a gap between what the government can, should, and will provide to the developmentally disabled and what each person needs to have a full life.
It can be hard having a family member with a developmental disability. I have sometimes wondered what life could have been like for Michael under different circumstances—he is a good-looking guy with a very pleasant disposition. But the fact is, he has a disability. His disability does not mean he cannot have a good life with good friends and good times. In fact, we can all contribute to society, regardless of our varying abilities. By supporting Springbrook, my family and others can enable the developmentally disabled to engage and make their contributions fully.”
Join The Parent Council
The Parent Council is Springbrook’s family advocacy group—made up of parents, relatives, and caregivers of individuals in a wide range of Springbrook programs.
Why have a Family Advocacy Group?
Springbrook has always depended on a high level of family involvement, and we recognize that the parents and relatives of those we support also have unique needs. The Parent Council gives families a beneficial line of communication with Springbrook’s administration—enabling parents to express their needs while gaining a deeper understanding of how Springbrook operates in an increasingly challenging environment.
How often does the Parent Council meet?
Springbrook understands how hectic life can get. Balancing work, family time, and personal time is a challenge for every parent. Springbrook is committed to meeting the needs of every family we support, and to that end, we work to provide a meeting schedule that fosters a productive Council, while not taking up too much of your hard-earned free time. Meetings are scheduled quarterly and typically last about two hours.
My son David is a recent graduate of The School at Springbrook. His time at the school opened doors for him and created an abundance of opportunities to help him be a more independent young man. One thing that makes Springbrook so successful is the passion of the staff, individuals, and parents. Springbrook is a place of learning and loving that creates opportunities for all the individuals the organization serves.
As the Co-Chair of the Parents Council, I would like to be sure that all of our families are regularly informed of all Springbrook news. I would also like to ensure that all of the parents are kept up-to-date on education standards and the ever-changing OPWDD guidelines. Many of our families are spread out across the state and I feel it is important to make sure that all of them are kept in the loop. Lastly, I would like to see some Parent Council involvement in fundraising and development projects for the agency.
Why should you join the Parent Council?
Parents who choose to join the Council have intimate, strategic level engagement with Springbrook, providing a way to communicate their needs and express their opinions, connect with other Springbrook families, and the opportunity to support all of the work that Springbrook does in a meaningful way. Parent Council members also have the chance to advocate for people with developmental disabilities at a state and local level, as well as provide outreach to families that are considering Springbrook as a new home for their child.
Springbrook Society
The Springbrook Society is a dedicated network of families, friends, area business partners, and employees who lead by example. Their leadership gifts enable us to make meaningful changes in the lives of those we support. As part of this exclusive group, Springbrook Society members enjoy opportunities to network with each other at receptions and events, receive special recognition among our annual donors, and benefit from added communication with our executive leadership. With their giving leadership, Springbrook Society members prove that, just as no one is ever considered just another person at Springbrook, no one is ever considered just another donor—every gift matters and every donor matters.
Springbrook has been an important part of our lives for 15 years. Our relationship started when I was the Provost at nearby Hartwick College and Patricia Kennedy invited me to serve on the Springbrook board. Throughout a couple of University Presidencies that took us away from the region, I remained committed to Springbrook. ‘Why?’ you might be wondering. The answer is simple. Springbrook is forward thinking, mission-driven, fiscally responsible and deeply committed to ensuring everyone has a rich and meaningful life. You will not find a better investment for your time and resources.
Now that Vivien and I have settled in the capital region and I have technically retired from higher education, I have accepted the role as Chairman of the Springbrook Foundation Board. This is a job I take very seriously. We are grateful for every gift, large or small that is made to Springbrook, but those who commit to join the Springbrook Society at the leadership level of $1,000 or more annually, are providing inspirational funding- to provide a margin of excellence not achievable with public dollars alone.
Our family has made Springbrook a philanthropic priority and we hope you will join us in that commitment.
Join Today! Contact Us:
Stacey Grady, CFRE
Director of Development
607.286.7171 Ex. 283
gradys@springbrookny.org