News & Events 2008

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Golisano Foundation Announces 2008 Grant Awards

December 31, 2008 -- We are pleased to announce grant awards made in 2008 to benefit many area organizations that provide children and youth programs, adult and family services, and community services. See Awards

Annual Message from Ann Costello, Foundation Director

December 31, 2008 -- As I look back on 2008, I reflect on another year of exciting programs and impressive public policy initiatives for individuals with developmental disabilities. The highlights were many, and included the launch of the Institute for Innovative Transition at the University of Rochester’s Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) at Golisano Children’s Hospital, a Pet-assisted therapy program offered by Lollypop Farm, drama and music therapy classes, a variety of summer camp programs and expanded recreational opportunities, among others. Read more

Don't MIss Dialogue on Disability: Jan 11-17 on WXXI TV & Radio

A partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Center, Dialogue on Disability: The Herman & Margaret Schwartz Community Series is week-long outreach initiative designed to stimulate community dialogue about the perspectives and abilities of people with disabilities.At the heart of this initiative is programming, broadcast on WXXI-TV, WXXI-HD, City 12 and AM 1370/HD91.5-2, that celebrates the amazing lives of people with disabilities. Dialogue on Disability runs January 11 through 17. See information

Celebrate Disability History Month by Teaching Diversity
September 30, 2008 ---October is Disability History Month. There are wonderful tools available for New York State citizens through New York's Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and its collaborative partners - including the Museum of disAbility History, funded by the Golisano Foundation - that can help teach both children and adults about developmental disabilities as well as about the history of the disability movement. Read more

Roberts Wesleyan College Embraces Students with Disabilities

September 10, 2008 -- With one cut of a ribbon, a beautiful academic facility was introduced to the Roberts Wesleyan community and a major step forward was taken for students with disabilities throughout this region. Read more

Golisano Foundation UR Launch New Institute for Innovative Transition to Prepare Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities for a Successful Adulthood
June 5, 2008 -- In response to a vital community need for effective transition information, programs, and services for young adults with disabilities and their families, the Golisano Foundation has teamed up with the University of Rochester to launch an Institute for Innovative Transition, an effort that will impact more than 900 families in Monroe County. The Institute will be housed at the Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities, a division of Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. Read more

Golisano Foundation Recognizes Founding Board Member Gloria Austin

Gloria Austin, Founding Member of the Golisano Foundation, recently retired from the Board of Trustees after 24 years of dedicated service. A tireless advocate for the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities and their families, Gloria was instrumental in crafting the Foundation's mission, a focal point of which, is care and service with dignity.

She has strongly advocated for expanding opportunities for people with disabilities including their involvement in a variety of community activities, and was a proponent of "person centered" service and planning long before it was common practice or actively promoted.

Gloria was active in early years of the Monroe County Coordinating Group for Mental Retardation, which was eventually incorporated as The Advocacy Center. She has also been highly involved in the Mary Cariola Children's Center and the School of the Holy Childhood.

Including Samuel Film Premiers

April 21, 2008
7 p.m., Dryden Theatre
Photojournalist Dan Habib rarely thought about the inclusion of children with disabilities before he had his son Samuel eight years ago. Now he thinks about inclusion every day. Habib documented his family's efforts to include Samuel in every facet of their lives, a journey that transformed each of them. Including Samuel also features four other families with varied inclusion experiences, plus interviews with dozens of teachers, young people, parents and disability rights experts. A conversation with filmmaker and photojournalist, Dan Habib will follow the film. Sponsored by The Golisano Foundation. Tickets no longer available. A trailer and additional information are available at www.includingsamuel.com.

Funding Systemic Change: A Grantmakers Forum of New York Interview
with the Golisano Foundation

January 2008 -- In a recent conversation with Ann Costello, Director of The Golisano Foundation, Ann tells the Grantmakers Forum about the Foundation’s recent investment in transition planning for students with developmental disabilities and the Foundation’s interaction with state agencies that oversee the process. Read Interview

Grant from Golisano Foundation Helps Lollypop Farm Expand Pet Assisted Therapy Program

January 2008 --Through a $60,000 grant from The Golisano Foundation, Lollypop Farm is undergoing a significant expansion of its Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) program. The PAT program has served the community for over 20 years, visiting senior- and assisted-living facilities for recreational visits. This expansion enables Lollypop Farm to visit facilities that serve individuals with disabilities for therapeutic treatment. Full story

Ann Costello, Golisano Foundation Director, Speaks at Event
to Commemorate Establishment of New York State’s First-ever
Disability History Week

October 18, 2007 --Working with New York State Assemblymember Mark Schroeder, representatives from People Inc. and its Museum of disABILITY History were instrumental in establishing the third week in October as Disability History Week in New York State. The resolution was passed by the New York State Legislature in June of 2007.

In celebration of the Week, People Inc. hosted several events. On October 18, 2007 Lt. Governor David Patterson and New York State Assemblymember Mark Schroeder visited People Inc.'s administrative headquarters in Williamsville to commemorate the week. See video highlights

Photo: Assemblymember Mark J.F. Schroeder, Lt. Governor David Paterson, Ann Costello, Director of B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, and People Inc. President & CEO Dr. James Boles.

Museum of disABILITY History’s New Web Site Wins Rave Reviews

December 2007 --The Museum of disABILITY History’s new Web site, funded in part by a grant given by the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, was launched to critical acclaim in October 2007. In less than six months, it has won rave reviews from viewers, has won at least one award for outstanding achievement, and has had more than 1.25 million hits from 40,000 visitors in more than 100 countries. Full story