You are invited to attend the Human Services Expo: Thursday, April 23rd from 10 am – 2 pm. Local service providers will be in attendance to discuss their services and answer your questions.
Category Archives: Events
RCAL says goodbye to two of its longtime and key employees
Goodbyes are never easy. It is with great sadness that RCAL says goodbye to two of its longtime and key employees.
River Lightwomoon was a founder of RCAL who helped write the original grant. She was the original bookkeeper, become the Chief Fiscal Officer. She kept us grounded year after year as the agency grew. She was always the steady voice you need in that key fiscal role, asking all the right questions about minimizing fiscal risk. River put in more weekend hours than anyone ever knew to keep this place going without ever a complaint. Questions about cash flow, she knew; questions about last minute budget changes, she knew; bad jokes, she knew. She was a person who was as likely to buy you lunch as play a terrible practical joke on you. Her spirit and dedication to RCAL is irreplaceable. She could not be more dedicated to our mission. I humbly, on behalf of the staff and board, thank her for everything she has accomplished. Well done. Enjoy your retirement!
Suzanne deBeaumont came to RCAL ten years ago as the assistant director. RCAL was just beginning its adolescent growth spurt. Suzanne was key in developing and implementing many of the programs that RCAL successfully runs today. Her willingness to learn new things so she could teach others and her ability to provide support and information on very detailed levels showed her sincere dedication to the organization. Suzanne was often the face of RCAL, attending many meeting out in the community. She was the person who handled all the initial complex calls from people who were suddenly faced with a crisis situation. Suzanne was always a good sport, easy to work with and was motivating to her staff. RCAL wishes Suzanne all the best at her New Job with NYAIL. We know she will be able to make the same impact at the state level that she made at RCAL. See you at the Staff holiday party!
-Sue Hoger, CEO
RCAL Nominates Independent Living Centers for ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
“Opening the doors of opportunity”
CONTACT: Resource Center for Accessible Living, Inc.
Janae Myers, Office Manager
845-331-0541 ext. 20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2014
RCAL CONQUERS ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE
Staff gathered to complete the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and nominate other New York State Independent Living Centers to do the same
Resource Center for Accessible Living, Inc. (RCAL) staff gathered in the organization’s parking lot on Tuesday, August 19 to complete the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
Kathy Hochman, previous NHTD program director, nominated RCAL to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Having had consumers with ALS, some of them having died, RCAL found this cause very fitting to its mission.
Nine RCAL staff members dumped buckets of ice water on their heads before nominating six other Independent Living Centers throughout the area.
“We want to continue generating awareness and encouraging people to donate funds,” said Sue Hoger, chief executive officer of RCAL. “Some of our staff has opted to donate money to the ALS Association in addition to completing the challenge.”
Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. (TRI) has accepted the challenge offered by RCAL.
The two part video of RCAL staff members accepting and completing the challenge and then nominating the six other centers can be found on the Resource Center for Accessible Living, Inc. Facebook page.
About RCAL
Our Mission is to assist people with disabilities to open the doors of opportunity and independence in the Ulster County region through self-determination by creating disability understanding and awareness, and access community-wide.
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RCAL Participates in Omega Institute’s Service Week for Nonprofits
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2014
RCAL PARTICIPATES IN OMEGA INSTITUTE’S
SERVICE WEEK FOR NONPROFITS
Staff will gather at the Omega Institute for a two-day and two-night retreat
Resource Center for Accessible Living, Inc. (RCAL) will be closed on Monday, May 26 through Wednesday, May 28 while the staff members are on a retreat at Omega Institute in
Rhinebeck, NY.
For the first time, RCAL staff will participate in the Omega Institute’s 10th annual Service Week. Omega Service Week brings nonprofit organizations together with their staff, and provides a New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) consultant, to allow focus on organizational opportunities and goals, as well as strategic planning and networking.
RCAL has chosen to focus their time at Omega Institute on managing change.
“Change is not only something that happens within our organization,” said Sue Hoger, chief executive officer of RCAL. “Change occurs within the networks and systems we work in; it happens within the lives of our consumers. Our staff needs to know the best ways to utilize change and how make the best of these inevitable changes. That is what we intend to take from this retreat.”
Back in January, RCAL was invited to apply to Omega Institute’s Service Week; altogether 33 nonprofit organizations were accepted and will arrive at Omega during the week of May 26 through May 30.
The Dyson Foundation provided in-part funding for RCAL to attend this three-day educational retreat and covered all cost for a NYCON consultant.
About RCAL
Our Mission is to assist people with disabilities to open the doors of opportunity and independence in the Ulster County region through self-determination by creating disability understanding and awareness, and access community-wide.
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Autism Walk & Expo
Join the Autism Society of the Hudson Valley for the Autism Walk & Expo on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit www.AutismWalkHV.orgfor more information.
