This Independence Day, the more than 55,000 children and adults with special needs who rely on the programs and services provided on Al Sigl’s six campuses each year urgently need your support.
Your gift today will help these individuals – and so many others – lead more independent lives.
“I have met so many new friends and am so excited to continue my journey of becoming a nurse.
Maria is thriving in CP Rochester’s adult Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA), where she also attends the Day Habilitation program. She has built independence and confidence while giving back as a volunteer in the Augustin Children’s Program classrooms.
This spring marks the end of her first full year in the B.E.L.L. college program through CP Rochester’s partnership with BOCES II and Roberts Wesleyan University.
“I was happy to see my girlfriend and other friends. I love the music and dancing.”
AJ and Kayla have been a couple for almost two years. They both take part in the Residential program at Empowering People’s Independence (EPI).
When EPI’s Self Advocacy Team, The Advocacy Masters, hosted their first-ever Sweetheart Dance at Al Sigl’s Golisano Campus, they were excited to spend time out in the community together. Kayla and AJ had fun enjoying the food, music, and dancing.
With the overwhelming success of the event, EPI’s Advocacy Masters plan to hold another dance next year. AJ and Kayla both can’t wait to do it again next year.
“I can get where I need to go and I don’t have to worry.”
Every day, Medical Motor Service (MMS) serves individuals whose transportation needs fall outside the limits of Medicaid or insurance. MMS helps fill that gap, serving older adults, people with special needs, and people living on fixed incomes. Walter (pictured, left), a driver, knows just how important the service is to seniors.
Pamela, who is visually impaired, relies on MMS to get to her doctor’s office and to the grocery store. “There’s a smile on my face when they pull into my driveway because I know the driver and they know me,” she says. “I’m grateful to have this service available to me.”
“MS affects everyone differently. I like how people understand what you are going through.”
Rich (pictured, left, with family members) was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 27 during a hospital stay after a bad fall. He had temporarily lost vision in one eye a few years ago and more recently had experienced trouble with his legs. An amateur stock-car driver, his first question after being diagnosed was “What is MS?” followed by “Will I be out of the hospital in time to make Saturday’s race at the Speedway?”
That was when he reached out to the National MS Society. He began attending meetings for the newly diagnosed and invited friends and family to join him at Walk MS, an event that raises awareness. Thirty years later, his team, Warden’s Walkers, has raised over $130,000 to support the cause.
“A gap was bridged after coming to RHSC. Ryder found his voice.”
At two years old, Ryder communicated mostly through pointing and grunting when he joined the Early Intervention Developmental Group at Rochester Hearing & Speech Center (RHSC). Alyssa, a Speech Pathologist, started working with Ryder on multimodal communication such as pointing/gestures, pictures, sign language, and spoken words.
In just five months, he has already begun to use a variety of nonverbal and verbal means to communicate his wants and needs. He has started to imitate Alyssa’s gestures, signs, sounds, and (most recently) words. The adults in his life are very happy to hear his voice, even when it’s an emphatic, “NO.”
“I make a meaningful difference in the lives of others every day.”
This Independence Day is special for Patricia as she is celebrating a new job at Rochester Rehabilitation Center’s Mental Health Clinic. A graduate of the agency’s Ventures PROS program in April 2025, Patricia gained confidence and purpose and developed long lasting friendships.
In her new role, she is grateful she gets to continue learning and sharing her knowledge with others.
“I love how Starbridge gives Jordan access to opportunities that I may have never thought of!”
Jordan was just three years old when his mom, Cloria, reached out to Starbridge. Always on the go, he “didn’t know where his body was in space,” she said. He needed a lot of sensory input, ways to help get his energy out. Cloria was exploring Self-Direction, where a person with a disability chooses the services that work best for them, then develops a plan and budget with their circle of support.
April, Fiscal Intermediary Supervisor at Starbridge, suggested gymnastics. Jordan, now nine years old, takes lessons four days a week and competes at Level 5. He is able to be part of community programs and really show his strengths. His days are now busy with things he loves, like the YMCA, trampoline parks, and of course, gymnastics.
Ready to help make more stories of success possible?
Your gift today will help celebrate the accomplishments of these individuals, and to encourage thousands more.
Your support provides critical help for our seven Member Agencies and the children and adults they serve here in our community. THANK YOU!
