The Leadership Adirondack Class of 2013-14 raised $15,000 for the Warren-Washington CARE Center.
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce honored this year’s Leadership Adirondack participants with a graduation dinner celebration in February. Many graduates of the prestigious program, now in it’s 24th year, go on to be appointed to the most senior positions in their organizations and various commissions and board of director positions, according to ARCC.
The purpose of the center is to reduce the trauma to child victims of physical and sexual abuse, and their non-offending family members, by working with a multidisciplinary team of experts, who specialize in child abuse, from both Warren and Washington counties.
“The CARE Center was in desperate need of new video and voice recording equipment, and this class was up for the challenge” said Carrie Sullivan, Leadership Adirondack program coordinator for the Chamber. “They got right to work not only raising funds for the much needed equipment, but also volunteered to do an aggressive awareness campaign for the center.”
“We can’t thank this program enough”, said Michael Guglielmoni, CARE executive director. During the five-month program, the 23-member class was able to raise over $15,000, enough to purchase the needed equipment. In addition, the class produced posters, stickers and a public service announcement for the center.
“With this equipment, the children that are victims of abuse or neglect will only have to tell their story once, versus up to seven times, and the recordings will be admissible in court,” said Michael.
In addition to selecting a community project, the core of the program is comprised of a two-day leadership training retreat and nine all-day educational sessions highlighting different business sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing to name a few.
“The class members are given an opportunity to gain a greater sense of what this region has to offer and to make important business contacts,” said Sullivan.
To be accepted to the program, the applicant must first be nominated by their business, then submit an application for admission to the Leadership Adirondack Advisory Council. The council completes an in-depth review of the candidate. Only 24 applicants are chosen each year.
For more information about how to be a part of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Adirondack Program, contact Sullivan at 798-1761.
Photo Courtesy Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce